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