The Center for International Trade Development hosted its first annual “Integrating Global Trade and Logistics and Cybersecurity” Conference in San Francisco from November 12-14, 2015. The theme of the event was “Protecting Intellectual, Digital, and Physical Assets,” and the Conference brought together experts from the U.S. government, academia, Fortune 1000 Retailers, manufacturers, technology and logistics service providers, as well as students from Skyline College, the Middlebury International Institute, Excelsior University and Robert Morris University.

This auspicious conference was met with resounding enthusiasm and excitement by all who participated in the event. Located at the historic Westin St. Francis hotel in downtown San Francisco, the conference was attended by many students, faculty, industry leaders, and international delegations. The impressive roster of speakers included Bindiya Vakil, CEO of Resilinc, Michele Robinson, Chief Information Security Officer for the State of California, Murray Dunn, CEO of iControl, as well as other trade and security experts from the healthcare industry, Juniper Networks, Facebook, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. They kept the audience engaged with their insights on the security risks of using wi-fi and smartphones, the data protection measures being used in hospitals, and steps needed to ensure that freight and goods travel quickly and securely across local, national, and international borders.

The IGTLC Conference inspired and benefitted not just local companies and business leaders, but students as well. The Center for International Trade Development’s own student intern, Ms. Angele Kizler, leveraged her networking skills and impressed conference guests and speakers so much that she received four internship offers! She appreciated the opportunities the conference presented and says she is excited about the experience she is about to gain and apply towards her career goal of becoming either a nurse or future exporter.

For more information about the Bay Area Center for International Trade Development, and to learn more about speakers and view their presentations from the Conference please visit www.bayareacitd.org.

The Center for International Trade Development is housed at Skyline College in the Division of Global Learning Programs and Services.

Article by Alina Din | Pictures by Gino De Grandis

Elizabeth Ramirez, an Early Childhood and Elementary Education student at College of San Mateo is one of approximately 800 American undergraduate students from 355 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to study or intern abroad during the spring 2016 academic term. Elizabeth will study abroad in our semester abroad program in Florence, Italy in Spring 2016 that is offered in partnership with the Northern California Study Abroad Consortium.

Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad or internship program costs.  The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go.  Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply.  Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies — making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.

Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee, commented, “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates.  Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience.  It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”

The program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The full list of students who have been selected to receive Gilman Scholarships, including students’ home state, university and host country, is available on the IIE website. According to Allan Goodman, President and CEO of IIE, “International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries.  It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies are important to our country in times of conflict as well as times of peace.”

Article and photo by Zaid Ghori

Jacqueline Escobar, Counselor and Articulation Officer announced, that the Medical Assisting Program (MEDA) certificates and Degree have been approved by the State Chancellor’s office for Skyline College.

The degree and certificates are:

• Administrative Medical Assisting, A.S. Degree
• Administrative Medical Assisting, Certificate of Achievement
• Medical Coding, Certificate of Achievement
• Medical Editing, Certificate of Achievement
• Medical Insurance Billing, Certificate of Achievement
• Medical Office Receptionist, Certificate of Achievement

Interested students may see Counseling Office for further details.  Flyers listing classes for certificates are available outside the Science/Math/ Technology Office, in Building 7.

Article by Bernadette Newland

The Skyline College Ceramics Club hosted its 4^th Empty Bowls Fundraiser on November 18, 2015 in the campus Fireside Dining Hall. Ceramics students from Skyline College, Burlingame High School, Capuchino High School, and Clay Creations, along with artists from the San Francisco Red Brick studio, made 350 unique handmade bowls.  Guests chose from a large table filled with stacks of colorful bowls and had them filled by student volunteers with their choice of soup, catered by Pacific Dining and funded by the Student Organization and Club Council (SOCC).  Artisan breads were also donated by San Francisco’s famous Tartine bakery, and beverages were donated by Pepsi.

Lively entertainment included soulful jazz music by the Skyline College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Assistant Professor of Music Michelle Hawkins, and the Skyline College Jazz Quintet, with Associate Professor of Music Zachary Bruno on keyboards. The Skyline College Dance Program got people moving with a performance choreographed by Associate Professor Amber Steele.  The night ended with drawings for ceramic artwork and gift baskets donated by the Ceramics Club members, raising more funds for the evening.

The event raised $2,480, which will be donated to the Skyline College SparkPoint Center Food Pantry, helping to serve those in need.  SparkPoint Interim Director Chad Thompson had an information table at the event, highlighting SparkPoint’s vital programs and services to visitors.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement that is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year of inspiring fundraising events all over the country, and internationally.  The common thread with all Empty Bowls events is using the power of art to bring the community together and help those in need. Thanks to everyone who supported this event!

Article and Photos by Tiffany Schmierer

The International Student Program (ISP) hosted the Opening Reception on Monday, November 16th, to kick off the International Education Week (IEW) 2015. IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State to highlight the importance and benefits of international education in the U.S. and around the world (Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, 2015). This year, ISP was awarded the President Innovation Fund to implement the IEW at Skyline College. The Opening Reception was held on the very first day of the week to introduce the Skyline College community to the IEW. The event attracted more than 70 faculty, staff and students from across campus.

During this luncheon event, ISP was honored to host two speakers: Mr. Samuel Heikinen, Director of International Student Programs at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, and Ms. Irene Tieh, CEO of US College Connection. Mr. Heikinen, who just flew back from his recruitment trip to Europe, spoke about unique challenges of international students and stressed that each institution needs to develop its own program to best accommodate their international students. Ms. Tieh introduced to the audience how global Skyline College already is, currently hosting 169 international students from more than 30 countries, and encouraged everyone to actively interact with those who are from abroad. At the end of the event, the audience was invited to ask questions to the speaker which sparked further discussion about international education.

ISP plans to host follow-up workshops in the Spring semester for Skyline College faculty and staff members. Please check future events on the ISP website.

Article by Chikako Walker | Photo by Claudia Paz

On November 19, Skyline College Art Gallery hosted a dynamic interdisciplinary panel discussion with topics inspired by the current gallery exhibition: Through My Father’s Eyes: the Filipino-American Photographs of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado.

Presented by the Skyline College Art Gallery, the interdisciplinary panel was drawn from faculty from our History, Language Arts, and Sociology Departments.

The panelists were Roderick Magbual (Skyline College Sociology Department), Kimberley Arteche (Artist, Pin@y Educational Partnerships), Grace Burns (Skyline College Language Arts). Moderator: Rosemary Bell (Skyline College History).

The lively panel discussion was fascinating, entertaining, moving, and insightful, with plenty of audience interaction and participation.

If you haven’t yet seen the exhibition of Alvarado’s photographs of the Bay Area Filipino Community from the 1940’s and 50’s, be sure to come by the gallery to see it before the exhibition closes on December 11.

For more information, check out our Gallery website or Facebook page.

Article by Paul Bridenbaugh

On Monday, November 16, Vice President of the Stock Exchange Club Minh (Alex) Ho hosted Career Success Monday, an informational session designed to inspire and develop Skyline College students’ knowledge and interests about career in business-related majors. Through series of discussions led by guest speaker Alexandra Kaplan from the Career Services Center, attendees were able to learn more about techniques job applicants should use in order to build successful resumes and LinkedIn profiles. In addition, the students also got to ask Alexandra about the importance of social media. However, to master these techniques takes a lot of experience. Alexandra, who had a background in student counseling in New York City, understood the concerns and provided information for various resources and opportunities, such as the Career Services Center and the VITA Program at Skyline College, students can use to help them with their career goals.

After the event concluded, the club officers evaluated the quality of the event.  They were delighted at the number of students who attended. The result gave the club a better idea of how to better serve the student public and its members, and at the same time, opened more opportunities for the club to attract future speakers, through whom, Stock Exchange Club can spread its mission–to create opportunities for students to develop interest in trades and economics. An upcoming event of the club includes: inviting a stock broker to come in discuss various investment accounts and possible strategies.

Contact Abe Amas, club president at abeamas12@gmail.com or Minh Ho, club vice president at minhho1@my.smccd.edu for more information about the club.

Article by Minh Ho

The International Student Program held its Global Learning Program and Services Fair at Skyline College on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. The purpose of this event was to give information about the various available programs and services that benefit students. The programs and services included the International Student Program that assists students from other countries who seek to acquire education at Skyline College. Other programs were highlighted such as Study Abroad which is housed at Skyline College. Study Abroad offers scholarships to students studying in the San Mateo County Community College District with an interest to study and intern abroad in countries like Italy and London. Centers for International Trade Development was also there to provide the resources and services available to the Skyline College community.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) is another useful service that provides entrepreneurial skills to young adults and high school students. It offers entrepreneurship certificate programs, and holds business plan competitions in which college students compete for seed money. The Global Learning Program and Services Fair was well attended by students who went to the information tables, and chatted with the representatives. One of the representatives, Tina Luong, is a former Skyline College, who was granted a scholarship to study in Hong Kong. She shared her exciting experience of living abroad in a new culture and studying as an international student.

The International Student Program will continue to provide international and cultural events and programs for Skyline students, faculty and staff members and the greater Skyline community. Please check our future events on the ISP website at: www.skylinecollege.edu/international.

Article by Amber Naeem | Photo by Chikako Walker

The international food festival organized by International Student Program of Skyline College, on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 was a huge success. Students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds participated in the event. Some of the countries represented by the students were China, Malaysia, Japan, Middle East and Latin America. The event took place in the cafeteria where students mingled and chatted while tasting delicious snacks from around the world.

Each table represented a different country and provided an informational handout about the country it represented. A very fascinating fact about Japan was that more than 50,000 people living there are over 100 years old! Japan has 5 million vending machines, and it consists of 6,800 islands. Ms. Yayoi Sengoku, a local calligraphy artist who wrote students’ names in Japanese. The Malaysian table had some delicious food and their representatives dressed in beautiful traditional attire. An interesting piece of information about Malaysia is its diversity, which comprises of Malay, Chinese and Eastern Indian being the major 3 races.

The delicious “Alfajores” (caramel sandwich cookies) did not last long on the Latin America table that also presented unique cultural knowledge, like the different languages and diverse dialects spoken by Latin Americans. The students representing China had egg custard tarts and other goodies to share and a few easy words from Chinese language like xing fu (which means being satisfied and content with your life). They also shared fun facts like China being the largest country of the world in terms of population. The Middle East was also represented the Arab countries and gave out useful information that the ‘middle’ in the Middle East comes about because its known as the crossroads of the world. Some students were dressed in Middle Eastern clothing and offered samples of falafel, hummus and other food to taste.

International Food Festival event presented international students with an opportunity to share their cultures, and highlighted diversity that is a key feature of Skyline Community College.

International Student Program will continue to provide international and cultural programs and events for Skyline students, faculty and staff members and the greater Skyline community. Please check future events on the ISP website at: www.skylinecollege.edu/international.

Article by Amber Naeem; Photo by Chikako Walker

Burlingame’s iconic Hyatt Regency Hotel welcomed multiple performances by Skyline College students as part of the November 19-21 Community College League of California’s annual convention.

Talented participants from Skyline College’s jazz, guitar, choir, and dance programs – led by Zachary Bruno, Frank Markovich, Jude Navari, and Amber Steele – provided entertainment at various receptions for the convention-going community college administrators and trustees from across the state. In between the convention’s many seminars, conferences, meetings, and speeches, some light-hearted receptions allowed for networking, with music and dance to enhance the convention’s atmosphere.

Upcoming end-of-semester performances presented by these ensembles include:

• Friday, December 4, 7:30pm – Concert Choir at Mildred Owen Concert Hall, Pacifica: “Season of Peace, Love, and Harmony”
• Friday, December 4, 7:00pm – Dance Concert at Skyline College Theater
• Saturday, December 5, 7:00pm – Guitar Ensemble Show at Skyline College Theater
• Monday, December 7, 7:30pm – Jazz Band at Skyline College Theater: “A Sinatra Centennial” with El Camino High School Jazz Bands
• Wednesday, December 9, 7:30pm – Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Solo Voice Recital at Skyline College Theater: “Painted on Canvas”
• Friday, December 11, 7:30pm – Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band: “Bach to the Future” with Rhapsody in Blue, Elizabeth Ingber, piano