On Sep. 6, Professor Nick Kapp, lead instructor for Skyline College’s Bio Bridge Program, attended Solano College’s Biomanufacturing facility opening ceremony held on the Solano College Vacaville campus.
Students in the Skyline College Bio Bridge Career Advancement Academy gain a broad foundation of scientific education and benefit from hands-on instruction along with contextualized math and English courses in a highly supportive learning environment.
After completion of this two semester program, students receive a Certificate of Achievement in Biotechnology and are prepared for entry-level employment in bio-manufacturing. Skyline College also offers an Associate Degree in Biotechnology for students looking for a clear biotechnology transfer pathway to four-year colleges and universities. Students who receive an associate’s degree in Biotechnology Manufacturing at Skyline College will be prepared for successful transfer to the Solano College’s Biomanufacturing Baccalaureate Degree Program.
Professor Kapp has been working with other faculty around the state to standardize biotechnology and biomanufacturing courses, requirements, and certificates across multiple colleges and ensure students have a seamless transition to a 4-year degree in Biomanufacturing at Solano College. Professor Kapp and his colleagues leverage the California Community College course identification (C-ID) program, which supports ease of transfer and articulation within California’s higher education systems and supports student success at all levels: entry-level certificates, Associate Degree, and transfer/Baccalaureate Degree.
On Oct. 27, current and former Skyline College Bio Bridge Career Advancement Academy students will visit the Solano College campus and tour the Biomanufacturing facilities and four-year Biomanufacturing Baccalaureate Degree Program.
Skyline College’s Career Advancement Academy Biotechnology program—BioBridge—is supported by grant funding from the National Science Foundation, grant #1502042. The Career Advancement Academy connects students to higher wage careers and opportunities in higher education by integrating accelerated and contextualized English and math, career technical education, and integrated student support. Currently, the Career Advancement Academy has programs in Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Biotechnology, and Legal Careers with additional bridge programming at Baden High School and Goodwill Industries.
For more information about the Bio Bridge Career Advancement Academy or related programs, please contact Jeremy Evangelista, evangelistaJ@smccd.edu or visit http://www.skylinecollege.edu/caa/.
Article & Photo by Nick Kapp
