Campus Weekly
Congratulations to our newest graduates!
Congratulations to our 240 new graduates! SFCC had an awesome virtual commencement on Saturday. Thanks to all of you who helped our graduates reach this important milestone. Thanks to President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., governing board chair Jack Sullivan and SGA president Ian Widrick Martinez for your words of gratitude, hope and inspiration.
Thank you to Registrar Kathleen Sena and the commencement committee. Also, thanks to everyone behind the scenes particularly OIT’s Director of User Services Mason Kovac and MPR’s team: Doreen Gallegos, video producer and editor; Dorothy Piriz, digital slides; Roxanne Tapia, compilation/proofing and Sarah Martinez for the inspiring closing celebration animation video. Also thank you to our esteemed commencement readers: Dean Camilla Bustamante, Ed.D.; Dean Jim Wysong, Ed.D. and Director of Nursing Education Terri Tewart.
If you missed it, see the video here.
Above photos: Top to bottom: President Becky K. Rowley, Ph.D.; SGA President Ian Widdrick Martinez and SFCC Governing Board Chair Jack Sullivan.
News and Announcements
Luke Spangenburg Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship established
SFCC Foundation has announced the establishment of the Luke Spangenburg Memorial Presidential Endowment Scholarship for Algae and Sustainability Studies.
Join Luke’s mother and sisters and hear more about it at the premiere of Earth Angels at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 on SFCC’s YouTube Channel. There will be a post-showing Q & A discussion with the filmmaker and the subject-matter experts who appear in the film.
While the viewing is free, donations will be accepted for the Luke Spangenburg Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship for Algae and Sustainability Studies. Luke encouraged each of us to carry the spark of love into our work. Honor Luke’s passion for education with a gift that will carry on his legacy in perpetuity of helping students find and shine their light.
Please join Luke’s mother Judy Brookman and his sisters Patricia, Kelly, and Nikki; the Algae Foundation, and SFCC Foundation in contributing your gift to the Luke Spangenburg Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship for Algae and Sustainability Studies.
American Red Cross classes offered Spring 2021
Opportunities for American Red Cross training are available, register now at https://www.sfcc.edu/ with the CRN listed below. For more information, call 428-1608, or click the course title to view a flyer.
Lifeguard Certification
CRN 30688 HLED 1150
January 22 – 31
First Aid & CPR/AED
Friday, February 12th
CRN 30691 HLED 1120
Water Safety Instructor Course
April 9 – 18
CRN 30693 HLED 1140
Earth Angels film premiere 5 p.m. Dec. 16
Join us for the online film premiere of “Earth Angels,” a film by filmmaker Dr. Michael Keslin, about the advanced technologies that can help address the sustainability and future of the water, food and energy nexus worldwide.
The film will premiere on SFCC’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/a2hKP0NLtqU. There will be a post-showing Q & A discussion with the filmmaker and the subject-matter experts who appear in the film.
Free. Donations accepted for the Luke Spangenburg Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship for Algae and Sustainability Studies.
Questions? Contact Dean Camilla Bustamante, camilla.bustamante@sfcc.edu
OIT Maintenance 5:30 to 11 p.m. December 16
OIT will be performing system maintenance from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. All systems will be affected by intermittent outages.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the OIT Service Desk at 505-428-1222
Campus update: Campus closure continues
President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., reminds the campus community that the campus and HEC facilities are closed through Dec. 18. The campus will be completely closed from December 19, 2020 through January 3, 2021 for holiday break. President Rowley encourages continued safe practices during the break.
President Rowley and President Rick Bailey write My View about new collaborations
SFCC’s President Becky Rowley and Northern College President Rick Bailey wrote: “My View: Colleges introduce new collaborations” that appeared Dec. 12 in the Santa Fe New Mexican. They share the advantages of the Enterprise Resource Planning System.
The column also states, “As momentous as this new project is, it is only one example of how we are collaborating and innovating across the state. For example, Northern New Mexico College and Santa Fe Community College already have begun discussions with CNM about coordinating and specializing in career technical programs.
Similar coordination and distribution of emphasis areas already has paid dividends in our partnerships with Los Alamos National Laboratory, where Northern focuses on radiological control technician education and training, and SFCC specializes in machinist-engineering pathways. These programs help fill two of the lab’s most pressing career pipelines. More are in the works.”
Enjoy your holiday, please don't forget out-of-office messages
We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
Since you’ll be away from work, please don’t forget to put your out-of-office greeting on your phone and email. Let our students and the public know when you’ll return. Here’s something you can include: While the college is closed for the holidays you can still register for classes online at sfcc.edu.
Beat the Holiday Blues
Dealing with the Holiday Blues. COVID related stressors can add to feelings of sadness and social isolation during the holidays. Counseling Services is offering some ways you can cope. Follow the link for more information. https://sfcc.instructure.com/courses/3113518/files/190971722/download?wrap=1
The Chill Room is a resource that will continue to be available to you over the winter break.
Self Enroll at https://sfcc.instructure.com/enroll/BDKCM6
For more information or to connect with one of your SFCC Counselors contact us at counselingservices@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1682
Campus wide power shutdown weekend Jan. 8-10, 2021
A message from Facilities and Operation:
CAMPUS WIDE POWER SHUTDOWN WEEKEND:
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10th, 2021
No on-campus activities should be scheduled these 3 days!
Work will begin at 5 a.m. January 8, 2021.
While our plan is to maintain VPN resources, it’s possible they could be unavailable during this time. Our team has planned for every contingency possible and any changes to this plan will be communicated immediately.
Email and Canvas will remain available.
The HEC will not be affected.
For questions or concerns, please contact Project Manager Karin Pitman at karin.pitman@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1720.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Check out the Continuing Education offerings
Take a look at the variety of offerings available! You’ll find classes that are fun, some offer professional development and others can enrich your health and wellness.
In the New Year, think about the new you! Employees use your EEB Benefit. Need assistance with registration? Call 505-428-1676 or email CE@sfcc.edu.
Professor Will Wilson cited as one of top contemporary Indigenous photographers
On Nov. 25, Buzzfeed News ran the story, “15 Contemporary Indigenous Photographers Whose Work You Should Know.”
One of the featured photographers is lead photography instructor Will Wilson. Congratulations!
SFCC is fortunate to have such a talented instructor. See more of his work here.
Also, one of the other photographers profiled in the Buzzfeed piece, is a former SFCC photography student. They were also both featured in the Dec. 2018 edition of Nat. Geographic when they did a similar profile of Indigenous photographers.
Photo: File photo of Will Wilson speaking at KVSV-radio.
SFCC Visual Arts Gallery presents SFCC's Hidden Talents
Santa Fe Community College’s Visual Arts Gallery will present a virtual online exhibition, “SFCC’s Hidden Talents,” featuring the work of five SFCC faculty members who do not teach art. The virtual exhibition is now available online through Jan. 31.
Assistant Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Humanities and interim chair of Advising and Communication Emily Stern will show her mixed media work, Nursing instructor Lucas Gonzales will exhibit his watercolors and three Welding instructors Jake Lovato, Clayton Peshlakai and Estevan Ortega will share their welded sculptures.
“It’s exciting to show this work by SFCC’s talented faculty, who don’t teach in our art department. The work is exciting and as diverse as they are,” said Linda Cassel, Director of SFCC’s Art on Campus.
Read the full press release.
Annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Reading a success
A cross-section of faculty, staff and retired SFCC faculty gathered on Thursday, Dec. 3 for the annual Holiday Staff and Faculty Reading.
Here’s who read: Miriam Sagan, Bethany Carson, Karin Pitman, Terry Wilson, Janie Chodosh, Val Nye, Dr. Aamna Nayyar
and Kate McCahill.
The reading included everything from pieces by established authors to works by first-time readers. Bravo everyone!
While it’s challenging not to have an in-person reading, it offered an opportunity for readers to invite family and friends from afar to attend the online reading.
Screenshot images: Creative Writing instructor Terry Wilson during the reading. Just a portion of those who tuned into the reading.
Station of Abraham presentation available on YouTube
Dr. Aamna Nayyar wants to thank the SFCC Library for hosting the virtual speakers series. On Oct 14, 2020 the topic was “Station of Abaraham – Travel to Saudia Arabia.” Here is the recording for those who could not attend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85yutJHRo38
For questions about this presentation, please contact, aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu
For questions about the SFCC library, please contact, velarie.nye@sfcc.edu
The Chill Room is back!
“The Chill Room” is back and filled with a variety of resources to support your wellbeing. We have added some tips for the holidays. You can self-enroll through MySFCC in the Resources area or follow this link: https://sfcc.instructure.com/enroll/BDKCM6
Your SFCC Counseling Services is here to help. For more information or to set up an appointment please contact us at counselingservices@sfcc.edu
Laptop discounts for staff, faculty and students
The Office of Information Technology is excited to announce a partnership with Dell. Students, Staff and Faculty may purchase laptops, monitors and computer accessories with the SFCC educational discount.
To get started log into My.sfcc.edu and click on the Dell Computer Discount icon under Resources. Discounts are available on laptops and computer accessories.
SFCC in the news
The following stories either featured or mentioned SFCC or one of its employees.
12/12/20, Santa Fe New Mexican, “My View: Colleges introduce new collaborations.”
12/12/20, Santa Fe New Mexican , “Our View: Stronger local food systems will strengthen N.M.” Column cites SFCC’s Controlled Environmental Agriculture as a world leader.
December issue, Sandoval Signpost. See Page 21 of link on website for story, Virtual Show “Hidden Talents” includes Bernalillo artist Jake Lovato.”
11/25/20, Buzzfeed News ran the story, “15 Contemporary Indigenous Photographers Whose Work You Should Know.” Professor Will Wilson is cited as one of top contemporary Indigenous photographers, as well as former SFCC photography student Kali Spitzer.
11/21/20 “Visual Arts Gallery Presents Virtual Exhibition ‘SFCC’s Hidden Talents’ In Santa Fe Dec. 4 Through Jan. 31”
11/17/20, Santa Fe New Mexican, featured photo, College salutes service members
10/21/20 PR Newswire, Santa Fe Community College Taps Startup to Ensure Access to Critical Course Materials During COVID-19
10/20 NMSU virtual AMP virtual student research center conference brings statewide audience. Press release cites SFCC student winners of the AMP research conference.
Student Spotlight
Support your SFCC Bookstore: Spring 21 textbooks on sale January 4
COVID-19 got messy. Getting ready for classes shouldn’t be.
Shop online at SFCC Bookstore & get all the supplies you need to stay organized this school year.
Textbook purchase begins January 4th.
Go to bookstore.sfcc.edu and support your local bookstore.
Student Art and Writing Awards - submit your work now!
Submit your work now for the Katie Besser Student Art & Writing Awards.
Categories:
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
- Academic essay
- Text & Image
- Instructor-nominated
- en español
Email your entry and any questions to Emily Stern: emily.stern@sfcc.edu.
Submit WRITING ENTRIES as Microsoft Word attachments, double-spaced, five (5) page maximum per entry. Submit TEXT & IMAGE entries as PNGs or JPEGS (6) submissions—total.
Please remove any identifying information from the entry itself.
Include an email message with your name, the title and category of your entry, and your email address and phone number.
Receipt of entries will be acknowledged by email. Results will be announced via email in April.
Applicants must be enrolled in at least three credits in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semesters.
Sponsored by SFCC English and Creative Writing, SFCC Media Arts, and SFCC Foundation.
SFCC Student Weekly Connection
Click here to read last week’s student newsletter, presented by the Vice President for Student Success, Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos.
The newsletter includes information about commencement, finals, food, scholarships and a study abroad opportunity!
Grand Canyon University welcomes SFCC students
Grand Canyon University invites SFCC students to explore their transfer options: https://www.gcu.edu/admissions/college-transfer-center.php.
They have provided this flyer for SFCC Students: https://www.sfcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GCU-Welcomes-Transfer-Students-from-Santa-Fe-Community-College-1.pdf
For more information contact:
Christi Balzarini christi.balzarini@gcu.edu
505-221-3063
Apply for 2020-2021 SFCC and Foundation Scholarships
***THERE IS NO DEADLINE TO APPLY***
SFCC has state, institutional and Foundation private scholarships available for new and returning students to help pay for college for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships are available for full and part-time students in all qualified areas of study including but not limited to: Business, Early Childhood, Engineering, Nursing, Computer Studies, Culinary. There are scholarships for Native American students, Hispanic students and students with disabilities (must be registered with the SAS department), international and non-U.S. citizens.
Financial need, a cumulative and term GPA of 2.50 and enrollment in at least 6 credit hours in a degree plan are required for most scholarships.
You may apply for an SFCC scholarship now at: https://www.sfcc.edu/offices/financial-aid/
A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Dreamer’s Financial Aid Application (non US Citizens only) will be required to determine need. The Dreamers Financial Aid Application can be found at: https://www.sfcc.edu/offices/financial-aid/ under “FORMS”.
If you have questions please email the Financial Aid Office at finaid@sfcc.edu from your SFCC student email account. Make sure to include your Student ID number in the email.
If awarded, your scholarship may be continued until you graduate providing you continue to meet the criteria.
Lock in your scholarship now for current and upcoming academic years.
Student Emergency Fund assistance
If you are currently enrolled in the Fall semester and experiencing financial challenges apply for some assistance from the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Applications can be found in MYSFCC under Resources (Emergency Assistance Fund). Applications are reviewed frequently, and funds are directly awarded to your account. Please note: Funds cannot cover the cost of tuition or books.
SFCC Student Activities Group on Facebook
The Office of Student Development has a new, private Facebook group, SFCC Student Activities!
The group is for current SFCC students only and will be a virtual space where students can interact and participate in OSD activities.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFCCStudentActivities/ to join today!
Employee Announcements
Employees: Convocation starts Jan. 7
Staff and Faculty you should have received a notification via email alerting you to the upcoming Convocation, which begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan.7. See the latest schedule at convocation kick off and schedule.
And the November WOW Awards go to... Roy Harsher and Dobby Schmidt
The WOW recipients for the month of November are Roy Harsher and Dobby Schmidt
Roy Harsher nominated by Pedro Castillon-I am nominating Roy is due to his willingness to go above and beyond his duties. He is always willing to help with any IT issues myself or department is experiencing. If he is not able to solve the issue alone, he works with his colleagues to get the job done in a timely and efficient manner. He is a great team player and he makes navigating through any IT issues easy and user friendly. Please accept this statement as my nomination for the WOW Award for Roy Harsher.
Dobby Schmidt nominated by Karin Pitman-Since the advent of COVID, Dobby and his staff have continued to work hard keeping up with all the campus systems (sometimes with a reduced staff) and he has taken on a wide variety of additional tasks with a jovial spirit. During the construction of the Automotive Technologies Center, he and his staff assisted with building numerous shelving units that required assembly upon arrival at SFCC, and they spent several days moving equipment from Bisbee Court to the new ATC facility. He and his staff have also been on campus working many extra hours setting up and taking down generators for the many power outages we have experienced recently. Under his leadership, they have all been very congenial to work with during these challenging times.
Congratulations!
Aamna Nayyar interview on SARLC Talk Show
Dr. Aamna Nayyar was interviewed by and aired live on SARLC Talk Show on Nov 20, 2020. SARLC is a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia based female only social club with more than 23,000 members. Recording of the interview can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzT1-jJCVbQ
For details on this topic, please contact: aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu
For details on SFCC’s President Diversity Advisry Committee (PDAC), please contact: meghan.mcgarrity@sfcc.edu
Dean Jenny Landen to retire Feb. 1, 2021
We extend our best wishes to Dean Jenny Landen as she finishes her final months at Santa Fe Community College. She has announced that she will retire on Feb. 1, 2021.
Read Dean Jenny Landen’s Message in which she sends holiday greetings and writes about her move to Virginia and her difficult decision to retire. We all know how important family is and we honor her decision.
SFCC extends gratitude for her exemplary leadership particularly through the pandemic. You can send her a message of congratulations at jenny.landen@sfcc.edu.
Reminders on how to slow the spread of the virus
Human Resource Director Luis Olivas shared this message on Nov. 20:
With COVID-19 cases increasing to the highest levels we have seen since the start of the pandemic, I just want to remind everyone of a few important pieces of information.
• Public health orders require that everyone wear a mask at all times outside of your home.
• Social distance in public and avoid gatherings with people outside your household.
• If you are feeling ill, you should not come into work, and avoid any type of social setting. The College wants you to feel better before you return to work.
• If you are feeling ill: Get tested and isolate yourself from others as much as possible. We need to help mitigate the health risk to others.
• Call 1-855-600-3453 for testing information and results. A new testing site at 2501 Camino Entrada at Fire Station #7 is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• If you do contract COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately. Notify your supervisor and human resources, these cases need to reported, we are here to support you.
Please do your part, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy.
Conversations from the Couch, 3 p.m. Dec. 29
Conversations from the
Couch
Join us over the break for an online conversation to
catch up and reconnect.
Everyone is invited and welcome!
WHEN:
3 p.m. December 29, 2020
WHERE: Zoom:
https://sfcc-edu.zoom.us/j/91287053940
Sponsored by the SFCC Staff Senate
and the SFCC Library
This is an opportunity to keep connected during our break. Drop in for casual conversation.
President Rowley's messaging about ERP
SFCC has joined forces with several other institutions to better support and serve our students and employees. Clovis Community College, CNM, Northern New Mexico College, SFCC (and eventually San Juan College) have come together to develop a shared system of student, human resources, and financial services. Our collective vision is to reimagine and to transform the student experience through this project.
This highly complex initiative is called Shared Services Enterprise Resource Planning (often referred to as ERP). This project has been in the works for many months and requires enormous input and collaboration on multiple levels. Interim Chief Information Officer Cori Bergen is the point person for SFCC, and her team and other staff members have been working intensely to identify all the ways we can improve our institutional systems. I want to thank everyone who has already contributed to this bold project. Your contributions will advance our practices so that our students find it easier to manage and reach their educational objectives. New Mexico Independent Community Colleges is coordinating the efforts across participating colleges with Laura Mulry serving as NMICC’s Communications Officer.
Please read more for important directives regarding this process.
Submit nominations for WOW awards
The Office of Human Resources reminds you to nominate who you think is doing a great job here at SFCC. The nomination form can be found at the SFCC Connect portal, or by reaching out to Joanne Romero joanne.romero@sfcc.edu
Policy Update: Accrued Annual Leave extended to Dec. 31
Last month, in response to a request from employees, the Governing Board approved a Resolution related to Policy 4-35 Leave under Policy Process F, extending the accrued annual leave deadline to December 31.
All employees are required to be familiar with and adhere to college policies, which are posted at SFCC/policies. If you have questions or would like to learn more about policies or the Shared Governance Policy Review Process, contact Policy Officer Laura J. Mulry at ext. 1776 or policy@sfcc.edu.
Let Campus Weekly share your news
Let us know about your accomplishments and other news that you’d like to share. Please remember that the deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday to get an item in the next week’s issue. Submit here.
Congratulations to Respiratory Care grads!
The Respiratory Care program recently celebrated its Respiratory Care AAS degree graduates in a virtual celebration.
Our state and community needs these graduates. We’re so proud of their hard work to complete during this challenging time.
Here are the graduates as shown in the photo:
Top Let to right:
Vincent Benavidez, Samantha Vargas, Ilsy Perez-Sican, Cruz Bencomo
Row 2:
Boris Krieger, Celeste Dominguez, Jailin Madrid-Cisneros, Maria Fresquez
Row 3:
Etone Mbome, Jermal Jackson, Estrella Lopez, Tamarah Padilla-Martinez
See the complete larger photo.
Read more about SFCC’s Respiratory Care program.