On Friday, May 8, 2020, TRiO hosted a virtual End of Year Celebration to recognize and celebrate the success of 40 graduates and/or transfers and another 26 TRiO Scholarship recipients who received $26,000 in TRiO aid.  Many of the students were featured in the TRiO Profile Yearbook, which can be viewed here.

The event was not only a celebration of student success, but of the TRiO community. Students, staff and faculty rejoiced in the resilience, persistence, motivation and drive of TRiO students powering through the pandemic and succeeding in the change to online education. Working solely in an online world demonstrated how the TRiO community supported one another and showcased the interdependence of students, staff and faculty.  The community was mutually beneficial as TRiO continued to grow through the identities, impact and sharing of students, while students benefitted from TRiO service, expertise and love. It is best expressed through student and faculty voices:

“Having TRiO as part of my educational and personal life gave me the strength to face my hindrance, to move forward and to achieve my goals in life. TRiO is not just a program, it is a family consisting of nice people who are willing to do their best to help you when needed.”  – Anne Marizz Onte, Graduating Student and Transfer

“TRiO is the key to my success at Skyline College providing me with endless amounts of resources and support.” – April Hubert, TRiO Club President and Scholarship Recipient

“My overall experience at TRiO was a positive one because it gave me the structure I needed to be successful in college. I built trust with the people who worked with me every step of the way and felt like I was in good hands and had great guidance to help me in college. If it wasn’t for TRiO, I’m not sure I would be transferring right now, but now I have the confidence to accomplish even more than I originally set out for.”  – Brianna Alvarado, Graduating Student, Transfer and Scholarship Recipient

“Throughout my time at Skyline College, I have extensively used TRiO services to my benefit. During this challenging time facing COVID-19, TRiO has provided me with a community and copious information regarding different forms of assistance available to students.” – Christopher Wardell, Scholarship Recipient

“TRiO has provided not only resources but also guidance on my journey in higher education. Utilizing TRiO aided in my success and helped me network with like-minded individuals that I am proud to have built friendships with as we are all on the same journey toward a brighter future. I’m also looking at you Brothers Achieving Milestones (BAM)!”  – Timothy Wong, Graduating Student, Transfer and Scholarship Recipient

“TRiO provides comprehensive support from warm, engaging professionals who will follow you closely through your college trajectory to achieve your goals.” – Jacquie Espino, TRiO Staff Assistant

“TRIO, putting the community in community college.” –  Janelle Reza, TRiO Counselor

“TRiO is a community where we provide access and opportunity for growth, personally and professionally.” – Brianna Clay, TRiO Counselor

“The TRiO program primarily aims to encourage and support adults who want to pursue post-secondary education, but who may be financially disadvantaged.“ – Eugene Garcia (Mr. G), TRiO Instructional Aid

The TRiO Program is honored to have served a dynamic group of students destined to overcome the obstacles before them and chart a future of hope, accomplishment and legacy.  Our TRiO Achievers represent the best of Skyline College and the future of this nation.

Article by Michael Stokes

“One picture is worth ten thousand words” (Chinese Proverb), but sometimes art can depict a single meaningful word.

The inaugural 2020 In Libros ART (Art with Books) installation at the Skyline College Library is from Teresa Cuniff’s ART 301 – Two-Dimensional Design. In “The Adverb Collage”, students were asked to use abstract shapes to convey the essence of a chosen adverb.

ART 301 focuses on the elements of line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion in two-dimensional (flat) design. In this project, students explored “utilizing Gestalt Grouping Effects such as similarity, proximity, continuation or line of direction and containment” to assist in bringing the feeling of the word to the forefront.

Gestalt is a psychology principle, stating that humans tend to see objects in patterns whether or not those patterns exist and this precept can be used in art to transmit specific ideas. Using a medium of black paper collage, student artists used geometric and organic shapes in an abstract composition to express the spirit of their chosen adverb.

When we return to campus, take a minute to stop and see how Jeremy A., Allison D., Zoe C., Eric C., Ku H., Francis C. and Stephen S.C. brought Beautifully, Furiously, Hopelessly, Mysteriously, Queerly, Rapidly, and Sadly to life. You may find one that connects to something you are feeling.

Article by Chris Burwell-Woo | Photo by Ashley Asaro

On Friday, May 1st, 2020, the Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) 2020-21 Election results were announced. This year, the Center for Student Life and Leadership Development filled an entire ballot with new student officers amidst the COVID-19 crisis. For the first time in a few years, every running position on the council had a candidate enter. The council consists of six executive officers, 14 senators and one Skyline College nominee for the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) Student Trustee of the Board of Trustees.

This year, another unique aspect of the election was hosting it entirely online. The ASSC and Center for Student Life normally give students an option to vote on a paper ballot. However, with the campus being closed due to the Shelter-in-Place order, the entire election was executed by distributing electronic ballots using Novi Survey. This lack of face-to-face engagement at first posed as a challenge for our Center for Student Life staff but thanks to their efforts and teamwork they were able to successfully collaborate and adapt.

At 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, secure electronic ballots were emailed to every registered Skyline College student with a unique invitation to vote based on their G number. There were no errors or bugs this year thanks to the District ITS team being very thorough in making sure the Center for Student Life staff was well supported and able to execute a fully online election.

The Center for Student Life is extremely pleased with our campus community’s clear effort to step up, promote the election and encourage students to become the next leaders in ASSC as well as the students’ engagement and interest level for becoming the student government council of the upcoming 2020-21 term. The newly elected candidates for President and Vice President have served the ASSC for the 2019-20 term, giving them great experience for what lies ahead as they prepare to lead the student body. ASSC President Carlos Ungo is a passionate leader who seeks to bring equitable change to campus at a student level. His team, including Vice President Jose Gutierrez, look forward to continuing the work of the 2019-20 ASSC’s efforts to engage with more students and connect with professional staff, faculty and administration.

Article by Ryan Samn