Inside SFCC Spring 2013

InsII de sFCC Ins FCC S A N TA F E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E | S p r I N G 2 0 1 3

Kari Williams Wins the Work-School Tug-of-War Student employee shares passion for school in First-Year Experience program (Page 2)

AlSo In ThIS ISSue 2013 legislative outcomes, higher education Center breaks ground April 23 (Page 3) noteworthy & Kudos (Pages 4 & 5)

STudenT ProfIle:

Kari Walker Like a lot of students at SFCC, Kari Walker has to work to pay for tuition, rent, food and clothing. She became acrobatic in her ability to juggle classes, study and sleep around her work schedule at a grocery store.

She described working off campus as a “tug-of-war between your two different lives.” Now, Walker, 21, has won the tugof-war, working as one of 190 student employees at SFCC while she earns her general studies degree.

“Working on campus really switches your focus,” Walker said. “It’s all here.”

Student employment through SFCC means even more than income, Student Employee Program Director Meena Moest said. Jobs with faculty and staff at SFCC give students without experience a soft entry into the work world, helping them develop confidence in their skills and allowing them to build networks of peer and professional support.

“The effect on finances is the least of it,” Moest said. “The more a student is involved in their school, the more they’re likely to stay connected to it.”

Federal and state funding, with a modest match from SFCC, pays for the college’s student employment program. Students earn $8 an hour to work in their area of study to supplement their income and, more importantly, their academic knowledge and practical work skills. Students must be in good academic standing, seeking a degree or certificate and registered for at least six hours of classes.

The work must meet legitimate needs of the college, and students are warned not to study or spend time doing things other than their assigned work when on the clock.

Walker’s campus employment assignment was serendipitous. When she met Moest in the spring of 2012, the student employment coordinator had just received a request for a peer leader in Title V’s First-Year Experience Program. “I immediately felt like Kari would be a great fit for the Title V job,” Moest said.

“The lIghT WenT on,” She SAId.

“ThAT WAS So reWArdIng.” Now, in addition to the 13 hours she’s taking this semester, Walker works for the First-Year Experience program 20 hours a week. Last semester, she made straight As, “which I was pretty stoked about,” she said.

Walker’s job is as student assistant, someone who models good student behavior for classmates by demonstrating how to take notes, clarifying assignments, asking the questions that no one else will ask. She also works individually with students on assignments.

“I’ve always loved school,” Walker said. “I’m much more dedicated to the job because it’s where my passion lies. It makes all the difference if you care about your work.”

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KArI WAlKer (cont.)

Today, Walker proudly describes how she’s helped students.

A student with a 19% average in a class reached a 76% by finals. Walker will read hand-written papers to students whose learning disabilities make it difficult to transcribe their own work into an electronic format. One student didn’t understand what a prepositional phrase was. After flashcards and multiple definitions didn’t work, Walker had the student underline every prepositional phrase in a paper he had written.

“The light went on,” she said. “That was so rewarding.”

Self-confidence and pride are two benefits of the student employment program, Moest said. Another is the relationship students build with the school community - relationships that clearly figure into the equation of student success.

Kari Walker, left, shares her thoughts in class with English instructor Lauren Smith.

Higher Education Center groundbreaking April 23 Join the college and its educational partners on Tuesday, April 23 at 2 p.m. for the ground breaking ceremony of the Santa Fe Higher Education Center. The event will be held at the northeast corner of Siringo Road and Alumni Drive at the south entrance to Santa Fe University of Art and Design.

When complete, the 31,000 square-foot, $9.8 million Higher Education Center will provide a convenient location for students to complete an associate degree from SFCC, then earn bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees from New Mexico Highlands University, the University of New Mexico or the Institute of American Indian Arts – without leaving Santa Fe. The new building’s location will be especially convenient for state employees and the downtown community. However, students can enroll now in the Higher Education Center at its temporary location on the SFCC campus. Visit http://hec.sfcc.edu/.

Proposed architectural rendering of the Santa Fe Higher Education Center, to be built at Siringo and Yucca. The Center will provide convenient access to Santa Feans who complete an associate degree from SFCC and go on to earn a four-year degree from public New Mexico universities.

ThAnKS To our legISlATorS Thanks to the efforts of our local Legislators, this year’s session included capital outlay bills that directly benefit SFCC students. Funds for the Trades and Advanced Technology Center will expand opportunities for students seeking the latest training in biofuels technology, water treatment and environmental systems. Also in the TATC, planning for a microgrid system will begin while future plumbers and welders will have enhanced laboratory space and new equipment.

Students in sign language interpreting and in health and sciences will have new equipment and information technology.

As of press time, the Governor had not taken action on the bills. The college thanks our Legislators who worked hard on behalf of our students!

The College recently sent a letter to Physical Education and Recreation students to encourage them to contact Governor Susana Martinez in support of House Bill 327. HB 327 amends the Community College Act to require the Higher Education Department to include all physical education student credit hours for purposes of determining funding for community colleges and branch community colleges that provide physical education courses. The college thanks Representatives Brian Egolf and Phil Griego for sponsoring the bill. As of press time, the Governor had not taken action on the bill.

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Noteworthy GRow foundation secures $35 k to help students with children The GROW Santa Fe Community College Foundation has received $35,000 from Brindle Foundation to provide scholarships for children of SFCC students to attend Kids Campus.

Kids Campus, SFCC’s child development center, is a learning environment for children eight weeks to five years old located on the college’s campus.

“Many students face financial challenges as they work to improve their lives through education at SFCC,” said Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzmán, President.

“Supporting those students’ children with tuition assistance at Kids Campus helps single and working parents to focus on completing a degree and getting a good job.”

“Brindle is pleased to support these scholarships, especially because we know the investment is returned in terms of greater academic achievement of the parents,” said Kim Straus, Foundation Manager at Brindle.

CAMPUS CUPBOARD FEEDS STUDENT SUCCESS Last fall, students and their families received 3.5 tons of fresh and nonperishable food from Campus Cupboard, SFCC’s food pantry, during its first semester of operation.

Free food helped 216 individuals: 85 students and their 131 family members. With Campus Cupboard support, students were able to worry less about feeding themselves and their families and focus more on succeeding in their studies.

To support Campus Cupboard, call the GROW SFCC Foundation at 505-428-1704.

Continuing Education Has New Location The Continuing Education Office has moved. Visit their new location next door to Kids Campus on the south side of campus to the right of the main entrance. Spring semester classes continue. Sign up at www.sfcc.edu.

Recent graduates from the second cohort of EPA-funded environmental technical training, several of whom secured jobs upon completion of the free program.

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Green Graduates SFCC was awarded a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that provides free intensive training to prepare students in workplace healthy and safety, learning how to clean up contaminants and hazardous materials.

Jobs for certified graduates are in demand. The program’s graduates learn about hazardous waste operations, emergency response, first aid, CPR and incident command.

Green Garden Students, faculty and staff have been pitching in for the campus’ new Community Garden, outside the East Wing. They helped build and plant the garden and hoop beds. Recently, spinach was harvested and used by Culinary Arts Lead Instructor’s Michelle Roetzer for an Asian cooking class. As produce comes in, garden-fresh items will be featured in East Wing Eatery menus.

Students plant vegetables in the college’s new Community Garden outside the East Wing.

Kudos hAPPy 20Th BIrThdAy, feC! This semester, the William C. Witter fitness education Center (above) celebrates its 20th Anniversary with free events and 20-minute introductory classes throughout the semester.

Activities include kickboxing, the Ab Wheel, Flip Turns, Dives and Starts in the pool, massage therapy sessions and more. The Center was named in honor of SFCC’s first president William C. Witter.

PrAISe, ThAnKS for BoArd MeMBerS BeSSer, BrITo Governing Board members Bruce Besser and Carole Brito stepped down in March after each completed two six-year terms on the college’s governing body. The two were honored by faculty, staff and friends at a reception on March 26. President Guzmán praised their leadership and dedication over the years, helping the college grow and prosper in service to students and the community.

Board Members Carole Brito and Bruce Besser.

CulInAry STudenTS WoW loCAl Chef-judgeS Culinary Arts student-chef teams participated in the 6th Annual International Cuisine Student Competition. Working with surprise ingredients from the cuisines of Africa, Spain, South East Asia and the Middle East, they had to rely on skill, speed and the knowledge gained in class to prepare a four-course meal consisting of a soup, starter, entrée and dessert.

Local chefs served as judges, and winners won prizes donated by Mission linen, nobel Sysco, Chef linc and the Santa fe School of Cooking.

ThAnK you!

Last fall, Santa fe County voters approved general obligation bonds that will provide SFCC funding for new library materials and for new roofs on the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center and the West Wing. The college thanks our local community for its continued support.

Film students gain real-world experience shooting music video.

STudenTS WIn nATIonAl KITChen & BATh CoMPeTITIon SFCC Instructor joann Burns helped SFCC students earned high marks at the National Kitchen & Bath Association GE Charette Competition. Kitchen and Bath students Karen Klavuhn won 5th Place and a $2,000 scholarship, and Anou Mirkine won Honorable Mention, earning a $1,000 scholarship. This is the second year that Karen has been a national winner. More than 75 students from 25 colleges competed, with SFCC among only six winning schools.

ArT on The ToWn lisa flynn, an interior design and architecture faculty member at SFCC, was commissioned by the Thunderbird Bar and Grille (formerly the Ore House) to create a historic map of the four corners region. Lisa worked with graphic designer Kevin Brown, who created a background design electronically, then imported Lisa’s drawing of the border and buffalo hunt. The finished project measures 4 ft. high by 12 ft. long. Check it out at 50 Lincoln Ave. downtown.

Culinary Arts students celebrate winning the annual International Cooking Competition.

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Nonprofit Organization US Postage PAID Santa Fe Community College

6401 Richards Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87508-4887 www.sfcc.edu

S A n TA f e Co M M u n I T y Co l l e g e

Helping Students Succeed. Serving our Community.

InsideSFCC

Summer at SFCC: Where KidS Learn, expLore & pLay Kids Campus nationally accredited Childcare (infants to pre-kindergarten) Children receive high-quality care and education in spacious classrooms and on shady and sunny new playgrounds. Water play, outdoor art, biking, music, gardening, science, math and reading activities. Register at http://kidscampus.sfcc.edu.

Kids Campus Learning Bridge program (kindergarten to age 8) Children can explore, experiment and engage in the indoor/outdoor classrooms and newly renovated large park space. Activities include sustainability, photography, gardening, archeology, drama, woodworking, cooking, bookmaking and art. Core academic skills are supported through fun games and activities. To register, call 505-428-1380.

SFCC’s Continuing education Kids Summer programs (age 8 and up) Learning is physical with courses in swimming, cooking, ropes course activities, horseback riding and more. For an intellectual workout, choose from computer programming, creative writing, math and theater camps and guitar classes. www.sfcc.edu/kids.

CaLendar April 23: Santa Fe Higher Education Center Ground Breaking Ceremony April 24: SFCC Governing Board Meeting and New Members Induction

Inside SfCC Published by Santa Fe Community College President and governing Board Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán, Ed.D. Andrea B. Bermúdez, Ed.D. Chris Abeyta Bruce R. Besser Carole A. Brito Linda S. Siegle Alex Mitchell

President Chair Vice Chair Secretary Member Member Ex-officio Student Member

Produced by SFCC’s Marketing and Public Relations Department. Janet Wise, Executive Director Writing and editing: Janet Wise, Kay Bird, Laura J. Mulry Layout: Jeffrey Atwell Photos: Barbara Woltag Opt in to receive Inside SFCC electronically at jennifer.bleyle@sfcc.edu.