Monthly Archives: March 2021

SPARC Meeting Update for Skyline Shines

The Skyline College Strategic Planning and Allocation of Resources Committee (SPARC) met on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Ernesto Hernandez, Interim Director of Guided Pathways and Comprehensive Redesign provided an update on the Comprehensive Redesign initiative at Skyline. Success Teams by Meta Majors have been established and active.  The Program Pathway Mapper, a one-stop website is scheduled to launch in Fall 2021.  This online tool will feature a Career Dashboard, Program Learning Outcomes, Program Maps along with course recommendations. Students will also be able to make appointments online directly.  For more information, please see Meta Majors and Guided Pathways

Over the past several meetings, members reviewed three budget scenarios to allocate Fund 1 resources that are available for FY 2020-21. They were able to obtain feedback from their constituents. Scenario 3 prevailed with the majority of the member votes. This recommendation will next go to the College Governance Council for their action on the FY2020-21 budget.

Tri-chair Ingrid Vargas shared transfer data from 2014 through 2020 with the committee. For in-state public institutions, University of California – Davis and San Francisco State University are the top transfer destinations for our students.  More information can be found at PRIE Data Dashboards.

The Committee also voted on Institutional-set Standard and Aspirational goals for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Annual Report due in April 2021. At a prior meeting, Tri-Chair Vargas presented and led the discussion on the goals recommended by the Institutional Effectiveness Committee (IEC). Historical data can be found on the Skyline College Scorecard .

 Vote to recommend to CGC that the recommendations of the CPR Redesign Task Force be accepted and implemented.

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/.

Article by Judy Hutchinson

Calling all Books! Join the Human Library at Skyline College on April 15th 

Human Library BannerOn Thursday, April 15 from 12:00 – 2:00pm, The Skyline College Human Library will welcome all members of our community interested in connecting with a “human book.” Community members who volunteer as “human books” will make their experiences available to “readers,” usually on issues that can be difficult to discuss, at this virtual session coordinated by the Skyline College Library.

What do Human Books talk about? Books are free to choose anything about themselves that makes their story unique that they’re ready to share about with their readers.

Would you like to be a Human Book on April 15? Please fill out an interest form: tinyurl.com/SCHumanLibraryInterestForm. We ask for a minimum of a one-hour commitment during this two-hour event. More information is available at the link above.

Want to read up on past books in the Human Library? Visit the Library Guide guides.skylinecollege.edu/TheHumanLibrary which includes a Book Archive, some of which may reappear at a future Human Library event!

How does this event work? The Human Library is a place where real people go on loan to readers, who are other members of our Skyline College community and this event takes place virtually in real time in breakout rooms on Zoom, hosted and facilitated by Skyline College staff and faculty.

Books are encouraged to meet with multiple readers, usually one at a time, over the course of the two-hour event. Books make their experiences available through one-on-one discussions, while readers ask questions freely and get honest answers in return.

Want to know more about The Human Library?

The Human Library Project is a worldwide movement that began in Denmark to help create dialog and foster understanding among people of different backgrounds and experiences. Human libraries remind us: There is much more that unites us than divides us.

The Human Library at Skyline College is supported by the President’s Innovation Fund (PIF). You can learn more here: https://guides.skylinecollege.edu/TheHumanLibrary

Questions? Please contact Pia Walawalkar at walawalkars@smccd.edu.

Article by Marisa Thigpen

Microbiology Labs Successfully Meeting in Person this Semester

Micro Lab StudentsThis semester some of the Microbiology Laboratory Sections were able to meet in labs on campus.   Because of limited size and scheduling, these visits were limited to 3 *Validation exercises.   Validations were limited to activities that met the Student Learning Outcomes that could not be performed at home using simulations, scenarios or prepackaged “At Home Labs”.  Students came to campus to practice using the Microscopes, staining and counting cells.   In the picture, Isabell and Lissett try to explain, at a distance, how Victor places the cell culture on a slide for observation. Even though this coming semester will see reduced and limited face-to-face instruction, we feel it is best for the students to demonstrate that they can work in a safe manner and still complete their studies. We are looking forward to opening the campus again in a measured and safe manner.

*Validation: the action of making or declaring something legally or officially acceptable.

Article by Nick Kapp

Former Men’s Basketball Players Moving Up in the Fire Department Ranks

Picture: Left, Shawn is pictured with his daughter. Right, Mario is pictured with his parents.Shawn Echols and Mario Flaherty, both out of Mills High School, continue to achieve success in their respective departments. Shawn recently passed his Driver/Engineer Promotional Exam, scoring in the top 3%. Shawn is part of the Dallas Fire Department.

Mario recently completed his probationary period in the San Francisco Fire Department, after graduating from the academy last year. Both young men received Division I scholarships after their two years at Skyline and earned Bachelor’s degrees before starting their careers as firefighters.

 

Picture: Left, Shawn is pictured with his daughter. Right, Mario is pictured with his parents.

Article by Justin Piergrossi

Psychology Professor Tony Jackson Shares his Book “Black Male Violence in Perspective: Toward Afrocentric Intervention” at BACABP Event

Psychology Professor Tony Jackson Shares his BookThe evening opened with blessings and a poem from Tyson Amir, author of Black Boy Poems: An Account of Black Survival in America, setting the stage perfectly for Skyline College Psychology Professor Tony Jackson’s readings from his recently published book Black Male Violence in Perspective: Toward Afrocentric Intervention for the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists (BACABP) virtual fundraising event.

Dr. Jackson led an engaging discussion of his book which “examines the psychosocial dynamic of violence relative to African-American men, as it is inextricably tied to the history of violence in America including colonialism, expansionism, and concepts of manifest destiny”. Through the lens of his lived experience and psychology learnings, he articulates the need for African-centered intervention and restoration models based in African cultural paradigms.

Attendees were introduced by the author himself, to the book’s exploration into the psychology underlying violent behavior and a theory of intervention and treatment.

The Association of Black Psychologists President, Theopia Jackson of Saybrook University, describes Dr. Jackson’s work as “a powerfully raw and intellectually provocative piece; embodying the contemporary civil rights synergy! As an African American female scholar-practitioner, advocate, and mother of sons, I applaud Dr. Jackson’s clarity and voice in conveying complex ideas in real life language. This is an essential read for community leaders and families, as well as professionals with the common intention of facilitating and nurturing resiliency among Black males. Jackson keenly denotes how exposure to violence should be considered a health epidemic; it is much more than a social determinant. When considering the lived experiences of males of African ancestry, he astutely answers the question of what happened to you versus what is wrong with you. The concept of the Three-Headed Dragon brilliantly illuminates the residuals of complex trauma, specifically historical trauma, and directs us toward culturally-congruent interventions that promote posttraumatic growth. Most impressive, I salute the courageous authenticity in which Tony shares the ‘gift’ of his story as the story of many, including professionals of color. However, this transformative gift is not reading for the light of heart as much as for the strong of spirit.”

Dr. Jackson’s experience growing up in south central Los Angeles is a catalyst for his work.  It informs the narrative of his book which chronicles the effects of racism, and identifies and addresses the resulting dangerous emotions that clinically impact Black men.

In his forward to Dr. Jackson’s book, Wade W. Nobles, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Africana Studies and Black Psychology at San Francisco State University and founder of the Association of Black Psychologists; states that “The value of this book is that the reading of it helps to prescribe and excite solutions and actions, which will help free African people, especially Black men, from both material and spiritual degradation brought about by violence. In light of the constant killing of Black men (by white law enforcement officers) …  this book is both timely and significant.”

Author, educator, and artivist; Dr. Jackson is also the co-author of “Psychology:  Connections in Theory and Practice 4th ed.” as well as this most recent work, “Black Male Violence in Perspective-Towards an Afrocentric Approach” published by Lexington Books (division of Rowan and Littlefield Pub.). Along with his many accomplishments at Skyline College his career includes current and past leadership roles in several Psychology Associations, Committees and Foundations. However, his passion for bringing Hip Hop and other musical forms as well as practical application of psychological principles into the classroom remains the driving force in his work.

You can hear Dr. Jackson share his insights on the research process at the Skyline College uSOAR – Undergraduate Symposium of Academic Research event on April 28th at 5:00 p.m. Learn more about his book at –  https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498550857/Black-Male-Violence-in-Perspective-Toward-Afrocentric-Intervention.

Article by Chris Burwell-Woo

Job Opportunities

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. 

 

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—

Internship Opportunities

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. 

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—

BAEC Wants To Hear From You!

BAEC Info FormThe Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College (BAEC), is continuing its efforts to learn more about how to support our local businesses and entrepreneurs. To help us learn more about how to best serve you, please complete this Small Business feedback form. This feedback will help us tailor our workshop topics, resources and events to best meet your needs and interests.

In partnership with the San Bruno Community Foundation and with a grant that was awarded last year, the BAEC team has provided $65,000 in direct funding to local businesses, and created and hosted numerous online workshops, webinars and coaching sessions, all to support our business community as it recovers from the pandemic and beyond.

The BAEC is a hub of resources for both local business owners and for anyone looking to start and grow their business idea. Skyline College students, faculty, and staff are welcome to come visit the BAEC in our virtual space, and learn more.

Questions? Interest? Looking to host a virtual event? Contact us at baec@smccd.edu.

Article by Nicole Moreno-Deinzer

Image by Pcyeta Stroud

Skyline College Free Drive-Thru Community Market Extended through August 2021!

Second Harvest ProduceWe are excited to inform you that the Skyline College Free Drive-Thru Free Community Market has been extended through August 2021! This weekly event provides students and other members of the community with 40 pounds of groceries (including fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as bread, rice, milk, eggs, cheese, canned goods, and much more). Everyone is welcome!


As a reminder, there will not be a food distribution on Wednesday, March 31st, in honor of César Chávez Day. If you need to find an alternative food distribution location, please check the Second Harvest Food Bank website. The Free Drive-Thru Community Market will resume on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021.

Please call 650-738-7970 on the day of the event to receive weather closure updates.
Here are details about scheduled events:

WEDNESDAYS (Skyline College):
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (recommended arrival time 12:00pm)
Location: Skyline College
Address: 3300 College Dr., San Bruno, CA 94066
(Please use Skyline Blvd entrance)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all Food Distributions
· COVID-19 guidelines will be observed
· Only Drive-thru customers will be served
· Open to all students and the community
· This does not impact public charge
· No I.D. is required to pick up food
· We will distribute food while supplies last

Our goal is to increase access to healthy and nutritious food for students, their families and our community. We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions about Free Drive-Thru Community Market or other SparkPoint services (Financial Coaching, Grove Scholarship, SparkPoint Cash, etc.) please visit our website or email us at skylinesparkpoint@smccd.edu.

Article by Chad Thompson
Photo by Becky Threewit

BAEC Student Spotlight: Jackson Gravagno

Jackson GravangoJackson Gravagno is a new student intern in the Job Shadow Program at the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College (BAEC).  Jackson’s goal is to pursue a double major in Political Science and Film.  After spending two years studying in the east coast, he decided to attend community college to finish his studies back home.  Since returning, he’s focused on creative outlets ranging from writing scripts to aspects of 3D animation.  Jackson has experienced the Bay Area through the lens of a camera and the local music scene and he’s passionate about bringing effective media initiatives together to help his community.

As a student intern at the BAEC, Jackson shadows the marketing team, supporting social media engagement, creating marketing collateral and content creation.  It’s a joy to have Jackson on the team, and to be a part of connecting his love for media and art, to real-world career experiences.  He is a wonderful example of how Skyline Shines.

Article by Pcyeta Stroud

Image by Jackson Gravango