Mindful Mondays has been offered weekly either in person in the STEM Center, or virtually on Zoom, since Fall 2019.  It has created a safe environment for students, faculty and classified employees to take a break, share their struggles and the techniques they use to lower their anxiety.

Mindful Mondays has been hosted by Emilie Hein, Physics Professor at Skyline College, who has been offering a range of guided mindfulness activities, including the creation of gratitude trees, guided meditations, breathing exercises and mindful eating. The activities change weekly based on the needs of the attending community and current events. This semester, we are excited to also include special guests, who are experts in mindfulness awareness. Although it has mostly been attended by the STEM community, it is open to all.

 

We were honored to have our first guest speaker on September 27, 2021. Wini Linguvic is the boss lady at The Elevate Practice, a yoga subscription service that takes the guesswork out of HOW to practice yoga at home. A New York Times best-selling author, Wini specializes in making yoga useful and usable for all levels.

 

She led a wonderful session of stretching and breathing, which left us feeling relaxed and ready to tackle a new week. Attendee Professor Maryam Khan described the session as “wonderful! I loved how she was able to make her practice so relatable to ours.”

 

We also asked Wini about how our students and community can benefit from dedicating some time to mindfulness in their lives.

 

What does mindfulness mean to you?

Wini: “Mindfulness is paying attention. In day to day life it means not rushing your mind to the next thing but attending to the moment. This is not the easiest thing to do but the best way to start is to heed the old Buddhist saying…Feel your feet in your shoes.”

 

How can students in STEM relate to the work that you do? Your approach seems very scientific in many ways. 

Wini: “I always say be a researcher and not a judge. In other words as you start to integrate yoga and mindfulness do not be so quick to evaluate. Instead experiment and see what works. Add in three minutes of alternate nostril breathing and see how you feel. Sign up for an excellent yoga class once a week and see if you feel better.”

 

What are your strategies for dealing with anxiety, especially as we all navigate through a global health crisis and trying times?

Wini: “There are SO many things we can’t control we need to focus on the things we CAN. Identify what you can control, such as the water you drink, turning OFF the news, spending time with goof friends, or spending five minutes practicing simple breathing exercises. when you can identify what you CAN control and what you can’t the pressure is off to try to manage everything.”

 

What kind of teacher do you strive to be? 

Wini: “I want to be the teacher that gets you fascinated by your yoga practice. That inspires curiosity about how a simple combination of stretching and breathing can really help you feel better. “

 

What do you expect from your students?

Wini: “I expect students to show up and to remember the three goals of class. Number one is that first and foremost the goal is to FEEL better. Number two is that each time we practice yoga we have a chance to learn something new about a body we have lived in ALL our life. And number three is to discover for ourselves how one good practice a week really does make the WHOLE week better.”

 

Interested in joining us for our next session?

Start the week right and join us on Mondays from 12:30p.m. to 1:00 p.m.. https://smccd.zoom.us/j/98991907714

Meeting ID: 989 9190 7714

Pass code: 403526

Feel free to log in at any point and leave as you need. No judgment here. We understand your schedule needs and want to offer a place of serenity and comfort.

If you are interested in participating as a facilitator or have any questions, please contact Emilie Hein (heine@smccd.edu).

You can also follow the STEM Center on Facebook and Instagram to get weekly updates.

 

Article by Emilie Hein

Photo by Wini Linguvic

 

The Congressional Gold Medal, one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States, is one of “Congress’s highest expressions of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by people ‘who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture’.”

During Fleet Week in San Francisco,  a special Northern California presentation was held to award the Congressional Gold Medal to family members of Chinese-American World War II veterans from all the military branches.  Though belated, it represented recognition of the service and sacrifices of 20,000 Chinese Americans during World War II.

US Army Major General Stephen D. Tom (Ret.) presented the Congressional Gold Medal to History Professor James I. Wong and two of his brothers for their father, who had served with the famed Flying Tigers.  Bless Our Veterans!

Article by James Wong

On September 23 and 30, 2021 the Fall 2021 Puente Learning Community students were able to come together for the first time in-person through the Outward Bound California ropes course in McLaren Park, San Francisco. Due to Covid restrictions, the cohort was split into two groups over two dates which helped to support students and Puente faculty getting the chance to get to know each other in smaller groups (16 or less). Students and Puente mentors feasted on pan dulce and hot chocolate for breakfast and burritos and horchata for lunch and received Skyline College bags filled with academic supplies at the conclusion of their ropes course experience.

After the Puente Learning Community students participated in the challenge course, they were asked to share their reflections on their ropes course day. One student shared, “During my ropes course experience I learned many things about myself. I very quickly noticed that I don’t trust people. It was scary trusting in someone, and believing that they will take care of you. The ropes course made me feel safe and happy. I feel that recently the whole covid situation had made me more reserved, which I had realized. Joining everyone on the day gave me a feeling of happiness alongside my Puente Community or “family” that I haven’t felt in a while. The ropes course was a great opportunity for me to rela

x and let go of all the stress that has accumulated within me during these couple months. Being there with everyone and the people who helped all of us, made me feel comfortable. I realized that I really enjoy being outdoors and would like to surround myself around nature. Overall, the whole experience was amazing and I would do it all again if I could.”

Another student shared their impressions of the day, “The ropes course is definitely a memorable experience. It was out of my comfort zone in the sense of being motivated and pushed to do new things and accomplish things, when you thought you couldn’t for example, climb up 10 feet or more from the ground. Trusting complete strangers to support you. I know this was a learning experience to build trust and team bonding, but it did more than that in the end. The best part was being outside and finally meeting some of my classmates, teachers/mentors in person. The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone and it was amiable to see team building and bonding. It built a bridge for our class community to be more united and familiar.”

 

One student shared that she is usually an introvert but was excited to be part of this day and was glad to have decided to come when she was originally unsure if she wanted to participate. Many students commented that they enjoyed meeting their fellow Puente Learning Community students for the first time in-person and were eager to hear about other upcoming in-person events like College Hour, a Sunday morning Sweeney Ridge hike/cleanup and a Halloween get together.

 

The Outward Bound staff provided a safe space for students and program faculty to engage with mental and physical challenges, be pushed out of their comfort zones, and build community through warm-up group dynamic games and discussions prior to getting harnessed up for the high ropes course.

We want to give a warm thank you to Dr. Newin Orante, Golda Margate, Luis Escobar, Jackie Flores, Roger Perez-Vaughan, Barbara Lamson and Roxanne Brewer for helping to make this field trip happen for our Puente Learning Community students! Si se Puente!

 

Article by Marisa Thigpen and Alex Urbina

The Human Library returns for its fifth year! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 2, 3:00-5:00pm for this popular virtual event hosted by Skyline College Library. The Human Library provides a chance to meet people from different backgrounds and learn about their experiences – particularly people who have felt the sting of prejudice, stigma, and marginalization.

At the Human Library, any member of our Skyline College community can enjoy a virtual conversation with a “human book,” usually a member of our community. It’s an opportunity to ask questions about their lives and the stories they have chosen to share, and receive honest answers in return.

Interested in sharing your story as a human book? Please fill out a participation interest form now: Tinyurl.com/CallforNovHumanLibraryBooks

Interested in being a reader? Beginning October 25, you’ll be able to sign up for one or two 25 min. courageous conversations.

Everything you need to know is here, guides.skylinecollege.edu/TheHumanLibrary, including all of our

previous books described in the Human Book Archive.

Faculty are encouraged to provide credit for student participation.  Questions? Please contact Pia Walawalkar, Equity & Outreach Librarian <walawalkars@smccd.edu>

 

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

In partnership with the San Bruno Community Foundation, the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College (BAEC) provided direct support to small businesses through its Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program and Micro Grants initiative.  The BAEC provided additional direct funding to local businesses, along with coaching, workshops, and business tools all to support our business community as it recovers from the pandemic and plans for the future.

The Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program is made possible with grant funding from the San Bruno Community Foundation.

 

Leslie Hatamiya, Executive Director of the San Bruno Community Foundation, stated,

 

“The San Bruno Community Foundation is proud to partner with the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College by funding the Small Business Recovery and Assistance Program.  Small businesses are the backbone of San Bruno’s local economy, and we want to help our diverse small business community recover from the pandemic and thrive once again.  SBRAP provides San Bruno small businesses with critical technical assistance, business coaching, and micro grant funding to help them adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19,” said Leslie Hatamiya, Executive Director of the San Bruno Community Foundation.

Questions? Interest? Contact us at baec@smccd.edu.

Article and Image by Eva Zermeño

The application for Spring 2022 Global Virtual Team Internship Projects is still open! Students who apply for the program by the (extended) priority deadline of Thursday, October 14, 2022 will be given priority consideration for the accompanying program scholarship. The final deadline to apply is Thursday, October 21^st. Apply here.

In this program, students collaborate virtually with a team of other SMCCCD students during the course of the spring semester to complete an internship project for a company based in the U.S. or abroad. Companies may be based in Australia, Canada, England, India, Japan, South Africa, or the U.S. (New York or San Francisco). Exact internship projects and locations are determined through a placement process, but students may be matched with companies in various industries, including Business and Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Marketing and PR, Policy and Government, Public Health and Education, Sustainability and Environment, Technology, and more.

To learn more, please visit the Spring 2022 Global Virtual Team Internship Projects page. Also, check out the recording of our Virtual Internship Celebration from last month and read one student’s global virtual internship story here.

Questions? Please email studyabroad@smccd.edu.

Article by Stephanie Wells

 

SMCCCD is committed to protecting the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities we serve, as well as maintaining higher education access and attainment for our students. We embrace a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

In light of the evidence established to date regarding the safety and effectiveness of available COVID-19 vaccines, the District requires full vaccination against COVID-19 for:

• all District employees who access campuses, the District office, District facilities, and/or participate in off-site work in-person for the District;
• all students attending classes, programs, utilizing services or participating in any activity on any campus (verification will begin November 2021).

Individuals may request an exemption due to verified medical or religious reasons (as defined in federal or state policy). Those who qualify as exempt are subject to other safety measures in accordance with Cal/OSHA regulations and public health safety measures.

Ready to get Vaccinated? You Have Options:

Free drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination pop-up clinics will be available for the benefit of the entire SMCCCD community! The clinics will be hosted at College of San Mateo throughout the rest of the semester.

Make an appointment!

• Visit myturn.ca.gov
• Click on “Make an Appointment”
• When asked for address, enter “College of San Mateo”

Details to know about the pop-up clinics:

• Open to all SMCCCD students, employees, and community members
• Reservations preferred but no one turned away
• Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available
• 12-17 years old: parental permission required through registration process
• Face coverings required

Check out our website for more information on getting the vaccine.

Skyline College’s Engineering and Robotics Club is excited to announce that we can once again plan for in-person events!

We are currently preparing for the 9^th Annual California Solar Regatta Competition, scheduled for May 2022. This competition not only tests a Solar Boat’s endurance, but speed, maneuverability, and art design as well. There are opportunities for multiple awards!

Additional information about the competition can be found on the event website. The application packet can found here.

Please share the attached flyer with any students you think may be interested. We invite students with artistic ambitions and passions, and hope others will share our flyer and club announcement. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Club Treasurer Emma Alejandra Mayoral.

 

Article by Emma Alejandra Mayoral

You’re invited to “Take the Movement Home & Build it in the Streets: Pandemic Perspectives on the Climate Crisis,” a virtual talk with California environmental activist mark! Lopez, on Tuesday, October 12 at 4:30pm.

Then join the Q&A to follow, hosted by Skyline College Library and moderated by Chemistry Professor Susanne Schubert and Librarian Pia Walawalkar.

In 2017, Lopez received the prestigious, international Goldman Environmental Prize for North American for his successful campaign to get California to provide comprehensive lead testing and cleanup of East Los Angeles homes contaminated by a battery smelter. However, his work as a community organizer and activist began long before then. Find out more in this interview with Lopez and learn more here: guides.skylinecollege.edu/Fall2021Events/MarkLopez

Register here for this online event: bit.ly/TaketheMovement

We hope you’ll consider bringing your students to the event and/or offering credit to your students for attendance. Questions? Please contact Pia Walawalkar.

We look forward to having at this virtual event.

 

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

Flyer design by Ricardo Coronado

Our October Flex Day is coming up next Wednesday! We are excited to connect with you next week and engage in programming to support Building Community, Connection, and Partnership.

Preview our Flex Day agenda and session descriptions in preparation for registration. October Flex Day programming will take place virtually via Zoom with the exception of the Sweeney Ridge Hike. 

• October 2021 – Full Flex Day Planning Agenda

• Register for our October Flex Day

Visit the October Flex Day website for descriptions and details.

To encourage participation in professional learning opportunities by all Skyline College employees on Flex Day, there will be no classes on October 13, and the Skyline College offices will be closed. 

Should you have any questions please email the CTTL Team at skylinecttl@smccd.edu.

We look forward to connecting with you!