On Friday, October 17, 2025, Skyline College’s Farallon Room was filled with joy, nostalgia, and pride as more than 150 guests gathered to celebrate a major milestone: 10 Years of Skyline Middle College.
The evening brought together a vibrant mix of alumni, current students, faculty, staff, administrators, community partners, and dignitaries from across San Mateo County. Guests reminisced over food, music, and memories, honoring a program that has transformed the educational landscape for hundreds of high school students over the past decade.
Among the distinguished guests was South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) Superintendent Dr. Shawnterra Moore, who proudly shared, “I would not have missed this milestone event. I’m honored to have been part of the first high school district that partnered with Skyline College to establish the Middle College program, as the very first graduates came from SSFUSD.”
Joining Dr. Moore were members of the SSFUSD Board of Trustees, Kareen Bacca, Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services for Jefferson Union High School District, Jennifer Blanco, Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commissioner, and Hector Camacho, Executive Director of Equity, Social Justice, and Inclusion for the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Also in attendance were Maurice Goodman, President of the NAACP of San Mateo County and founder of the Goodman Middle College Scholarship, and South San Francisco Mayor Eddie Flores, along with members of the SSF City Council. Mayor Flores presented Middle College Director Martina Center-Goodman and the program with a Certificate of Recognition from the City of South San Francisco, officially declaring October 17th as “Middle College Day” in honor of the students and alumni who have represented SSFUSD through the program.
The evening began with a welcome video from SMCCCD Chancellor Melissa Moreno, followed by warm remarks from Dr. Nate Carter, President of Skyline College, who spoke about the program’s transformative impact and the shared commitment to student success.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came from Dr. Regina Stanback-Stroud, former Skyline College President and one of the visionary leaders behind Middle College. In her keynote address, she reflected on the importance of early college opportunities and the power of access for students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
Dr. Stanback-Stroud shared, “Let’s celebrate ten years of courage, ten years of transformation, and as we look to the next ten years, let’s commit to deepening our impact, telling the whole truth, amplifying freedom, and anchoring justice as our daily practice. Indeed, to teach is to resist, to educate is to liberate, and to believe in students is to defend democracy itself.”
Her words set the tone for an evening filled with pride, reflection, and purpose.
Four Middle College alumni returned to share their personal stories and reflections: Sydnie G. (2017), Tylin W. (2020), Ameera A. (2023), and Malcolm G. (2024).
Sydnie reflected on being part of the inaugural Middle College graduating class, saying, “When I walked onto campus in 2015, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was a place that allowed me to be myself, to grow, and to create a lasting bond rooted in learning, community, and self-discovery. Middle College will always be one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Tylin spoke about resilience and opportunity, encouraging students to “never give up and make the most of every opportunity.”
Ameera reflected on the sense of belonging within the program, saying, “Being part of Middle College feels like being part of something bigger. We’re a family that grows together, learns together, and succeeds together.”
Malcolm shared his remarkable story, reflecting on how Middle College helped shape his academic and personal journey. “I joined Middle College at a time when I felt unchallenged and unsupported in the regular high school environment. What drew me here was a place that was not only more rigorous but also more caring. Looking back now, I’d sum up Middle College in three words: freedom, family, and challenge. Through Middle College, I not only graduated with my high school diploma, I was also the first Middle College student to graduate with two Associate Degrees and will graduate from UC Berkeley in May 2026 with my Bachelor’s degree in Film Studies. This program allowed me to continue my journey as a storyteller and advocate for representation through media and culture.”
Their stories, filled with gratitude, pride, and emotion, captured the very essence of Middle College and why it continues to change lives a decade later.
Throughout the evening, Martina Center-Goodman, Director of the Middle College program, expressed deep appreciation for the collective dedication that has shaped the program’s success. Her reflections captured both the heart and the vision behind Middle College:
“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know each student as an individual, learning their stories, their challenges, their passions, and their dreams. Watching them grow, find their voice, and step into the next chapter of their lives is the heart of why I do this work.
Our success has always been a collective effort. We wouldn’t be here without the continued support of our community partners, school districts, college leadership, and every teacher, counselor, staff member, and parent who believes in what this program stands for. Together, we’ve built a place where students, many of whom never imagined themselves in college, can see not only that they belong but also that their future is bright, limitless, and worth investing in. As we celebrate this milestone, I’m filled with hope for what the next decade will bring.”
The Decade of Excellence celebration was more than an event; it was a testament to what can be achieved when schools, colleges, and communities come together with a shared belief in equity, access, and the boundless potential of every student, their stories, their voices, and their right to be seen, heard, and supported in higher education.
To support the future of Middle College and its students, donations can be made to the Middle College Fund or the Goodman Middle College Scholarship at these links:
Here’s to the next ten years of courage, transformation, and excellence.
Article by: Martina Center-Goodman, Director, Middle College
Photos by Mei Lee
