Skyline Shines is here to highlight the great work that’s happening around campus and beyond.
Remember to tell us about events, milestones, publications, and information that others around campus might want to know.
The success of our faculty, staff and especially our students should be shared…so remember to share it with Skyline Shines!
Submit your articles to skylineshines@smccd.edu each Thursday, by 2:00 p.m. to be included in that week’s issue.
Article by Connor Fitzpatrick
Come experience entrepreneurship at its finest as the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center hosts a night filled with networking, tactical tips and advice from successful entrepreneurs at the Action Summit II on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
The summit will center on a panel of guest speakers who will share their motivational stories followed by a Q&A session for audience members. There will also be local entrepreneurs exhibiting their products and services, sponsor giveaways, and refreshments. Furthermore, the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center will highlight its amazing services to help businesses and entrepreneurs.
Join the BAEC on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., located at 458 San Mateo Ave. San Bruno, CA 94066, to learn from successful entrepreneurs and get a chance to ask your most pressing questions! Networking is key, so make sure you bring your business cards!
Students are free, use promo code FREEACCESS.
Limited Space Available. Get your ticket today before they sell out!
Article by Kari Walsh
For their second and final leadership retreat of the year, The Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) traveled to Los Angeles to attend the Museum of Tolerance. The members of the council learned first-hand about the events during the Holocaust and other acts of intolerance, and social justice, throughout history. The museum’s purpose is to educate students, leaders and community members about the history of intolerance but also teach, nurture and encourage acts of tolerance. During their visit they had the privilege of hearing the story of a holocaust survivor, Rolf Gompertz. The rest of the retreat focused on team building among the council members, social justice and cultural competency training, and event planning.
Their experiences at the museum inspired the creation of ASSC’s first-ever Holocaust Remembrance Day event which took place on January 26, and will shape the format for the council’s events moving forward the rest of this semester.
Article by Anjelica Gacutan-Viloria
African American History Month kicks off on February 1 and the Associated Students (ASSC) and Black Student Union (BSU) are hosting tons of events to commemorate the wide ranging experiences of African Americans in the U.S. and to connect and share information with the campus community.
National African American History Month celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation’s history. Black History Month officially began in 1976, when President Gerald R. Ford asked Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”¹ Every year since then, every American president has dedicated February as African American History Month.
A few of this year’s events include:
African American History Month Kick-off and Resource Fair
All The Power to the People Exhibit
Equity Training Series: Whiteness & Racism
13th Documentary Discussion
Historically Black Colleges & Universities Transfer Panel
Brothers & Sisters Conference
Article by Connor Fitzpatrick
The International Student Program at Skyline College welcomed more than sixty new international students from 18 countries during the spring 2017 international student orientations. The attendees received valuable information on the following topics: F-1 visa regulations, employment, cultural adjustment, safety and security, immigration laws, and academic expectations.
The main international student orientation was held on January 9, 2017. It was opened by the Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services, Dr. Tammy Robinson. In addition to the ISP staff, a total of eight international student ambassadors helped in the organization of the different events. The three-day orientation included the following activities: International Student Club panel, campus tour, counseling presentation, International Student Club reception, placement testing, and class registration.
The ISP staff want to thank the participants for helping to make this orientation a success. The three days ran smoothly. The International Student Orientation is an important event for international students’ success and it wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of the volunteers who helped to prepare ahead of time, and worked during the event itself. ISP will continue to provide services and programs for international students as well as for the entire Skyline College community. If you are interested in learning more about future ISP programs and events, contact ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu or call (650) 738-7021.
Article & Photo by Wissem Bennani
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors created the Classified Employee of the Year Award honoring community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to professionalism and community colleges. Every college district is invited to submit a nominee. Nominees must be classified employees with a minimum of 5 years of service as a permanent employee within the nominating Community College District (full-time or part-time).
All nominees will be evaluated on their commitment to the mission of community colleges; professional ethics and standards; serving the institution through participation in professional and/or community activities; and serving as a leader beyond the local institution. A $500 cash award and plaque will be presented to each statewide recipient at an upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors. Any one may nominate an employee consistent with the criteria set by the CCC Board of Governors
Each district is allowed to submit one nomination. SMCCCD is soliciting the names of four proposed nominees, one each from the three colleges and the district office. At its February 22, 2017 meeting, The SMCCCD Board of Trustees will select one of the four nominees to submit to the Board of Governors. All four of the nominees will be recognized at the District Board meeting.
The criteria and nominating form are available online on the right side of the main page of the Chancellor’s office website.
Here you will find the Guidelines and Instructions and the Nomination Form. Anyone can make a nomination. Simply submit the completed nomination form in electronic format to Theresa Tentes at tentes@smccd.edu by Wednesday, February 9, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. A The College Council will screen the nominations and select a Skyline College nominee in time for the agenda packet for the February 22th Board of Trustees meeting.
Article by Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud
Richard Rojo will be assuming the role of Interim Marketing Director through May 31, during Cherie Colin’s maternity leave.
Richard has more than 20 years of experience in university, nonprofit and corporate communications. He has expertise in strategic messaging and marketing, crisis and issue management, electronic marketing and arts marketing.
From 2008 to 2015, Rojo led the Office of Communications at University of the Pacific, a nationally ranked private university with campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco, California. He oversaw media relations, printed publications, event promotion, internal communications, the university website and executive communications.
Rojo began his career in media relations and marketing at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, working with prominent art critics and other media from around the world. He was a member of the team that promoted a blockbuster Henri Matisse retrospective in 1992.
He later managed national advertising for the philanthropic program of Phillip Morris Companies, Inc., overseeing a multimillion-dollar account, where he developed expertise in strategic nonprofit messaging and consumer research. Rojo worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations across the country to identify strategic messages and develop effective advertising.
He moved to Northern California in 1998 to help plan and launch Turtle Bay Exploration Park — a 300-acre wildlife park and regional museum. Its centerpiece, the ultramodern glass Sundial Bridge, has become a Northern California landmark. Rojo was responsible for the naming, branding and wayfinding for the project.
He later joined the University of California, Davis, where he led development of branding, market positioning and sales strategy for the new Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. He was responsible for $3 million in annual ticket sales and was one of the driving forces behind a landmark study of arts audiences and what motivates attendance at live performances. He and his team were instrumental in developing new techniques for web- and email-based arts marketing.
Rojo has conducted workshops on social media and nonprofit marketing for the Irvine Foundation, the Western Arts Alliance and other organizations. He holds a B.A. in architectural history and theory from Princeton University.
Article by Cherie Colin
Skyline College would like to introduce the newest member our team, Brian Collins, who will be serving as the Web Programmer Analyst for the college. Brian will build and maintain the website so all students can access the resources they need to graduate.
Brian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley. After graduation, he moved to Belgium to work in media sales. It was during his stay in Europe where he redeveloped his passion for design and development. Brian brings years of web design and development experience to the MCPR team. In his most recent role he found himself developing websites for the dental industry. After moving to the Bay Area from Sacramento, Brian found Skyline College where he will keep building and improving the college’s digital assets.
Brian is passionate about building a website that will help all students attain their academic goals. In his free time he enjoys watching sports, hanging out with friends, coding side projects and advancing his amateur photography skills.
Article by Cherie Colin
On November 3, 2016, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, President of Skyline College shared in assisting teachers in the San Bruno Community. The event was co-sponsored by the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce and assisted teachers in the area by donating $100 to them for their classes. Skyline College donated to 10 teachers. A donation amount of $1,000 was given to some very excited teachers.
The Cash for Class Party provided an avenue to appreciate and showcase the wonderful work our teachers do daily to help our young people prosper. The event took place at Nueve Mexican Restaurant.
The teachers were ecstatic about receiving the needed funds to help their students thrive in the classroom. The event included various businesses in the area and Mayor Jim Ruane was also present. Lastly, the Teachers Cash for Class Party showed the cohesiveness and appreciation of the overall San Bruno Community in supporting our educators.
Article and photo by Dr. Tammy Robinson
On December 21, 2016 Skyline College Workability III Program Manager Clyde H. Lewis completed his doctoral studies by successfully defending his dissertation which focused on the characteristics, motivators and barriers of first generation doctoral students in the California State University (CSU) System. This mixed methods study examined how students who were the first in their family to pursue higher education remained academically successful on their educational journey toward the doctorate.
The findings from this study suggest that first-generation CSU doctoral students were less likely to live on campus, receive familial support about academics, or utilize institutional supports during their undergraduate years. Findings also suggest that the use of athletics and having a mentor were integral to early academic success. The value of networking and peer groups was also noted as being key to the academic success of this diverse student group.
Findings from this study can be used to inform the development and strengthening of existing and planned programs that are designed to support first-generation students.
Article By Clyde Lewis | Photo By Dr. Jamal Cooks