Daily Archives: October 16, 2020

Be a Part of the 3rd annual UndocuWeek of Action!

All members of our Skyline Community are invited to choose from a full week of rich programming in support of, and in engagement with, our undocumented students and colleagues. Beginning this Friday, October 16 at 11:30a.m., jump into a quick session that introduces our Dream Center Task Force members and services on campus with a short video followed by an opportunity for Q&A. Join here: https://smccd.zoom.us/j/83686502957

Then Register  (tinyurl.com/skyundocuweek2020) to choose from a full week of UndocuWeek offerings beginning Monday, October 19. Knowledge is power! A series of morning seminars offered by the California Community Colleges provides up to date information as well as tools and resources available through both Skyline College and the state of California. In the afternoons, the Skyline College Dream Center and allies present get-togethers and sessions to inspire and empower us all to reduce obstacles faced by our undocumented community.

UndocuWeek offers a range of sessions — tailored to our roles as students, faculty instructors, faculty counselors, classified professionals and administrators — on topics including financial aid and Dream Act application help, immigration policies, student leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities, the student transfer process, equitable classroom practices and “equity beyond a status, undocumented students and how to serve them.” Included is a student interest mixer for our newly forming undocumented student club, “FIRE.”  We’ll also screen the documentary Change the Subject about a group of undocumented student activists who went to Congress to effect change. Bring your class or offer extra credit for attendance.

UndocuWeek programs represent a call for action for us to step up and advocate for changes to policies and learning landscapes. Flyers for each day of the week are attached for sharing. If you have questions, please reach out to Pamela Ortiz Cerda ortizcerdap@smccd.edu or Jessica Silver-Sharp silversharpj@smccd.edu. We’ll see you soon!

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

Job Opportunities

How may we assist you in landing your dream job? The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following job opportunities with you. Check them out

We understand that many students and our community members may have lost their job due to the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is our commitment to continue to offer information regarding paid internships and quality job opportunities that are available along with support in design or update of a resume, preparing for an interview and expanding one’s network to secure employment during these uncertain times. The Career Readiness & Job Placement Team looks forward to doing all we can to ensure students and our community members have what they need to get a job and continue to offer remote services and resources during this time. If one of the jobs shared does not meet your needs or interests please complete this form and we will reach out to you directly to assist!  Please stay safe. 

Internship Opportunities

Expand your network in ways that will lead to your dream job. The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following paid internship opportunities with you. Check them out—

We understand that many students and our community members may have lost their job due to the  unprecedented times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is our commitment to continue to offer information regarding paid internships and quality job opportunities that are available along with support in design or update of a resume, preparing for an interview and expanding one’s network to secure employment during these uncertain times.  The Career Readiness & Job Placement Team looks forward to doing all we can to ensure students and our community members have what they need to get a job and continue to offer remote services and resources while the shelter-in-place order is in effect.  If one of the jobs shared does not meet your needs or interests please complete this form and we will reach out to you directly to assist!  Please stay safe.  

SPARC Meeting Update

The Skyline College Strategic Planning and Allocation of Resources Committee (SPARC) met on Thursday, September 24, 2020 and October 8, 2020.

At the September 24th meeting, Tri-Chair Ingrid Vargas provided an update on Fall 2020 enrollment and the impact of COVID 19 pandemic. The most recent update of the 2020

Fall Enrollment Data is posted on the PRIE website.

Finance and Operations Manager Paul Cassidy presented part two of “Budget 101: Review of Integrated Planning & Resource Allocation,” and Guest Chief Financial Officer Bernata Slater presented the SMCCCD 2020-21 Adopted Budget to SPARC, and highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic expenses and losses for 2020-21. For both presentations, please see   FY20-21 Budget Presentation.

The October 8th meeting focused on the Comprehensive Program Review (CPR) redesign. SPARC members finalized their review of recommendations of the CPR Task Force.  SPARC unanimously approved the set of Task Force recommendations to be forwarded to the College Governance Committee for recommendation to the College President

SPARC members also voted to create a work group that will propose revisions to the  CPR prompts and templates for instructional and student support programs. The CPR Template Work Group, co-chaired by Academic Sentate President Leigh Anne Shaw and IEC Chair Karen Wong, will be comprised of representation from constituent groups. The work group will provide opportunities for broader community input during the drafting process. The proposed timeline is for the draft templates to be completed by December 2020 for  approval by SPARC, CGC and the College President before the end of the calendar year.

SPARC meets on the second and the last Thursday of the month from 2:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For additional information, please see https://skylinecollege.edu/sparc/

BAEC Student Spotlight: Lucy Revina

lucyLucy Revina is a student at Skyline College, studying electrical engineering & computer science, under the Science Technology & Health Meta Major.  Lucy is a student intern in the BAEC Virtual Job Shadow Program for the fall 2020 semester, and as part of her internship, she’s a staff support volunteer for the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce.  In her role as a student intern, Lucy uses her skills and expertise as part of the BAEC team, to support the College and the business community.   Lucy loves robotics, renewable energy, and materials research.  She is heavily influenced by the social justice and start-up of culture of the Bay Area, and her hobbyist projects and aspirations to leadership are result of that influence.  When she’s not studying or volunteering, you can find Lucy hiking Alum Rock Park or roller-skating in San Francisco.  To quote Lucy, “Regardless of where I am, I seek to find balance – between business, nature, and technology – and I’m overjoyed to do so at the BAEC!”

We are excited to have Lucy as part of the BAEC Team!  Lucy is yet another example, of how Skyline College truly shines!

Article by Pcyeta Stroud | Image by Lucy Revina

Sharing Stories in Real Time: Save the date for the Human Library on October 29! 

On Thursday, October 29 at noon, the Human Library welcomes our community of staff, students, faculty and administrators to share personal stories as part of an international movement to “unjudge” at the Skyline College Library.

At Human Library events, held virtually this year, “human books” are “loaned” to readers just as libraries loan physical books to library visitors. Continuing the theme, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” readers are encouraged to ask questions freely for honest answers in return, as books and readers sit down together to engage in conversations.

The Human Library offers a respite from the isolation many of us are feeling by offering a safe space to meet people from different backgrounds and to learn about their experiences – particularly people who have felt the sting of prejudice, stigma and marginalization. 

For years now, Skyline College participants have reported back powerful and positive experiences: I feel like Human Library is a way to give people hope.” It’s for this reason exactly that the Human Library remains a popular event. Please RSVP to learn about available book titles and descriptions and to reserve your spot. Then mark your calendars for Thursday, October 29 at noon!

Interested in learning more about the Human Library? Find much more information here and on Facebook. Would you like to bring your class to the Human Library? Please reach out to Skyline College Librarian Pia Walawalkar <walawalkars@smccd.edu>.

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

Latinx Heritage Month at the BAEC

On Thursday, October 15, 2020 the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center, held a virtual fireside chat in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month or Latinx Heritage Month. This conversation served as a vehicle to encourage students and professionals throughout the Latinx diaspora and throughout our entire global community, to explore the path of entrepreneurship.

Along with our partner, the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce, the BAEC welcomed Carmen Milagro, to share her insights navigating our new normal and on being a Latina in the business world.  Carmen is an entrepreneur-artist and a Hispanic role model.  She has been honored by HISPA and is featured in their 20k Hispanic/ Latinx Stories series. Carmen is a Hispanic Star Ambassador and was selected to appear in the upcoming book of stories, Hispanic Stars Rising – The New Face of Power. The discussion was led by Nicole Moreno Deinzer, our Business Programs Coordinator for the BAEC.

The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center hosts virtual events and continues to offer no-cost resources to our students and community, albeit in an online and remote capacity.  Join us for our 3-day Virtual Small Business Symposium to learn more about how businesses are doing in this pandemic and the work we’re doing to support them.

Connect with us here at our BAEC Youtube Channel or here at skylinebaec.org.

Article by Pcyeta Stroud | Images by Olivia Vialau

Study Abroad to Launch Virtual Internships in Costa Rica and England!

SMCCCD Study Abroad is excited to announce opportunities to intern virtually in Costa Rica and England, in addition to Italy! Join us next week for an informational meeting with our partners abroad:

Global Virtual Internships Information Meeting

*The meeting will be recorded; please register if you would like us to send you the recording.

Applications are now open for the Spring 2021! Priority applications close Thursday, October 22, 2020. To learn more, please visit the Spring 2021 Virtual Global Internship page.

SMCCCD Study Abroad, along with fellow Northern California Study Abroad Consortium (NCSAC) member Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), in partnership with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), is excited to launch Virtual Global Internships. Beginning Spring 2021, students may participate in virtual internships in Costa Rica, Italy and England.

The Global Learning Programs and Services Division has partnered with the Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development Division to offer COOP 671 – General Cooperative Education course as part of this virtual Study Abroad Program.  This program will allow students to hone professional skills and acquire valuable work experience with a global team, learning cross-cultural communication skills, time management, digital literacy and adaptability.

Scholarships are available. Interested students may apply online or schedule a one-on-one advising sessions with the SMCCCD Study Abroad office at www.smccd.edu/goabroad to learn more.

SMCCCD Study Abroad is the district-wide study abroad program housed in the Global Learning Programs and Services Division at Skyline College.  For more information about studying or interning abroad, faculty teach abroad opportunities, community travel for lifelong learners, visiting international faculty presenters and student scholarship opportunities, please contact Zaid Ghori at ghoriz@smccd.edu or (650) 738-7088 or Stephanie Wells at wellss@smccd.edu. You can also learn more by visiting the SMCCD Study Abroad Facebook page or Instagram page @smcccd_study_abroad.

Article by Stephanie Wells

Solidarity Dialogue Series at the Intercultural Center

solidarity dialogue seriesThe Intercultural Center invites you to join our next Solidarity Dialogue Series event!

The Solidarity Dialogue Series is a space to reflect, share, dialogue, and learn about different perspectives and experiences centered around solidarity. The purpose of this space is the better understand where we are in our journey towards solidarity and reflect on how we can continue to move forward in our journey.

Please fill out the Intercultural Center Survey to provide YOUR input on OUR Intercultural Center. You can visit our website to learn more about the Intercultural Center’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statement.

Feel free to contact Allen Ocampo at ocampoallen@smccd.edu if you need additional information.

Article by Allen Ocampo

Middle College Seniors Participate in the 2020 Berkeley Virtual Experience 

While most students continue at Skyline College after high school graduation, the Middle College program does provide support and counseling services for seniors who are four-year college bound. For example, this year, the Middle College program has had students participate in the Berkeley Virtual Experience, a program designed to help first-generation, low-income, and/or students who have been historically underrepresented to succeed on the UC Berkeley campus. The program included a series of application workshops and information sessions that introduced both high school and transfer prospective students to the UC application and admissions process, as well as the UC Berkeley

undergraduate experience. Students learned how to craft a competitive application for UC admission, meet current students and alumni. They also receive support from the admissions staff even after the program ends to ensure that participants have a strong college application.

Here is what our Middle College participants had to say:

  • “I really enjoyed the Berkeley Virtual Experience, especially the student panel as it allowed me to learn about various perspectives and a lot of vital information such as details about the dorms, the diversity, different programs and I highly appreciated hearing advice from the students. The different perspectives including those of freshman and transfer students, and of many different backgrounds helped give a more accurate depiction of what the Berkeley experience would be like.” Frida Arguello
  • “The Berkeley Virtual Experience was amazing for me. The admission’s office that led our small groups was very kind and helpful. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this program because I was able to receive feedback on my application and facilitated envisioning myself on Berkeley’s campus.” Andrea Molina

  • “The program was extremely beneficial to my understanding of the UC application process, especially regarding the PIQ’s. The one-on-one session with an Admissions Officer was the most helpful to me, as it provided extensive and specific guidance in strengthening my PIQ’s.”Divina Moreno

This was a great opportunity for the Middle College seniors! “We look forward to celebrating their successes and to having future Middle College students participate in the Berkeley Virtual Experience.”

Article by Daniela Azuela