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 22^th 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

Yvonne Reid, Director, Center for International Trade Development and Regional Deputy Sector Navigator began the New Year at the 2017 Winter ICT Educators Conference. The conference was hosted by the Western Academy Support and Training Center (WASTC), Cisco Systems, & CCC ICT/Digital Media Sector Navigators.  The quality sessions covered topics from: Teaching IT Essentials to At-Risk Students, Strategies on the Integration of Robotics into Programming Classes to Cyber Attack Threats on Advanced Manufacturing.

Participants engaged in discussions with Peter Coffee, VP for Strategic Research, Salesforce, Laura Chappell, Protocol Analyst, Wireshark,  CCC ICT/Digital Media Deputy Sector Navigators, Richard Grotegut and Steve Wright, CTE faculty, Workforce Development Directors about Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics and their impact on our daily lives. Participants collaborated on strategies about the need to improve motivation and interest among students at-risk of failing school and dropping out. Hands-on Workshops were conducted to demonstrate how to set up classrooms with a combination of resources and strategies to implement in order to increase motivation.  Program offerings and instructional design strategies were offered that could help aid in student academic IT readiness, progress and success across industry sectors; within and outside of the classroom.

Stay tuned as CITD will be hosting its 2^nd Annual, “Connect to Thrive Global Summit.” It will be held at Skyline College, March 23-24, 2017.

For more information about Bay Area Regional CITD events and activities, visit www.bayareacitd.org or contact Yvonne Reid, Director CITD, at 650-738-7098.

Author Lygia “Gigi “ Isaacs | Photos by Yvonne Reid

The San Bruno Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2017 Installation of Officers and State of the City Address luncheon on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Skyline College. Over 90 community members attended the event in the Fireside Dining Room. Skyline College is proud to host the annual event as it has become a tradition. Twenty-two employees of Skyline College attended the event to support the Chamber of Commerce and hear updates from the city of San Bruno.

Scott Hart of PG&E was given an award for his six years of service on the Chamber of Commerce Board as he has termed out. The Mayor of San Bruno, Jim Ruane gave the State of the City Address, focusing his speech on the planned developments that are moving forward as a result of years of work along with the planning projects currently happening. The following projects were among those presented:

• Mixed use development at 418 San Mateo Ave. with 83 residential units ready in late 2018
• Medical Office building
• SF Police Credit Union
• Implementation of the Walk n’ Bike Plan
• Comprehensive downtown parking management plan has begun
• Downtown streetscape plan for San Mateo Ave
• The Shops at Tanforan is in discussions about upgrades
• The Crossing Hotel, a 152 room Marriott
• Victory Honda Dealership expansion
• YouTube is growing and has acquired a total of 8 properties
• Crestmoor Neighborhood reconstruction from the pipeline explosion will be completed in late 2017 which includes a new neighborhood park
• Florida Ave Park
• Infrastructure project for water & sewer pipelines
• Fiber cable to homes through San Bruno Cable
• Community Service Programs
• Community Safety, increase in the police explorer program from 8 to 22 explorers
• Community Day in the Park will now be an annual event thanks to the support of the San Bruno Community Foundation
• Community Facilities Vision Plan which includes a new recreation center, library and community center

The Mayor also reported on discussions related to building code enforcement in wake of the Ghostship fire in Oakland and a new housing Impact fee which becomes effective next month to fund affordable housing, to create a reliable infrastructure to address the need.

Mayor Jim Ruane conducted the installation ceremony of the new and returning San Bruno Chamber of Commerce Board Members, including Pcyeta Stroud, representing Skyline College. The installed Board of Directors include the following:

• Brian Carias, KBA Docusys
• Barbara Einsidl, Gordon Associates
• Ron Frediani, Associated Window Cleaning
• Steven Kotik, International Auto Body & Paint
• Linda Larson, The Shops at Tanforan
• Joey Oliva, Marshall Realty (incoming Chairman of the Board)
• Rebecca Prozan, Google/YouTube
• Jackie Ram, RAM JAJ Enterprises
• Dennis Sammut, Artichoke Joes Casino
• Pcyeta Stroud/Kari Bush, Skyline College
• Wax Wain, Noori’s Restaurant

Skyline College looks forward to hosting this important community event for years to come.

Article by Cherie Colin | Photo by William Nacouzi

A new student support center named the DREAM Center will open on February 1^st, designed to be a “one-stop” resource and support center for students and community members seeking information about issues related to immigration, in response to student requests in the current climate. The Dream Center will be  located with the SparkPoint and Career Services Center in Building 1, offering a safe, caring place for students and providing personalized support in their educational journey, as well as for community members.

DREAM Center staff will create a welcoming environment, while students and community members navigate matters related to AB540 admissions, DACA, the California Dream Act, EOPS (Extended Opportunities Programs & Services), the BOG (Board of Governors) Fee Waiver, referrals to Assessment & Counseling, and the essentials of full matriculation at Skyline College. The Center will provide a centralized space that will partner with campus resources, community-based organizations, legal services and conduct various workshops connecting students to important college and community resources and providing relevant information to ensure student success in college. Additionally, the work of the DREAM Center will include professional development opportunities for campus faculty, staff, administrators, and students to be informed and prepared to be engaged in this work.

A group of students, staff, and faculty came together, guided by students’ requests to develop and shape the center. The work of this group was focused on making the center a robust and comprehensive resource center for students, their families, and community members to receive timely information and referrals to support their needs. A grand opening celebration will be held in late February.

Article by Cherie Colin