Kiel Famellos-Schmidt helps design a cooperative coffee village in El Eden, Nicaragua.

As co-founder and partner of Spacio Design Studio, Fresno City College alumnus Kiel Famellos-Schmidt uses his architectural training to show clients that design matters. “It has a value,” he said. “It’s not just aesthetics. It also has a functionality aspect.”

Kiel, an urban designer working toward his architecture license, was raised in Fresno’s Tower District before attending Fresno City College. Although he always had a strong interest in architecture, before settling on a major, Kiel said he “tested the waters” to see if he was making the right decision.

At FCC, he took classes in philosophy, writing, anthropology, and even archery. “I liked being able to pick and choose what really interested me,” he said. “It was a time to try things out. The experience helped me determine that I really wanted to do architecture.”

“Exploration is important.”– Kiel Famellos-Schmidt

With a solid educational foundation in place, Kiel transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where he earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture. After graduation, he joined Public Architecture, a non-profit think tank based in San Francisco, and worked on design projects around the world. Assignments included a cooperative coffee farm in Nicaragua and an orphanage in Sri Lanka. While he was a long way from home, he was surprised at how familiar it felt.

“There were a lot of conditions in these Third World countries that reminded me of Fresno—cultural issues, homelessness, agriculture, poverty—and I was feeling like my energy wasn’t focused,” Kiel said. “So I wanted to come back here and help, because I have roots in Fresno and I feel like I can make long-term connections. I can focus my energy to achieve some measurable results.”

Kiel and his wife moved back to Fresno. He found work at a local architecture and engineering firm, and even taught architecture classes at his alma mater, Fresno City College. He also created Archop.org, a blog dedicated to exploring and improving the built environment of the San Joaquin Valley. But, when he was laid off last year, Kiel took the opportunity to form his own firm with a few former colleagues.

The new company, Spacio Design Studio, is a boutique architecture and design firm with offices Fresno and Los Angeles. Their work includes anything from space planning to urban revitalization, but it is all based on contextual design that engages the community.

“It’s easy to do what you’ve already seen and what people are familiar with,” Kiel said. “The weight, I think, is on the designer to really explore what a client needs, rather than just what they’re asking for. Because there might be something that can better represent the client—aesthetically, functionally, and even economically.”

For a recent project involving ACEL Fresno, a charter high school based in Downtown Fresno, Kiel took a unique approach to planning the school’s use of space.

“Rather than talking only to the upper level administration at the school,” Kiel said, “we also held design workshops with the students and teachers—talking to the people who are in the space from day to day,” Kiel said.

The primary benefit of these workshops is a sense of pride and ownership among those who spend time in the finished space. “Even if a student’s suggestion was already planned the final design,” Kiel said, “the fact that they are engaged—and see their suggestion in the final product—means they feel a little more connected to it and empowered.”

Kiel’s time at Fresno City College is continually reflected in his career and life.

“Exploration is important,” he said. “And not getting stuck behind one idea. I was able to look around and experience other things [at Fresno City College] before committing to architecture as the best course of action. And I still practice that today. I don’t just settle on one idea. I’ll explore it. Both in design and in making decisions, you want to look at things from more than one angle.”

Willow International Academic Center 2 building

At Willow International Center, the brand-new Academic Center 2 (AC2) building is being prepared to welcome students and faculty for the fall semester. The 80,000-square-foot building nearly doubles the space of current facilities. The new building is part of the second phase of construction on the 110-acre Willow International campus, which was acquired by the District in 2003.

“We have been able to construct this state-of-the-art facility to better serve the students of Willow International Center now and as we continue to grow in the future.” – Dr. Terry Kershaw
Vice Chancellor, North Centers

“In California, community college centers are developed through stages, depending upon the growth of the campus and the ability to receive funding from the state and locally,” explained Dr. Terry Kershaw, vice chancellor of the North Centers.

Phase one, completed in the fall of 2007, included the construction of the 80,000-square-foot Academic Center One (AC1), cafe, and bookstore. In addition to classrooms and offices, the AC1 building houses a computer lab, art studio, forum hall, engineering lab, and multi-media lab. In partnership with the Clovis Unified School District, phase one also included a 12,000-square-foot Child Development Center offering an educational laboratory environment for pre-school children.

Microbiology Lab

The new AC2 building features a 7,700-square-foot library/learning center, chemistry labs (both organic and inorganic), a microbiology lab, a fitness center, and a dance studio. A new student services center houses offices for admissions, financial aid, counseling, a career center, and disabled students programs.

Library

Kershaw sees many benefits offered by the new building, including the “expansion of student support services and business services facilities, additional modern classrooms and labs, and the ability to add new programs and services,” he said.

Offices have already been moved, and students will begin using the new building when the semester begins August 16. A tour of the facility will be conducted for the SCCCD board of trustees on August 3.

Fiscal support for the project comes from local Measure E bond funds, as well as statewide bond funds.

“Due to the support of the local community and a statewide bond measure support,” Kershaw said, “we have been able to construct this state-of-the-art facility to better serve the students of Willow International Center now and as we continue to grow in the future.”

Aircraft mechanics are responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient operation of the aircraft that link many of us together.

Over the last five decades, the program at Reedley College has expanded with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to prepare students for anything they may encounter in their career. A 22,000-square-foot hangar with adjacent classrooms offers space for both instruction and hands-on projects. The program’s own fleet of aircraft and helicopters are always ready for practice and demonstration. And once the aircraft are ready to fly, there’s a landing and takeoff access strip right on the premises.

The program offers training for Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics, who service all the functioning parts of an aircraft, including wings, brakes, tail assembly, and engines. Students may earn an associate of science degree or a certificate, which allows them to immediately take the Federal Aviation Administration exams required for certification. Conveniently, the federally regulated oral, practical, and written exams may be taken on-site at Reedley College.

After certification by the FAA, some aircraft mechanics may be employed by major airlines, while others may work on private planes or for charter airlines. Others may become inspectors, in charge of verifying work and certifying airworthiness. Each option presents different challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities. Whatever path they choose, graduates of the Reedley College program can be proud as they keep us flying, secure in the knowledge they’ve acquired through the Aviation Mechanics Technology Program.

For more information on the Reedley College Aviation Mechanics Technology Program, visit the program’s website.

Born in San Francisco, Cho moved with his family to the Central Valley when he was 5 years old. He graduated from Selma High School and went on to attend California State University, Fresno. He earned degrees in geography, urban planning, and chemistry, as well as a teaching credential, before eventually becoming an instructor at Fresno City College.

“Teaching is a noble profession. It gives us a chance to help other people.” –John Cho
Asian-American Studies instructor

Cho has helped develop many courses focused on Asian-American issues, ranging from status and identity to literature. He views teaching as an opportunity to inspire and improve.

“Teaching is a noble profession,” he said. “It gives us a chance to help other people. As instructors, it’s our duty to help the students to be better than when they came into class.”

He also took the initiative in expanding the college’s Asian-American Month activities.

“We used to have Asian Awareness Day, or two days,” he said. “I said, well, let’s have a week of things. And then gradually the week grew into ten days, fifteen days, and eventually I just said we’ll take it for a month and call it Asian-American Month.”

The month now includes a variety of student discussion panels, lectures, and cultural performances. Cho views the growth of Asian-American Month at Fresno City College as one of his proudest accomplishments.

Cho’s teaching isn’t limited to Fresno City College. He has operated John Cho’s Kung-Fu School in Fresno for 20 years—one year longer than he has taught at FCC. He sees Kung-Fu as an additional means of learning valuable lessons like patience and persistence, he said, and “the belief that if you apply yourself, you will improve. You might not become the best in the world, but you will definitely improve.”

He also sees parallels between the martial art and the classroom. “I don’t know if everybody can be an ‘A’ student,” he said, “but if they apply themselves, they will get a better grade.”

River and Trees by Paul Buxman

The Friends of the Arts is a Reedley College organization dedicated to promoting the visual art of Reedley College students, on campus and in the community. On May 19, the group held its first event: a screening of a student-produced documentary film.

“The student film, Artists of the Great Western Divide, was a collaborative project with the Sequoia Riverlands Trust and a perfect event with which to launch the Friends of the Arts,” said Janice Ledgerwood, Reedley College art instructor and one of the event’s organizers.

The Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT), a non-profit Central California land trust, approached Ledgerwood about involving Reedley College in the organization’s annual Kaweah Land & Arts Festival. The Friends of the Arts and SRT developed two projects. The first was a series of short videos for use in SRT fundraising campaigns. The second was a student-produced documentary to be submitted to film festivals.

“What the digital film editing students have done is truly amazing.” – Janice Ledgerwood, art instructor

The Sequoia Riverlands Trust included the projects in a grant request to the California Council for the Humanities. They were awarded the grant for the weekend event. It was the first time in more than 15 years that a Central Valley organization received a grant from the council.

The film, Artists of the Great Western Divide, featured three local artists: Paul Buxman, a farmer and plein air painter; Matthew Rangel, a printmaker; and John Spivey, a photographer and author.

“We chose these three artists because of their ties to the Central Valley and also for the different media they use in creating their work,” said Ledgerwood. “Each focuses on the Central Valley as the subject for their art.”

Students in the digital video editing class worked on all aspects of the film: shooting and editing, conducting interviews, and creating special effects.

“Essentially my role was that of a producer,” said Ledgerwood. “It was my job to make sure all the background stuff was taken care of. Diran Lyons—who teaches the digital video editing class—acted as director, making sure that the students knew what they were shooting, the trajectory of the story line, setting up shots, et cetera.”

The final product was unveiled at the May event, but it might only be the beginning for the film.

“What the digital film editing students have done is truly amazing. Their film project will be submitted to every appropriate film festival I can find,” said Ledgerwood, including the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada and Sundance Festival. “Yes, Sundance,” she said. “I think the film is that good.”

The Friends of the Arts at Reedley College will organize additional events for community participation, including a trip to the Getty Center in Los Angeles and exhibitions of student work.

The program offers an Associate of Science degree or Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice, with an emphasis in either law enforcement or corrections.

Law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and those working in the criminal justice system must begin with a solid educational foundation.

Under the guidance of program advisor Garry Elliott, students are introduced to the ins and outs of criminal justice—from police operations and procedures to criminal investigations and law. Recommended electives include Community Relations, Vice Control, and Multi-Cultural Issues Within Public Safety, shedding light on additional aspects of the justice system. Some of these courses are offered on an as-needed basis for students completing the program.

For those interested in pursuing further education in criminology and criminal justice, many courses are eligible for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The units may then be applied toward a bachelor’s degree in a criminal justice field.

The Criminal Justice Program is a great fit for students interested in problem-solving and public safety. This passion for helping others can translate into a wide selection of exciting and challenging careers, and this program lays the groundwork. Law enforcement officers and investigators, correctional officers, federal agents, and lawyers can all begin their path in the Criminal Justice Program.

Jeff McFall, Head Coach, Reedley College women's tennis team

Jeff McFall grew up in Reedley, attended Reedley College, and spent most of his life in Reedley. So it was an easy fit when he became head coach of the Reedley College women’s tennis team three years ago.

“I like having the chance to impact lives.”– Jeff McFall

The first year was a challenge. Without much preparation time, McFall looked for players in the physical education classes. Some of the players may not have planned on playing college tennis when they started, but McFall was able to form a team of six—the minimum needed for a team.

Even with the small team and hasty organization, McFall’s team went on to a 15-1 record that year, and was undefeated in conference play. It was quite an accomplishment, especially considering the staff had “just barely put a team together,” McFall said.

The following year saw more success and another undefeated season in their conference.

The highlights of McFall’s latest season coaching the Tigers was another undefeated season in their conference (that makes 30 straight wins), a number of victories in the Northern California tournament, and a state championship in doubles.

“It’s the only state championship in the history of Reedley College athletics,” McFall said, “so that’s pretty exciting.”

McFall sees coaching as a way to teach. “There are so many life lessons a person can get out of athletics,” he said. “I teach life lessons through sports.”

Whether it’s dealing with competition or practice or defeat (although the Tigers don’t have to deal with defeat too often), sports can parallel many aspects of life. “I like having the chance to impact lives,” McFall said.

McFall is a father of five, and spends his non-coaching time as a real estate investor.

That’s why Fresno City College introduced the 25 Month AA Degree Transfer Program. Now students majoring in Business Administration can take advantage of night and weekend classes with guaranteed enrollment. Students attend an intensive one-course-per-month schedule, including accounting, economics, and business classes. Their education is rounded out with general courses in English, mathematics, arts, and computer technology. At the end of the 25 months, students earn an associate of arts degree.

With the Business Division handling the registration process, the students are on a streamlined path to a degree.

The program is designed to meet all requirements for transferring to California State University, Fresno as a business administration major. Students may also be eligible to transfer directly to Fresno Pacific University with a slight modification to the course schedule.

A new cohort of students forms each fall to begin classes in the 25 Month Program in January. This cohort of peers forms a unique network of support. With the Business Division handling the registration process, the students are on a streamlined path to a degree.

The program is administered in conjunction with the Weekend College program, which offers a separate associate of arts degree with classes taken entirely on weekends.

More information about the 25 Month Program, as well as other special programs offered, is available on the Fresno City College website.

SCCCD's new Chancellor, Dr. Deborah G. Blue

Dr. Deborah G. Blue has been appointed chancellor of the State Center Community College District. The Board of Trustees announced the appointment in late April and ratified her contract on May 10. Dr. Blue fills the position of retiring Chancellor Dr. Tom Crow.

“Dr. Blue possesses the leadership skills and qualities that will serve the District well as we move forward in these challenging times for California community colleges,” said Patrick Patterson, board president. “We are excited to bring Dr. Blue on board and know she will be tremendously successful as the District’s next chancellor.”

“When you put your students first in your decision-making you can never go wrong.”– Dr. Deborah G. Blue

The District conducted a nationwide search through the American Association of Community College Trustees, including input from staff, faculty, administration, and community members. Dr. Blue was selected from among a talented pool of candidates.
She holds a master’s and a doctorate in speech and hearing science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She has experience as an educator and more than 20 years as an administrator.

Most recently, Dr. Blue served as vice chancellor of district-wide planning and educational services for the Contra Costa Community College District in Martinez, California. As vice chancellor, she provided district-wide leadership, planning, and oversight.

She is eager to collaborate within SCCCD to achieve higher levels of excellence based on student-focused leadership. “When you put your students first in your decision-making you can never go wrong,” she said.

The new position will be something of a homecoming for Dr. Blue, who served as an associate dean at Fresno City College from 1991 to 1994, under the leadership of former FCC President Brice Harris and former SCCCD Chancellor Bill Stewart.

Peters Business Building. Craig School of Business, CSU, Fresno.

When Tiffany Lowe began attending Reedley College, she was a pre-pharmacy student. After a semester, she decided a pharmacy career wasn’t for her. But she went on to earn an associate degree in general studies, and began taking business classes in preparation for her transfer into a business major at CSU, Fresno.

“I was heavily involved on campus at Reedley College,” Tiffany said.

She served on a number of committees and as a member of the Associated Student Body, as well as serving as the student trustee on the SCCCD Board. “I attended district board meetings as a representative of the students of Reedley College and the North Centers,” Tiffany said. She updated the board on the colleges, providing a student perspective.

“I encourage students to attend community college before attending a four-year university.” – Tiffany Lowe

As a member of the Pete P. Peters Honors Program at Reedley College, Tiffany took advantage of challenging courses, preparing her for upper-division classes. “In particular,” she said, “the honors English courses greatly improved my writing skills. Many faculty members were great teachers who became mentors.”

Tiffany rounded out her schedule with a number of business courses. “I took accounting, micro and macro economics, finite math, entrepreneurship, and business law classes in addition to my general education classes,” she said.

Tiffany’s diligence paid off when she earned the Craig School of Business Fresno Merchants Scholarship at CSU, Fresno. The academic scholarship is awarded to entering freshman or transfer students majoring in business administration. Tiffany began attending CSU, Fresno last fall.

After she graduates, Tiffany plans to attend graduate school or start her own business.

Tiffany is glad she began her higher education at a community college. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Reedley College,” she said. “I encourage students to attend community college before attending a four-year university. I believe it’s a great place to transition from high school to college.”