As a part of our overall Promise Redesign, the Skyline College website is getting a brand new search engine beginning Monday, September 18.

The new engine, called FunnelBack, will give students, faculty and staff a vastly improved search experience. With this new tool, our campus and community will now be able to quickly find and sort any information within our site.

The advanced search function allows students to filter by professor, degrees, pdf, class schedule, etc. The best way to see everything our new search has to offer is to visit skylinecollege.edu and start using it.

The more that people use the tool, the more helpful data it will provide which we’ll use to analyze trends and statistics and ultimately provide a better, more cohesive experience to students.

With the FunnelBack implementation, we are driving forward in our mission to help students find the materials and the resources they need to graduate and succeed.

 

Article by Brian Collins

 

Please be aware that a campus lockdown drill will occur on Thursday, September 28, at 11:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. This drill is part of the campus’ commitment to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff, so we encourage you to plan ahead and be prepared.

What to do during the lockdown drill:

Find a safe location out of sight, away from windows, and secure yourself behind locked doors.  Remain quiet.  Listen for and follow instructions of emergency personnel. If you need immediate help, dial 911.

Upcoming Drill:

Please also be prepared for the Great Shakeout and Evacuation Drill happening on October 19, 11:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Important Information to Remember:

What to do during an Active Shooter Incident:

1. If you see or hear gunfire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Provide the dispatcher with all available information regarding the threat.
2. Assess the situation. If it is safer to remain in the classroom/office, stay where you are and lock or barricade doors. Do not open doors unless instructed to do so by staff or authorized personnel. Emergency responders may enter the room using a master key or by providing official identification.
3. The campus may be placed on a heightened security status. Remain quiet until more can be learned about the situation.
4. Calmly and quietly review emergency evacuation procedures to prepare for possible evacuation. Remain in classroom/office unless notified by the appropriate authorities

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick

 

 

Learn more about the proposed meta-majors at a campus-wide forum!

After a year of inquiry and work, the Design Team will present the proposed meta-majors at a campus-wide forum. Join us to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback on the proposal.

When: Monday, September 25, 2017, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Building 6-206

Can’t make it to the forum? Check out the proposal and provide feedback on the meta-majors website or stop by Meta-major Mondays to share your thoughts.

 

Article by Jessica Hurless | Photo by MCPR

 

Skyline College earned Strong Workforce Stars recognition in the Advanced Transportation and Renewables sector for its Automotive Technology program; 71% of students who participate in this program attain the regional living wage, and 100% of students who participate report securing a job in their field of study.

Skyline College attributes the success of its Automotive Technology program to effective relationships with local high schools, community centers, local businesses and its strong advisory board. Over the years, the program has benefited from strong support from the Chancellor’s Office, the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Supervisors, Skyline College’s own administration, and the division dean. This support translates into a financial budget that allows it to be what program leaders describe as one of the best-equipped automotive programs — both technically and mechanically.

The college maintains three buildings dedicated to the Automotive Technology program (alongside one additional shared building), affording the program six classrooms, one computer lab, two bench overhaul labs and 20 service stalls. Over the years, the program has also partnered with several automotive manufacturers and currently enjoys a collaboration with Subaru of America and Audi of America. Through these partnership and private donations, Skyline College’s Automotive Technology program has procured a fleet of 90 vehicles ranging in age from the mid-1980’s to 2017, providing students with a wide variety of vehicle technology on which to learn.

Additionally, program leaders note the impact of their curricular and pedagogical approach on students’ preparation. Through involvement, North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT), California Automotive Teachers (CAT), National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation (NATEF), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS), Skyline College is known nationwide and worldwide as having a premier automotive training program, and is able to keep its training aligned with industry expectations. Specifically, the program conducts long classes so students can have extensive hands-on training that infuses innovative teaching techniques and advanced critical-thinking activities.

Every semester, the program’s students are immersed into a full educational load (15 credit units) focused on one automotive subject matter. This approach translates into 179 hours of direct experience, combined with 179 hours of theory and critical thinking preparation.

In turn, over the course of the program’s three years, each student receives 2,148 hours of combined learning encompassing key industry requirements including specific ASE automotive areas and California Smog certification.

Lastly, the entire program staff biannually attend professional development training in automotive technology and in dynamic teaching pedagogy techniques.

Sourced from Press Release

Skyline College President Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud has been invited to join the National Advisory Board for the Center for Community College Student Engagement.

Cumulatively, the Center has now surveyed (via the Community College Survey of Student Engagement [CCSSE] and the Survey of Entering Student Engagement [SENSE]) over 2 million students at more than 900 different colleges in 50 states and the District of Columbia, several island nations, as well as Canadian provinces.

The quantitative data have since 2002 been supported by the Center’s student focus group research. And by working closely with member colleges, systems and states, the Center is seeking always to strengthen its intended effects – supporting quality improvement and student success by improving educational practice.

According to the Center’s statement, this work could not have been accomplished without the highly valued contributions of their National Advisory Board, composed of community college leaders, outstanding researchers and policy influencers from across America. This small but distinguished group provides strategic guidance for the Center’s work through meetings conducted once annually in late spring.

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick

The President’s Council convened last week to celebrate the goals accomplished in the last year and commit to new bold goals for the year ahead. The Council welcomed four new members – Karen Ervin of Genentech, Michelle Jester of the SF Chronicle, Juslyn Manalo, the Vice Mayor of Daly City and Charles Schuler of SFO.

Chaired by retired banker, Ron Derenzi, the Council got right to work setting new goals for raising funds to support the Promise Scholars Program and the President’s Innovation Fund. This year, the Council is committed to raising at least $150,000.

Interim Director of the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation, Tykia Warden, was there to ensure the foundation is poised to support the Council’s development goals. According to Ms. Warden, “The foundation is committed to successful fundraising that supports the priorities of the colleges in serving students.”

The Council received a list of all President Innovation Fund projects approved for 2017-2018 and noted that more than 50% of the great ideas seeded this year have been institutionalized. This means faculty and staff were able to “dream out loud” and make some very important programs and services available to students in an ongoing way. The projects funded this year stand to continue to support our culture of innovation while putting students first.

The Council received an update on the Skyline College Promise Scholars Program including information about the impact the Skyline College Promise has had on student success. At 86.3%, the persistence rate for Promise Scholars is 24% higher than that of the general college comparison group.

The Council then focused on preparing for the 6th Success Summit taking place Friday, September 22 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Skyline College. The Success Summit was an idea that came out of the President’s Council to highlight North San Mateo County issues and explore solutions. The outcome of the first Success Summit was the creation of the shuttle that provides free shuttle service to and from Skyline College to the Daly City BART station. The Skyline College Express has an average monthly ridership of over 6,000 with more than 64% of the riders using the shuttle four or more days per week.

The goal is to have 100% of all council members’ participation or support for the Success Summit. This year the Success Summit will have two sessions so all attendees can attend both.

The 2018 President’s Breakfast will be held Thursday, March 22, 2018. In addition, there will be a thank you/appreciation reception held either the end of January or February.

The Council participated in a group activity that asked each to name three words that define Skyline College for them and to introduce themselves and tell why they support the Breakfast. The members exchanged the information in a “speed dating” format and much discussion and laughter ensued. The Council then adjourned for the group photo. Overall, they are off to a great start.

Article by Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud

 

San Francisco State University’s Dr. Julietta Hua, Chair of Women’s Studies (pictured right) led a pair of workshops where a group of 25 faculty, staff, administrators, and students participated and discussed Social Justice in the context of teaching and learning at Skyline College on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

The first workshop provided space for an interdisciplinary team of Social Science faculty to refine curricular design for the newly developed Social Justice/Ethnic Studies AA-T starting in Fall 2019.

The second workshop invited members of the campus community interested in exploring pedagogical strategies to advance Social Justice in our classrooms.

Dr. Hua led participants through a series of self-reflective activities that revealed creative and effective ways to raise students’ consciousness to Social Justice issues across disciplines already practiced in Skyline College classrooms. Skyline College faculty, staff, administrators and students shared their visions for promoting Social Justice at our College and ways they implemented activities and assignments into their curriculum.

The event was supported by the Micki Barker fund approved by the faculty of Social Science/Creative Division, led by Dean Dr. Tammy Robinson. The event was organized by Associate Professor Dr. Rika Fabian , Sociology and sponsored by the CTTL. Committed to furthering racial and gender justice at Skyline College, Dr. Fabian, along with Prof. Mustafa Popal are co-teaching The Civil Right Movements class (CRN45273) in Spring 2017.

For more information, please contact: Dr. Rika Fabian, fabianr@smccd.edu.

 

Article by Dr. Jude Navari and Dr. Rika Fabian | Photo courtesy of San Francisco State University