INSIDE SFCC S A N TA F E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E | FA L L 2 0 1 7
In this issue
Training for Green Jobs Art on Campus Grissom to Retire and more ...
FEATURE
Training the Green Jobs Workforce SFCC receives $200,000 EPA grant The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Santa Fe Community College a $200,000 grant to operate environmental job training programs. Funded through the agency’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program, SFCC will use the funds to prepare people for green jobs that reduce environmental contamination and provide more sustainable futures for the communities most affected by solid and hazardous waste contaminations. The college will train approximately 70 unemployed people and place at least 51 graduates in environmental jobs. The training is provided at no cost. The intensive program includes 164 hours of instruction over five weeks, and covers hazardous and solid waste management, health and safety, environmental site assessments and sampling, mold remediation, asbestos awareness, and emergency response. SFCC will recruit Native Americans, veterans, and underserved youth in Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba and Taos counties. The college has partnered with Coordinated Vision LLC, Northern New Mexico College, New Mexico Branch of the Association of General Contractors, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Santa Fe YouthWorks, SER Jobs for Progress, New Mexico Workforce Connection, Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board, and the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council Office of Environmental and Technical Assistance. The EPA published the report “Transforming Lives and Advancing Economic Opportunities,” which highlights the success of SFCC’s previous job training grant. Here are some excerpts from that report. 2
Above: Participants suited up for HAZWOPER training Below: Environmental, Health and Safety Instructor, Janet Kerley
Readying a Skilled Local Workforce EPA’s environmental job training program enabled the college to design a robust program and provide unemployed and underemployed New Mexicans with quality technical training and certifications that employers required but that were not readily available in northern New Mexico. “Our training participants range in age from 19 to 60, and many of them have been seeking jobs for months, and in some cases years, and they lack confidence,” said Janet Kerley, SFCC’s Environmental, Health and Safety Instructor. “Graduates learn job skills and earn certifications that allow them to compete in a difficult job market and secure a wide range of public and private sector environmental jobs, including environmental health and safety.”
Employers who have hired program graduates applaud the college’s approach and the relevance of the training. “Over the last several years, we have utilized and successfully placed several students from this program,” said Sean Pauly, from the environmental staffing agency Aerotek. “Every student from the program was offered the position they interviewed for and was brought on permanently with our client.”
Core Training • O ccupational Safety and Health Administration 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER)
From Unemployed to Overseer of the Environmental Health and Safety of 26 State Buildings
• F ederal, State and Tribal Environmental Laws • Environmental Site Assessment
Thomas Gonzales was able to reboot his career after completing SFCC’s environmental job training program. He had owned and operated a construction company in Santa Fe that employed 150 workers, but the housing market crash forced him to close his business in 2008. Mostly unemployed for five years, Gonzales went to SFCC to study sustainable technologies, then heard about the college’s environmental job training program. Gonzales graduated from the program in 2012. A few months later he accepted a job with the Facilities Management Division of New Mexico’s General Services Department. He was hired as the facilities operations supervisor—a new position created by the state to develop a hazardous waste and indoor air quality program and oversee the environmental health and safety for 26 state buildings on four campuses. “The variety of training and certifications provided under the college’s environmental job training grant prepared me to develop the first comprehensive environmental health and safety manual for the Facilities Management Division,” says Gonzales. The manual covers safety and environmental standards required by OSHA and a testing program for radon, mold and lead in state-owned buildings. Within a year, Gonzales was promoted to facilities operations manager and now earns about $30 per hour. He continues to oversee dozens of state-owned buildings. Prospective employers and community and tribal leaders are encouraged to contact Janet Kerley at janet.kerley@sfcc.edu. To apply, contact Kerley or call 505-800-8765. Training begins in January. The publication Medium recently featured SFCC in the article, “Let’s Lead on Climate: Higher Education Success Story, Santa Fe Community College.” The story highlights the achievements that led to SFCC receiving the 2017 Climate Leadership Award, noting the college’s commitment to addressing climate change as an invaluable component of Santa Fe’s 25-year Sustainability Plan and that SFCC promotes sustainable technologies as a driver of economic growth, new jobs, and as a way to reduce its carbon
footprint. And, it quotes SFCC President Randy Grissom, “Our goal is to reach 100 percent renewable energy and to have 60 percent fresh food and fish production for use on the campus.” The award program was created to identify American higher education institutions taking the lead on climate change communication and engagement. Solution Generation, a program of ecoAmerica, partnered with the American Association of Community Colleges to deliver the award to SFCC.
• S uperfund Site Cleanup and Innovative and Alternative Treatment Technologies • R esource Conservation and Recovery Act • F ederal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Command System 700- and 800-Level Global Positioning System • F irst Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Supplemental Training • HAZWOPER Supervisor • E nvironmental Site Investigation Methods • New Mexico Water Regulations • L eaking Underground Storage Tank Removal • Solid Waste Management
Graduates Trained: 76 since 2011 Graduates Employed: 54 Starting Hourly Wage: $16.40
“SFCC works with industry partners to ensure that the curriculum reflects the knowledge and training students need and those employers are looking for. This collaborative effort has had tremendous success.” — Ben Ray Luján U.S. Representative, New Mexico
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PROGRAM PROFILE
ART ON CAMPUS
Putting Art in its Place Linda Cassel, Art on Campus Collection Manager, Sandy Zane, Art on Campus Action Committee Chair, Randy Grissom, SFCC President, Deborah Boldt, SFCC Foundation Executive Director
Sergio Moyano, Verano Nostalgique
American Indian Arts co-founder and President Lloyd Kiva New, Museum of Fine Arts Curator Sandra D’Emilio and art historian Sharyn Udall. Through the years, the college has shown work by artists R.C. Gorman, Glenna Goodacre, Allan Houser, Bob Haozous, Erika Wanenmacher, Siegfried Halus, Melvin Detroit and many others.
Don Redman, Shadow Light Lens
Amid the bustle of students
darting through hallways and courtyards, a gallery-like environment flourishes on campus. The college exhibits an impressive art collection that greets the eye – indoors and out – with museum-quality artwork in various media by acclaimed artists. And it’s all free to the observer. When approaching the campus, one immediately notices sculptures rising from the horizon. The latest installation is “Shadow Light Lens” by Santa Fe artist Don Redman. Redman, a 2014 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, creates large-scale outdoor sculptures that interact with the natural elements of the landscape, including light, shade and wind. “Shadow Light 4
Lens” captures sunlight through the steel as it changes with the time of day, giving the impression of motion and enticing the viewer to reflect on its beauty.
Now a program of Santa Fe Community College Foundation, Art on Campus is responsible for the college’s vast art collection. Its mission: to ensure
Students and visitors are fortunate to have exposure to such an abundance of visual assets, and it’s by design: Not long after the college was established in 1983, President William C. Witter founded the Arts Advisory Committee. Its purpose was “to assist in planning a new college facility (e.g. the current campus) reflective of the rich cultural and artistic traditions of our region.” Members included such luminaries as Recursos de Santa Fe founder Ellen Bradbury, Director of the Palace of the Governors Tom Chavez, former gallery owner Linda Durham, Institute of
Flo Perkins, Three Sisters
Christus Gift of $250k Supports Respiratory Care
Allan Houser, Raindrops
the educational, cultural and artistic experience of students, employees and visitors through exposure to the arts. “The arts enhance student learning. Displaying art throughout campus helps integrate art into the educational experience,” said Art on Campus Chair Sandy Zane, SFCC Foundation Board Member and owner of form + concept. “Whether you are a mathematician, a teacher, an artist or an entrepreneur like me, the arts are critical to using your brain and in creative problem solving.” Zane envisions expanding the visibility of the college’s arts programs and collection through targeted events and significant acquisitions. The public is welcome to explore art throughout the grounds and buildings. Campus is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, contact Art on Campus Collection Manager Linda Cassel at linda.cassel@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1855.
Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center has made a significant investment to support the college’s Respiratory Care Program. The gift of $250,000 to the SFCC Foundation affirms the college’s and the hospital’s joint commitment to Pictured left to right: Lillian Montoya, Rebecca Jeffs, Patrick preparing New Mexicans Carrier, Scotty Silva, Jenny Landen, Deborah Boldt, Ramar for rewarding health care Jette, Randy W. Grissom, and Patrick Nichols. careers in Santa Fe. The Foundation partners with business and industry leaders whose contributions to scholarships, professional development, internships, resources, materials and more further opportunities for students.
Scholarship News The SFCC Foundation has awarded Veterans’ scholarships to Wyetta Bradley and Frances Jessop. The scholarship fund is designed for veterans and their dependents, who are not normally eligible to receive educational benefits. The scholarship was established through a partnership between the Foundation, City of Santa Fe Veterans Advisory Board and U.S. Bank. Jessop, whose father was in the Navy and served in Vietnam, is earning a certificate in Controlled Environment Agriculture and would like to continue her studies to earn an Associate in Applied Science. Wyetta Bradley served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm and is working on her pre-requisites for the Nursing Program.
Students Compete at National SkillsUSA Event The SFCC Foundation helped send student contestants to the SkillsUSA Competition in Louisville, Kentucky, earlier this summer. Having both won First Place in the state contest, two SFCC students earned awards at the nationals: Frank Trujillo placed eighth in the Welding Art/Sculpture category and Kyle Pacheco placed eleventh in the Culinary Arts category. Welding student Frank “The entire process was an adventure full of learning,” says Trujillo’s winning entry, “Guardian Angel.” Trujillo. “It is a great learning experience, and builds a lot of character. I have learned a lot about myself throughout this SkillsUSA journey.” Read more about Trujillo’s story at https://www.sfcc.edu/skills-usa/.
Shop smile.amazon.com, select Santa Fe Community College Foundation as your charity, and support SFCC students with your qualifying Amazon purchases.
Melvin Detroit, Untitled
To learn about making an investment to support SFCC students, contact Deborah Boldt, Executive Director of the SFCC Foundation, at 505-428-1704 or deborah.boldt@sfcc.edu. For information on the Foundation, visit sfcc.edu/foundation.
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NOTEWORTHY SFCC President Randy W. Grissom will retire in October. Grissom, who taught the first class at the new college in 1983, has led SFCC as president since 2013. During that time, he has promoted a unified, campuswide commitment to increase student success. As a result, the college has almost doubled its graduation rate during his tenure. “President Grissom’s steadfast and forward-thinking leadership has benefitted our students on multiple levels and in countless ways,” said Linda Siegle, chair of the SFCC Governing Board. “He has kept student success at the forefront of every initiative and decision, and it has paid off through a heightened focus on retention and increased graduation rates. He has fostered vital business and industry partnerships and championed innovative entrepreneurial programs that better prepare our students for good-paying jobs.” “It has been an honor to serve SFCC and our students,” said Grissom. “I appreciate the outstanding support we have received from the Santa Fe community and I am confident that the college will continue to thrive.” The SFCC Governing Board is currently conducting a search for an interim president. Read more about President Grissom’s legacy in an upcoming issue of Inside SFCC. President Grissom was honored by Rising Stars in the Southwest at their annual fundraiser in September for his leadership in the community. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping local teens succeed in school, in the workforce and in every aspect of their lives.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration has awarded SFCC $351,800 to construct workforce training labs for Building Energy Automation and a Microgrid Training Center. With an anticipated 750 jobs created, these workforce training labs will be the first to serve the entire Northern New Mexico district and will provide specialized hands-on training in automation and microgrid energy distribution systems. This investment will create a research environment in the community to support product development and testing, job creation and training, and attract businesses to the region. 6
SFCC is part of the Verde Community Impact Collaborative, which works to address climate and poverty issues. The group will help create new jobs and train young people in careers such as energy efficiency, weatherization, biofuel production, controlled environment agriculture, biomass recycling and more. Also part of the Collaborative are YouthWorks, the Food Depot, Reunity Resources, MoGro, ProScape, Wildfire Network, Interfaith Leadership Alliance, Dashing Delivery, All Trees Firewood, SFPS Adelante Program for Children, Youth and Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Santa Fe Public Schools District.
Todd Eric Lovato has been named Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations. A former staff writer for the Albuquerque Journal, Lovato joined the college in 2007 and served as Director of Media Relations until 2011. He then was managing editor at Hutton Broadcasting for six radio stations and multiple city-centric websites. He rejoined the college in 2015 and played a key role in redesigning the college website, a project that earned him a “Communicator of the Year” award by the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations’ District 4.
SFCC welcomes Kathleen Sena as Registrar, succeeding Barbara Tucci who has retired. Sena is a native Santa Fean, and a graduate of Santa Fe High School and UNM, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Home Economics Education with a minor in Political Science. She has been involved in student services for more than 30 years, as Executive Director of the New Mexico Future Homemakers of America/ Home Economics Related Occupations, then in the Office of Admissions, the Office of the Registrar and as University Registrar at UNM. Most recently she was at Northern New Mexico College.
NOTEWORTHY
Daniel Gutierrez (Executive Director of Human Resources), Margaret Peters (Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs), Randy Grissom (President), Romelia (Ivette) Saenz, Fashionette Montoya, Lizeth Tarango-Rodriguez, Rossy Soto, Victor Franco, Noah Bernardez, Dr. David Franklin (Dental Advisory Committee), Karla Martinez-Vigil (Dental Lab/Clinic Coordinator), Rudy Blea (Director, NM Oral Health program), Noel McCann (Adjunct faculty), and Dr. Aamna Nayyar (Director, Dental Department) Kneeling: Tenzin Dheden, Addisen Rodriguez, Yvette Perez and Ariana Perea
SFCC and the Higher Education Center partners are pleased to welcome Northern New Mexico College this fall. NNMC will offer bachelor’s degree programs in Information Engineering Technology, Project Management and Integrated Studies with a concentration in Psychology. NNMC joins Highlands University, the University of New Mexico and SFCC to offer courses for students who want to pursue an advanced degree while staying in Santa Fe. Students who start at SFCC and transfer typically save $10,000 or more, and SFCC graduates can transfer seamlessly into programs at the HEC partner institutions. Amanda Hatherly, who is the director of the Center of Excellence for Green Building and Energy Efficiency and the New Mexico EnergySmart Academy, wrote the chapter, “Environmental Contaminants,” for the book Health and Well-Being for Interior Architecture. The book was published by Routledge and will be used as a college textbook.
The Dental Program offered free dental education and dental screenings at the International Folk Arts Artists Resource Fair 2017. The dental booth was made possible by the New Mexico Dental Foundation, Henry Schein Dental Supply Company and Patterson Dental. In July, 11 students received recognition pins for completing Dental Assisting and Dental Health certificate education requirements. Congratulations, Graduates!
SAVE the DATE SAFE TRICK OR TREATING FOR KIDS Community Event Thursday, Oct. 26 | 3:30 to 6 p.m. SFCC Main Hallway
WINNERS OF NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED These $1,000 awards from the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund help local, nontraditional students return to formal education to expand job opportunities or pursue new careers with a certification or two-year degree from an accredited college or university in Northern New Mexico. The July 2017 scholarship winners attending SFCC are: •B obby Barela of Santa Fe •R ebekah Lane of Santa Fe HVAC and plumbing biological sciences •A nnadine Benavidez of Santa Fe •A shley Montoya of Fairview hospitality and tourism nursing •K athryn Eustice of Santa Fe •C arrie Quade of Santa Fe nursing media arts Since 2011, 173 Regional College/Returning Student scholarships totaling $173,000 have supported adult students from Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Taos counties. 7
Nonprofit Organization US Postage PAID Santa Fe Community College
6401 Richards Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87508-4887 www.sfcc.edu
InsideSFCC
S A N TA F E CO M M U N I T Y CO L L E G E Empower Students, Strengthen Community. Empoderar a los estudiantes, Fortalecer a la comunidad.
Learn. Save. Transfer. $3,333*
$ $877*
$ SFCC
avg. NM 4-year
Students save almost $10,000 by earning an associate degree from SFCC then transfering to a state university – and they can take their Lottery Scholarship with them. * cost of tuition and fees for 15 credit hours
SFCC is an equal opportunity/ADA-compliant institution. SFCC es una institución de igualdad de oportunidades en conformidad con ADA.
Inside SFCC
Published by Santa Fe Community College President Randy W. Grissom Governing Board Linda S. Siegle Jack Sullivan George Gamble, Ph.D. Martha G. Romero, Ph.D. Kathleen Keith Naomi Bojorquez-Flores
Chair Vice Chair Secretary Member Member Student Representative ex officio
Contact Board Members at www.sfcc.edu/about/ governing-board/ or call 505-428-1148. Produced by SFCC’s Marketing and Public Relations Department mpr@sfcc.edu, 505-428-1667 Executive Director: Todd Eric Lovato Writing & Editing: Jennifer Bleyle, Emily Drabanski, Todd Eric Lovato, Laura J. Mulry Design & Layout: Sonja Berthrong Photos: Jeffrey Atwell, Chris Corrie, Todd Eric Lovato, Kerry Sherck
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