INSIDE SFCC S A N TA F E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
Meow Wolf installs giant blue whale, p. 2 SFCC welcomes new president, p. 6 Witter Fitness Center makeover, p. 7, and more...
FEATURE
MEOW WOLF INSTALLS GIANT BLUE WHALE
The Santa Fe art collective Meow Wolf, SFCC and the larger community welcomed Ethyl the Whale, named for polyethylene plastic, to campus on Earth Day. SFCC Governing Board Chair Linda Siegle kicked off the event, noting the importance of the college’s partnership with Meow Wolf. The Monterey Bay Aquarium commissioned artists Joel Dean Stockdill and Yustina Salnikova to create Ethyl. The 82-foot, life-sized sculpture of a blue whale is crafted from hand-recycled plastic trash to bring awareness to the negative impact plastics have on the environment. Ethyl is not just a work of art, she represents a call to action to use plastic alternatives that don’t destroy the planet. When Meow Wolf purchased Ethyl, they contacted Michelle LaFlamme-Childs, Director of Art in Public Places at the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, about where to install their new acquisition. She immediately thought of SFCC. LaFlamme-Childs serves on the SFCC Foundation’s Art on Campus Action Committee, which is chaired by Sandy Zane, owner of Zane Bennett Contemporary Art and form & concept. SFCC Foundation and the Art on Campus Action Committee manage the college’s art collections and will maintain the sculpture. Students, faculty and staff will explore Ethyl’s message through art, science, math, sustainability, literature, and more. Ethyl the Whale was recently added to the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest recycled plastic sculpture.
Clockwise from top left: Mayor of Santa Fe Alan Webber urges reduction of plastic use; Global Warming Express students perform; Ethyl the Whale can be seen from I-25; public officials, Meow Wolf and SFCC celebrate Ethyl’s arrival.
To visit Ethyl the Whale or for more information, contact Art on Campus Director Linda Cassel: 505-428-1501, linda.cassel@sfcc.edu. 2
DOMANICA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STUDENT SUCCESS Each year, SFCC Foundation honors students and supporters of the Contract for a Better Tomorrow Scholarship at a luncheon. Established through a partnership with the Domanica Foundation and former SFCC Governing Board members Bruce Besser and Carole Brito Besser, SFCC Foundation matches Domanica’s $50,000 dollar for dollar. Sandy Zane and Ned Bennett of Zane Bennett Contemporary and form & concept, Nusenda Credit Union Foundation and the Employee Payroll Deduction Program contribute to the scholarship fund.
From left to right: SFCC Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs Margaret Peters, Domanica Foundation’s Linda Anderson, Karen Belanti and Patricia McAdow, SFCC Foundation President Carmen Gonzales, Ph.D. and SFCC Foundation Executive Director Deborah Boldt
The Contract for a Better Tomorrow Scholarship supports first-generation, low-income students until they graduate. The scholarship provides much more than financial assistance. Students often cite the encouragement and help they receive from faculty and the Financial Aid Office. At the luncheon, Domanica Foundation Executive Director Linda Anderson emphasized the importance of celebrating these students, who overcome challenges with optimism and determination to finish their studies. Many students are single parents or caretakers and work multiple jobs, she said. For more, contact the Foundation at 505-428-1175 or kelly.smith@sfcc.edu.
I’m a single parent working 48 hours a week as a firefighter. CBT helped me afford tuition, fees, gas and childcare in order to further my education. I was homeless and wasn’t thinking about college. I was worried about where to sleep, what to eat. But I wanted to show my daughter that women can succeed. I slept in my car in the college’s parking lot just to not miss classes. Going to class gave me the motivation to search for a better life and to improve my living situation. CBT every day has motivated me to go to class and get an A, strengthened me and made me hungry for more knowledge. CBT has allowed me to buy food and books I would have gone without. As a first-generation college student, I saw my parents struggle to meet expenses, which made me want to try harder to go to college. CBT assists with finances while relieving stress on my parents. It challenges me to get better grades, attend all my classes and ultimately help children and families overcome their obstacles.
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SPRING CLASS OF 2019
SPRING 2019 COMMENCEMENT MAY 18, 2019
More photos on facebook.com/sfccnm
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TICKET TO COLLEGE
TICKET TO COLLEGE WORKSHOPS OPEN DOORS Applying to college, taking placement tests and applying for financial aid can seem daunting. To help students feel more confident in fulfilling these requirements, SFCC partnered with Opportunity Santa Fe to launch free Ticket to College workshops. Opportunity Santa Fe works with community partners to improve the lives of Santa Fe youth, from birth until they enter a career. SFCC Director of Recruitment and Dual Credit Marcos Maez coordinates the half-day workshops. Testing staff, financial aid advisors and recruitment specialists assist students and family members in filling out the necessary forms.
Capital High senior Nicole Guzman displays college acceptance letters that she received after participating in the Ticket to College Workshops.
Maez said, “For many students — particularly first-generation students — going through the admissions process can be intimidating.” Gathering the documents to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be the biggest hurdle (Social Security number, their tax information, their parents’ tax statements, etc.). Creating a FAFSA ID, setting up multiple security questions, and saving a password can seem difficult, he added.
Many students have never discussed their interest in college or inquired directly about finances with their family. A student might be embarrassed to say that a parent is unemployed. This fact, however, might reveal the student’s financial need and open doors to financial aid. The Ticket to College team assists in filling out the forms without judgment. Student Employee Program Manager Susie Weaver explained, “We try to break down perceived barriers and help them get comfortable by saying, ‘We’re here to help you get money for college.’” Thus far, 170 Santa Fe High and Capital High students, many of whom are first-generation, have benefitted from the Ticket to College program, which continues this fall. For more information about upcoming Ticket To College Workshops, contact Director of Recruitment & Dual Credit Marcos Maez, marcos.maez@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1779.
Workshop Facts • 170 high school students from Santa Fe High, Capital High & Early College Opportunity participated in Ticket to College workshops • 100% completed an application to SFCC
• 90 students completed the FAFSA • 81% increase over last year in the number of Santa Fe Public School students who immediately enrolled at SFCC after high school graduation
• 145 students took the ACCUPLACER
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NOTEWORTHY
SFCC WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
SFCC UNVEILS CEREMONIAL MACE A college’s ceremonial mace symbolizes a high official or authority. It is usually presented at commencement, during processions and on important occasions. Although founded more than 35 years ago, until recently SFCC did not have a mace. Thanks to Interim President Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D., who initiated the project, and Fine Woodworking Program Head Douglas Jones, a beautiful mace now signifies the transformational power of education at SFCC. Doug designed and built SFCC’s mace from local wood. He incorporated symbolism that reflects the college and its community. Loosely based on SFCC’s logo, the piñon pine orb is supported by four bentwood elements atop an elm staff. The ridges on the handle represent the six academic schools. Fine Woodworking faculty member Laura Yeats ‘turned’ the orb and the base and provided the Siberian Elm lumber, salvaged from a downtown Santa Fe street tree.
The SFCC community welcomes Rebecca K. “Becky” Rowley, Ph.D., as its ninth president. A native of Clovis, New Mexico, she was president of Clovis Community College from 2011 until July 1, when she joined SFCC. She began her career at CCC teaching English, eventually serving as executive vice president of Academics and Student Services before becoming president. Dr. Rowley has extensive experience supporting community colleges: she chairs New Mexico Independent Community Colleges, championing student retention and success and advocating for two-year institutions at the state legislature and in business communities. Read more about Dr. Rowley at www.sfcc.edu/welcome. SFCC extends its deep appreciation to Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D., who led the college as interim president for nearly two years during the presidential search process.
SANTA FE RESTAURANT ASSOC. GIVES $10K John Sedlar, Eloisa in the Drury Hotel executive chef, Sllin Cruz, Geronimo executive chef and Fernando Olea, Sazon executive chefowner surprise SFCC chefinstructors Jerry Dakan and Patrick Mares with $10,000 for SFCC Foundation’s Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association Endowed Culinary Arts Scholarship. SFCC chefs and students volunteered at the Greater Santa Fe Restaurant Association Gala, giving students the opportunity to work with some of the most accomplished Santa Fe chefs.
CHRISTUS ST. VINCENT & ANCHORUM ST. VINCENT DONATE VENTILATOR CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and Anchorum St. Vincent recently donated a state-of-the-art ventilator to the Respiratory Care Program. The program received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. “Without this generous gift, the ventilator would have been very costly for us,” said Respiratory Care Director Rebecca Jeffs. “It will help better prepare our students to serve the needs of the community. We appreciate everyone’s help: CHRISTUS St. Vincent President and CEO Lillian Montoya and Respiratory Manager Scotty Silva, Anchorum St. Vincent President and CEO Peter Bastone and Director of Philanthropy and Communication Desiree Turner.”
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WILLIAM C. WITTER FITNESS EDUCATION CENTER RENOVATIONS
YOUR BOND MONEY AT WORK
SFCC celebrated phase one of the renovations to the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center on May 9, thanking neighbors, voters and many who supported the changes made to the facility named after the college’s first president. Witter family members joined with community members, students, faculty and staff for the event, which included a flash mob dance routine. The beautiful upgrades are thanks to the passage of the local bond in 2018. Students of all ages can choose from over 80 classes: from aqua fit and basketball to pickleball and zumba.
Renovation Renewal New carpet & refinished floors New furniture New reception area New water fountains
New exercise equipment New wall graphics New sound systems State-of-the-art UV sanitizing system for the pool 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.
SFCC GOVERNING BOARD ELECTION Aug. 27: Deadline to file candidacy Two positions on the SFCC Governing Board are up for election. Candidates must file in person on Aug. 27. www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk, 102 Grant Ave., 505-986-6280. Oct. 8: Early Voting Oct. 19: Absentee In-Person Voting Nov. 5: Election Day SFCC will host public forums for candidates.
WE’RE GOING
digital!
This is our final printed issue of Inside SFCC. Future issues will be electronic. Future issues will be distributed in a fresh new digital format. To receive our newsletter, send your email address to info@sfcc.edu.
Inside SFCC SFCC Governing Board Linda S. Siegle Jack Sullivan George Gamble, Ph.D. Kathleen D. Keith Martha G. Romero, Ph.D. Becky Rowley, Ph.D. Ian Martinez
Chair Vice Chair Secretary Member Member President, ex officio Student Member, 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 info@sfcc.edu, 505-428-1667 Executive Director: Todd Eric Lovato Writing & Editing: Emily Drabanski, Todd Eric Lovato, Laura J. Mulry Design & Layout: Dorothy Piriz Photos: Chris Corrie, Emily Drabanski, Dorothy Piriz Cover Photo: Kate Russell, courtesy of Meow Wolf @katerussellphoto