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

At the September 24^th 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 8^th 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/

Lucy 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

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

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

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

• Monday, October 19^th
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am*
• Register via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/NCSAC-virtual

*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

The 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.

• Date & Time: : Thursday 10/22 @ 3PM
• Room ID: 817 9529 7189
• Zoom Registration: http://bit.ly/SDS_1022

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

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

The International Student Program (ISP) student ambassadors hosted their second virtual monthly meet-up for GOL students Wednesday morning, October 14^th at 8:00am. The purpose of the GOL monthly meet-ups is to engage and build community with Skyline College’s GOL students. GOL students are students who are taking courses through Global Online Learning (GOL) from their home countries.

This month’s topic was spring registration. The student ambassadors spoke about the benefits of registering as early as possible, reviewed how to register, reviewed the schedule, accessing Websmart and provided personal tips and strategies for registration. As November quickly approaches, reviewing the registration process can help students plan and research their classes before their registration date arrives.

For further information on the GOL program, please go to https://smccd.edu/international/gol.php or contact Skyline ISP office at (650) 738-4430/7179

Article by Kimiko Petsche

The International Student Program (ISP) Student Ambassadors hosted their first virtual art night which started Friday afternoon on September 25, 2020 at 4pm.

The weekly event was hosted for international students at Skyline College to continue to build community and engagement opportunities with one another while we continue to engage in a distance learning environment. An art night is an event where under the guidance of the host or artist, attendees create their own art.

The student ambassador’s chose to conduct an art night to create a space to talk and chat while drawing their goals and dreams from the semester. The host Student Ambassador used Skyline College’s logo and attendees drew their own interpretations of what Skyline College means to them. The intention of using the College logo was to have a reminder of their aspirations throughout this semester and beyond. Currently, the Student Ambassadors are working on other virtual events including bingo, trivia and more!

Article and Photos by Kimiko Petsche

The Skyline College Drive-Thru Community Market launched on Wednesday, September 2, providing groceries to 300 families in the first day. Wednesday, October 7, marked our sixth food distribution event, which was the largest yet and served 650 families. Each family receives almost 40 lbs of groceries, including milk, eggs, pasta, rice, fresh produce, canned goods and dry goods, as well as a protein item (ham, chicken, turkey, etc.).  Second Harvest Food Bank calculates that these distributions have offset over $188,000 in grocery costs for the most at risk members of our local community.

This weekly event is held at Skyline College every Wednesday, 11:00am-1:00pm.  SparkPoint, public safety, and facilities staff will work along side volunteers from Skyline College, SMCCCD and our local community to distribute pre-boxed groceries while adhering to all COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols.

• Only drive-thru pickups will be served
• Open to students and the community
• No I.D required to pick up food
• Please call 650-738-7970 for weather and air quality closure updates
• Please use Skyline Blvd entrance

If you have any questions about the Skyline College Drive-Thru Community Market or about volunteering, please email skylinesparkpoint@smccd.edu.

Article by Chad Thompson