Department of Defense Visits SCC | |
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On Friday January 20, 2023 Solano College’s Vacaville Center hosted Dr. Katherine Sixt, Principle Director of Biotechnology for the Department of Defense, and Dr. Kathryn Brink, Associate Director for BioMADE (Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem), the Department of Defense-sponsored Manufacturing USA center. For a long time Kathryn Brink has been affiliated with the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) in Berkeley; this
is the organization that spearheaded the BioMADE application with the Department of Defense.
They were anxious to see the design of the Vacaville Biotechnology-Science building and to especially focus on the four suites of the Biomanufacturing training facility. And they wanted to discuss the Solano College Biotechnology/ Biomanufacturing program; their agencies view it as a possible “best practices” model for the United States.
Both the BIOT 63 and BIOT 10 classes were in session and the visitors were able to talk with students from both classes. Many or most of the BIOT 63 students were completing their Certificate or Associates degree and were preparing go into the Biomanufacturing Bachelor's degree program or into the workforce. Since BIOT 10 serves as a prerequisite course for the program, most of those students were experiencing their very first day in a biotechnology class.
Don Burrus, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Vacaville, joined the group to tell them how Solano College’s provision of a workforce continues to play a key role the City of Vacaville’s Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing Initiative. This Initiative has been successful in attracting five biotech companies to the region in the last two years.
Solano College’s program has been on the RADAR of the Engineering Biology Research Consortium for some time. Our program was explicitly acknowledged in their report called “Actions to Enable an Equitable and Innovative U.S. Bioeconomy” published by the May 2022:
Some community colleges collaborate with local biotechnology companies to identify and teach the skills needed locally. Partnering companies often hire directly from the affiliated program. For example, Solano Community College Industrial Biotechnology track includes laboratory practice, regulatory and business affairs, and biotechnology instrumentation. Solano Community College specifically cites industry partners who often hire from their program, including Genentech, Jannsen Pharmaceuticals, and BioMarin. In addition to their bachelor’s degree, this program also creates different certification standards where local community members can take streamlined or abbreviated courses to gain entry into the workforce.
Katie and Kathryn met all of the biotech faculty, discussed the curriculum (including the complete educational pathway that the biotechnology program represents, and saw the role that the program plays in the local community and economy – but student interviews made the major impact on their visit. They saw how the program placed students into a career that starts with a
livable wage and then provides upward mobility – how it “transforms students’ lives.” The students made such an impression that they both choked up a little as they were leaving.
The Department of Defense has been taking the lead in pushing the field of
biotechnology and pushing the development of the bioeconomy for the United States. They are looking to Solano College to play a lead role in this transformation.
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Speaking of advancing the BioTech industry here in Solano County:
Ilya Vensky, Co-founder & CEO, of HelicoBio (New Zealand) is looking for a location to open a branch of the company in the United States. Solano College hosted a tour of our facilities and he was able to meet with students and faculty. Don Burrus from the City of Vacaville gave a tour of the area and he met with the Mayor of Vacaville John Carli, and talked with Matt Gardner from the California Biomanufacturing Center. He is considering locating in Vacaville.
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Black History Month Displays
Black Leaders in STEM
Math/Science Building 2700
Sponsor: Pride Club & School of Math/Science
Black History Month: Queer Black Leaders
Library/LRC Bldg 100
Sponsor: SCC Pride Club
Black History Month Display
Kiosk at Flagpole Entrance
Sponsor: ASTC & AcSS
Celebrating Black History Month
Daily Affirming Activities
Wellness Center (1428)
Events
Tues., Feb. 7 Movie/Discussion: “Woman King”
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Room 1438
Hosted by Wellness Center and Prof. Rachel Purdie
Wed., Feb. 8 Anti-Bias Workshop
Presenter: Sgt. Bryant Williams
1:00 – 2:00 PM, ASSC Conference Room, 1400 Bldg.
Hosted by Dept. of Public Safety, ASSC & Student Life
Wed., Feb. 8 Black History Month Film Fest: “The Best of Enemies”
2:00 – 4:00 PM, ASSC Conference Room, 1400 and
Via Zoom: ID 321 536 4386
Hosted by Student Life
Wed., Feb. 8 ASC Open House / Find the Falcon
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Room 407, Bldg. 400
Hosted by Accessibility Services Center
Fri., Feb. 10 Movie Night/Discussion: “Queen & Slim”
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Room 437)
Hosted by A2MEND
Tues., Feb. 14 Black History Month Film Fest: “Green Book”
2:30-4:30 PM, ASSC Conference Room and Via Zoom: ID 321 536 4386
Hosted by Student Life
Wed., Feb. 15 “The Stonewall Uprising”
Documentary Screening & Discussion
3:00-4:00 PM, ASTC, Library/LRC Bldg.100
Hosted by the Pride Club
Wed. Feb. 15 Black Cultural Trivia & Game Day
12:00 – 2:00 PM, The Nest (Room 437)
Hosted by IMANI Sisterhood
Tues., Feb. 21 Black History Month Film Fest: “I Am Not Your Negro”
2:30-4:30 PM, ASSC Conference Room or Via Zoom: ID 321 536 4386
Hosted by Student Life
Wed., Feb. 22 Black History Month: Black Poet Showcase
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Bldg. 1400, Rm 1438
Hosted by Wellness Center
Thurs., Feb. 23 Black History Month Celebration
12:00 – 4:00 PM, 1400 Bldg. Cafeteria
Guest Speaker, Douglas Mungin, Faculty
Poetry Slam, 1-2 PM
Film: “The Hate You Give”
(also via Zoom ID 321 536 4386)
Hosted by the Associated Students (ASSC)
Fri., Feb. 24 Movie Night/Discussion: “The Banker”
5:00 – 7:00 PM, The Nest (Room 437)
Hosted by A2MEND
Sat., Feb. 25 K-12 STEM Outreach Event
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Vacaville Center
Hosted by MESA Program & B.R.U.H. (Bruthas Raising Up His)
Tues., Feb. 28 Black History Month Speaker: Ramona Garrett,
Solano County Superior Court Judge (ret.)
3:00-4:00 PM, Library/LRC
Hosted by Student Life
Thur., Mar 2 “Gift of Black Thought”
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Library/LRC Building 100
Hosted by Ethnic Studies, Social Justice Studies, & LLRC
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Honor Society Receives Top Honors & National Recognition | |
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The Beta Mu Gamma chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society at Solano Community College (SCC) has been named a Five-Star Chapter, the international honor society's most prestigious designation.
This five-star designation marks the first-time the SCC chapter has been awarded this honor. It is the culmination of a multi-year progression, beginning in 2020, when the chapter led SCC in its adoption of its land acknowledgement.
Founded in 1918, PTK recognizes and encourages scholarship, leadership, and service at two-year colleges nationally and internationally. Beta Mu Gamma-sponsored activities in 2022 included a series of listening sessions and guided discussions to learn from indigenous voices to honor Indigenous People's Day in October and Native American Heritage during the month of November. The development of these listening sessions included collaboration with Professors Amanda Morrison (Ethnic Studies) and Maria Isip-Bautista (Social Justice) of SCC, and they culminated in multiple learning experiences, including a lecture and discussion with Dr. Rose Roza War Soldier, Professor of Ethnic Studies at CSU, Sacramento.
Beta Mu Gamma also authored and submitted its Honors in Action research project, "Nostalgia, Play, and the Native American Experience," to investigate how "play" may contribute to cultural dispossession and how the act of play may be re-envisioned to support SCC in becoming a better ally to Native peoples and nations.
To be eligible for PTK membership, students must earn a minimum 3.5 GPA and have completed a minimum of twelve units. Members are eligible to apply for over $246 million in scholarships. Additionally, awards and leadership opportunities are available to PTK members. Last year, BMG chapter President Andrea Solis and Vice-President Cherry Quitugua were selected for the 2022 California Academic Team. And, in Fall 2022, five of its members attended the Nevada-California Regional Leadership Conference in Los Angeles.
Current PTK officers are President Andrea Solis, Vice-President Cherry Quitugua, Recording Secretary Cindel Jones, Promotions Secretary Karissa Brown, and International Delegate Scott Ferguson. Advisors are Professors LaNae Jaimez and Michael J. Wyly.
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SCC Students Attend Physics Conference | |
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SCC engineering students Andrea Solis Olguin (far left), and Marie Pavloff (right), attended the American Physical Society Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) at UC Santa Cruz January 20-23.
The goal of CUWiP is to help undergraduate women continue in physics by providing them with the opportunity to experience a professional conference, information about graduate school and professions in physics, and access to other women in physics of all ages with whom they can share experiences, advice, and ideas. The national and local organizing committees of CUWiP strive to create a welcoming environment for all, including undergraduate women and gender minorities.
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The keynote speaker at the conference was Nadya Mason, a Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prof.
Mason (photo on right) received her B.S. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on the electronic properties of small-scale materials, such as nano-scale wires and atomically thin membranes. In 2021, she was elected a member of the U. S. National Academy of Sciences.
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SCC Grad Accepted into Kaiser’s Bachelor of Science Radiology Technician Program While Managing Professional Skating Career
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Photos: Sofia Pica, front center, in California Great America’s, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy” ice skating show; Sofia in her cap and gown in May when she graduated from SCC.
Sofia Pica graduated from SCC in May 2022 with an AS degree in biomedical science and with the goals of becoming a Radiology Technician and professional ice skater and coach. She shares how her SCC experience helped her reach her goals.
Tell me a little about yourself and how you came to SCC.
I was born in Sacramento, moved to Vallejo when I was 10, and now live in the bay area. I started competitive figure skating at age 9, and began homeschooling so that I would have more time to train. I attended Heritage Peak Charter School and started taking college courses at SCC while I was a sophomore in high school. I graduated high school a year early, thanks to my SCC course credits. I then attended SCC for two years and received my associates degree in May, 2022.
What did you like most about the college?
My favorite aspects of going to SCC would be the class diversity and teacher to student ratio. The nature of community college means you are taking classes with people of all different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, and that is something I truly cherish about going to a community college. Additionally, the smaller class sizes allow you to get to know your class and professor and reach out to them when you need assistance.
Tell me what successes you've had?
In addition to graduating from high school early, I was able to maintain my ice skating schedule and earn certifications to be a coach. I started coaching full time last summer, and this past holiday season I received a contract to be a figure skating performer at the theme park California's Great America. I was also accepted into Kaiser’s Allied Health bachelor of science program.
What challenges have you faced?
Being an athlete as a growing teenager can be very challenging and rough on your body. Another challenge was learning to run my own business as a figure skating coach. I had to learn to manage time, money, and keep my clients happy. The Covid 19 pandemic and switching to online learning was also challenging, especially moving from in person labs and lectures to doing everything remotely. Readjusting to this format and figuring out what methods work best was a process, but with the help of my family, professors at SCC, and fellow classmates, I was able to push through my final semester and graduate on time.
What was your major at SCC, and where are you headed?
I received my associates degree in biomedical science, and will now be going for a bachelor's in radiological sciences starting this April.
What do you see yourself doing after you have your degree?
Once I've attained my Bachelor's and certification in radiology, I plan to go into the medical field and work in diagnostic imaging. I also hope to still have time to coach and skate in my spare time.
To whom do you credit your successes?
There have been so many people who played a role in my success over the years. My family and my coaches taught me to learn and grow, not only in the sport, but also as a person. My teachers and SCC professors helped and encouraged me through my scholarly journey. I always kept my goal in mind, and was determined to reach it. I've known since I was in elementary school that I wanted to graduate high school early and that I wanted to be a professional figure skater. Later in my teens, I realized that I wanted to work in the health profession in addition to having a skating career. I'm grateful for putting in the effort early on so I can do both.
Anything you want to add?
I am beyond grateful to my family and teachers who told me to enroll at Solano Community College. I do not know where I would be if I hadn't gone there. The affordability allowed me to save up for my next college degree and gave me the financial security to take a leap of faith and start my own business as a full time skating coach. I was able to live at home while attending SCC and the schedule and course load flexibility allowed me to put in the time necessary to train for skating. Additionally, the campus is so big and beautiful with many resources, it is a safe space for students to gather and study, or just bond and spend time getting to know each other.
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Professor Silva Selected for Fellowship | |
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Congratulations to Biotechnology and biological Sciences Professor Michael Silva who was selected for a fellowship from the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (CCPI-STEM).
Michael is one of six community college educators selected for its fellowship program, which aims to strengthen community college faculty and administrators and nurture their leadership skills in order to grow and diversify the STEM technician workforce.
“The CCPI-STEM fellowship will help me connect with other national leaders
committed to developing the workforce necessary to meet the demands of the bioeconomy. In addition, I will have opportunities to publish and present my research centered on how local governing agencies partner to support STEM education and STEM economy as part of my doctorate degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in Organizational Change & Leadership (OCL). Having grown up in an underserved neighborhood, accessing an affordable quality education was the key out of poverty for
many. While working in the biotechnology industry, it was the first time in my life that I did not have to worry about how I was going to afford food at the end of the month. It is my mission to ensure the same opportunities for all those who seek to earn a position that allows them to take care of themselves, and
their families and pay-it-forward when and how they can, to do so,” Michael said.
The CCPI-STEM Fellows program is funded by an Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation and provides an honorarium of $5,000 annually for two years to each of the selected individuals.
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SCC Students Give Mental
Health Presentation
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From left to right:
Grace Gittings, Victoria Calderon, Sophia Pardo, and Stephanie Ugochukwu
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On Thursday, January 26th, 2023, Victoria Calderon and Sophia Pardo of Napa Valley College and Grace Gittings and Stephanie Ugochukwu of Solano Community College hosted a mental health seminar at NVC on behalf of the Kaiser Medical Scholars Program. The Kaiser MSP program is open to SCC and NVC students and is dedicated to providing aspiring healthcare workers with the opportunity to become involved with their community and gain experience in the public health sector of medicine.
The seminar hosted on Thursday was part of their community engagement project, which they have been working on since the fall of 2022. The girls sought out to develop a program to combat the stress that community college students face. The presentation was on the importance of recognizing the stress in one’s life and healthy ways to manage it. The topics of the presentation ranged from background research from medical journals about the effects of stress to healthy de-stressors that one can easily implement in their own life. They then opened up the floor to Patricia Posada, an NVC counselor with a background in clinical psychology, to lead the group through breathing and acupressure exercises.
Sophia of NVC stated, “The seminar was a success! It was great to see that lots of people came and that everyone enjoyed the presentation, as well as the activities we had planned for them!”
Victoria Calderon of NVC shared her excitement when she said, “I will never forget the adrenaline rush I had after completing the seminar! It is a feeling I will be chasing and the KP MSP showed me how I can catch it.”
Since finishing up the project, the girls have been working on turning their work into a presentation that will be shared with the doctors of Kaiser Permanente.
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Gathering Circles Discussions | |
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As the prevalence of gun violence and police brutality continue to plague our nation as well as our local communities, the Solano College community responded by holding gathering circles last week to provide a safe, open space for dialogue, reflection, and support. On Tuesday, we honored the recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay by reading aloud the names of the victims, and reinforcing our belief that mass shootings are not normal and gathering together to discuss these issues is itself an act of resistance.
On Wednesday, we gathered to share feelings and lived experiences in response to the recent police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis Tennessee. We heard from staff, faculty, and students about their own experiences and understanding of the systemic nature of racism, the societal and individual trauma it brings, and the institutions that buttress inequity and injustice.
Discussions at both events included suggestions for how to stay informed and engaged, and the practical ways we can support each other and our communities. We know these will not be our last gathering circles, but we are also hopeful that despite the weight of these incidents (and the many others that don't make the headlines) Solano College can be a place to educate, inform, and advocate for change.
A sincere thank you to everyone who attended these important events. We appreciate faculty members Maria Isip-Bautista and Amanda Morrison, and SOAR Coordinator Shanan Danley for facilitating the gathering circles. We are also grateful for the participation of our own Department of Public Safety, clinicians, and members of the faith community at both events.
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The library is rolling this spring semester with a ton of events and activities. Follow our social media handle @scclibraries on Instagram and Twitter for information about what is going on in the library and throughout campus! Black History Month is in full swing and the library has some new e-books for our community to explore as they reflect this month – and every month – on the importance of celebrating Black thought, culture, and voices. Valentine's Day is also coming around the corner and the library is showcasing our collection of popular movies on DVD. Feel like an old-fashioned date night with a semi-dated movie on a budget (free)? We got you covered. Come to the library, get a library card, and get a DVD to share! | |
Plant Sale from Horticulture Department | |
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SCC Horticulture Club and HORT invites you to:
Pop-Up Plant Sale
February 3, March 3, and April 7
10 am to 1 pm (First Friday of month)
Spring Plant Sale
May 3 and 4
10 am – 4 pm
Both events will take place in Horticulture, Bldg. 1000.
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Student Services Welcome Back Event | |
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Staff from Financial Aid, Counseling, EOPS, Career Center, ASTC participating in a welcome back event sponsored by the Student Life event.
Nearly 75 students stopped by to ask questions.
| Clubs Invite Students to Join | |
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More than 13 clubs participated and 100+ students visited the 1400 building to check out current clubs and asked for information regarding starting their own clubs.
The students had a wonderful time.
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Due to rampant fraud through the Community College system, email addresses are not automatically given to students upon applying and registering.
How to Get Help
General IT Help
helpdesk@solano.edu
Canvas Issues
DE@solano.edu
Website Issues/Updates
support@jtmedia.zendesk.com
All currently enrolled new students will receive their @students.solano.edu email account at the completion of first census.
If you have students that need an email address sooner to obtain software necessary for their course, submit a list of these students’ SCCID, first name and last name in a spreadsheet to the helpdesk, and they can be setup sooner.
When in doubt, contact us: helpdesk@solano.edu, or check out more resources on our website.
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Early Learning Center Construction is Underway | |
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Construction is underway at the Early Learning Center! This project includes the installation of a new modular building and minor landscaping at the existing play yard. This new building will replace aging building 200A, and provide space for approximately 40 children! The project includes three childcare
classrooms, restrooms, and an outdoor covered space.
In order to expedite project delivery, the District is using a modular building system that will dramatically reduce onsite construction time.
This project is anticipated to be completed Fall 2023.
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President's Weekend is Around the Corner | | |
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President's Day is coming up and Solano College will be closed from February 17 through February 20.
All offices will be closed and no classes will be held.
Enjoy the long weekend!
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Important Dates & Deadlines | |
There are important dates and deadlines to know about each semester, including add/drop deadlines, waitlist notifications and holidays.
You can find that information on our website.
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