Beta Theta Omicron organized and participated in the San Bruno Relay for Life on April 23. The Skyline Striders walked the Capuchino High School track from 10 am to 10 pm to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Team members included Magali Yanez, Donway Sy, Pauline Maccay, Karen Lai, Akayi Thein, Chandandeep Singh, Alana Utsumi, and Eric Utsumi.

The 2015 Top 10 fundraising Phi Theta Kappa chapters were recognized during an Educational Forum at the Phi Theta Kappa convention on April 8, 2016. “We are so impressed with the level of continued commitment Phi Theta Kappa members invest in our fight against cancer and are inspired by their enthusiasm and genuine philanthropy,” said Kristen Solt, Vice President of the Hope Lodge Network with the American Cancer Society. “There is a spirit of service within Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Cancer Society is honored to count Phi Theta Kappa as a true partner in our work.”

Beta Theta Omicron has a long history with the Relay for Life events. In 2009, the chapter worked with the American Cancer Society to hold the first San Bruno Relay. That Relay was held on the Skyline College track on one of our foggiest days. Visibility was limited to 300 feet, approximately the width of the track. At the start of each San Bruno Relay for Life, Board Chair and San Bruno City Councilman Ken Ibarra always takes a moment to thank Skyline College for holding the first Relay for Life in San Bruno, and starting a beautiful tradition.

Photo (from left): Magali Yanez, Donway Sy, Pauline Maccay, Karen Lai, Akayi Thein, Alana Utsumi, and Eric Utsumi. Inset: Donway and Chandandeep Singh participate in the Miss Relay contest.

Article by Alana Utsumi and Christine Case. Photos by Donway Sy and Akayi Thein.

On April 16, the Disability Resource Center welcomed students and parents to the Skyline College campus for Priority Enrollment Program (PEP) Day!  PEP is an all day orientation event for graduating high school seniors who are planning to attend Skyline College in the Summer or Fall. DRC PEP provides students and their parents an opportunity to learn about the types of technology and support programs available to students with disabilities. Representatives from TRiO, EOP&S, Financial Aid, Workability III, and the Learning Communities were also on hand to share information with attendees. Students were able to take the English placement test and make counseling appointments. This year, DRC will be further supporting these students by offering them two exciting follow up events. In conjunction with Financial Aid – Registration Evening, where they can receive support on registering for classes and signing up for the FASFA. These students have also been invited to participate in DRC’s Welcome Day at the start of the Fall semester to help further orient them to the college, ensure their accommodations are in place, and provide them with self advocacy tips. DRC is looking forward to welcoming PEP students to campus in the coming months!

Article by Melissa N. Matthews

On Monday, April 18, 2106, the Career Advancement Academy (CAA) hosted its first evening Financial Aid Workshop for parents and students of Baden High School. The evening workshop is a component of the Baden High School College and Career Readiness course, a CAA bridge program created in collaboration with Baden High School Faculty and Staff. High School seniors in this cohort participate in a six week college preparatory course which includes career exploration, financial literacy, college preparedness—FAFSA, registration, assessment, and an individual counseling session—and culminates with an all-day field trip to Skyline College. The course included several Skyline College Faculty guest lecturers from Counseling, Automotive, Retail and Hospitality, Biotechnology, Allied Health, Emergency Medical Technology, Paralegal, and ESTEM who generously gave of their time to support this project.

During the workshop, students and their families received an overview of the SparkPoint Center and its services from Heather Smith, while the CAA’s Jeremy Evangelista shared information about the many exciting opportunities that await this cohort of newly graduating seniors: the Skyline College’s Promise, Skyline College Promise Scholarship, and the Summer Scholars Institute. In addition, families received a step-by-step financial aid how-to and overview.  The event had over 20 Baden High School family attendees and will be incorporated into future Baden High School College and Career Readiness bridge offerings.

Baden High school is an alternative high school for students who are considered at-risk of graduating on time. CAA hopes to continue its collaboration with Baden High School and support students’ transition to career technical education programs and additional pathways in higher education at Skyline College.

The CAAs connect students to higher wage careers and opportunities in higher education by increasing foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics while enrolling students in career technical training programs. Currently, the Career Advancement Academy has programs in Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Education, Legal Careers, and Biotechnology. For more information about the Career Advancement Academy and related programs contact Jeremy Evangelista, evangelistaJ@smccd.edu.

Article by Monique Hernandez and Photo by Alina Varona

The Skyline College Library hosted two events for National Poetry Month, a poetry reading from Jazz & Other Hot Subjects on Thursday, April 21, 2016 and Poetry as Practice: Spoken Word and Spine Poems on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Students, faculty, and staff were in attendance for both programs, and gained a greater appreciation of the written word.

Poet and Skyline College English Instructor Katharine Harer shared her work from her latest book of poetry, Jazz & Other Hot Subjects reading selected poems including, “Love Note To San Francisco,” “No One Listens To Poetry,” and “The Sacred.” Professor Harer shared the origin of her poem “The Sacred,” and writing it with her class. Inspired by a poem by Stephen Dunn of the same name, “The Sacred” depicts identifying what you find sacred in the world. Students were then welcomed to a Q&A where they inquired about what inspires her to write a poetry, when she knows a poem is finished, and other aspects of her writing.

The workshop Poetry as Practice: Spoken Word and Spine Poems with Skyline College English Instructor, Janice Sapigao, featuring Eddy M. Gana, Jr. and Stephanie Sajor, balanced the aspects of creating poetry using the titles of library books to express your creativity and perspective, with the performance art form of spoken word. Workshop attendees learned the significance of taking poetry “from the page to the stage” by emulating different personas and speaking their poems through different voices to identify what suited them best.

View more information regarding Katharine Harer’s work on Harer’s website. Also, April’s National Poetry Month is coming to a close. The Library’s Books Spine Poetry Contest will conclude April 30, 2016. Submit your entries to skylibrary@smccd.edu for a chance to win up to a $25 gift card to the Book Store!

Article by Kristen Lee and Photo by Dr. Pearl Ly

 Lavinia Zanassi, Alexandra Kennedy and Andrea Anyanwu of Skyline College’s Career Services Center team were invited to participate in the Resume Review program at the annual 2016 Watermark Conference for Women: Silicon Valley in San Jose. The sold-out event for over 6,000 attendees was designed to offer insights and practical advice about career, personal connections, development, and advocacy. National and internationally acclaimed senior executives, entrepreneurs, and authors convened to provide a forum for dialogue and networking with over 100 thought leaders and industry experts. The conference featured Mindy Kaling (actor, writer, producer and director starring in the Hulu original comedy series “The Mindy Project), Leila Janah (founder and CEO of Sama and Laxmi), Pattie Sellers (assistant managing editor, Fortune), John Jacobs (co-founder and chief creative optimist of The Life is Good Company) and Abby Wambach (retired forward of the 2015 Women’s World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.)

The highlight of the conference was Mindy Kaling’s luncheon keynote address in which Mindy talked openly about fear, self-belief, hope, and career. Four, insightful career focused takeaways from Mindy Kaling at the Watermark luncheon were:

1. Sometimes the world of work is unfair. Live through it, and take notes to improve your outcomes in all situations.

2. Being “sweet” is overrated. Mindy would rather be rich!”

3. Get a mentor by offering to help that person. Send an email telling your would-be mentor that you admire their work and that you would like to help them do it!

4. Don’t worry too much about networking. Work hard and make your own opportunities!

Article and photos by Andrea Doffoney Anyanwu and Getty Images

On Wednesday, April 6, over one hundred people including students, faculty, leadership, staff, community members, and members of the SMCCD District Board of Trustees gathered for the Base11-Skyline College partnership launch event in Building 6.  The Base11 STEM Revolution is designed to empower students to become leaders and entrepreneurs of the 21st Century in Science Technology Engineering & Math, and Skyline College is the newest partner to join the movement.  A central part of the initiative is Skyline College’s new Fabrication Laboratory and Innovation Center, an MIT-based Fab Lab donated by Base11 to help Skyline College students and community members shape their dreams and ideas into viable products and business opportunities.

Base11 Project Director Landon Taylor presented the vision and mission for Base11 and the STEM Revolution. Mr. Taylor offered inspiring words on the value of the Skyline College partnership and the goal to get 1000 students into the “Victory Circle.” Base11’s vision of the circle encompasses transfer to a University, getting a STEM job, and starting a STEM business. Landon also introduced three flagship programs that will move Skyline College students into the Victory Circle: (1) Residency-based Fellowships, (2) STEM Entrepreneur Accelerator Program and Fab Lab Innovation Center, and (3) a Workforce Development Program. Skyline College Vice President, Dr. Sarah Perkins, SMT Dean Ray Hernandez, and Engineering and Computer Science Professor Nick Langhoff also spoke on the impact the partnership and the Fab Lab has on Skyline College. They each expressed their excitement, gratitude, and vision for the new opportunities now possible to enhance our STEM programs and to bridge STEM education and Entrepreneurship for Skyline College students and community members.

During the ceremony, Landon Taylor and Skyline College President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud announced and celebrated four Skyline College students selected for the Base11 Summer 2016 Fellowships. Let’s give a big round of applause to students Alina Rai, Daniel Powers, Robert O’Leary, and Wai Hnin Oo. This summer they will head off to explore and research at prestigious institutions including CalTech, UC Irvine, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Congratulations to them on their outstanding achievement!

The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and open house tour of Skyline College’s brand new state-of-the-art Fabrication Laboratory and Innovation Center, a cornerstone of the Base11-Skyline College partnership. President Stanback Stroud led the ribbon cutting ceremony and welcomed the Skyline College community into the new laboratory. There was magic in the air as the space was abuzz with students and members of the Skyline College community mingling and exploring the new facility. Event guests looked on as students from the Skyline College Engineering and Robotics Club led demonstrations with cutting edge Fab Lab equipment including advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping techniques, and robotics. Excited conversations filled the room with dreams and visions of the possibilities this new Maker Space and Innovation Center provides the campus and community.

The partnership launch event was a huge success due to the dedication and hard work of a diverse group of individuals from throughout the district, Base11, and industry partners. A huge thank you to President Stanback Stroud and Vice President Perkins, Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Blackwood and Vice Chancellors Eugene Whitlock and Jose Nuñez, Board of Trustees President Dave Mandelkern and member Maurice Goodman, Base11 Project Director Landon Taylor and Marketing Director Cindy Santos-Mendoza, Incite Focus Director and “Fab Lab Guru” Blair Evans, Skyline College Director of Marketing and Public Relations Cherie Colin, SMCCD Facilities Project Manager Karen Pinkham, Science Math Technology Dean Ray Hernandez, Engineering and Computer Science Professor Nick Langhoff, and the students from the Engineering and Robotics Club at Skyline College.

The Fab Lab Innovation Center is a huge new resource for the Skyline College community, and will also be open to the public in the near future. With support from Base11, Skyline College will be rolling out a 16-week Entrepreneurial course starting this Fall 2016. For further information about accessing the Fabrication Laboratory, contact Professor Nick Langhoff at (650) 738-4249 or langhoffn@smccd.edu.

Article by Nick Langhoff

 

Skyline College is committed to empowering students to find success at every point in their educational journey. The Skyline College Promise is the College’s commitment to help students “Get in. Get through. and Get out…on time!” according to their educational goals.

One part of the Skyline College Promise is the Skyline College Promise Scholarship. To help students reach their goals, we’re announcing a scholarship beginning fall 2016 that will pay enrollment fees for a full year! Skyline College Promise Scholarship awardees will receive a waiver covering enrollment fees for any gap left after applying their financial aid award (for students in receipt of financial aid).

The Skyline College Promise Scholarship is available to high school graduates or students who recently completed their GED or Adult Education program after December 1, 2015 and who enroll at Skyline College full-time and plan to earn a certificate/degree. Scholarship applicants must also be a first time student at Skyline College. The enrollment fees covered are; enrollment fee (tuition), health fee, student rep fee, student union fee, and student body fee.

To maintain the scholarship, students agree to; enroll full-time (minimum 12 units) for fall and spring semesters, maintain academic progress, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, a completion rate above 50%, must declare a major by start of spring 2017 semester, and complete a comprehensive student education plan (SEP) by start of spring 2017 semester.

For full details on the Skyline College Promise Scholarship and the application, please visit skylinecollege.edu/promise

Article by Will Minnich

The Grove Scholarship Program celebrates its tenth successful semester- awarding 25 new and continuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) scholars in Spring 2016. Recipients were selected on a competitive basis amongst approximately 70 applications from diverse academic programs. On March 11, 2016 the selected students met in the Career Services Center to complete the Grove Scholarship orientation. The orientation gave participants an overview of the expectations for the Grove Scholars Program which include: the maintenance of a 75% completion rate, 2.0 GPA, enrollment in at least 1 CTE course, financial workshop attendance and participation in the student Awards Ceremony. The orientation additionally, highlighted SparkPoint Center services such as: benefits access, personal financial classes available for college credit, food pantry, and Career Center services. A celebratory lunch was served to congratulate recipients.

Grove scholarships are funded by a generous $125,000 grant from the Grove Foundation eponymously named after Andy Grove, a founder of Intel Group Corporation. Each scholarship is worth up to $2,000 per semester and $4,000 of funding per school year per eligible participant.

Please forward any questions regarding the Grove Scholarship program to Andrea Doffoney Anyanwu at anyanwua@smccd.edu, or to grovescholar@smccd.edu.

Article and photos by Andrea Doffoney Anyanwu

SparkPoint at Skyline College is currently enrolling students in the Secured Credit Builder Program, which provides match funding on a $40 down payment so that they can receive a $200 secured credit card.  Establishing good credit is crucial for finding housing, getting employment, buying a car, buying a house or even starting a business.  This program gives students access to a safe credit option while also providing financial education and support, so that they can learn and practice positive financial behaviors that will build their credit effectively.

In 2015, the Secured Credit Builder Program reached its capacity by enrolling 30 students, but with the support of our partner organizations Community Financial Resources and Achieving the Dream, we have been able to expand the program for 2016 and there are still limited spots available!

If you or any other students are interested in learning more about this program, please visit SparkPoint at Skyline College in Bldg. 1, Room 1214 or call (650) 738-7035 or email skylinesparkpoint@smccd.edu.

Article and Photo by Chad Thompson

The International Student Program presented the Cultural Spotlight on Nepal on Tuesday April 19. More than 30 students and staff attended the event at the Multicultural Centre between 4.00pm and 5.00pm. Binod Kumal and Sandeep Dhakal from Nepal organized the event in collaboration with the international student program. The event began with a rendition of the Nepalese national anthem, sung by the Nepalese student. This was then followed by a presentation introducing the audience to Nepal, its history and its cultural beauty. The audience was then treated to a special performance of a traditional folk dance from the Pahadi (hilly) region of Nepal, performed by Ruku Nepal.  There was a feast of Nepalese food that the audience was able to sample consisting of Peas Pulao (Rice), Chewra (Flattened rice), Pakora (fried gram flour bites), Kala Channa (Black Chickpeas), Chicken Momo’s and Chicken Choila (grilled spicy chicken). There were a variety of chutneys that were served including radish, potato, mixed vegetable and tomato mixed with sesame.

Everybody who attended the event was fascinated to see the Nepalese students adorned in different cultural attire from the country. A few students wore the Rai and Sherpa costumes from the Himalayan region, with a few students wearing the Saree and Kurtha Surwal from the Pahadi (hilly) region of Nepal. Sandeep Dhakal wore the national costume of Nepal, called the Daura Surwal which has a deep religious significance. The dress has several religious beliefs identifying its designs. The Daura has eight strings that serve to tie itself up around the body and eight is a lucky number according to Nepalese mythology. The Daura has five pleats called the Pancharatna, signifying the five gems and the closed neck of the Daura signifies the snake around the Lord Shiva’s neck. The event served to educate the audience on the country of Nepal and effectively share the beauty, cultural diversity and history of the country.

We thank everyone who came to celebrate with us and we look forward to celebrating more events with even more of you! Please contact ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu or call (650) 738-7021 for more information.

Article by Sujaya Chandran | Photo: ISP staff