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Tuesday is Election Day, your last chance to vote

We know everyone has hectic schedules. If you missed early voting, please mark Tuesday on your calendar to go vote.

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

Vote in person at a number of locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Please note: SFCC is NOT an election day voting site. So you will need to vote at an election day polling place. – See all locations 

Santa Fe County voters can choose any Election Day polling location to vote on Tuesday. At every site, Same Day Registration (SDR) is available only to voters who need to register or update their registration to vote. For SDR, please bring 1.) photo ID showing your address, or 2.) a photo ID and a bill or document showing your name and address or 3.) a student ID and current school financial statement.   Click for more information about same-day voter registration.

The ballot includes two candidates SFCC Governing Board candidates: Lorenzo Dominguez and Lina Germann. Also, don’t forget to vote on the SFCC General Obligation Bond. The question about funding the SFCC General Obligation Bond is the last item on the ballot. Turn your ballot over to see and answer the question.

Get more information about the SFCC bond at https://www.votesfcc.com/.

This is an important election for the college, please vote.

Eligible employees are allowed voting time as per Policy 4-35 Leave. Please coordinate with your supervisor.

Reminder: Do you still have an absentee ballot? Drop it in a drop box. You can return ballots to any open polling location by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.




Veterans and Family Appreciation Day: Veterans Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday

Please invite veterans and their families to the Veterans and Family Appreciation Day: Veterans Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. The event is open to the public.

Veterans greeted those attending last year’s Veterans Resource Fair.

Everyone on campus is invited to stop by for a special ceremony to honor veterans from noon to 1 p.m. in the Jemez Rooms. For information, contact Mary Eleas, email: maria.eleas@sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1582.


Congratulations to regional high school and middle school art competition winners

Evan Waldrop received the Best of Show Award.
Ellie Angel (Ellie Magdalene) won the Outstanding Creative Merit Award. Shane Tolbert, at right, is the Academic Director of Arts and Design.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2nd Annual Regional High School and Middle School Exhibition Awards. The awards were given at the opening reception Saturday, October 28, 2023. It was exciting for the students and their families to see their work exhibited in SFCC’s Visual Arts Gallery.

Awards:

Best of Show ($500)

Evan Waldrop
Bansoffbodies
Dish soap, spray paint, homemade ink, paint stick
Teacher: Karina Hean- will not be attending another commitment at NMSA
New Mexico School for the Arts, 11th grade

Outstanding Creative Merit ($200)

Ellie Angel (Ellie Magdalene)
Slowdownsundown
Digital print on metal
Teacher: Karina Hean

NMSA New Mexico School for the Arts, 12th grade

Deans Choice ($100)

Amorese Rios
No Words
Acrylic
Instructor: Karina Hean

New Mexico, School for the Arts, 12 grade

Trinity Halcyon
Untitled
Teacher: Lori Andrews
Santa Fe High School

Best Concept ($100)

Willow Schwartz
Flowing Figure in Ash
Ash hardwood
Teacher: Russel Smith – Fine woodworking SFCC
The Master’s Program, 11th grade

Cora Thompson
The Bread King
Oil paint
Teacher: Selina Fernandez
The Master’s Program, 11th Grade

Honorable Mentions ($50)

Lauren Mudge
Untitled
Teacher: Lori Andrews
Santa Fe High School

Paola Pineda
Untitled
Pencil
Teacher: Alicia Jones
Monte del Sol, 11th Grade

Mariana Mata, Briana Gonzalez, Fernanda Gomez, Ashlee Mercado
Recycled Art
Teacher: Alicia Jones
Monte del Sol, 11th Grade

Megan Bowers-Avina’s 7th and 8th grade students
Creating their Zozobra/ZAZAbras
Milagro Middle School

Pluto Lytle
Rainwater
Ceramics
Instructor: Liz Hunt – Program Head for Ceramics SFCC
The Master’s Program 12th grade

Here are a some photographs taken at the opening. Thank you to David Jones for sharing these.

In the images above, the bottom photo shows (in the front at far right) SPS School Board Member Carmen Gonzales, Ph.D., talking with Director of Galleries Linda Cassel and Academic Director of Arts and Design Shane Tolbert.

Thank you to the SFCC Foundation for sponsoring prize money. FYI: Prize money was raised during the Open House art sale!

Also read about the inspiration for the exhibit in the Oct. 27 interview with Dean James “Jim” Wysong, Ph.D., in Pasatiempo, “Young at Art”


November is Native American Heritage Month

The U.S. celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November. SFCC values the college’s many Indigeneous students, faculty and staff members.

Visit https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ to learn more about the history of Native American Heritage Month. The website also has valuable links for instructors and students. The site includes audio, video and links to archival photographs and much more.



SFCC had fun at Campus Community Halloween

The Kids Campus Parade ended in the Campus Center where there was a big dance party.

This year’s October 31 Halloween activities were open to members of the SFCC community — students and employees. Thank you to Todd Lovato, Ben Lauer and Lucia Lucero for sharing a mix of photos from the Kids Campus dance party, the office decorating contest and costume contest. Thank you to the SFCC Halloween Committee, the SFCC Foundation and Student Activities.

Yes, they did the Monster Mash and so much more! Click images to see larger.


Important message about commencement

This message was sent on October 27, 2023

Photo from the May 2023 commencement.

Dear SFCC Community,

This Spring, our 2023-24 commencement ceremony will celebrate 40 years of Santa Fe Community College. The ceremony is scheduled for May 11, 2024, at the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center.

The Spring 2024 celebration promises to be a momentous occasion, filled with nostalgia and pride as we reflect on four decades of academic excellence. Join us in the spring as we come together to celebrate our graduates’ achievements and the rich history of our institution.

The college has combined its Fall and Spring commencement ceremonies into an annual commencement celebration, held at the end of the Spring semester. Students who receive their diplomas and certificates in Summer or Fall are invited to join Spring graduates at the ceremony.

Thank you for understanding and your support. More details about the Spring Commencement celebration will follow soon.

Sincerely,

Bernadette Gonzales. MA Ed.

(she, her, hers)

Registrar |Office of the Registrar


Glass Art Exhibition & Sale closing reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday

Check out a Glass Art Exhibition & Sale (Oct. 30 -Nov. 12) in the lobby of the Fine Arts Building. Everyone is invited to attend the opening from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 as well as a closing from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 12. Please note: The flyer above was produced before Richards Ave. was re-opened.


Dental Assisting students volunteered at Career Day at El Camino Real Academy

Photo credit for both images: Mariana Escobedo

Dental Assisting students volunteered at the Career Day at El Camino Real Academy from 8:30 a.m. – 11 am. on Friday, October 13, 2023. They provided oral health education and information about the SFCC Dental Programs.

To learn about the dental programs, please visit: https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/dental-2/

Any questions? Please email: aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu.


Clay Club will have Ceramic Sale on Nov. 29 and 30

SFCC’s Clay Club presents the Ceramics Sale. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30 in the Main Hallway. Discover the fine work by talented student artists, purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts. Mainly selling functional ceramics (cup, plates, bowls, etc.), but also some sculpture work and traditional micaceous pottery.  Bid on items in the Silent Auction. One hundred percent of the Clay Club Silent Auction proceeds benefit Campus Cupboard, the college’s food pantry that supports students and employees experiencing food insecurity.


Your vote matters for SFCC

President Becky Rowley sent this message on Oct. 19

President Becky Rowley, Ph.D.

Dear Colleagues,

This year’s election includes two important items that directly affect SFCC: a Governing Board position and a general obligation bond. I encourage you to become familiar with the options and to vote.

Two candidates are vying for the Governing Board position: Lorenzo Dominguez and Lina Germann. In case you missed the candidate forum last week, you can watch the recording here and learn more about the election on the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County website.

SFCC’s $23 million Local General Obligation Bond will provide a number of benefits. Bond funding is restricted and can only be used for improving our facilities and technologies. Bond projects include:

  • Create a new entry pavilion to welcome and direct students and community members.
  • Create a Student Hub to centralize the services our students need.
  • Upgrade technologies to enhance teaching and learning and internet connectivity.
  • Improve emergency management and campus safety.
  • Add wayfinding and signage to better navigate Main Campus.
  • Renovate classrooms and labs to reconfigure space to work for multiple programs.
  • Renovate the Kids Campus to replace carpeting, windows, and increase childcare capacity.
  • Renovate the Trades & Advanced Technology Center to comply with current building codes.
  • Fund critical repairs to our 40-year old facilities (stucco, windows, doors).

This bond would not increase property taxes. You can learn more about bond tax rates – as well as how SFCC has responsibly stewarded bond funding from past elections – at https://www.votesfcc.com/.

Beginning Oct. 21 and through Nov. 4, you can vote on Main Campus in Room 408, just around the corner from Campus Center; SFCC is not a voting site on Election Day.

Absentee Voting and early voting continue through Nov. 4.

Election Day is Tues., Nov. 7.

Eligible employees are allowed voting time as per Policy 4-35 Leave. Please coordinate with your supervisor.

Thank you for your continued support of the College and for exercising your right to vote.

Sincerely,

Becky Rowley, Ph.D.

President


Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations Todd Lovato discusses local Bond issue

ICYMI, learn more about Santa Fe Community College’s local bond request in the conversation Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations Todd Lovato shared with KTRC 1260 | 103.7 Radio Host Richard Eeds. Listen to the podcast now. Learn more at VoteSFCC. Hear a recent podcast when Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations Todd Lovato talked about SFCC’s local bond election request with Richard Eeds. Learn what approval of SFCC’s $23 million bond would fund to increase student achievement, centralize student services, and upgrade technologies and facilities to enhance teaching and learning. What’s more, the bond will not increase property taxes.



Brain Builders Speaker Series: Building Systems and Policies for the Earliest Years Nov. 10

The next free ECCOE Speaker Series talk will be held on Zoom at noon on November 10:
November 10, 2023

12-1 pm Zoom
Building Systems and Policies for the Earliest Years
Miriam Calderon; Chief Policy Officer for Zero to Three
Sara Mickelson; Deputy Secretary NM ECECD

Register Here

The 2023-2024 speaker series focuses on infants and toddlers and the amazing work that goes into brain development during the earliest years. View a PDF of the schedule here and see the entire list with registration links at https://www.sfcc.edu/eccoe/speaker-series/.


EMSI Awning Construction began on October 30

Construction on an awning for the EMSI area will begin Monday, October 30. This will support students learning in an outdoor environment. Construction is expected to last approximately 8 weeks. It may be noisy at times, but not extremely so. Access to  La Familia will not be impacted by construction. 

Please contact Lisa Coleman at lisa.coleman@sfcc.edu with any questions.


See video of Genevieve Betts’ Poetry Reading

If you missed Genevieve Betts’ reading of poems from “A New Kind of Tongue,” you can now watch the video.

You can learn more about her book and the recent event here.


SFLR reading a success

Many attended the Oct. 19 SANTA FE LITERARY REVIEW (SFLR) in person, while others joined online. Thank you To Dean James “Jim” Wysong, Ph.D., and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Margaret Peters for sharing images from the event.

The 2023 issue of the SFLR is available for viewing or download at https://bit.ly/sflronline. For a selection of writing and art, visit sfcc.edu/literary-review-issue/2023/. Read more about this year’s issue here. For more information about the publication contact SFLR Faculty Advisor Kate McCahill by email at sflr@sfcc.edu, or call 505-428-1903.


Aquatic Exercise Association Workshops November 10-11, 2023 open to students and SFCC Community

click to view info

Aquatic Exercise Association Workshops will be held at SFCC from November 10-11, 2023. The workshops are a co-sponsored event for professional development, but workshops are also opened to community and student stakeholders.

Workshops include: Upper Body Core & More, SplAsh: Cardio Combos 3.0, Boot Camp Shallow,
SplAsh: Intervals: Circuit Edition & Let’s Roll – Self Care for Fitness Instructors. All workshops will be held at the Santa Fe Community College William C. Witter Fitness Education Center at 6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87508.

Advanced registration is required, NO ONSITE registrations will be accepted. Specific event information & registration link at www.aeawave.org under Calendar/AEA Education. Questions? Email info@aeawave.org – Phone 888-232-9283 or 912-289-3559


Applications due by Fri. for Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair artisans

This year the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and SFCC will again host Holiday Arts and Crafts Fairs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the same day, Saturday, December 9. SFCC is accepting artist applications, you can find the form here: https://www.sfcc.edu/sfcc-holiday-arts-and-crafts-fair/
Applications for the SFCC fair are due by Friday, November 10. For additional information call 505-428-1402, 505-428-1675, or email events@sfcc.edu.

Read more about the fair in this press release.


Indigenous Pottery workshops offered at SFCC

Indigenous Pottery instructor Carmelita Topaha is sharing information about upcoming trainings and workshops including two that will be at SFCC on the weekends of Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12. Please contact Carmelita Topaha about these grant-supported workshops for more information via email at carmelita.topaha@sfcc.edu or by calling 505-716-1391.


SFCC Library presents online reading from ‘The Longdream,’ by Austin Eichelberger at 5 p.m. Nov. 15

SFCC professor and author Austin Eichelberger.

What: Santa Fe Community College Library presents an online reading from SFCC professor Austin Eichelberger’s novel-in-progress, “The Longdream.”

About the book (Brief description of the work in progress for back cover): The fall could have killed Darren, but instead, slipping off his apartment balcony restarts his life. After a month-long coma, Darren wakes up in a Denver hospital to his wife crying over him—the wife he’d divorced in his coma dream. Now awake and more reliant on her than ever, Darren must learn to live in his injured body as he’s haunted by lists of rules for masculinity and memories of the man he fell in love with while unconscious. Back at a job he hates and dealing with estranged family, his artistic joy foundering and grief from his father’s suicide festering, Darren must decide what life he wants and make it his waking reality.

The book cover for “The Longdream.”

Who:  Austin Eichelberger is an Assistant Professor of English and Writing at Santa Fe Community College. He completed his MA at Longwood University in 2009 and his MFA in Fiction at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in 2018. Originally from the Appalachian region of Virginia, he is a creative consultant and visual artist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. More than 80 pieces of his creative writing have been published by journals and anthologies, including “Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine,” “Pithead Chapel” and “Nanoism.” His visual art recently appeared in “The Pinch.” He was a finalist in the 2016 Larry Brown Short Story Award and in 2017 he was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. See some of his writing at austineichelberger.com.

When:  5 p.m. Nov. 15

Where: Online. Pre-registration to attend the online event is required. A Zoom invitation with a link will be sent to registrants the morning of the event. Please register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Longdream2023.

Cost: Free. Space is limited. Participants must pre-register to receive Zoom link.


Thank you for making Fall Family Festival a success

Thank you to Student Affairs, Student Activities and the Student Parent Partnership for making the Fall Family Festival on Oct. 24 a fun and successful event! There was pumpkin decorating, music, face painting, mask painting, book walk (like a cake walk but with books as prizes), cake walk, a movie and popcorn section, a safe space for very little littles (0-3 years) where they can roll around, and play with age appropriate toys, and also a sensory safe space.

Thank you to Ben Lauer and Margaret Peters for sharing photos of the fun event! Click on the photos to see them larger.


SFCC Library has launchpad tablets to lend for 3- to 5-year-old kids

The SFCC Library has six Launchpad learning tablets for children ages 3-5 years old. Launchpad learning tablets are loaded with apps, videos, storybooks, games just for kids. 100% secure. No internet needed. With an SFCC ID these tablets designed for kids can be used in the library’s Family Study Room and they can be checked out with headphones for four weeks at a time.

The Launchpad titles available at the SFCC Library are:
Estoy Listo Para Escuela, Food for Thought!, Learning Castle!
Pawsitively Scientific, Puppy Talk!, and School of Fun. Stop by the library’s main desk to request a Launchpad tablet. Questions? Contact the library at: library@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1352.


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.



Spring registration begins Tuesday – meet with your advisor now to prepare

Current students should meet with their advisors to prepare for Spring registration, which opens for all on Tuesday. In MySFCC, click on “Academic Advising (Online/In Person)” in the “Schedule an Appointment” section, or visit https://www.sfcc.edu/academic-advising/advising-appointments/ to find your advisor and book an appointment.

If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to enrollment-admissions@sfcc.edu.


Deadline for nursing applications extended to Dec. 1

The SFCC Department of Nursing Education has extended their deadline for Spring 2024 applications to December 1, 2023.

For questions call the Director of Nursing Education, Lucas Gonzales at 505-428-1897 or visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/nursing/.


Student Parent Trivia Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday in Room 221


Need help with rent, utilities or repairs? Local assistance application closes soon

Nancy Gonzales, SFCC Resource Coordinator, shared information about the upcoming deadline for people to apply for assistance through the local initiative sponsored by the Santa Fe New Mexican, The Empty Stocking fund.

The Empty Stocking Fund can help with past due rent/mortgages and utilities, dental and medical assistance, tuition, household goods, home/auto repairs, and more.

To apply for a gift, submit an application here. If eligible, an in-person interview will be arranged, and if approved, funds will then be distributed. The deadline is Nov. 30 or when 600 verified applications have been received. If you know a student who does not have access to a computer they can go to any of the Santa Fe Public Libraries or the SFCC Library.

Please note: If you are a student facing a sudden financial emergency, the SFCC Foundation encourages you to apply to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. You can find an application on MySFCC under Student Resources and click the green pill button Emergency Assistance Fund there.



Become a Certified Fiber Optic Technician

Fiber Optic Technician Bootcamp December 11 – 15, 2023, 8 am to 5 pm M – F

Apply Now Deadline December 5, 2023

This five-day, hands-on intensive program gives students the opportunity to earn three certifications from the Fiber Optic Association that are recognized throughout the world and aligned to industry standards. These credentials will remain valid for three years, after which they can be renewed by the student. Students can earn the following certifications: Certified Fiber Optic Technician, Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in Splicing, and Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in Testing and Maintenance. Participant requirements: Students must be able to distinguish colors and have good finger dexterity. No prior workforce training is required.


East Wing Eatery is hiring student employees

The East Wing Eatery needs student employees. Contact Rosina Chaparro at rosina.chaparro@sfcc.edu to learn more and apply.


Student Writing Awards – submit entries through March 1, 2024

Entries are being accepted for the SFCC writing awards now through 12 noon on March 1, 2024.
Categories include poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, academic essay, image/photography, instructor-nominated, & en español. Winners receive $50 and runners-up receive $25

Winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions will all be published in Accolades, will be invited to read at the celebration, and will also be considered for the SFCC Foundation Richard Bradford Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship.

  • Applicants must be enrolled in at least three credits and should not yet have earned a degree.
  • Entries should be no more than 5 pages in length, typed, and attached as Word documents (or jpgs for images/photography).
  • No more than 6 submissions, excluding instructor nominations.
  • Please remove any identifying information from the entries.

Email submissions (or questions) to genevieve.betts@sfcc.edu. Please include name, A#, phone number, and the titles & categories of entries.


Applications now open for Spring 2024 PILAS Paid Internship Program

PILAS offers SFCC students the opportunity to get PAID to be mentored! The PILAS Internship Program is open to SFCC students who meet the following criteria:

  • Have declared in an Associate Degree or Certificate program
  • 18 years or older
  • Have reliable transportation
  • Willing to check and respond to SFCC email DAILY
  • Maintain a GPA of C or better during the semester of the internship
  • Agree to abide by the Professional Code of Conduct for the PILAS Internship Program

The January 24 PILAS Internship will run from January 22 through May 3, and will include 14 weeks of 10-20 hours per week of work. Interns will earn three credit hours toward their degree. The internship will be comprised of 120 paid internship hours, 3 in-person seminars, midterm and final papers, and evaluations from their mentor. Other important job-seeking skills will be covered, including resumes, mock interviews and more.

Students must complete an application and submit an essay to qualify for the program. Internships are limited, apply early for your best chance at placement. Deadline is December 15, 2023.

For more information, visit https://www.sfcc.edu/student-participation/, or contact Louise Majorey at 505-428-1684 or louise.majorey@sfcc.edu.


Counseling services available for students


Apply now for AwardSpring Scholarships

Here are the requirements that must be met for all Foundation scholarships for the Fall 2023 semester:

  • GPA (2.5 or higher)
  • Completion Rate (67% or higher)
  • Satisfactory Academic Status
  • Enrollment (6 credit hours or higher)
  • FAFSA on file
  • Completed Financial Aid file

For more assistance and information, please contact The Financial Aid office at finaid@sfcc.edu.


Schedule an online FAFSA appointment

Students who need FAFSA assistance can now schedule an appointment via a Calendly link. There are no longer weekly virtual FAFSA hours during the fall semester. 

Scheduling via Calendly allows students to schedule a specific time, allowing the time needed to complete their FAFSA. At this time, with many students inquiring for FAFSA assistance, the virtual hours wouldn’t allow for great one-on-one assistance.


Important dates for fall semester


Student Recruitment Ambassador needed

The Office of Recruitment and Student Outreach is hiring a Student Recruitment Ambassador to assist with leading campus tours for individuals and large groups, to support SFCC’s Recruitment and Dual Credit team and assist with projects as needed. Our Ambassador will also participate in community and Santa Fe Public School events like college and career fairs and application drives.

Please contact Daniela Gurule at daniela.gurule@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1149 if you are interested!


Interested in helping others? Campus Cupboard is seeking student employees

Interested in helping others? Campus Cupboard is hiring three Students as Campus Cupboard, The Exchange and Office Ambassadors.

Interested call 505-428-1582  or email maria.eleas@sfcc.edu

Students will work a maximum 20 hours per week. Must be registered for at least 3 CR in summer and 6 CR in fall and maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. Pay is $15/hour. Students do not need to be work-study eligible.

Ambassadors make a difference by providing excellent customer service, completing and fulfilling online and in-person orders, coordinating on-campus delivery events, maintaining inventory reports and ensuring products are readily available, maintaining a positive atmosphere, ensuring the cleanliness of space, and providing other opportunities to make a difference. Assist with campus events and activities. Ambassadors may have some physical requirements to fulfill.


Students: Need childcare? Make sure you’re on the Kids Campus waitlist

When a spot comes available at the Kids Campus, students get priority placement. Kids Campus wants to support student parents and hopes that those needing childcare will get on the waitlist.

Children of degree-seeking SFCC students, SFCC employees, and full-time students at the Higher Education Center are prioritized for placement to support a two-generation philosophy of education at the college.

Visit the Kids Campus website for more information. Students receive a 10% discount on the cost of Kids Campus and N.M. Early Childhood Education and Care Development offers Child Care Assistance to income-eligible students.



Student Resource Center is here for you

Connect with Community Resources
The Student Resource Center focuses on providing information to students about resources throughout the community and providing appropriate referrals to agencies. The resources focus on basic needs such as: housing and shelter, food, legal services, transportation, childcare services, utility payment assistance, and physical and mental health services. All services are free and confidential.

Conèctese con los Recursos de la Comunidad El Centro de Recursos para Estudiantes se enfoca en proporcionar información a los estudiantes sobre los recursos en toda la comunidad y proporcionar referencias apropiadas a las agencias. Los recursos se centran en necesidades básicas como: vivienda y refugio, alimentos, servicios legales, transporte, servicios de cuidado infantil, asistencia para el pago de servicios públicos y servicios de salud física y mental. Todos los servicios son gratuitos y confidenciales.

505–428-1194 | resourcecenter@sfcc.edu | www.sfcc.edu/offices/student-resource-center


Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Open Forums are happening today and Tuesday

As President Becky Rowley stated in her Oct. 27 email to Faculty and Staff,

Nov. 6 (today) through 7 (Tuesday), the College will host accreditors from the Higher Learning Commission. SFCC has been continuously accredited by the HLC since 1988. I look forward to the visit because it is an opportunity to showcase the excellent work you are doing to support our students.

I want to thank all those who have contributed to preparing for this visit. I appreciate everyone’s support as we welcome the HLC accreditors. Please go to the HLC website for more information on SFCC’s criteria for accreditation.

To address these criteria, there are a series of forums that you can attend, including an open forum for discussion with the HLC on Tuesday morning. Please plan on attending the sessions in person. An option for remote status employees is available upon request. For the link, email yash.morimoto@sfcc.edu.

To see the full email message, which includes a schedule of forums, visit: https://www.sfcc.edu/oct-27-message-about-hlc-meetings-from-president-rowley/.



New workplace ethics procedure for policy 4-1: SFCC Workplace Ethics and Code of Conduct Policy

A new procedure has been added 4-1: Workplace Ethics and Code of Conduct Procedures for Marketing, Recruiting, Admissions, and Financial Aid Personnel. College Policies and Procedures are online at SFCC Policies. To learn more, contact Policy Officer Laura J. Mulry, ext. 1776.


Please Provide Your Feedback on Professional Development Day

As requested by President Rowley in a November 2 email, please take a moment to complete this brief survey regarding the Fall 2023 Professional Development Day held Friday, October 20.  The survey takes an estimated 3 minutes to complete.  Your feedback will help SFCC to evaluate this event and plan future trainings.  Thank you for your time!

Survey link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023SFCCPDDay


October WOW – Juan Alvarez de Castillo

Congratulations to October 2023 WOW Award winner Juan Alvarez de Castillo nominated by Aamna Nayyar:

“I have known Juan for more than a decade. He is a nice and very helpful person. In the past he also assisted the dental program with his volunteer services but this last week, he went above and beyond by offering free service by loading and unloading the chairs all by himself. I and the dental student employee were carrying all the chairs ourselves from the dental lab to the fitness area. There were several people we met on our way, but Juan was the only one who offered unconditional help. I and the student employee could not lift the chairs as they were heavy, so we were pushing them all the way. He himself offered help and insisted on helping, he loaded them all in his truck and drove to the fitness center with the dental student employee and helped her with the unloading. On that hot day, he appeared as an angel. Juan is a great example of SFCC’s Value, “We value PEOPLE and demonstrate our commitment through building a community of collaboration and trust, celebrating diversity, and fostering a vibrant system of shared governance.”

Please be sure to nominate who you think is doing a great job here at SFCC. The submission form can be found at the SFCC Connect portal, or by reaching out to Katie Cadena Priebe, Katherine.cadenaprie@sfcc.edu.


CHESS — Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services

CHESS Connection Newsletter – October 2023

If you’re wondering what’s happening with Workday, check out the latest CHESS Connection!

This newsletter contains information on open enrollment, customizing your display language, more on reporting, and job openings with CHESS.


Thank you for your participation in Professional Development Day

SFCC appreciates the employee participation in the Oct. 20 Professional Development Day. Thank you to the President’s Diversity Advisory Committee (PDAC) for the work done to prepare for a day-long series of informative speakers on the topic of a Roadmap to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging+ (DEIAB+) Thank you to these PDAC members who assisted: Jon Arellano, Toni Coffman, Emily Drabanski, Mary Eleas, Dr. sj Miller (co-chair), Marcos Maez (co-chair), Dr. Aamna Nayyar, Valerie Nye, Briget Trujillo and Dr. Kelly Trujillo. Also thank you to:

SFCC Employees: Katie Cadena-Priebe, Donna Castro, Chris Falance, Julie Gallegos, Chad Gaspar, Todd Lovato, Lucia Lucero, Dr. Yash Morimoto, Amelia Morand, Fran Nawrocki, Margaret Peters, Dorothy Piriz, Dr. Becky Rowley, Carole Sheldon, Roxanne Tapia, Dr. Jared Valdez

Food Vendors: El Parasol, Muchos, Genuine Foods

InterpretersMariah Garcia (ASL), Cynthia Jiron (ASL), Maria Cristina Lopez (Spanish), Flor de Maria Olivia (Spanish).

We’re also grateful for the expertise shared by the distinguished speakers: Carlos A. LópezLeiva, Ph.D., (U.N.M); Nancy López, Ph.D., (UNM); Rebecca Maldonado Moore, Ph.D., (NMHU); Azadeh F. Osanloo, Ph.D., (NMSU) and Belin M. Tsinnajinnie, Ph.D., (WestEd). Our speakers made strong presentations and stimulated discussion of action items to be considered.

Thank you also to members of PDAC who participated in the “fishbowl” discussion: Kelly Trujillo, Ph.D.; Valerie Nye; sj Miller, Ph.D. (co-chair); Toni Coffman; Dr. Aamna Nayyar; Briget Trujillo and Marcos Maez (co-chair). SFCC also appreciates SFCC employees who participated in the discussion about Cultural Humility: Lucas Gonzales, Yash Morimoto, Ph.D., Letty Naranjo and José Humberto Nevárez.

Thank you to Ben Lauer who shared the following images from the day:

Yash Morimoto, Ph.D., Letty Naranjo, Lucas Gonzales and José Humberto Nevárez discussed the topic of “Cultural Humility.”
Members of the PDAC team from left to right: Kelly Trujillo, Ph.D.; Valerie Nye; sj Miller, Ph.D. (co-chair); Toni Coffman; Dr. Aamna Nayyar; Briget Trujillo and Marcos Maez (co-chair).

Read an interview with Chef Milton Villarubia about the East Wing Eatery

The Santa Fe Reporter last week ran this feature: 3 Questions with Milton Villarubia about the East Wing Eatery. Please note the story stated he had hoped to open this Tuesday, but it’s not possible at this time. Once everything is good to go, MPR will share messaging. In the meantime, stop by because he is doing some “soft openings” offering free taste tests.

Former Second Street Brewery executive chef Milton Villarrubia III took on the manager position after working in the college’s culinary classes as a lab technician for years.

We’re excited to welcome Milton Villarrubia in his role as the East Wing Eatery manager.


Dr. Aamna Nayyar gave a virtual lecture to dental students in Morocco

Dr. Aamna Nayyar, Director of Dental Health Department virtually guest lectured to the Morrocco dental students in Morocco (Univ. Mohammed VI – Centre de Soins Dentaire – https://um6ss.ma/faculte-de-medecine-dentaire/), as part of the Global Dental Ambassadors. The Global Dental Ambassadors group (GDA) is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization which is a grassroots and volunteer led and driven group of dental professionals who share the mission to participate in academic and cultural exchanges among
oral health professionals and institutions around the globe. Topics for her volunteer lecture and case presentations were, “Updates on Dental Caries” and “Pain management and Narcotics”.

The presentation was Oct 2-3, 2023. Using the digital platforms of ZOOM and Microsoft Teams.

To learn more about GDA, visit: https://g-d-a.weebly.com/

To learn about SFCC’s Dental programs, visit: https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/dental-2/

Any questions, email aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu


CHESS Workday Learning Implementation

A team from SFCC is participating in a CHESS Workday Learning Implementation. Workday Learning is an Enterprise Learning Management System (LMS) aimed at the employee learning experience. It will be integrated within our existing Workday tenant to provide simplified access. The SFCC team includes HR, IT, Marketing, and OTL employees. The project kicked off on 9/21 and is expected to be completed in March.

Have any questions about the project? Contact Donna Castro in HR or Cori Bergen in IT.


Procedures updated for Policy 1-29, Governing Board Self Evaluation

The Governing Board has reviewed and posted with minor edits the Procedures for Policy 1-29, Board Self Evaluation Instrument. College Policies and Procedures are online at SFCC Policies. To learn more, contact Policy Officer Laura J. Mulry, ext. 1776.


Faculty Senate Officers elected for Fall 2023

Congratulations and welcome to the Fall 2023 Faculty Senate officers:


SFCC STEM faculty – Free professional development opportunity

Another FREE professional development opportunity is here. October 9 through November 27, 2023 ESCALA Education is offering a course called CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING IN STEM IN HSIs (9 hours).

This STEM-focused conversation about teaching practices mini-course is facilitated by STEM faculty in HSIs and delves into the cultural disconnects Latinx students feel when developing STEM identities. Each of the six sessions introduces an evidence-based practice that will provide a more culturally responsive learning experience for Latinx students in STEM courses.

It is a completely asynchronous course and will be completed on your own time. Course fee ($1,800) is paid through Title V Grant. Adjunct faculty are eligible for a stipend of $288 with successful completion.

For more information contact Monika Bechtel at monika.bechtel@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1033.


Academic Referral Process

For those who are new or may benefit from a quick refresher, please don’t forget about our academic referral process. The academic referral form allows both faculty and academic advisors to support students in an intentional and comprehensive way – providing wrap around services to students who are struggling within the classroom.

If you have a student who is struggling in the classroom, please let the advising team know via the academic referral form. The sooner the advising team learns of your concern through the form, which requires campus VPN access, the better as it increases our chance of successfully intervening at a pivotal point in the student’s academic journey.

The electronic form is located on my.SFCC.edu

Click on SFCC Connect (Intranet)

Select Academic Referral 2023-2024, under Featured Links (Left Side of Page)

Referrals are routed instantaneously to an advisor. Advisors then reach out to their advisee via phone/email. They check in, explain the reason for their outreach, and determine how to best help based upon their dialogue with the student in addition to the information submitted within the referral. Depending upon the situation, advisors educate, provide holistic care, strategize with the student, make referrals to others on campus, etc. Once the concern is addressed, the advisor updates the referral status and enters their notes in the system, which will update the faculty member on the outcome of the referral. Faculty access this information by clicking into the referral response via the email confirmation of their submission (click show approval history and then show approval comments).

If you have any questions and/or concerns about this resource, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone at 505-428-1275 or by email at advisor@sfcc.edu.


Message about Interact Communications sessions

In an email on August 29, President Rowley sent the following message.

Dear Colleagues:

Thank you to those of you who were able to participate in the Interact internal communication retreats. Your input is important and appreciated. This is only the beginning of our journey to identify possibilities, overcome challenges, and energize the sense of community we value.

I am committed to thoroughly exploring and following through on the recommendations that you identified in the Interact meetings. With your valuable feedback, I feel confident that we will accomplish a great deal together. I will be collaborating with our Interact consultants (Mary and Diane) to outline a strategy for our next steps of this project. I will also be reaching out to many of you as we prepare next steps.

In case you were unable to attend or want to review, please see below.

Wednesday, Aug. 16, Interact Communications:

Thank you for your participation and engagement during this important project. I look forward to developing goals and outcomes together.

Sincerely,

Becky Rowley, Ph.D.
President


Duplicating Center open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. in LL307


Enjoy 4 hours administrative leave; note rules and guidelines

President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., shared this message in an email on Aug. 21, 2023:

Dear Colleagues, It’s time to enjoy New Mexico’s fall events. I am authorizing four hours of administrative leave for full-time ‘regular, probationary, and term status’ employees (prorated for those employees working part-time). Use this time to participate in local community events or just to recharge. I know everyone has been working hard and I appreciate all you do.

A few rules:

  1. You must take the hours between now and Monday, Nov. 13.
  2. Administrative leave cannot be accumulated for use outside this time period and cannot be considered as work time for purposes of overtime compensation.
  3. Supervisors are reminded to schedule this time off in a way that does not negatively impact services.
  4. See Policy 4-35 Leave.

As always, please consult with your supervisor to coordinate your time off. If you have any questions about your leave, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Thank you.

Becky Rowley, Ph.D.

President


‘Addressing ChatGPT in Your Course Syllabus and Policy’ video available

Check out the latest SFCC Library presentation led by Reference and Instruction Librarian Sarah Hood. The presentation and discussion was during Convocation on Aug. 18 regarding “Addressing ChatGPT in Your Syllabus and Policies.”


Fall Online Teaching and Learning training opportunities

The office of Online Teaching and Learning (OTL) encourages faculty members to improve their online teaching skills with Title V supported trainings. Contact Michelle Rentería at michelle.renteria@sfcc.edu to register or for more information. Visit https://www.qualitymatters.org/PD-schedule for the full Quality Matters schedule of classes. 


Opt-In to get Student Parent Success newsletter

Did you know that more than 1 in 5 college students nationally is a parent and that 42% of student parents are enrolled at community colleges? The Student Parent Success Program, a program of the SFCC Early Childhood Center of Excellence, distributes a monthly student parent newsletter, events, and resources to student parents. Please help us reach more student parents – staff and faculty, use this form to opt-in to our emails so that you receive information on events, resources, and opportunities that you can share with student parents: https://forms.office.com/r/fr3gyHqQBC And student parents, use the form on our webpage to opt-in to our emails directly: www.sfcc.edu/family-resources.



WOW awards – nominate an outstanding coworker today!

The Office of Human Resources recognizes WOW recipients for their dedicated work and commitment to Santa Fe Community College.

Please be sure to nominate someone who you think is doing a great job here at SFCC.
The award is a $25.00 gift certificate from Amazon.
The submission form can be found at the SFCC Connect portal, Home » Online Forms/Surveys/Tests » Online Forms » Office of Human Resources or nominate by reaching out to Katie Cadena Priebe at Katherine.cadenaprie@sfcc.edu


New employees: We’d like to get to know you!

Staff Senate is encouraging new staff employees to come to an upcoming Staff Senate to introduce yourselves.

Campus Weekly would also love to introduce new staff and faculty members. Please send us your name, job title, when you started at SFCC, brief bio and photo (it can be a selfie!) to Submit News.

If you’re new to SFCC, we’d love to introduce you to the our community. We’re happy you’re working with us at SFCC!


Feature

Learn more about the Accelerated Medical Assisting certificate during info sessions Tues., Wed. and Thurs.

Drop in with your questions during sessions in Room 2012 in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center.

SFCC Medical Assisting students in the SFCC SimLab


The Medical Assisting Program will have a series of information sessions about the college’s new Accelerated Medical Assisting Certificate program on November 7, 9 and 10 in Room2012 in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center. Anyone can drop into the sessions at any time (during hours listed below) to get one-on-one information from representatives of the Medical Assisting program. The accelerated program takes only 18 weeks to complete.

The information session open hours are:

Tuesday, November 7
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3 to 5 p.m.

Thursday, November 9
12 noon to 2 p.m.
4 to 6 p.m.

Friday, November 10
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SFCC Director of Medical Assisting Jessica Balladares said, “The accelerated program can quickly prepare students for a rewarding career working in a physician’s office or other health care settings. Courses are sequenced to build skill level and prepare students for a career in the growing medical field.”

The certificate is accelerated, eligible for financial aid, offered in both Fall and Spring semesters. It includes a practicum in a doctor’s office or hospital and National Certification tests. The certificate is embedded in the Medical Assisting associate degree.

Medical assistants earn an annual median salary of $37,190. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18 percent by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Find out more about the Medical Assistant program by visiting https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/medical-assistant/. For more information about the sessions or the accelerated Medical Assistant program email Jessica.Balladares@sfcc.edu.


Ongoing news and events


Richards Ave. now open; ongoing construction on Beckner Road

Santa Fe County photo of intersection of Richards Ave. and Dinosaur Trail. Visit www.sfcconnectors.com.

Yay! The roundabout at Richards Ave. and Dinosaur Trail is now open. Please note: Some construction on Rabbit Road and other parts of Dinosaur Trail continues.

Here’s the official notice from Santa Fe County:

The Santa Fe County Public Works Department is excited to announce an early opening of the newly constructed roundabout at Richards Avenue and Dinosaur Trail. Effective Friday, October 20, 2023, at 3:00pm Richards Ave will be fully operational and open to traffic. This is the second of six roundabouts slated for the Northeast and Southeast Connectors Roads Project.

While we are satisfied to reopen Richards Avenue in advance of schedule, we want to inform our residents that the west connection to Dinosaur Trail will be established at a later date. In the interim, the existing signalized intersection located south of this roundabout will remain in full operation to ensure consistent traffic flow. Moreover, the east connection to Rabbit Road is currently under construction and will be opened at a later date.   

On September 11, 2023, the contractor commenced work on this roundabout with the strict timeline to complete and reopen Richards Ave within (60) calendar days.  Due to an aggressive schedule and optimum weather, this work was completed in (40) days. 

This is a great example of the commitment made by Santa Fe County to the community, to streamline any disruptions to traffic while we complete this important road project. Santa Fe County envisions the Northeast and Southeast Connectors Roads project as the most dynamic transportation conduit of the Community College District, strengthening connectivity and safety in this growing community.

For additional information regarding the project, please visit www.sfcconnectors.com or contact Johnny Baca, Project Manager 3, at jpbaca@santafecountynm.gov.

For any future road updates please sign up for Alert Santa Fe.

Re: Beckner Road. According to a Nov. 2 story in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Beckner Road will have ongoing construction for six to eight months. Read the story, “Beckner “Road to be closed for six to eight more months, city says”


Printmaking student Ruth Omlin has art exhibition continuing until Dec. 31

SFCC Printmaking Student Ruth Omlin’s work will be on display at the Art On Barcelona Gallery at UUSF, 107 W Barcelona, Santa Fe. The exhibition will be on display through December 31. The gallery is open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. Learn more at https://www.uusantafe.org/art-on-barcelona.html.



Student Writing Awards – submit entries through March 1, 2024

Genuine Foods Coffee Shop open, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; now hiring

The Genuine Foods Coffee Shop is open and is serving breakfast burritos, drinks, coffee, sandwiches, pizza and salads. Currently, the hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Genuine Foods has also been having a soft, unofficial opening of the cafeteria. Stop by and check it out.

Genuine Foods is hiring! Please encourage friends or family to apply here for a cook position. Trish Campbell, Director of Food Services, said the cook position is open. She shared, “Candidates should have some experience because they will have to hit the ground running and have knowledge of prep, cook, equipment and such. They also have to be personable and ready to please as we will be customer-oriented. They need to handle a fast-paced environment and take direction well. Starting pay is $18 per hour. I will also have a couple cashier positions opening soon and more than likely some catering positions, as well.”

If you have any specific questions regarding food services please contact Trish Campbell, Director Food Services at trish.campbell@genuinefoods.com


Spur Trail gates reopen; please stay on the trail

To protect college students and employees as well as the public during the NE/SE Connector project, as well as during the decommissioning of the wastewater plant, SFCC was obliged to close off the Spur Trail gates that provide access to Main Campus.

The Spur Trail gates reopened on Friday, August. 25. All users are reminded to stay on the trail. For your own safety, do not walk or ride off the trail. The college will be working to improve signage and wayfinding along the trail. In the meantime, please respect college property and remain on the trail. Thank you.



Video of Miriam Sagan’s ‘Castaway’ poetry reading available

If you missed Miriam Sagan’s recent reading, “Castaway” brought to you on Zoom by the SFCC Library, check it out. Note: Watch for several minutes and then you will see Miriam Sagan in the full screen. Read more about her reading in the press release.


CE partners with Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado; opens Fall registration

Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado

Santa Fe Community College’s Continuing Education announces a partnership with the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Tesuque. Registration for classes at the resort property is now open along with more than 150 offerings in SFCC’s Fall Continuing Education Schedule now available online. Print copies are available in the racks at Santa Fe Community College, the Santa Fe Higher Education Center and around town. Visit https://www.sfcc.edu/ce for tips on registering and to view the variety of offerings available in-person and online for personal enrichment or to develop professional skills.

SFCC Director of Continuing Education Nicholas “Nick” Wernicki said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado to offer some of our most popular classes on the Four Seasons property. These classes will offer a chance for personal enrichment in a magnificent setting. Attendees can enjoy the Ancient Sky-Watchers class accompanied by the Four Seasons signature S’mores and hot-cocoa. We invite the community to join Professor Steve Martinez for an afternoon of 19th Century New Mexico history or popular art instructor Michael Long for an outdoor art experience both offered at the Four Seasons property with a mouthwatering lunch at the seasonally inspired Terra Restaurant included.”

Bixente Pery, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado added, “Four Seasons is excited to partner with Santa Fe Community College to welcome people to experience the ambiance and cuisine of Rancho Encantado while enjoying superb lectures offered by talented instructor.” Bar and Restaurant General Manager Faith Shroeder said, “We are proud to share our signature restaurant with the community, featuring the flavors of northern New Mexican cuisine with global influences, all with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.”

Click to view fall catalog

Read about the full selection of classes in the press release.

Advance registration is required for the classes at Four Seasons, as well as other offerings through SFCC’s Continuing Education program.

If you have questions about the schedule or where to get a print copy, contact Continuing Education at ce@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1676. The CE staff can help you complete your registration.

Please see the schedule for other exciting class partnerships. Read about the Sake 101 class offered at Izanami Restaurant (page 10) and The Back in Time class (page 3) given as you ride aboard the Sky Railway.



Create a Free Will using easy online tool

Executive Director of SFCC Foundation Kelly Marquez shared this opportunity to create a Free Will in a recent email:

Valued supporters like you help the Santa Fe Community College Foundation empower our students on their educational journeys toward a successful future. We wouldn’t be able to strengthen this community without you. In gratitude, I’m writing to share news of our exciting new partnership that offers you a resource to complete a vital life task.

The Santa Fe Community College Foundation partnered with FreeWill: a free online estate planning tool!

This partnership comes just in time for National Make-A-Will Month, the best time of the year to create or update your will. Here are a few reasons why you might want to complete this essential task:

  • Security: Creating your will and estate plan allows you to communicate important financial and healthcare decisions, so you’re prepared for whatever the future may hold.  
  • Peace of mind: A will allows you to provide for the people and pets you love, so you know that no matter what, they will be supported. 

Make your Free Will at: https://www.freewill.com/sfccfoundation

Impact: By including a legacy gift in your will, you can sustain the future of Santa Fe Community College and help secure our learning environment for the next generation!

Nearly 67% of American adults do not have an up-to-date estate plan, and it’s a crucial document that helps you care for your loved ones and steward your assets. FreeWill’s online tool guides you through writing your will in about 20 minutes — and it’s completely free to use.

As you write your will, FreeWill makes it simple to plan a legacy gift of any size to the SFCC Foundation. Your legacy gift can plant a seed of support that will grow to empower hardworking young people who are the future of our community!

Thanks for your continued support.


Enhancements to SFCC.edu

In an email on Thursday, June 13 Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations Todd Lovato shared the following about the public website:

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing today to update you on an exciting development on our public website. For more than a year, a team of my MPR teammates have worked on a project to enhance our website offerings for prospective students.

We are pleased to announce that some of these website revisions – which include some updates to program and department pages – are being introduced today. Website updates and adaptations are an ongoing process. I’d like to point out, however, that the focus of these latest revisions was primarily to enhance the experience of prospective students on our site as they navigate the admissions process and explore educational pathways at SFCC. The updates provide enhanced access to career information, registration guidance and support resources. They also address some on-going technical and user navigation issues.

Many of the recent updates are best viewed by exploring SFCC offerings via the college’s Educational Pathways landing page.

These enhancements have been carefully developed using higher education best practice research, website and search engine optimization (SEO) traffic analytics, consultation with local web developers and writers, as well as ongoing consultation and collaboration with many of our colleagues throughout the campus.

Also, please note that these changes provide MPR with new features and additional ways to collaborate with programs and departments to further improve the website and provide prospective students easier access to information about college programs.

As with any web updates, there is the possibility of small, easily fixable glitches like broken links or re-directs. As we comb for these bugs, I ask for your help by keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Please contact MPR with these updates using the MPR Job Request Form. This will enable us to quickly address issues. Please continue to review and update your department’s respective webpages for out-of-date or excessive information. Please note, today’s message pertains to the college’s public website, and does not include changes to MySFCC or the SFCC Connect Intranet, which are not under MPR’s purview.

I’d like to thank my MPR team and colleagues across campus for their persistence, collaborative energy, and continued focus on our college’s future students.

We look forward to continuing to work with you in promoting SFCC’s outstanding programs to our community.


SFCC to offer coding and creativity opportunities with support from Apple

File photo of student using an Apple laptop.

SFCC will offer the Santa Fe region new learning opportunities around coding and creativity, with the support of Apple’s Community Education Initiative. Community partners include Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe Indian School, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe/Del Norte, and STEM Santa Fe, which will work with the college and Santa Fe Community College Foundation to cultivate digital literacy, digital equity, and coding and creativity experience to Santa Fe’s diverse community.

SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., said, “Santa Fe Community College is thrilled Apple is supporting our work to offer training in coding and other creative digital skills to young people who have had limited access to such opportunities in the past.”

The initiative will reach youth in a variety of locations primarily in the Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe Indian School, as well as at the Boys & Girls Club based at the Santa Fe Place Mall. STEM Santa Fe will assist with the initiative.

Read the full press release here.

For more information about SFCC’s role in this program, contact Dean of Continuing Education and Contract Training Kris Swedin via email at kris.swedin@sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1253.


Required COVID-19 Reporting

SFCC continues to monitor and follow guidance from public health officials and state and local government on mitigating and addressing exposure to COVID-19. The State of New Mexico and New Mexico Higher Education Department recently announced they will no longer require the reporting of COVID-19 cases amongst student, staff, and faculty who are on campus via the Rapid Response Submission Portal.

Our college continues to take the transmission and threat of infectious diseases seriously and we remain committed to keeping our community as safe as possible. Please note the following:

  • The college no longer requires reporting of COVID-19 positive cases to SFCC’s Contact Tracing Team.
  • However, it is very important we continue keep each other safe and follow health and safety best practices. The college continues to follow guidelines from the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator, which details the following:
    • You should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
    • You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
    • Ending isolation is detailed on the CDC’s Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 webpage – “Ending Isolation”.
  • Positive or suspected positive individuals should coordinate closely with supervisors to make appropriate accommodations, as well as reporting for absences using regular sick leave.
    • If you are out of sick leave and contracted COVID-19, please contact the Office for Human Resources to determine if other options are available to you.
  • The college custodial staff continues its rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which includes a campus-wide daily schedule, with emphasis on bathrooms, and higher traffic and enclosed spaces.
  • Additionally, Facilities and Operations staff have made significant improvements to college ventilation and filtration systems and those systems are up and running.

The College will continue to follow best practices, community levels, and infectious disease developments.


Museum STEP Passes available at Library

With the STEP Pass, you and up to 5 people can use the card for free admission to:

  • Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
  • Santa Fe Children’s Museum
  • IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art
  • Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Passes check out for two weeks at a time.

For more information contact: library@sfcc.edu.


SFCC ChatGPT conversation

Part 1: ChatGPT’s Implications for Higher Ed

This session includes a demo of how ChatGPT works, implications for higher education and how other colleges and universities are responding. This session was led by SFCC librarians.

See ChatGPT information and resources: https://libraryhelp.sfcc.edu/Chat-GPT.

Part 2: How do you spell the future with AI

See this video of the latest presentation from the SFCC Library – How do you spell the future with AI. This was the conversation from April 27.


Message about preferred names

Dear Faculty,

While the college has always supported our students, we now have another technological opportunity to provide an empowering, safe, and nondiscriminatory educational and work environment.  Beginning on Monday February 6, students will be able update their preferred name in Self Service Banner (SSB9).

The student’s legal name will be on your class roster and their preferred name, if applicable, will appear in parenthesis.  For example, Gonzales, Bernadette (Charmaine).  For legal purposes, the student’s legal name will still appear on all formal documents such as Financial Aid information, 1098-T’s and transcripts.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

With kind regards,

Bernadette Gonzales. MA Ed. (she, her, hers)
Registrar |Office of the Registrar
505-428-1881 | Bernadette.gonzales@sfcc.edu


OIT Service Desk Hours
Phone service 24 hours a day Mon. – Fri.

On November 1st the OIT Service Desk extended its phone hours to better serve students, staff and faculty.

Phone Hours
505-428-1222

Monday – Friday: 24 hours
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Office Hours
Room 528

Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon
Sunday: Closed


Free STEM Kits at SFCC Library

The kits are made available to the SFCC community through the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. Kits are available during the library’s regular hours. For more information contact: valerie.nye@sfcc.edu

Greenhouse STEM Kits
The very popular and free Greenhouse STEM Kits are available once again for kids ages 4-7. All materials are included in the kits courtesy of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum.

Come by the library to pick up a kit to use and explore growing plants from seeds with your kids! Kits are available during the library’s regular hours.

For more information contact: valerie.nye@sfcc.edu.

Balancing Robot STEM Kits at SFCC Library

Come by the SFCC library to pick up a kit to use to explore balance with your kids!  Kits are available during the library’s regular hours.

For more information contact:  valerie.nye@sfcc.edu

Solar System Bracelets

Solar System Bracelet STEM kits are available for kids ages 4-7 at the SFCC library. Instructions are in English and Spanish and all materials are included in the kits.

Come by the SFCC library to pick up a kit to use to explore the solar system with your kids!

Name Rockets!

Available at the SFCC Library

Free Name Rocket STEM Kits are available for kids ages 4-7 at the SFCC Library.

All materials are included in the kits courtesy of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum.

Come by the library to pick up a kit to use and explore shapes & rockets with your kids! Kits are available during the library’s regular hours.

For more information contact: valerie.nye@sfcc.edu


Need food? Campus Cupboard welcomes all

Campus Cupboard offers fresh, canned and refrigerated items.

The Campus Cupboard (Room LL302E) in-person shopping hours are:
Mondays: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursdays: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

If you cannot visit during the current open hours listed or are not
comfortable with in-person shopping, check out Bookings for more options. To access Bookings, log in to MySFCC, look under Schedule an Appointment, and click on the pink button labeled Campus Cupboard (Online). You can access the reservation and delivery option 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students, staff, and faculty are all welcome to visit the Campus Cupboard weekly for free groceries and other household items that may be available. Personal hygiene (menstrual) products are available from Free Flow NM.
Contact cupboard@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1775 for more information.

Visit Campus Cupboard for more information.

Campus Cupboard is supported by SFCC Foundation.


SFCC in the news

The following stories or radio shows either featured or mentioned SFCC or one of its employees. Some stories also are related to NM higher education.


10/18/2023, Santa Fe Reporter, “3 Questions With Chef Milton Villarrubia”

10/18/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Richards Avenue near Santa Fe Community College set to reopen Friday”

10/18/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Data shows varied voting records for local election candidates”

10/17/2023, Los Alamos Daily Post, “Higher Education Dept. Recommends $307.5M For Campus Improvement Projects Statewide Including $5.6M To UNM-LA”

10/17/2023, Santa Fe Reporter, “Morning Word!HED proposes $307 million in school improvements.”

09/16/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, MY VIEW ROBERT MARTIN – Celebrate at IAIA/SFCC open house this week

09/12/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “OUR VIEW- SFCC’s aquaponics program gets moment to shine”

09/06/23, Santa Fe Reporter, “Tech Pathways: Community orgs work with public education to bring students digital opportunities through Apple Community Education Initiative”

09/03/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Water matters: Local honorees of the Alliance for Water Efficiency”

08/31/23, KRQE-TV, “Santa Fe Community College Main Campus closed for water repair”

08/31/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Santa Fe Community College expects to reopen Tuesday if water issue is fixed”

08/30/23, Los Alamos Daily Post, “SFCC Main Campus To Remain Closed Thursday Due To Low Water Pressure” 

08/30/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC to stay closed Thursday due to water pressure problem

08/29/23, Santa Fe Reporter, “Ballot Building: Aug. 29 marked Candidate Filing Day”

08/29/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Candidate filing day draws 11 hopefuls for City Council, 5 for school board”

08/26/23, Los Alamos Daily Post, “Santa Fe Literary Review Reading Thursday Oct. 19”

08/25/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, Pasatiempo, “Out There, LISTEN & LEARN, Different trail in Santa Fe”

08/21/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “NMSurf brings wireless service to SFCC neighborhoods”

08/19/23, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Proposed south side development includes cemetery”

08/16/2023, Santa Fe Reporter, “Early Learning Core: New Mexico targeted early childhood education as a solution to learning gaps. How far can it go?”

08/16/2023, Los Alamos Daily Post, “SFCC And IAIA Invite Community To Open Houses Sept. 21”

08/01/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Santa Fe’s planned purchase of land for Richards Ave. from Game Commission back on”

08/03/2023, Albuquerque Journal, “$6.4M grant for job development benefits rural NM” From the story, ” Santa Fe Community College is identified as the “backbone” institution in the health care sector.”

07/28/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “City approves agreement with Midtown Santa Fe Productions for film studio expansion

07/31/2023, KOB-TV, “Santa Fe approves plan to expand film studio”

07/27/2023, Rio Grande Sun, “Santa Fe Community College offers coding and creativity opportunities with support from Apple”

07/26/2023, Santa Fe Reporter Best of Santa Fe 2023 – Health Services.  First: Best Small Gym, Second: Fitness Classes.

07/24/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican “Smartboard “- SFCC partners with Four Seasons Rancho Encantado”

07/24/2023, The Paper, “Apple helps Santa Fe, Native students expand digital skills”

07/18/2023, Los Alamos Daily Post, “Santa Fe Community College Offers Coding & Creativity Opportunities With Support From Apple”

07/17/2023, Los Alamos Daily Post, “SFCC Hosts Reception For ‘Following The Manito Trail’ Exhibition From Millicent Rogers Museum Aug. 26”

07/13/2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC student parent working to make sure others are represented”

07/09/2023, Albuquerque Journal, “In the Studio: Jennifer Lynch”