Hello Campus Community!
I am excited for our inaugural Skyline Shines of this academic year. This newsletter is more important than ever to keep us connected and emphasize our great work. I am so proud of all of you for hanging in there as challenges continue to pile on. This last week, in particular, threw us over the edge with the fires and poor air quality atop a pandemic. We had students and employees face the challenge and stress of evacuations. We thank our District and our Foundation for playing a critical role in providing emergency relief for so many.
And on top of that, the ongoing and unrelenting social injustices occurring across our country continues to grate on us. I saw this special report in the news that was so powerful in highlighting the ongoing grip of white supremacy in our nation.
The senseless murder of Black Americans by law enforcement across this nation must end, and we will not let up on our efforts to battle racism and white supremacy here at Skyline College, in our District, and in our communities. Another father, brother, son, uncle – shot in the back in front of his kids. Jacob Blake is alive. I hope we have the chance to get to know him.
Where we shine is with our own programming created with intrinsic urgency and powerful understanding. This semester, Health & Wellness Services will be offering a “Connecting Point” twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month. This meeting serves to offer space, grounding, and connection for you and your colleagues – a place where it’s okay to not be okay.
Please register online in advance for future meetings.
For more information, email Director of Student Support, Michelle Batista: batistam@smccd.edu
I deeply thank our colleagues for developing these important meetings for our Skyline community.
Please be kind to yourselves – try to stay nourished in every way, seek help if you need it, and be mindful of the work-life balance so critical to surviving this profound time of isolation.
Melissa
President, Skyline College
