Wendy Chen and Dayana Salazar from Skyline College and Grisel Lopez and Michelle Sandoval from College of San Mateo are four of approximately 850 American undergraduate students from 324 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 abroad during the Fall 2016 academic term.

The funding is a significant increase in the number of scholarships received by San Mateo County Community Colleges and the acceptance rate by the Gilman Scholarship Program. Last year, the District had one Gilman scholarship recipient out of two applicants. This year marked a 100% acceptance rate since the District had four applicants and all four students were awarded the scholarship.

The San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship and American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) Scholarship recipients were Isis Lemus from Cañada College, Tristan Carson, Kelly Gulbrandson and Manying Wu from College of San Mateo, and Jennifer Martinez and Laurel Lujan from Skyline College. Tristan Carson was also the only recipient of the California Colleges for International Education (CCIE) Donald R. Culton Study Abroad Scholarship.

 

Scholarship	Amount
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship	$10,500
San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation	$6,000
American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS)	$2,000
California Colleges for International Education (CCIE)	$500
Total Scholarship Funding	$19,000

 

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.

Article and chart by Zaid Ghori | Photo by Emma Briones

The Skyline College Beta Theta Omicron members had a busy summer volunteering in the community. They initiated several community service projects during the spring semester and continued the projects throughout the summer. Continuing their Computer Literacy and Internet Competency for Seniors (CLICS) program, our students held training sessions at Magnolia Senior Center to help senior citizens learn to use their smartphones and tablets. Chapter president Karen Lai said she “felt a strong sense of accomplishment when seniors learned to send their first text message, or post their first picture on Facebook. Their excitement and happiness motivates me to continue volunteering.”

Beta Theta Omicron continued their precollege outreach at the Boys and Girls Club of North San Mateo County. Chapter members encouraged children to learn science with a fun, edible lab on making ice cream.

Chapter members also participated in established community service events including Habitat for Humanity in San Francisco and the San Francisco Food Bank.

Article by Christine Case

 

 

In collaboration with the Marketing Office, the Library has launched its new website. The website was redesigned to improve the student, faculty, and staff experience. Using Supersearch, patrons can search for books, articles, videos, and more at Skyline College Library and other libraries in the Peninsula Library System (PLS).

The library website provides information about our many services such as textbook reserves, research help, technology help, and equipment for checkout. There are research guides to help students find information in different disciplines and with citing sources. Additionally, we have a separate page for Faculty Services  to request research workshops, recommend library book purchases, request new journal or periodical subscriptions, and place items on Faculty Reserves.

The Skyline College Library invites you to explore our newly redesigned website!

Article by Pearl Ly

With a $10,000 ASSC grant and a partnership with the Skyline College Bookstore, the Library is expanding its reserve collection with high-demand textbooks to increase access to critical learning materials and student success. Guidelines for purchases include (1) high cost, (2) high usage, and (3) high number of course sections requiring a textbook.

The increasingly high cost of textbooks is a barrier for many Skyline College students. Many textbooks cost over $200 – especially in math, science, and career technology disciplines. PIRGs, a research and advocacy organization, found that high textbook costs deter 65% of students from purchasing assigned materials despite concerns for their grades (Senack, 2014). Many students rely on 2-hour library “reserve” textbooks for access to their course materials whether they are waiting for financial aid funds, have ordered a book online that has not arrived, or are unable to purchase or rent the book.

The Library continues to encourage faculty to donate required textbook copies to the Reserve collection and to consider adopting low-cost and open educational resources such as Open Stax.

Article by Pearl Ly | Photo by Kristen Lee

Energized Skyline College adjunct faculty gathered on Saturday, August 13, for a full-day of teaching and learning activities at the 2^nd Skyline College Adjunct Faculty Teaching & Learning Symposium. The Symposium was designed to provide adjunct faculty the opportunity to engage in workshops and collaborative activities that help promote “meaningful and culturally relevant learning experiences” (The Skyline College Promise), particularly geared towards addressing first and second semester student success.

President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Angélica Garcia, Interim Vice President of Instruction, Aaron McVean, and Professional Development Coordinator, Nina Floro, kicked of the day by welcoming adjunct faculty with words of empowerment and encouragement. Following the welcome, Dr. Amelito Enriquez, Professor of Engineering and Mathematics at Cañada College, delivered an inspiring Symposium keynote, “Confessions of a Reluctant Community College Instructor.” Dr. Enriquez exemplary achievements include serving as the Principal Investigator for over $12 million in grants funded funded by the National Science Foundation, US Department of Education, NASA, and Department of Labor, among others. He has also received numerous local, regional, and national awards, including but not limited to the 2016 American Society for Engineering Education Outstanding Teaching Award and the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) presented by President Obama in 2011. Dr. Enriquez’s narrative-based keynote emphasized the importance of faculty mentoring of students, especially those who are vulnerable and at risk.

Symposium workshops led to lively discussions and engaging teaching and learning activities. They included:

• “Get Up and Get Moving: Easy Ways to Add Kinesthetic Learning to the College Classroom,” presented by Jessica Hurless, Communication Studies Professor
• “Student Learning Styles & Metacognition: Fostering Students’ Self-Awareness As Learners,” presented by Sarita Santos, ECE Professor
• “Herding CATs: Using Classroom Assessment Techniques to Understand Student Learning,” presented by Dr. Bianca Rowden-Quince, Instructional Designer
• “Beyond Talk: Moving into Action/Critical Thinking with First-Day Ice Breakers & Lesson-Driven Community Building Strategies,” presented by Nina L. Floro, Professional Development Coordinator/English Professor
• “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: A Student Services Overview,” presented by Lasana Hotep, Dean for Student Equity & Support Programs; Dr. Luis Escobar, Dean of Counseling; and Dr. William Minnich, Dean of Enrollment Services Instructional

After lunch, the Symposium concluded with an interactive, informational panel moderated by Interim Vice President of Instruction, Aaron McVean. The panel featured student services such as the Disabilities Resource Center (Melissa Matthews, DRC Coordinator), the SparkPoint Center (Chad Thompson, SparkPoint Director), the CARES Program (Dr. Luis Escobar, Dean of Counseling), and the Learning Commons (David Reed, Learning Center Manager).

Overall, participants reported they plan to implement newly learned strategies and ideas in their classes this fall semester. They are looking forward to next year’s Skyline College Adjunct Faculty Teaching & Learning Symposium, which they hope will continue to provide them with innovative ways to foster student success.

Article by Nina Floro | Photo by Ricardo Flores

Skyline College has launched a free non-stop, round trip shuttle service between the Daly City BART station and the campus.

The “Skyline College Express” launched August 17, 2016, just in time for the start of fall semester classes. The shuttle runs every hour from 7:25 a.m. to 6:44 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

The first day of shuttle service saw very high ridership to campus and a second stand‐by shuttle was employed to account for excess rider demand. Ridership from Daly City BART to campus saw 36 riders on the first set of shuttles at 7:55 a.m., then 45 riders at 8:25 a.m., and a peak of 53 riders on the 9:25 a.m. shuttles.

Understandably, the ridership on the return leg back to Daly City BART started out slow in the morning, with 1 rider at 8:25 am and an average of 13 riders during the window of departures from 9am‐12pm. However, in the early afternoon, shuttle ridership on the return journey back to the Daly City BART Station began reaching full capacity with full shuttle loads arriving at 1:44pm and 2:44pm. Shuttle ridership and demand will be closely followed in the coming days as latest data becomes available.

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick. Postcard designed by Claudia Paz.

The Base11 STEM Entrepreneurship Accelerator Training Program is an innovative entrepreneur and workforce program, focused on creating the next generation of creators and leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Skyline College has partnered with Base11 to launch a STEM EA Training Program this fall, for budding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who want to stand out as leaders in the STEM industry. Students in the STEM EA Training Program, will learn the mechanics of entrepreneurship, develop their soft skills and will learn to create prototypes in the new, state-of-the-art Fab Lab. Students in this program also have a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas in front of investors. The STEM EA Training Program is a definite asset to a student’s developing resume, and will positively impact their success as students.

Under the leadership of the Global Learning Programs and Services division, and in preparation of the STEM EA Training Program Launch, the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center (BAEC) hosted a two-day intensive training for all involved faculty and staff. The training, led by a Base11 trainer, was held August 9 and 10 and included a team of ten motivated staff and faculty members. The training placed faculty and staff in the position of students in a classroom setting, simulating what the students’ experience will be throughout the duration of the program.

Our 10 week STEM EA Training Program includes lecture sessions, held at the BAEC, and lab activities in the Fab lab, located on the Skyline College campus. Classes launch Monday, September 19, 2016.

Article by Terri Wade & Pcyeta Stroud. Photo by William Nacouzi.

The inaugural Skyline College Promise Scholarship launched this fall with over 100 scholarship recipients! The Skyline College Promise Scholarship takes a comprehensive approach to student success by providing a dedicated counselor, lending library for required text books and materials, and financial support for student fees. The projected cost for the first year of the program will be approximately $100,000 ($35,000 for fall and forecasted for spring and summer).

The dedicated counselor will provide proactive support to each student as well as connect them to a wide range of existing campus support services. In addition to the covered fees below we have created a Lending Library where students will be loaned (at no cost) required text books and materials.

Skyline College Promise Scholarship Overview

The Skyline College Promise Scholarship is available to high school graduates and 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 or degree.

The Scholarship supports the College’s Promise to help students “Get In. Get Through. And Get Out…on time!” by making college more affordable and ensuring that higher education is achievable for all members of our community. Recipients receive a waiver covering all enrollment fees for any gap left after applying your financial aid award.

What Fees Does the Promise Scholarship Cover?

The Promise Scholarship will cover all student fees for the first year that a student is enrolled (Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Summer 2017).

Fees Include:

• Enrollment Fees
• Health Fee
• Student Rep Fee
• Student Union Fee
• Student Body Fee

What Are My Responsibilities as a Recipient?

Recipients of the Promise Scholarship must agree to:

• Enroll full time (minimum 12 units) for fall and spring terms only.
• Maintain academic progress, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and a completion rate of above 50%.
• Declare a major by the start of the spring 2017 semester.
• Complete a comprehensive Student Educational Plan (SEP) by start of the spring 2017 semester.

Article by William Minnich. Photo by William Nacouzi

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, President, Skyline College has graciously accepted an invitation to host the 2016 White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, on Friday, September 30, 2016. The event provides a platform for experts and Black students to be unapologetic about the needs and the accomplishments they have made in higher education.

The White House Initiative was created through an Executive Order by President Barack Obama in 2012. A component of the mission of the Initiative is to restore the United States to its role as the global leader in education; strengthen the Nation by improving educational outcomes for African Americans of all ages; and help ensure that African Americans receive a complete and competitive education that prepares them for college, and productive citizenship.

The Initiative is also in-line with the mission and goals of Skyline College by increasing college access and success for African American students and providing support to help ensure that a greater percentage of African Americans complete college and contribute to the goal of having America again lead the world in the proportion of adults who are college graduates by 2020.

By having the summit at Skyline College, it will provide a powerful forum to disrupt the status quo as well as negative stereotypes that surround Black students. The event will allow more collaboration with high schools in the peninsula and surrounding areas. Additionally, Skyline College will partner with other colleges in the region to open the dialogue about the needs of Black students.

The National Council on Black American Affairs/Western Region Council on Black American Affairs will assist in the planning and preparation of the event. We are honored that Skyline College, which is part of the San Mateo County Community College District is taking on this challenge and assisting in making a difference in the lives of our students.

Article and photo by Tammy Robinson

During the summer 2016, the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) which is part of Global Learning Programs and Services developed and expanded Curriculum and Program Offerings in an effort to expand the reach of the Global Trade and Logistics for the college and the community.

This the first time courses will be offered in this new division and will be cross-listed with Business courses. They will begin in spring 2017.

Courses:

• IBUS 201
• Microsoft Project Management I
• IBUS 202
• Microsoft Project Management II
• IBUS 100
• Global Trade and Logistics I

Bay Area CITD hosted by Skyline College receives CA STEP funds

Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and member of President Obama’s Cabinet, announced the grant award of $747,781 by the federal government to California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD) received to help increase exporting by small business.

Bay Area CITD was awarded $33,385 CA STEP grant funds to lead a trade mission to Hannover Messe 2016, the world’s largest industrial technology trade fair. This year, the United States was Germany’s official partner country to host Hannover Messe.

Bay Area CITD used grant funds to help 8 California small businesses participate as an Exhibitor in Hannover Germany. Each California business received 2500 each from Bay Area CITD. A reception, hosted by Bay Area CITD and the World Trade Center Los Angeles, was held for California companies that attended the trade fair.

With the U.S. Over 190,000 visitors came to give their companies a head start into the digital future.

Hosting CITD 2nd Global Summit in March, 2017

• Expanded Program Offering:
• Global Entrepreneurship program for students who will be trained in the skills needed to innovate, create and develop business plans, raise venture capital, and manage a global small business,
• Global Internship program that places students at businesses located at major hubs of global business, and CITD Global Trade Compliance and National Certificate Prep Workshops – Fee based non-credit professional development workshop and seminar series of international trade compliance related topics and exam preparatory courses for national certifications; 1 – 1 ½ hour sessions for local and national industry incumbent workers, hold workshops on a virtual classroom platform, taught by Industry subject matter experts to conduct instruction.

Article by Yvonne Reid. Photo by William Nacouzi