December 12, 2022

We want to wish you all a wonderful winter break. The campuses will be closed for winter holiday December 26 through January 3.

Don’t miss the end of the semester celebration hosted by the S-P Office on Wednesday, December 14, 1:00-2:30 in the Board Room, Bldg. 600. Desserts will be provided.

Because of their frequent interactions in class, faculty members can play a big role in ensuring students’ well-being and connecting them to help when needed. Informed by data from a Student Voice survey of 2,000 college

undergraduates, the following actions and approaches can foster a better understanding of the challenges students are facing and ensure professors are equipped to assist when an individual needs help.

Here are 7 ways to prioritize student wellness during finals:

1. Get to know your students' top stressors
2. Take an active role in student well-being
3. Show empathy by being flexible and mindful about deadlines
4. Include wellness resources in syllabi and class sessions
5. Strive for equity and access in the classroom environment
6. Participate in training to pick up on signs student might be in crisis
7. Make time for self-care, since constantly supporting students can be draining.

For details on each of these tips, check out this helpful document (pdf).

Are you ready for finals week? The library usually sees a big push from students needing quiet study space, and the library is happy to oblige. Our silent study room is exactly that. Silent. Our group study rooms can be reserved from home through our website, and the rooms tend to fill up fast! Encourage our students to take advantage of the space while the semester is winding down.

Also, for all active instructors- if you are interested in the library carrying a copy of your textbook, please reach out to the library OR fill out the library purchase request form. This form allows us to track and purchase textbooks to be ready for check out in the spring semester. Keep in mind that the library purchase request form is separate from the college bookstore. 

The library wishes you all a successful finals week, and we are here to help the campus in whatever way we can!

On November 21^st Bay Area twins, Nylah and LJ Joyner-Hall, gave a presentation about the Black History Project they have been involved with for the past four years. Nylah and LJ, who are now in the sixth grade, explained the project started when their previous school had no plans to celebrate Black History Month. The twins' mother suggested they create their own celebration, which turned into an annual picture book project featuring notable African Americans. Each year, Nylah and LJ select important figures from science, math, arts and entertainment, politics, sports, etc. Each book contains written research as well as photos of Nylah and LJ dressed up as each person they have selected.

According to the twins, the books are a way to discover and celebrate African American trailblazers who have made important contributions to society, and which everyone should know about. Their mother has been a huge supporter of this project and they have a fun time searching for clothes, costumes and props for each photo. After the presentations Nylah and LJ were treated to a golf cart tour of the campus with Rei Leal, followed by cookies with the Superintendent/President and a chance to personally sign her copy of their book. Proud auntie, Lisa Neeley, would like to thank everyone who helped welcome the twins to Solano!

On November 3^rd Solano staff and students attended a book launch for "How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multi-racial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good."  The event was hosted by the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, featuring a Q&A with author and civil rights lawyer, Steve Phillips, and PolicyLink's Angela Glover Blackwell. 

The Solano contingent was able to meet the author after the event and have their books signed. Phillips visited Solano during Black History Month in 2019 where he discussed his previous book, "Brown is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority."

On Tuesday 12/6/22, The Vallejo Center opened their lobby for both the Gender Affirming Clothing Drive and the Identity Mural wall. The students who helped organize the events at the center were led by the students of SCC’s PSYC 012 Course. Those who participated were able to come and pick up a favorite outfit and also provide to the mural identity wall an artful hand which will stay located in the lobby of the Vallejo Center!

Leadership Vallejo, which is a program that helps train and educate selected local Vallejo leaders from many of its business, government and volunteering sectors were welcomed to partake in one of their sessions at the Solano Community College’s Vallejo Center. In Leadership Vallejo’s 15th year and within its 3 rd session, SCC Vallejo Center’s auditorium room hosted the local neighboring school entities to present and speak, such as the Vallejo City Unified School District, two charter schools in Elite Public School / Griffin Academy, and Touro University. SCC’s Vice President of Student Services Lisa Neeley along and SCC’s New Director of Outreach Alfredo Hernandez were also there to start off with a SCC presentation. Cohort members within this group included members from the American Red Cross, CSU Maritime Academy, Kaiser Permanente, Recology, Solano County Office of Education, Vallejo Government entities and many private local businesses.

SOAR staff and students gathered in the 1400 building to share a Thanksgiving dinner.

DPS officers helped serve Thanksgiving dinners to our awesome homeless students and our Students Overcoming Adversity & Recidivism (SOAR) in the cafeteria. We shared laughter and heard about their great accomplishments and success so far from this semester. We are so happy for them! Keep up the good work everyone!

Great fun was had by all who attended the “Ugly Sweater Contest,” hosted by the Library and the ASTC staff, with Erin Duane acting as master of the ceremony. Disney characters, Baby Yoda, snow people, llamas, and Christmas trees covered with lights, were among the many colorful and festive sweater designs. The competition was fierce in the student and staff/faculty categories. Four students won the top prizes in the student category. Pamela Paige wearing “Straight Out of the North Pole, Patricia Escalada in Stained Glass Lantern, Lauren Miller and her sister, Grace, sported a Pink Flamingo, and a Baby Yoda for their wins. In the faculty and staff category, George Brooks won wearing a detailed male chest shirt adorned with ugly ornaments. Evangeline East came in second with her lighted Christmas tree sweater! Thanks to all students and staff who participated and made this such a fun event. The ugly sweater contest was a hit, and the staff looks forward to hosting more festivities. 

The Disability Services Program is becoming The Accessibility Services Center. 

Save the Date: February 8, 2023

Help us celebrate our name change by coming to our re-naming Open House!

10am – 4pm, Bld. 400, main campus

• Refreshments 
• Free Swag 
• Presentations  
• Meet Staff  

Check out our website https://welcome.solano.edu/asc-openhouse for agenda and more information.

Our first Faculty/Staff Family day was a great success! Participants spent a Saturday using the 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutter and the T-shirt press. We had a great time! Thank you to Karen Cook, Michelle Smith, Julene Calvo and Andreas Kaiser who helped all the participants use the different machines.

TimelyCare: Once a student creates their account through the app, they will have access to FREE 24/7 consultation with mental health professionals, as well as FREE scheduled therapy sessions online. It’s best if students register their account now as it asks for some info as part of an intake. Then when students need the services more immediately, they’ll already be set up to get help quick. For example, the TalkNow 24/7 access to a mental health professional has a 5- 6 min wait time.

Faculty Consultation hotline: 833-4-TIMELY dedicated phone line for your faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.

On Campus Wellness Counseling:  In partnership with JFK University School of Psychology, PsyD or MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) recent graduates or current students of JFK University provide brief (6-8 sessions) mental health therapy on-campus (Fall: Wednesdays, and Thursdays: Spring: Mondays and Wednesdays) These services are FREE!

Wellness Center: Bldg. 1400, Rm. 1428 (see attached flyer). The center will “provide culturally responsive services, in a safe place, where people can “chill”—yes, relax, play games, draw, share poems and other talents, and do so much more! We will offer support groups, co-facilitated by our very own well-trained SCC alumni and students, host presentations and share strategies and make referrals to places that all serve to help us be well.”

Crisis Hotline - 988: 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

Mental Health and Community Resources (pdf)

This information is also listed on our website: 

https://tinyurl.com/sccwellness

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the SCC Dance Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 15 from 11am to 1pm in Building 1700A, Room 1740.

Come join a line dance or watch the dance students.

Grab a treat and take pictures with your students, friends and colleagues in the holiday selfie booth.

S-P Celia Esposito-Noy will be joining us sometime during the event and is bringing her dancing shoes!

Congratulations to Phi Theta Kappa student Cherry Quitugua, who is the recipient of the Vacaville Chamber Educational Foundation scholarship.

Cherry is a return student and mom in the process of completing her lower division work in Biotech and plans to continue at SCC for her BS in Bio-manufacturing. 

She is the sole winner of this scholarship. 

Beta Mu Gamma, Solano College’s local chapter of the international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa [PTK], held its twice-a-year induction ceremony on December 1, 2022. Co-advisors LaNae Jaimez and Michael Wyly also swore in Beta Mu Gamma’s 2022-2023 officers. Superintendent-President Celia Esposito-Noy welcomed the attendees, and Professor Mike Silva provided the keynote address. This ceremony was a hybrid event, and Beta Mu Gamma hosted in-person and virtual inductees as well many of their friends and family members.

To be eligible for PTK, students must complete a minimum of twelve units with a minimum GPA of 3.5. New PTK members who participated in the Fall 2022 ceremony are Eden Altizer, Angelica Archibald, Michelle Chapman, Magan Cruz-Wingo, Aaron J De La O, Jules Ferry Toussomkameni, Charlsie Iannone, Cindel Jones, Danielle Jones, Juanita Morgan, Sumiya Ragab, and Leonardo Torres. Beta Mu Gamma/PTK officers for the 2022-2023 AY are President Andrea Solis, VP Cherry Quitugua, Recording Secretary Cindel Jones, PR Secretary Karissa Brown, and International Representative Scott Ferguson. PTK also recognizes the 50+ Rising Scholars to be inducted into PTK via private ceremony later in the academic year. Please take the time to congratulate these students if you come into contact with them.

Dr. Sarah Chapman, Trustee for Area 6 announced she will be leaving the Governing Board at our December 21, 2022 meeting. Dr. Chapman has served as a trustee since 2010 and currently serves as the Board President. She recently won a seat on the Vacaville City Council and will take her oath of office in December. Dr. Chapman has been a thoughtful supporter of students, faculty, and staff and as a trustee representing Vacaville, has always kept the needs of her constituents in mind. She will be missed. We wish her great success as a member of the Vacaville City Council.

Students and staff had a great time with the petting zoo and free massages at last week's "De-Stress for Finals" event.

We want to introduce a few of our employees to you!

When in doubt, contact us: helpdesk@solano.edu, or check out more resources on our website.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

SCC’s Vallejo Center had the amazing opportunity to welcome the Vallejo City Unified School District.

Sixty guests who included VCUSD high school students, their families, and their Superintendent William Spalding (pictured left), were given a special open house that showcased what Solano Community College has to offer.

With the help of SCC Superintendent-President Celia Esposito-Noy, SCC Student Services VP Lisa Neeley, Outreach and Recruitment, Automotive Technology, Ethnic Studies/Social Justice, Digital Media Arts, the

Wellness Center and the Public Safety Officers – prospective students were given not only a tour of the Vallejo Center, but an interactive experience to speak and engage with SCC’s faculty and staff. The program lasted for over an hour and a half, with students and their families spending more than 10

minutes at each program department. There were smiles from all guests including comments of planning to register and enroll in the next 2023 school year!

This is the last SolanoCARES of the semester. Happy holidays to you and we'll see you next year!