On Saturday April 29, 2023 the Skyline College Forensics Team hosted our first on-campus tournament on behalf of the Northern California Forensics Association (NCFA). Over 150 competitors, coaches and judges from 19 colleges and universities traveled to Skyline College to compete in the final NCFA sponsored tournament of the competitive year. Students had the opportunity to showcase talents in over fifteen different categories of speech and debate events.  

Trojans, Illeana Guillen (Journalism Major) and Christian Reyes (Mathematics Major) competed in the events of impromptu and informative speaking. Impromptu speaking is a limited preparation event where competitors are given a set of quotations and have 2 minutes to pick one quotation and then prepare a 5-minute speech. It is one of the more challenging events to compete in. Illeana and Christian broke to the final round in novice impromptu both earning bronze. 

Hosting this event would not have been possible, let alone a success, without the work and collaboration of 3 particular individuals: Communication Studies Professor Jessica Hurless, Business Professor Grace Beltran and Forensics Team Captain Anthony Tolosa. I would also like to take the time to recognize Skyline College colleagues who came out to support leading up to and the execution of the event: The Facilities Team, Kennya Ruiz, Annie Trinh, Angelica Mendoza, Cassidy Ryan-White, Dr. Bianca Rowden-Quince, Ricardo Flores, Isaiah Angeles, Elian Fontanilla, Chris Gibson, Vice President of Instruction Dr. Vinicio Lopez, President Joe Morello and Public Safety.  Thank-you for your continued support!

If you are interested in joining the speech and debate team, please consider enrolling in COMM 172: Forensics. No previous skills or experience required to join; all are welcome!  If you know someone who may be interested in joining the speech and debate team, please help spread the word! If you have any questions about joining the team, contact Director of Forensics, Lindsey Ayotte at ayottel@smccd.edu and (650)738-4276. 

Article by Lindsey Ayotte | Photo by Jessica Hurless

Skyline College Promise Scholars Program (PSP) hosted its Priority Registration Drop-In event on Wednesday, May 3^rd and Thursday, May 4^th both in-person at the Intercultural Center and virtually on Zoom. The two-day event was provided to support students with not only Fall 2023 registration, but for those who wanted to see a PSP counselor for a variety of reasons. This included figuring out their schedule, registering for classes, reviewing their education plan, and more! In collaborating with the Learning Center, Peer Mentors were also available to support students with Finals Week preparations. Students who joined in person were welcomed with donuts, coffee, and snacks. For those who wanted to just drop in and relax, an art station and a variety of games were available on the side as additional self-care activities. The whole Promise Scholars Program team (support staff and counselors) organized this event that had almost 100 student attendees who took advantage of their priority registration in preparation for the upcoming semester.

Article by Albin Lee | Photos by Albin Lee

Since Fall 2022, the Skyline College Learning Center has hosted a series of All-Hands Trainings in partnership with the STEM Center to support its team of student workers in cultivating strong, professional development skills. Through attending a year-long sequence of helpful workshops, academic Peer Tutors, Student Assistants, Peer Mentors, and Supplemental Instructors (SIs) were provided the opportunity to learn about various on-campus resources and services, and gain practical knowledge on how these Skyline College programs can best support their success and those of the students they serve.

Most recently, on Friday, April 21, 2023, both academic support centers welcomed Brittney Sneed and Derek Allenby from the Career Readiness & Job Placement Hub (a program within the Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development Division (SPWD)) to provide their expertise on drafting effective resumes and cover letters, and offer useful recommendations for preparing for a job interview. During this workshop, students drafted 5-word “elevator pitches” that best marketed their professional skills and abilities, and spotlighted their individual talents and strengths. Students also engaged in career-related goal-setting, and developed short- and long-term timelines to help put their plans into action.

Earlier this semester, the Learning Center and STEM Center teams were graced by the presence of SparkPoint’s Flor López, who discussed the abundant network of resources offered by the program– from housing services and financial coaching to sustainable food connections and free, weekly groceries. Following an overview of services, López presented a compelling and relatable lesson on financial literacy, where students were able to exercise critical thinking and participate in fruitful, group discussions regarding credit building and smart money management.

In addition to exposing students to an array of Skyline College resources, both centers received coaching on how to engage in student-centered dialogue when providing peer support. In Fall 2022, Joshua Lindo from the Student Equity & Support Programs (SESP) Division educated students on how to identify and effectively address microaggressions. Committed to creating an equitable environment for all, the Learning Center also facilitates ongoing, professional development trainings focused on maintaining a safe and inclusive workplace, and provides regular coaching to its student leaders on how to foster a kind and supportive student community.

Through these trainings, the Learning Center aims to support its amazing team of student support professionals in building transferable job-related skills that will continue to serve them far beyond their employment and education at Skyline College. Furthermore, the Learning Center is passionate about providing an academic space that encourages whole-student growth, and is a program truly dedicated to exposing students to hands-on experiences and resources that support their lifelong success.

Article by Monique Ubungen | Photos by Monique Ubungen and Gavin Townsley