Inside SFCC Noteworthy | Summer 2021

Community Partners, LANL support young student parents

Through a partnership with Santa Fe Community Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Los Alamos National Laboratory/Triad National Security, LLC, 18 young student parents are working toward a health sciences degree at SFCC as part of Expanding Opportunities for Young Families. Santa Fe Community Foundation coordinates EOYF, a collaborative community initiative that supports young parents’ educational and professional success, their young children and their families.

Student parents take classes together at SFCC and engage in weekly meetings to support their transition to college. Each student receives intensive individual coaching, tuition assistance, financial support for books, academic advising, and help accessing early childhood services.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation funded the initial planning process and pilot project. Los Alamos National Laboratory/Triad National Security, LLC provides generous support of the project:

• Financial assistance for student parents, such as helping with unexpected emergency costs, early childhood education and care co-pay vouchers, and supplies, including laptops.
• Grants to community organizations providing intensive navigation and case management support.
• Young parent leadership development.
• Improving and scaling the model to new training and education areas and additional cohorts.

Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Program provides up to $400 monthly to students with families

Mayor Alan Webber and SFCC President Becky Rowley recently announced the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income pilot program that will benefit 100 college students under age 30 who are parents. The students will receive up to $400 in direct aid monthly in support of their ability to attend college. The program is funded through the nationwide movement, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and Santa Fe Community Foundation as part of their Expanding Opportunity for Young Families Project. That project is further supported at SFCC by Los Alamos National Laboratories.

Santa Fe Mayor Webber has joined a coalition of more than 25 mayors committed to piloting basic guaranteed income programs to promote economic empowerment. The project will target parents who are enrolled in degree or certificate programs at SFCC.

“We’re committed to helping our young working families have better lives,” said Mayor Alan Webber. “It’s wrong for a mom or dad to have to choose between going getting an education and feeding their family. We’re going to give these families the support they need to come out of Covid with more security, more stability and a lot less stress. This project makes Santa Fe a leader in a national movement for real progressive change.”

Guaranteed income is defined as a monthly cash payment given directly to individuals, empowering recipients to address their most urgent needs and providing a cushion for unpredictable expenses, external shocks, and volatility. It is unconditional, and is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net. The Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice will evaluate the project. MGI staff will assist throughout the process, offering council and assistance as needed. 

“We know that lack of financial resources keeps our students from persisting in college and completing their degrees, noted SFCC President Rowley. “This program will provide financial assistance that allows students to achieve their goals.”

Although there is funding to cover one year of assistance, the goal is to expand to a second year of guaranteed income and to increase payments up to $500. To help, make a tax-deductible gift to Santa Fe Mayors for a Guaranteed Income project through SFCC Foundation. For additional assistance, contact Kelly Marquez Smith, MBA, Director of Annual Giving, 505-428-1175.

Read more about the program in the Santa Fe New Mexican story, “Income assistance program aims to keep students in class at Santa Fe Community College,” the Our View editorial, “Supporting college students is smart anti-poverty strategy” and the Albuquerque Journal story, “Santa Fe signs on to guaranteed income program.”

Professor Tsinnajinnie stars in MΣΣT a Mathematician!

Mathematics Co-chair Belin Tsinnajinnie, Ph.D., is currently a featured interview on MΣΣT a Mathematician! The show interviews mathematicians from different backgrounds, especially those from historically excluded groups, who share their stories to introduce students to role models and foster a sense of community. MΣΣT a Mathematician! is committed to amplifying voices and increasing visibility of academic mathematicians from underrepresented groups while advocating for a more inclusive mathematics community that reflects the diversity in the world.

Engineering Machining Technologies this fall 

SFCC is accepting applications for the second Engineering Machining Technologies cohort, supported by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Classes are taught at SFCC and hands-on, paid training takes place at LANL. Students will learn machining and manufacturing from tooling, safety, layout, planning, and programming to engineering design methodology and process improvement. Computer applications are part of the program, including computer-aided drawing, modeling and manufacturing. Students in the program will receive these benefits from LANL:

• Paid tuition and fees.
• Paid internship.
• Student/intern pay while in class.
• Initiation of the security clearance process.
• Potential conversion to full-time employment upon completion of the program.

For more, go online or contact Erin Lopez-Trask in the School of Science, Health, Engineering, and Math at erin.lopeztrask@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1754.

Schedule your workout at the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center

Although not all of Main Campus is open yet, most of the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center is available by appointment for those 18 and older. Register in advance for a 50-minute slot for tennis, basketball, indoor track, or cardio and weights (Resistance Training Center). Book your time between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. There is a $6 fee for each appointment or purchase a 10-visit pass for $50. Regular and warm lap pool appointments are $7. These areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis:

• Basketball Courts: Half-court reservations, limited to four people. Bring your own basketball.
• Tennis Courts: Limited to four people. Bring your own equipment.
• Cardio Exercise Equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and stair steppers): Wipe down the equipment after each use. The upstairs equipment is not available yet.
• Indoor Track: Follow social distancing guidelines.
• Weight Room/Resistance Training Center: Wipe down the equipment after each use.

Adults 16 and above can purchase a day pass ($8), a monthly pass ($50) or a five-visit pass ($30) at the reception desk. Guests must adhere to COVID-19 protocols. Please note that visitors and children are not allowed. For assistance, contact Lynda Trujillo at 505-428-1651 or lynda.trujillo@sfcc.edu.