Skyline College Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) is pleased to announce the launch of our new Guardians Scholars Orientations. The GSP program is designed to assist current and former foster youth in becoming academically or vocationally successful. GSP orientations were held over a period of four separate days in an effort to accommodate the student’s schedule. Of the fifty two students enrolled in GSP, approximately 30 students attended the group orientations. All other students attended a one on one orientation due to schedule conflicts or transportation challenges

During the GSP Orientations, students were given in-depth information on campus resources. Students were informed as to what their responsibilities are as part of the program as well as the role of each staff member.

For more information on the Guardian Scholars Program here at Skyline College visit: http://skylinecollege.edu/guardianscholars/ or call (650) 738-4319.

Article by Linda Allen

How do many excited and eager Skyline College part-time faculty spend their Saturday before the start of the Fall 2017 semester? By attending the 3rd Annual Skyline College Adjunct Faculty Teaching & Learning Symposium, of course! The Center for Transformative Teaching & Learning (CTTL) designs Symposium activities to support part-time faculty’s ongoing commitment to refining and improving their teaching practices. Breakout sessions and activities are geared towards helping faculty achieve equitable student outcomes and addressing the diverse learning and academic needs of our students.

In her welcome remarks, President Stanback Stroud underscored the power faculty have to serve as agents of change in students’ lives. This year’s Symposium speaker and trainer Dr. Paul Hernandez reiterated her sentiments, shared inspiring stories of how he was impacted by community college faculty, and thanked the faculty for the work they do with and for students every day.

Dr. Hernandez, presented a special keynote, “[Re]Imagining How to Succeed with Our Students,” and workshop, “Learning How to Authentically and Effectively Connect with Students.” Other lively breakout sessions included:

• “#EquityMatters: Educational Equity: Cultural Fluency & Student Success at Skyline College” (Lasana Hotep, Dean of Student Equity & Support Services; Katrina Pantig, Program Services Coordinator)
• “Authentic Assignments: Teaching in the World of Wikipedia” (Dr. John Calavitta, English Professor)
• “Getting Started w/Canvas” (Ricardo Flores, Instructional Technologist)
• “‘Strength in Numbers’: Easy Ways to Facilitate Small Group Work in the College Classroom” (Jessica Hurless, Communication Studies Professor)
• “Thinking about Thinking: Using Metacognitive Reflection to Support Learning” (Jesse Raskin, Legal Studies Professor)
• “Helping Students Engage in Challenging Texts” (Chris Gibson, English Professor)
• “Supporting Students with (Dis)Abilities: A General Overview” (Melissa Matthews, DRC Counselor/Coordinator)
• “Maximizing Student Success: Partnering with Student Services” (Dr. Luis Escobar, Dean of Counseling; William Minnich, Dean of Admissions & Records)

Faculty attendees indicated that “having dedicated time for adjuncts to participate in professional development” and “share ideas with other part-time colleagues” were the most useful aspects of the Symposium experience. Another evaluee shared, “[the Symposium] is tangible evidence that the administration values my professional development and commitment to Skyline.”

Written by Nina Floro |Photo by Ricardo Flores

Skyline College celebrated an eclectic group of students from countries all over the world in the “International Student Mixer” event held in the Multicultural Center on August 25, 2017.

President of Skyline College Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Vice President of Student Services Dr. Angelica Garcia, and Dean of Global Learning Programs/Social Science and Creative Arts Dr. Tammy Robinson, were just a few of the people present that day. The guest list consisted of over 50 students, including new and continuing international students, domestic students, and students from the Silicon Valley Intensive English Program (SVIEP). The melodic singing of Xinyu Shang from China and Clara Freitas Metta from Brazil filled the air. The audience became part of the show as they joined in with dances by Nellyana Altuve Rojo from Venzuela who got them involved in salsa dancing, and Danial Imaseeh from Jordan who taught everyone how to get down with the dabke dance. A lively dance was led by Franck Yao from Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire). The DJ got people to show off their secret dancing skills and the food table satisfied the guests’ stomachs. People’s expectation were met and exceeded!

The event would not have been a success without the help of the clubs organizing it, namely the International Student Club, the Japanese Culture link, the Nepalese Heritage Club, and the Chinese Student and Scholar Association.

Article by Naledi Mthembu | Photo by Zaw Min Khant

 

Dear colleagues and Skyline College Community,

On Tuesday, President Trump made clear his plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This means that Skyline College employees and students (often referred to as Dreamers) who currently have DACA status may be immediately affected. Skyline College stands ready to support and advocate for our campus community members who are affected by this change in policy.

DACA provides work authorization and temporary relief from deportation for nearly 800,000 young people who arrived to the United States as children. The program has significantly increased opportunities for higher education, jobs, and enabled individuals to contribute to their families and to their communities. Under the administration’s directive, the DACA program will be phased out over the next 6 months, and it will be up to congress to legislate a replacement.

These times of uncertainty can be unnerving but we must remember that the United States Constitution gives all immigrants certain rights regardless of their documentation status. The mission of Skyline College is to empower and transform a global community of learners. We can and do realize that mission when we stand up to protect our democratic society and ensure safe, equitable spaces for expression and learning.

One thing is certain: Dreamers can attend Skyline College to continue their education.

The current political discourse has created uncertainty for many simply because of their race, religion, gender, sexual identity/orientation, and documentation status. These challenges affect the way many students, faculty and staff experience their lives, move through the world, and undoubtedly, how they approach their jobs and their education. It is our role as an educational institution to seek to address and transcend these challenges.

I think it’s important to reiterate the specifics of the resolution that the SMCCCD Board of Trustees adopted in January 2017, directing the Chancellor to:

• Develop directives and procedures to protect the safety and security of all students and employees of the District, and to facilitate a greater sense of community and enhance the relationship with and between District public safety staff; and
• Protect student privacy and ensure confidentiality by prohibiting the release of information about a students’ immigration status to law enforcement and federal agencies unless legally compelled to do so; and
• Limit access to SMCCCD campuses and property to federal officials for the purposes of immigration enforcement, unless legally compelled to do so; and
• Provide opportunities for students and their families, employees and their families, and members of the community to know about and understand their legal rights and, when appropriate, provide referrals to legal services that provide such assistance; and
• Ensure that students and employees are aware of counseling and support services and ensure that those services are available and provided as needed; and
• Develop a process for evaluating student and employee feedback relating to this and other similar matters that aids the District in better promoting cultural sensitivity, understanding and promoting diversity, serving and protecting vulnerable, at-risk and marginalized populations, and providing trainings, forums, spaces and opportunities for understanding, communication and collaboration; and
• Take all necessary steps to engage the college and broader communities, media, elected officials, policy makers and other supporters to bring to light any injustices surrounding or relating to this matter, should any occur.

I want to assure you that Skyline College’s administration will continue to speak out against hate. We will continue to provide students with opportunities to broaden their perspectives, share their stories, and explore new ideas.  We will continue to ensure that our entire community is welcomed, supported and safe.

There are resources are available that help us do that, and I encourage you to take advantage of them.

• DACA students are encouraged to visit the Skyline College Dream Center, located in Building 1, Room 1-219. There, students will find faculty and staff allies who provide direct services. Also, students can be assisted in connecting with off-campus resources.
• Psychological Services is also available to provide counseling or help students deal with trauma in Building 2, Rooms 2-206 and 2-237.
• Legal resources are available, and free consultations can be arranged through the Dream Center.
• A series of informational talks called “UndocuTalks” will provide a safe space to address concerns and fears around the issue, and “Know Your Rights” preparedness workshops will be open to the campus community during the coming semester.

The uncertainty around the permanent status of DACA is unsettling, but Skyline College remains steadfast in its commitment to students and the community. We move forward together because we know that together there are no limits to what we can achieve.

Best,

Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud