Campus Weekly
SFCC team and student win awards at WERC competition
Congratulations to an SFCC team, which earned WERC an (Waste-Management Education Research Consortium) Engineering NM Resource Network Pollution Prevention Award ($1500). SFCC student Zachary DeLay also was recognized with one of Intel’s Terry McManus Outstanding Student Awards ($1,000).
The competition is usually held in person at NMSU, but needed to shift quickly to an online environment. As with the traditional on-site contest, the teams submitted a 25-page technical report online prior to the contest. Presentations and questions were hosted on Zoom. This was the first time that SFCC participated in the challenge. There were eleven colleges and universities with 21 competing teams. SFCC was the only community college with a team.
SFCC’s team won for its solution of Heavy Metal Removal via Phycoremediation. See their brochure. Members of the SFCC’s Team Blue Nanno included Team Leader James Muir, Zachary DeLay, Natasha Farmer, Annie Padilla, Jermiah Star, Olivia Rivera and Oscar Lopez. Advisors were Frank Currie and Stephen Gómez, Ph.D. In the team’s oral presentation they also gave special thanks to: Ondine Frauenglass, Luke Spangenburg and Miguel Maestas as well as sponsors The Algae Foundation, ATEC (Algae Technology Energy Consortium) and NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).
James Muir, student Team Leader from Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) said, “Late night conference calls while we all talked and worked on the paper together is something I think I will never forget. The dedication by some of the team to work together through this challenging time where we could not meet or talk in person really helped build relationships with teammates that were very unique.”
Zachary DeLay was nominated as an “outstanding student” by Stephen Gomez, Ph.D. following a vote by team members. DeLay said, “I think students should consider doing this competition because it applies to real world problems that can be used to prepare students to think in the mindset of an engineering firm and consider all the variables that come into play while working on the project.”
Student Ann Padilla from SFCC sums up this year’s competition as: “An unforgettable experience of a lifetime that I will forever be proud of.”
Read the NMSU Press release 2020 WERC Environmental DC-Story-Awards and related NMSU 2020 WERC Contest Fact Sheet. See the team’s Oral Presentation.
News and Announcements
Vote for SFCC in Santa Fe Reporter's Best of Santa Fe survey
We know you love the William C. Witter Fitness Center! Please let Santa Fe know how great it is by voting in Santa Fe Reporter’s Best of Santa Fe survey. Get your vote in before May 31!
The categories are:
Best Fitness Classes
Best Pilates Studio
Best Yoga
Vote here.
Governing Board Meeting, 1 to 5 p.m. May 27
The May 27th Learning Center District Board Meeting will begin at 1:00p.m.
The Governing Board Meeting will begin at 1:30p.m
Because of the current public health emergency and campus closure, this Meeting will not be held in person. Board members will attend through a virtual online platform. The public may attend this Meeting on Youtube https://youtu.be/ov37Vb_thrc
Written public comments may be submitted to Audrey Lucero at audrey.lucero@sfcc.edu at least 24 hours before the meeting. Public comments will be read out loud during the meeting (up to 3 minutes per comment).
An agenda will be available on the SFCC website 72 hours prior to the meeting. Instructions for web-streaming, or online attendance will be provided in the agenda.
Operation Bandana still needs help with mask making, phone calls, deliveries and more!
Nursing students and CNAs Erin Price and Robin Carrillo Ortiz have been making masks to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. They started the group, Operation Bandana New Mexico in March to make face masks for NM health care workers. Note, these are not N95 masks, but masks for extra protection.
Follow the Operation Bandana New Mexico link to sign up to help. If you aren’t on Facebook, you can sign up to volunteer in different capacities (sew, cut, make phone calls, etc) at this link, which is at the top of the Facebook page, too:
Operation Bandana NM Google Forms Sign-up
The group provides mask materials and needs people to sew at all levels. Please disclose your sewing skill level so they can determine what is appropriate as some of the material is like gold!
We recently spoke with the duo and their main request: We Need More Help With All Tasks. They are hoping now that the semester has ended that others can help out!
School of Fitness Education Newsletter, 2020 Vol. 3
The School of Fitness Education Newsletter 2020 Vol. 3 is packed with great information on meditation, thinking positive, activating your glutes, improving the mind-muscle connection, inspiring quotes, healthy eating tips, and so much more!
Automotive Technologies Center progress
Construction is progressing rapidly on the Automotive Technologies Center. All steel has been erected and the building will soon be fully enclosed. Though the project may experience some delays due to covid-19, it remains well within budget and on track to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
See the latest images on Facebook SFCC in this Together.
View larger photo here.
May 8 Governing Board Meeting
At the May 8 Governing Board meeting, the Board declared a “bona fide financial emergency.” Watch the virutual Board meeting in it’s entirety on SFCCC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hH-m9AhMnM.
See The Santa Fe New Mexican’s May 10 story, “Santa Fe Community College to raise tuition, fees by 22 percent.”
See the Albuquerque Journal’s May 8 story, “Expected drop in enrollment prompts SFCC to raise fees.”
Continuing Education update
Continuing Education has launched a new online registration system featuring summer class offerings. Now students can register for noncredit classes anywhere, anytime. Continuing Education will offer online personal enrichment classes along with online professional development classes on UGotClass and Ed2Go. To use your EEBs for Continuing Education classes, complete the EEB form before you register, then contact Continuing Education at ce@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1676. Their team will help you and your dependents complete registration.
Student Emergency Assistance Fund
SFCC Foundation has established the Student Emergency Assistance Fund to help students in need during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Please help us grow this fund and help as many of our students as possible at this difficult time by making a donation today!
If you have trouble accessing the donation site, please try a different browser. Google Chrome is recommended.
If you are a student and wish to apply for emergency assistance, follow this link to apply online.
Summer and Fall registration is now open! Consider taking a class
SFCC’s fall semester registration has begun. All online fees have been waived for the summer and fall semesters.
Registration opened for all on April 21. You need to use the Look for Classes in the drop down menu.
Employees: Please consider using your EEB benefit by signing up for a class this summer or fall. Also, let your friends and family know about the selection of classes they can attend from the safety of their homes.
Perhaps, you have a family member graduating from high school soon. They can get a jump start on college by enrolling now. Have them reach out to the Welcome and Advising Center at wac@sfcc.edu to get started.
For more information, please see President Rowley’s message to students.
Note: Summer online classes will begin on June 8.
SFCC receives funding from VW settlement for Auto Tech Center
The college received great news from the New Mexico Environment Department regarding funding from the Volkswagen Settlement. The notification stated:
Congratulations!
The VW Settlement Steering Committee has selected the Santa Fe Community College project for funding in the following amount:
• Automotive Tech Center: $22,298
This funding is for the Light Duty Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (LDEVSE) Program.
Here’s also a recent story about these projects on KRQE.
Sharing stories related to Midtown Campus
There have been many recent stories related to the development of Midtown Campus. SFCC and Santa Fe Higher Education Center are key partners. Here are some updates:
Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/19/2020, “More details emerge for midtown campus vision”
Albuquerque Journal, 5/17/2020, “Santa Fe Art Institute carves out a niche on Midtown campus”
Albuquerque Journal, 5/12/2020, “Santa Fe hears from Midtown developer”
Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/11, 2020 “Master developer for midtown campus builds entirely local team”
Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/4/2020, “Santa Fe taps Dallas developer for Midtown campus”
SFCC in the news
The following stories either featured or mentioned SFCC or one of its employees.
Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC announces facility closures and staff reduction”
KOBTV, 5/8/2020,
Santa Fe Community College students earning credit for cooking meals for those in need
Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/7/2020, Editorial,
OUR VIEW: Look for points of light in these dark times
Santa Fe New Mexican,5/7/2020, “Santa Fe Community College students, volunteers prepare meals for those in need”
Albuquerque Journal North, 5/3/2020 “SFCC’s World Central Kitchen feeds the hungry”
Community College Daily, 4/30/20 “Food distro project provides meals, work experience”
Student Spotlight
Apply now for new Massage Therapy certificate program
SFCC is now accepting and reviewing applications to enter the Certificate of Massage Therapy program. SFCC is launching that program with online only classes in the fall semester for those accepted into the program. For information on admission to the program visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/massage-therapy/
Ute Jannsen-Kerr, who is directing the certificate program said, “The college is excited to offer this new program. Massage therapy contributes to the health and well-being of those seeking stress relief, as well as relief from aches and pains. People must apply this summer to be reviewed for access to beginning online classes this fall.” Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) in order to qualify for NM State licensure.
Note: All fall classes for this program will be online. For more information contact Ute Jannsen Kerr at ute.jannsenkerr@sfcc.edu
or call 505-428-1420.
Career Services Virtual Drop-In Clinic Tuesdays and Thursday
SFCC Career Services Virtual Drop-In Clinic
Sessions Available Tuesdays and Thursdays
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Resumes
- Application Letters
- Job Searches
- Career Coaching
Apply now for Engineering Machinist Technology Program
Applications are being accepted through June 12 for the revitalized Engineering Machining Technologies certificate. The program is supported by a partnership of SFCC and Los Alamos National Laboratories. Evaluation of applications will be determined this summer for a limited number of students. The unique partnership provides a combination of classes with hands-on training at LANL.
Special benefits for students
Students who qualify and are accepted into the LANL/SFCC program will receive the following benefits, provided by LANL:
• Tuition and fees for a full-time student
• Paid student internship at LANL, which will meet on Fridays
• Student/intern pay while physically in class (based on standard SFCC contact hours),
• Initiation of the security clearance process, and
• Potential conversion to full-time employment upon completion of the 62-credit hour program, providing the student meets all LANL eligibility requirements.
How to retrieve belongings from lockers or cubicles
Students who require access to retrieve belongings from lockers or cubicles can contact the point person listed below for the area that needs to be accessed:
| a. William C. Witter Fitness Center | Lynda Trujillo lynda.trujillo@sfcc.edu; 428-1651 |
| b. SHEM/Woodworking | Tami Crespin tami.crespin@sfcc.edu 428-1323 |
| c. Arts Design and Media Arts | Julie-ann Burgett julieann.burgett@sfcc.edu 428-1731 |
| d. The Masters Program | Tami Crespin tami.crespin@sfcc.edu 428-1323 |
| e. Other areas/td> | SFCC Safety and Security security@sfcc.edu 428-1224 |
Students who have made appointments will be required to come on campus at their appointment time wearing a mask. No one will be permitted access if they have COVID symptoms (dry cough, history of recent fever of 100.4 or higher, fatigue); or recent out of state travel in the past 2 weeks; or confirmed exposure to a positive COVID case; or presents with a temperature of 100.4 or higher.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during these events.
SFCC credit for volunteering
SFCC students continue to make a difference and are receiving college credit for their work!
Culinary Arts and Nursing students receive credit for their work on the SFCC, World Central Kitchen free meals for the community program. Medical Assisting students are also screening volunteers and receiving credit.
SFCC & World Central Kitchen provide food for students
SFCC students can pick up meals to feed either two or four people from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To find the food distribution location, follow this map.
Processes for Summer/Fall Registration and end of Spring term
In an email to students, Associate Vice President for Student Success, Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos laid out SFCC’s registration process and dates for Summer and Fall 2020. The email also detailed steps should take to withdraw from or drop classes in Spring 2020 as well as how to petition to graduate.
Employee Announcements
Volunteers still needed to support food distribution through June 19
In partnership with SFCC Foundation and World Central Kitchen, the SFCC Culinary and Controlled Environment Agriculture programs are providing food to people in need in our community. Every protective measure is being taken to assure that we are safely preparing and distributing food.
For those of you who would like to support food distribution, you may sign up at the following link: https://sfcc-mask-exchange.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=48816
By volunteering for this project, you are committing to at least one 3-hour shift to distribute food or help direct traffic. You will receive training and PPE and our gratitude for your service to our community. Please communicate directly with your supervisor regarding the potential use of your time on this project.
Contact: Shirley Vialpando at shirley.vialpando@sfcc.edu.
Want to help with making PPE?
You can be part of the SFCC teams making PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Here’s how some of your colleagues helped:
Ezra Estes, Ondine Frauenglass and Linda Cassel completed 21 hospital gowns for Christus St. Vincent and have received another bolt of fabric that will provide pattern pieces for 60 more gowns. To date, the hospital has received over 220 gowns toward their 1,000 gown goal. Jill Carlson is sewing an additional 23 gowns on her own. All of the fabric for the project has been given to teams cutting pattern pieces and those kits are moving to available stitchers as quickly as possible. Other partners in this project include the Santa Fe Opera Guild, MAKE Santa Fe, and MeowWolf.
Miguel Maestas and Peter Taussig are manufacturing the headband pieces for face shields, and with a recent contribution from the Santa Fe HEC, are now working to complete the face shields and share them where needed.
Other SFCC sewists including Cori Bergin and Emily Powell are helping to stitch masks to support the students, faculty and staff at Cesar Chavez Community School in Albuquerque. Operation Bandana New Mexico will provide all the materials to make 200 masks.
To get involved contact Meghan McGarrity or call 505-428-1604.
Photo shared by Meghan McGarrity from SFCC In This Together Facebook page.
Your rights: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Human resources provided guidance on employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, including what leave entitlements are covered and who is eligible.
For a quick overview, see this helpful Quick Benefits Tips poster from the Department of Labor.
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.
Katie Besser Awards and Richard Bradford Scholarship winner
Santa Fe Community College’s emerging writers, photographers and mixed media artists were recognized during the Katie Besser Awards celebration hosted online by the SFCC Library on May 14. The awards were named for the late Katie Besser in recognition of her love of literature and creative writing. The event celebrated students’ creative expression through writing, photography and media arts. Writers representing SFCC’s diverse community read from their winning works.
The tenth annual winner of Santa Fe Community College Foundation’s Richard Bradford Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship was announced at the conclusion of the awards celebration. Sylvia Pincheira is recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. Named for the author of the 1968 classic Red Sky at Morning, the scholarship was initiated by author Michael McGarrity, arts advocate Charmay Allred and former Santa Fe city councilwoman Rebecca Wurzburger.
Special thanks to Emily Stern who led the celebration, Val Nye who hosted it via Zoom at SFCC Library, Liberal Arts faculty (English & Media Arts) who participated and Kelly M. Smith who announced the recipient of the Richard Bradford Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship on behalf of SFCC Foundation.
Thanks so much to SFCC Foundation’s support of the Katie Besser Student Awards. Winners received $75, Runner-ups received $50 through Amazon ecards.
Read a history of this event.
See all the winning photos and writing award winners here.
Photo: Sylvia Pincheira reacts with excitement to the news that she is the recipient of the Richard Bradford Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship in this screenshot from the celebration.
