Please mark your calendars for the End-of-Year Celebration Luncheon on Friday, May 15, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  in Building 6, Rooms 202-206. This will be an opportunity for the campus to come together and celebrate another successful year at Skyline College. The theme this year will be focusing on the GIANT impact we have made within the Skyline College community.

This luncheon offers us a time to come together to CELEBRATE the hard work put forth throughout the year, CHEER over our accomplishments, acknowledge dedicated MVP individuals for their service, and enjoy a gathering of goodwill. Please save the date to join your colleagues for a time of camaraderie and TEAM SPIRIT!

Please also consider organizing a gift basket for our annual auction to benefit the faculty/staff scholarships offered each year. Be sure to check in with your department or division offices to learn if a basket has already been coordinated. Raffle tickets will be available in each division office for purchase. We encourage you to support the scholarship for our students!

Contact Alana Utsumi for more information: utsumia@smccd.edu, or x. 4310.

Article by Alessandra Zanassi | Photo by Alana Utsumi

As part of the Transfer Initiative, the Skyline College Transfer Center has asked faculty, staff and administrators to sign up to be Transfer Advocates. These are people who are committed to students’ transfer success and are willing to promote and participate in all events related to transfer. Most importantly, these individuals make themselves available to students to discuss the campus they attended, their major and career path. Many have participated in Transfer Advocate Career Panels in Counseling 100 classes and others have met one on one with students. This academic year alone, over 150 students attended one of the various panels offered.

On Thursday, April 30, the Transfer Center took a moment to thank these individuals for their dedication and support of transfer and our students. Over 25 advocates attended and our President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, an advocate herself, came to share some words of support.  She spoke to the idea that everyone on our campus has a role to impact transfer and that the Advocates’ role reflects our strong campus-wide transfer culture and commitment to make Skyline College the place that is known for transfer – where students get in, get out and achieve transfer.

Currently, we have 50 Transfer Advocates. Our goal is to double that number to 100 Transfer Advocates by the end of the year. The commitment can be as minimal as promoting transfer in your everyday work to participating on a panel or meeting with students.  If you are interested in becoming a Transfer Advocate, you can learn more by visiting: http://www.skylinecollege.edu/transfercenter/becomeanadvocate.php. Please join us and your colleagues and become a Transfer Advocate Today!

A special thanks to our current 50 Transfer Advocates for their commitment to transfer and to Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud for speaking at our event!

Article by Suzanne Poma | Photo by Michele Haggar

Skyline College ceramics students participated for the seventh consecutive year in the annual California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art in Davis, May 1 to May 3.  The three-day conference draws ceramics students from all over the region to put on a display of their colleges’ artwork, and to attend over fifty exhibitions by other colleges and universities from California.  There were also many wonderful lectures by professional ceramics artists that included slide presentations and clay demonstrations.  Each school is provided a space in downtown Davis to transform into a gallery for the weekend.

Skyline College’s space was adjacent to those of Foothill College, Mendocino College, and California State University Channel Islands. The installation took a full day on Thursday and included painting pedestals, hanging lights and arranging the artwork. Students learned firsthand how to set up an exhibition. Ceramics Instructor Tiffany Schmierer selected functional pieces as well as sculptures for the show, from all levels of Skyline College ceramics classes.  Participating students welcomed conference guests to our show, sharing their inspirations and techniques.  The large variety of school exhibitions presented a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with potential transfer schools, their instructors, and current students.

Article and photo by Tiffany Schmierer

On Wednesday, April 29, Skyline College welcomed 200 Kindergartners and 100 parents as the institutional held its second KinderCaminata event.  This event in collaboration with the South San Francisco Unified School District provided activities for students throughout the morning.  Students from Skyline Elementary and Buri Buri Elemntary schools were greeted by Skyline College staff, faculty and students as they drove onto campus. Interim TRIO Director Nate Nevado introduced Dr. Stanback Stroud, President, and she welcomed the students to the campus with an inspirational welcoming speech.

Students, dressed in Skyline College “Kinder” shirts carrying backpacks filled with coloring books and pencils then participated in a host of activities at different locations throughout campus.  Many thanks to Skyline College Public Safety, the Skyline College Automotive Program, Allied Health, Cosmetology and Early Childhood Education programs for their fun-filled activities and exercises for the students.  The event concluded with lunch and students left on buses going back to their respective schools.

This successful event was coordinated by Florentino Ubungen, Outreach Coordinator and Adriana Armas, Staff Assistant, Enrollment Services.  In addition, over 60 Skyline College staff, faculty and students volunteered their time and created a wonderful experience for the students, teachers and families.  A special thanks to Joe Morello, Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance for the use of the gymnasium and Facilities for preparing the buildings for our visitors.

This event would not have been possible without the support of the President’s Innovation Fund at Skyline College.

Article by Florentino Ubungen | Photos by Maryam Ali

San Francisco State University provided two critical workshops in April to Skyline College transfer students: “Next Steps for Fall 2015 Transfer Students” and “Preparing for SFSU’s Nursing Programs.”

On Thursday, April 16, an admitted students workshops was hosted by SFSU outreach representative Doris Fendt and Financial Aid Advisor Nancy Joaditis. Over 40 students attended the workshop and got critical information on next steps for admissions and financial aid next steps. This is the first time that someone from Financial Aid has presented at Skyline College as part of this workshop and we hope to host her back more often in the future. Students were able to get their questions answered and come to the Transfer Center to set up one on one appointments with Doris. This workshops are especially important to helping students make a smooth transition to SFSU.

Special thanks to Doris Fendt, our SFSU Outreach Representative, who presented and coordinated Nancy’s presence at the workshop!

On Wednesday, April 29, Catherine Middleten, SFSU’s Coordinator of the Sequoia/SFSU Nursing program, came to present on SFSU’s Nursing Programs. She covered both the traditional SFSU Nursing Program and the Sequoia/SFSU Nursing program that is hosted at Cañada College. SMCCD students have an advantage (they get points on their applications) for being SMCCD students.  Over 30 students attended thanks to the extensive outreach of our science faculty! Applying to nursing programs could be easily compared to the process of applying to graduate programs such as business or physical therapy. There are entrance exams and special timeline considerations that students have to manage and it is extremely competitive. Getting this information early is critical to our students’ understanding of what they need to do and to develop a plan to achieve their goals!

Many thanks to the Science Math and Technology Division Faculty and Staff who referred students to this workshop and to the Division for hosting the workshop in Building 7.

Article and photo by Suzanne Poma

On Monday, May 4, jazz and world music educator Dr. Pascal Bokar Thiam led the Skyline College Jazz Band (MUS. 450) in an innovative rehearsal, bringing fresh ideas to the 28-person performance ensemble in a master class-style musical clinic. “Dr. T,” as he is often known, rehearsed the ensemble for an hour, focusing on Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll,” Miles Davis’s “Seven Steps to Heaven,” and Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa.” Student musicians later remarked that it was an excellent experience, and that they gained a new, inspiring perspective on the music.

Born in Paris and raised in Mali and Senegal, Dr. T teaches jazz, guitar, and world music at the University of San Francisco. He is also the owner of Savanna Jazz Club in San Francisco’s Mission District. His recently published book, titled From Timbuktu to the Mississippi Delta: How West African Aesthetics Shaped the Music of the Delta Blues, has garnered great scholarly and critical acclaim.

Dr. Zachary Bruno will return the favor by leading a USF jazz ensemble in a rehearsal next week. The Skyline College Jazz Band can be heard performing at the college’s Commencement Ceremony on May 29 and at Savanna Jazz Club on June 5.

Article by Zack Bruno | Photo by Erick Serrano

This past Saturday May 2, Skyline College’s Early Childhood Education Department, held the 7th annual Early Intervention Conference.  This year’s theme was, “Music, Movement, and Young Children’s Brain Development.”  Conference Coordinator and Skyline College faculty member Elaine Francisco brought together national and local professionals for keynotes and workshops.  After opening remarks from Dean of Business Christine Roumbanis, and ECE/EDU Coordinator Kate Williams Browne, award winning children’s song writer Jim Gill was able to get the crowd of over 280 early childhood professionals and students up and moving. Dr. James Adams, Educational psychologist and Skyline College faculty member ended the conference by sharing his knowledge of the importance of play in the lives and cognitive development of young children.

Workshops were presented by author/consultant Todd Wanerman, parent and autism expert Joseph Coffin, certified Baniel practitioner Kinga Czegeni, and adaptive yoga teacher and Cabrillo College faculty member Sharon Took-Zozaya.  Skyline College Early Childhood graduates Caroline Aristekessian and Zena Taresena shared their stories of continuing their education and careers in Early Childhood Special Education.

All conference attendees were given certificates for professional growth.  As they sang & danced their way off-campus, they clearly gained practical skills to use in the important work they do with young children of varying abilities.

Article by Kristina Brower

The Career Services Center, in partnership with the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Department, hosted its first “Summer Camp Career Fair,” inviting different camps, recreation centers and child care services to hire Skyline College students and community members and share information about their programs and services. Some of the open positions included camp counselor, sports instructor, child care provider, and program leader.

With summer fast approaching, the ECE and Career Center wanted to give students and local employers a chance to connect and discuss seasonal job opportunities. We look forward to hosting an even more fantastic fair next year! If you missed the Summer Camp Career Fair and want to learn more about the positions being advertised, visit the Career Services Center in Building 1, Room 1219B, or email Brian Jenney at jenneyb@smccd.edu.

Article by Brian Jenney | Photo by Lavinia Zanassi

The Career Services Center completed three successful Job Fairs over the last two weeks.

On April 29, the Career Services Center, in partnership with the CA Employment Development Department, hosted 44 employers and 18 Community Partners at Skyline College for the San Mateo Community Resource and Job Fair.  The event was a great success with over 300 participants, special thanks to the Faculty and Staff that helped to promote this community event to students!

 

Participating Employers Included:

• Accounting Principals
• Adecco Inc
• Ajilon Professional Staffing
• AlliedBarton Security Services
• Banana Republic
• California Conservation Corps
• Cintas
• Comcast
• Doubletree San Francisco Airport North
• DoubleTree/Embassy Suites SFO hotels
• Durham School Services
• Hilton
• La Boulange
• La Casa de las Madres
• Landmark Event Staffing
• Life Steps Foundation
• Lunardi’s Market
• Macy’s
• Mad Science of the Bay Area
• New Door Ventures
• Outreach Concepts Shuttle Service
• Patelco Credit Union
• Philz Coffee
• Pier 1 Imports
• Rolling Stock
• San Francisco Police Department
• San Francisco’s International Airport
• Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.
• Select Staffing
• Solar City
• Sprint Corporate
• Starbucks
• State Farm
• Susie Cakes Bakery
• Target
• Three Bells Of Montara
• UCSF – Administrative Services Staffing
• United Airlines
• United States Postal Service
• Walgreens
• Wells Fargo
• Western ECI

On May 6 the Career Services Center in collaboration with the Early Childhood Education Department, hosted the 1st Summer Camp Career Fair for students interested primarily in summer employment.  Opportunities included positions as a Summer Camp Leader, Life Guard, Youth Leader, Teacher, and Environmental Conservationist.

Participating employers included:

• Bright Horizons
• Community Gatepath
• Galileo Learning
• Life Steps Foundation, Inc.
• Melodic Remedy Dance Studio
• Mid-Peninsula Boys & Girls Club
• Play-Well TEKnologies
• Randstad USA
• Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)
• Student Conservation Association (SCA)
• Steam Kids
• Steve & Kate’s Camp
• The Student Conservation Association
• Urban Sitter
• Wanderer

Also on May 6, the Career Services Center partnered with Jefferson Adult School which offered their first site-based Job Fair.  Each of these employment initiatives was met with great participation and success!

Special thanks to all our campus and community partners!!

Article and photo by Lezra Chenportillo

On Saturday, April 26 Skyline College hosted its second annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The tournament was free and open to all students and faculty within the SMCCD district. The event was extremely competitive as 13 teams competed for prizes:

1st place- Four $75.00 gift cards to Amazon.com

2nd place- Four $50.00 gift cards to Amazon.com

Overall the players, spectators, and volunteers had a wonderful time at the tournament. Student participants engaged in a sport that reinforces and strengthens communication skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to the 1^st and 2^nd place winners!!

• 1st place-
• Team Monstar
• Ivan Johns
• Dustan Ratima
• Anthony Palacio
• Daniel Afeaki
• 2nd place-
• Team 3-D
• Elijah White
• Zuberi Carr
• Steven Binard
• Justin Brown

Special thanks SparkPoint, ASSC, ASTEP, and everyone who volunteered during the event.