While the new year brings hope and the possibility of immigration reform, for now restrictive measures still exist for Skyline’s undocumented students and their families.

To meet their emergency needs during the pandemic especially, the Skyline College Dream Center Fund was established by the Dream Center Task Force this summer.

This December, the Task Force is pleased to announce the launch of Dare to Dream, a campaign to raise funds that will directly aid undocumented students experiencing job loss, eviction, deportation of family members, illness and/or a lack of health care. These funds are incredibly important to our undocumented students that have been denied federal stimulus aid and are less likely than other students to receive state benefits.

Ways to Support and Donate to the Dream Center

Contributing to the Skyline College Dream Center Fund once or on an ongoing basis can make an immediate difference for our Skyline college students and also fund specialized Dream Center programs tailored to provide comprehensive support.

To donate by making a pre-tax payroll deduction throughout the year, the Task Force encourages Skyline College employees to enroll in SMCCC Foundation’s Employee Contributions Program and designate their gift to the “Skyline College Dream Center Fund.” Employees can also make a one time donation online or by mail.

Thank you for making a difference for our undocumented students and their families. Questions? Please contact Pamela Ortiz Cerda <ortizcerdap@smccd.edu>.

Article by The Dream Center Task Force

Students in the Global Virtual Internship Program are busy preparing for next semester. Each student is working with their advisors from the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), based in Costa Rica, England, and Italy, to submit cover letters and resumes and schedule interviews with potential internship supervisors abroad. Some students have interviews as early as this week. Internships that students are interviewing for in Costa Rica include a graphic design internship with an environmental conservation organization, as well as a kinesiology placement with a nursing home providing various services to senior citizens, including physical therapy. Students planning to intern with companies in Italy and England will begin their interview process in the next few weeks. We are looking forward to hearing about this inaugural cohort’s virtual global experiences!

To learn more about the program, please visit the Spring 2021 Virtual Global Internship page. For questions, please contact studyabroad@smccd.edu.

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

For the second year, Skyline College Library is participating in an initiative known as “World AIDS Day” – observed globally on December 1 – to raise awareness, fight stigma and improve education about HIV/AIDS.  In 2019, the Library displayed a block of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the library in commemoration. This year the Library continues to create a digital space for our campus community to show support for people living with and affected by HIV — and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS — by participating as a virtual display host of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest ongoing community folk art project in the world.

Eight individual blocks of the AIDS Memorial Quilt are now available for viewing at bit.ly/AidsMemorialEx through March 31. The Quilt, a powerful visual reminder of the AIDS pandemic, is composed of 50,000 individual 3-by-6-foot memorial panels commemorating more than 105,000 individual lives of people who have died of AIDS. The quilting blocks have been sewn together by friends, lovers and family members.

“Even though nothing can replace seeing our beautiful Quilt in person, this virtual exhibition allows us to still share the Quilt and its stories just as we have done for past three decades around World AIDS Day,” said Gert McMullan, a co-founder of the Quilt and Quilt Conservator At the National AIDS Memorial.

In addition to Skyline College, other California organizations are hosting blocks of this important quilt as well. You can find them here. The Library has also created a research guide to provide additional information about the quilt, World AIDS day and library resources for researching the AIDS epidemic here: https://guides.skylinecollege.edu/WorldAidsDayQuiltDisplay

The virtual exhibition, funded by the President’s Innovation Fund, will be on view through March 31, 2021. Questions? Please contact Pia Walawalkar <walawalkars@smccd.eu>.

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

The International Student Program (ISP) hosted a virtual International Student Program (ISP) Appreciation on November 16, 2020 to kick off International Education Week (IEW). Russell Waldon, Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services at Skyline College, welcomed everyone to the event by giving a brief introduction to IEW and sharing his appreciation for Skyline’s international students, faculty, staff, student workers, and administrators along with the support received from the District Team.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Melissa Moreno, Skyline College President, highlighted the benefits of having an internationalized community and how the international students at Skyline College help to achieve this by enriching the campus through their contributions in and out of the classroom. This was echoed by Mike Claire, SMCCD Chancellor, who also shared how he saw the positive change that international students brought to the campus. Attendees then participated in a quick and informative trivia game about the international student population at Skyline College. This was followed by a recorded performance by Ayumi Asayama, a current international student, who played a wonderful medley of “Ribbon in the Sky” and “I Want You Back.” on the piano. Then, heartfelt video messages from some students to their professors were played, making the audience nostalgic for being back on the Skyline College campus.

The highlight of the event was the interactive speech presented by this year’s recipient of the ISP Faculty Award, Mathematics Professor Younga Choi. Professor Choi led an engaging activity which invited international students in attendance to locate their home country on a world map. Professor Choi concluded her speech by speaking about her experiences as an international student. In her inspirational speech, she provided personal and insightful information about how to succeed and navigate the American college system as an international student.

You can view the recorded event here: International Student Program Association (Must be signed in to your SMCCD Zoom account)

Article by Clair Yeo-Sugajski and Kimiko Petsche | Photo by Clair Yeo-Sugajski

The International Student Program (ISP) were proud to host the virtual International Food Festival as part of International Education Week on Thursday, November 19. The event was a huge success with students, staff, and faculty, joining virtually to learn new recipes from countries such as Brazil, China, Greece, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, and Singapore/South East Asia.

The event was hosted by Jiali Peng, President of the International Student Club and Bingxin Lan, Vice-President of ISC. After a short introduction from the hosts, it was on to the highlight of the event—the food videos. With 10 videos to learn from, attendees were spoiled for choice. Should they try to cook Lumpia (Filipino Spring Rolls), Loukoumades (Greek Doughnuts), Tomato and Egg Stir-fry, Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread), Japanese-style Breakfast, Parata Chicken Curry, Melomakarona (Greek Honey Christmas Cookies), Mee Soto (Spicy Noodle Soup), Arroz Valenciana (Filipino Paella), or Wolf Teeth Fries (Spicy Street Fries)? These were the tasty treats featured in the videos. Although the event was virtual, the conversation in the Zoom chat was exploding with excitement over trying new recipes.

The International Food Festival presented international students with an opportunity to share their cultures, and for other students to get a glimpse into the traditions of other cultures. The events served to highlight the diversity that is a key feature of Skyline College and its mission.

You can view the recorded event here: Virtual Food Festival (Must be signed in to your SMCCD Zoom account)

Article by Kimiko Petsche and Clair Yeo-Sugajski | Photo by Clair Yeo-Sugajski

Monet Bernesque is in her last year at Skyline College, completing an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies. Monet is proud to be a Skyline College student and feels she that has grown so much since first enrolling, back in 2015.  After graduating, Monet hopes to attend law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in San Francisco.

In addition to her studies, Monet currently serves as a Student Intern, in the fall 2020 cohort for the Virtual Internship Job Shadow Program with the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center.  Monet is placed at one of our external job shadow sites as a marketing intern for The Renaissance Entrepreneur Center, which provides a wide array of services and resources for low-income and underrepresented entrepreneurs.  As the marketing intern, she is learning about various marketing strategies, assists with virtual events and develops flyers and social media posts for future events.  Monet holds an Associate Degree in Communications from Skyline College.

Monet is one of the many reasons, Skyline College continues to shine!

Article by Pcyeta Stroud | Image by Monet Bernesque

This year’s pandemic did not stop the ASSC from pursuing a fully fledged calendar of online events available for all campus community members to attend using Zoom. The ASSC recognized Latinx Heritage Month beginning September 15 until its official ending on October 15. Filipinx American History Month ran through the month of October. The amazing events the ASSC hosted were:

ASSC Latinx Heritage Month Opening Day: Latinx Student Success – held on September 15. On Opening Day, the ASSC unveiled its theme for 2020 which was “Latinx Student Success”. A short opening address was given by Dean of Counseling, Dr. Luis Escobar in which he shared his experience navigating higher education as a Bay Area Latino. This was immediately followed by an awesome creative writing workshop by Martin Marquez who guided students to write strong affirmations of their culture/identity & how these ties into goal setting & success in education.

ASSC Latinx Heritage Month Community OFRENDA: normally, Student Life would turn the Student Study room into a safe space in which a community altar (ofrenda) would be created with photos, sugar skulls, messages, faux candles, food items as offerings for our students’ deceased loved ones. In lieu of being on campus, we created a safe virtual space on Padlet to submit a digital offering/tribute to their loved ones. You can view it here: https://bit.ly/2Zh9n3G

ASSC Latinx Heritage Month Intersectionality Discussion featuring Gia Cordova: held on September 23 – we were proud to bring back Gia Cordova, Latinx Cultural Practitioner who shared her experiences of being trans and Latinx. Gia gave a wonderful presentation & led a dialogue about the importance of remembering to tolerate intersectionality and that people are always representing more than just one piece of their identity.

ASSC Filipinx American History Month Mini-Artifacts Museum Online: with the help of their peers from Kababayan, the ASSC invited all students to contribute to their Padlet in which folks put up photos of commonly found items in Filipinx households as a way to do short story telling. You can view it here: https://bit.ly/fahmmam20

ASSC Filipinx American History Month Bay Area Music Panel – on October 6, the ASSC and Cipher brought online 3 of the most well known Filipinx American R&B groups ever: Drop-N-Harmony, Kai & One Vo1ce. These groups reigned the 90’s with their love ballads, their smooth vocals and hit songs on Bay Area radio stations. The artists shared with students their unique experiences & how they navigated the music world as Filipinx artists. You can view the event here: https://bit.ly/fahmbmp20

ASSC Latinx Heritage Month Closing Event: Loteria Night! On October 15, the ASSC hosted the very first online Loteria game night with many students from across campus. This interactive loteria game was held using a Google App and over 30 students enjoyed playing together.

ASSC Filipinx American History Month Traditional Dance Troupes Presentation: on October 20, the ASSC was lucky to be joined by our guest speaker and Filipinx cultural practitioner Jae Tioseco. In this informational presentation, Miss Jae gave us an insight to the historic overview of Filipinx American Dance Troupes & their influence on both the community and culture over the decades. To rewatch the presentation, it can be found online here: https://bit.ly/fahmtdt20

ASSC Filipinx American History Month: Pagalalakbay Educator’s Discussion Panel: on October 30, the ASSC closed Filipinx American History Month with their insightful discussion panel featuring our very own Dr. Liza Erpelo, Dr. Nate Navado, Dr. Roderick Daus- Magbual and soon to be Dr. Melanie Espinueva. The panel touched on their educational journeys, career paths & choices, challenges, etc. Then the ASSC gave participants the opportunity to ask questions – If you’d like to see and learn more about this event the full video link is attached below, it is on the ASSC YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/fahmcdp20

Article by Felagot Desta & Ryan Samn

The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College is offering micro grants to San Bruno-based businesses to help aid in their recovery from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Applications close December 4^th at 11:59 p.m.  Applications may be sent via email to baec@smccd.edu, or they may be dropped off at, or mailed to, City Hall: 567 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066.  Mailed applications must be post marked by December 4^th.  City Hall’s current operating hours are as follows: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Click here for the fillable application.  Paper applications are also available at City Hall.

The Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program is here to help businesses with coaching, workshops, business tools and now with funding!  These grants are made possible with funding from the San Bruno Community Foundation.  For more information, contact the BAEC at baec@smccd.edu.

Article by Pcyeta Stroud | Image by Ling Chien

The Academic Senate met on December 3 for its last meeting of the Fall 2020 semester.  Key items include:

• Institutional Effectiveness Committee: Vincent Chandler was appointed to serve as Academic Senate representative on IEC for Spring 2021.  The IEC is still seeking a faculty co-chair to begin in Spring 2021 on the restructuring of IEC and its new oversight of Comprehensive Program Review. Please contact Leigh Anne Shaw or Karen Wong if you are interested.
• Senate President: Leigh Anne Shaw anticipates resigning her position mid-term and the senate will need to find a one-year replacement for Fall 2021 – Spring 2022 (regular term election to occur in Spring 2022). The senate engaged in a discussion on faculty leadership. Academic Senate bylaws stipulate that the candidates must have served one full year on the Senate. Pres. Shaw is reserving Academic Senate offices hours on Dec 7 and Dec 14 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm by Zoom for interested faculty to visit and talk about how to get involved as a faculty leader; faculty are encouraged to visit the Zoom link: https://smccd.zoom.us/j/91532912254
• Class Size: Rika Yonemura-Fabian and Marianne Kaletzky, representing the AFT Anti-Oppression Committee, presented an AFT/DAS joint resolution on the reduction of class size during the current pandemic.
• Advisory Committee on Employee Development (ACED): The senate appointed Kim Saccio-Kent and Pia Walawalkar to the ACED committee.
• OER and ZTC: Ame Maloney shared a written Online Education Initiative update with key information on Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and additional ASCCC OER-related items.

The next Academic Senate meeting will be January 21, 2021. On behalf of the Academic Senate, best wishes for finals, and please enjoy a restful and rejuvenating break full of health, safety, and happiness.

 

By Leigh Anne Shaw

 

The Skyline College Strategic Planning and Allocation of Resources Committee (SPARC) met on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Vice President of Instruction, updated the committee on the college instructional equipment prioritization.  As the District is no longer providing funding support, the College seeks to continue funding instructional equipment needs through college resources and grants.

Tri Chairs Leigh Ann Shaw and Ingrid Vargas led the discussion to review SPARC charge, membership responsibilities, and membership representation. The committee’s suggestions will be further deliberated at the next meeting in December after members discuss with their constituent groups. Current SPARC information on charge and membership can be found SPARC and Compendium of Committees

The committee also reviewed the Institutional Effective Committee (IEC) charge and membership, as the IEC will now take on additional responsibilities to oversee the program review process. The IEC has been re-structured to a tri-chair model.  SPARC will continue discussion at a future meeting with a suggested flow-chart showing the responsibilities and alignment of these committees: SPARC, IEC and College Governance Council (CGC).

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/