The Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) hosted an African American Experience and Social Justice Panel on Thursday, February 19, in honor of African American Heritage Month. The panel featured Skyline College student Dessaline Douglas, ASSC President Nicole Harris, Professor Paul Bolick and Dr. Tony Jackson. ASSC Commissioner of Activities, Marlon Gaytan Jr. organized the event and facilitated the discussion.

Each panelist offered a unique perspective on what it means to be a black American in today’s social climate. Some of the topics that were discussed include the Black Lives Matter movement in Oakland, the psychological anxieties regarding the traumatic effects of racism, an analysis of the media as a biased reporter on political issues and praise for Skyline College as a leader in multicultural education and social justice advocacy.

The ninety-minute panel was well-attended with students interested in learning about contemporary social issues. The discussion sparked a lively Q & A session at the end of the event with thoughtful questions about how the young generation can keep momentum going for social justice.

Skyline College student Davante Cade summarized the event in honor of African American Heritage Month as “insightful and informative.”

Article by Marlon Gaytan Jr. | photos by Albert Ramos and John Saenz

On Monday, February 23, the Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) hosted a drum circle with activist, educator and performer Afia Walking Tree. Students had the opportunity to play authentic, African percussion instruments for a 90-minute session. A map of Africa was projected as a visual aid for the stories that were told about the African Diaspora. Afia Walking Tree also spoke about the history of drums and drumming, their cultural-historical significance, African greetings and call and response, their empowering affects, and how rural life added value to the drum as a musical instrument, a medium for communication, and even as a vessel for storing valuables.

Skyline College student Jay Miller said he learned about “the history behind the drum in Africa and how it translated across different continents.”

The ASSC promoted the event in a lively fashion, carrying large drums into the Fireside Dining Room and spontaneously pounding rhythms that caught the attention of students. The energy during the event was exciting, soulful and so loud that the music resonated all through Building 6.

Skyline College student Vanessa Aragon said she felt “alive and empowered.”

The Drum Djam was definitely a memorable event and will keep our hearts beating in unity as a Skyline College community.

Article by Marlon Gaytan Jr. | Photos by John Saenz and Albert Ramos

Skyline College’s Career Services Center team was invited to participate in the Resume Review program at the inaugural 2015 Lead On Silicon Valley Conference for Women. The sold-out event for over 5,000 attendees was designed to offer insights and practical advice about career connections, development, and advocacy. Local and international senior executives, entrepreneurs, and authors convened to provide a forum for dialogue and networking with over 100 thought leaders and industry experts.

The highlight of the conference was Hilary Clinton’s luncheon keynote address.  During her first U.S. speech of the year, the former Secretary of State, Senator and First Lady urged the audience to continue progress toward paid family leave, equal pay for women, affordable childcare, and greater diversity in the workforce – especially in the male-dominated technology industry. Though she made no definitive comments about her highly anticipated run for the White House in 2016, when asked whether she would consider a second attempt at the Presidency, Clinton remarked, “All in good time. There’s a lot to think about, let me tell you.”

Article and Photo by Lavinia Zanassi

On February 25, as part of African American History Month, the Cosmetology Department presented a special program entitled “Moments in Black History: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Stan Nash, owner of Milstan Thermal Products, spoke about pioneers in the black haircare industry.  Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud attended the event to receive an award for “Level 5 Leadership,” a concept from Jim Collins’ book Good to Great, from Coordinator Kym Jackson. A Level 5 Leader is someone who combines genuine personal humility with intense professional will to set an example of compassionate excellence.

Last week several Cosmetology students had the privilege of a private interview with Dr. Stanback Stroud, in which she answered questions about motivation, success, her legacy and the transformative power of Black hairstyles. In particular Cosmetology’s African-American students were excited and inspired to meet her and they shared their experience at the Moments in Black History event.

Our commemoration of Black History Month also included a pamphlet detailing African hairstyles, African-American inventors of haircare products and tools, and a fashion show featuring looks from the 1920’s through today.

Article by Linsey Hemstreet

This past Monday the Science in Action series had a set of exciting and inspiring speakers.   Vanessa Cota and David Ruvalcaba were both CCSF students who started to do research for the Bridges to Baccalaureate program at SFSU, then continued with their research as they transferred to SFSU.  The Science in Action Series is a unique way for students to not only learn about some cutting edge science, but also to hear the personal stories of scientists who are starting their careers and are only a few years ahead of Skyline College students.

Vanessa’s path to the sciences is an interesting one, since her original degree was in Theater Arts.  After working in her field she decided to go back to school and study science. She came back to community college to take science classes and started practicing science with the Bridge to Baccalaureate program. Her participation in the program allowed her to get paid to do science rather than work in a retail job and she was then able to matriculate directly into the graduate program at SF State.

Vanessa told a story about how she is inspired to do her job. On the door to her laboratory is a sign that says “today it will work.” This inspires her to continue to do her research during the day. If things do not work the same doorway has a sign on the back that reads “tomorrow it will work,” letting her know that if she continues to work towards her goal she will eventually achieve it.

The Science in Action Series will continue through the semester with talks on Monday, March 2 in Building 7, Room 7106 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., when we will host Dr. Steven Weinstein, who will also talk about the Bridges to Baccalaureate program at SFSU and how students can apply to get paid to work in a lab and do research over the summer. See the list of upcoming events.

Photo from left to right: Skyline College students Daniel Messier, and Osama Ibrahim; Speakers David Ruvalcaba and Vanessa Cota; Student Pricsilla Sanchez and in the back is Patricio Trejo Lerdo.

Story and Photo by Nick Kapp

Friday, February 27, 2015

• Faculty Art Exhibition through March 7
• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Campus-Wide Forum on Capital Projects, Skyline College, Building 6, Room 6202
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop: Calculator Clinic, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Baseball v. City College of San Francisco, Skyline College
• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Women’s Basketball CCCAA Regional Playoffs #10 Skyline v #7 Sierra College, Sierra College, 5000 Rocklin Road, Rocklin

Saturday, February 28, 2015

• 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Touch the Future, Be a Teacher, Skyline College, Building 3, 3^rd Floor
• 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Free Tax Preparation, Skyline College, Building 8, Room 8209
• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Men’s Basketball CCCAA Regional Playoffs #14 Skyline @ #3 College of Marin, College of Marin, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield
• 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Baseball @ Mission College, Mission College, 3000 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara

Monday, March 2, 2015

• 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Asian Studies Center International Trade Program presents Principal Zhang of Hebei Province, China, Skyline College, Building 4, Multicultural Center

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Combining Sentences, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Composition Development & Editing, Skyline College, Building 5, Language Lab
• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Human Biology: Digestive System, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115

Thursday, March 5, 2015

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Lecture by Dr. Joy DeGruy – A Call to Consciousness, Skyline College, Building 6, Room 6202
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Developing Arguments, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115
• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Sentence Level Editing Practice, Skyline College, Building 5, Language Lab

Friday, March 6, 2015

• Last Day to Apply for Degree – Certificate
• 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mental Health First Aid Training, Skyline College, Building 6, Rooms 6202-6204
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Learning Center Workshop – Calculator Clinic, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115

For the latest information on events and activities happening at Skyline College, please view our calendar.

If you would like to include your college event or activity on the calendar, please submit the event, date, time and location to Jennifer Owen-Blackmon via email at owenblackmonj@smccd.edu.