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.”

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.

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.

Child Development Center at WIllow International Center

The Child Development Center at Willow International Center represents an exciting partnership between SCCCD, Clovis Unified School District, and the State of California. More than 30 courses are taught through the Child Development Program, which offers nearly a dozen degrees or certificates. The center offers opportunities to work directly with young children for students in early care and education, nursing, and child development. The facility has lecture rooms, offices, toddler and preschool laboratories, and a large playground.

“We have high school students working with us from several of the local high schools.” – Sallie Turpen

“The Child Development Center provides teachers in training with a model training site that will guide their learning in quality early care and education,” said Sallie Turpen, Child Development instructor. But future teachers aren’t the only students who benefit. “Careers in early care and education cover a wide range of fields,” she said. “You could work in an early care and education program, home day care, elementary school, adult education programs, creative arts and media, social services, community work, or a health-related field.”

One of the most unique aspects of the Willow International Child Development Center is the close proximity to Clovis North High School, and the collaboration between the college and the Clovis Unified School District. Each year high school ROP (Regional Occupation Program) students participate in programs at the Child Development Center.  The high school students work with mentor teachers to gain hands-on experience working with children.

“We have high school students working with us from several of the local high schools,” Turpen said.

Although the center is only a few years old, it has already making progress in a statewide effort to strengthen the early care and education profession through the California Community Colleges Early Childhood Curriculum Alignment Project (CCCECE-CAP).  Beginning in Fall 2010 the Associate Degree in Child Development at all SCCCD campuses will reflect these improvements.

“The goal of our profession is for all licensed childcare facilities and preschools to be accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC),” Turpen said. “These centers have exemplary practices, relationships, environments, and curriculum.  They are the model centers in our community.”

The center at Willow International is currently completing the accreditation process, with an aim to be accredited by the Fall 2010 semester.

Moranda Hern (left) and Kaylei Deakin founders of The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs.

Throughout April, Willow International student Moranda Hern is featured in a program on the Pentagon Channel, a network for those serving in the U.S. Military and their families. The program, “Recon: Home Front,” highlights the efforts of Moranda, a high school senior attending college classes, to form a support group for teenage daughters of deployed parents.

When Moranda’s father, a member of the National Guard, was deployed to Afghanistan, the strain of physical separation was just the beginning.

Because National Guard troops live away from a centralized military base, none of Moranda’s friends had parents in the military, and they didn’t know how to react when her dad went to war. Instead, her friends drifted away.

“We are growing the sisterhood with our mantra: unite, inspire, lead.” —Moranda Hern

“They wouldn’t call me, they wouldn’t return my calls,” said Moranda. “They wouldn’t come over, see how I was doing.”

Her self-confidence sunk. She became almost reclusive, withdrawing from day-to-day activities. The normal teenage pressures were compounded by the stress of a parent in the military, and Moranda felt alone.

Then she met Kaylei Deakin, another teen whose father had been deployed to Afghanistan and who had faced similar issues of hardship. The pair met at a national conference intended to encourage young women to follow their dreams.

On the plane ride home, Moranda and Kaylei hatched a plan for a conference of their own: a conference aimed at bringing together teenage daughters of parents in the military. The pair gathered their ideas and presented them to Brig. Gen. Mary Kight at the National Guard headquarters in Sacramento. Kight was as inspired as the young women.

Thus was born “The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs” (BDUs are what the battle uniforms are called in the Army). In March, the first conference of the group met at the Clovis Memorial District Hall. More than 100 girls from throughout California spent the weekend listening to speakers, attending workshops, and simply “coming together to support each other,” Moranda said.

“We need to give military girls the empowerment and the sisterly support they need,” she said, “to become stronger through deployments and become stronger through reintegration and everything that comes with being a military child. It shouldn’t just be written off as ‘girls and their teenage issues’ because it’s much more than that.”

Moranda and Kaylei hope the sisterhood will continue with more conferences and expand to other states.

“We are growing the sisterhood with our mantra: unite, inspire, lead,” Moranda said.

The full story can be viewed at http://www.pentagonchannel.mil.

Attendees—in semi-formal or masquerade attire—will spend the evening dancing and enjoying hors d’oeuvres. They will also receive a complimentary photo and a chance to win door prizes.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and our community to be a part of history in the making,” said Erika Gutierrez, FCC Student Trustee. “This will be a great social event for students to get to know other students and college staff while celebrating FCC’s 100th anniversary.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and our community to be a part of history in the making.” —Erika Gutierrez
FCC Student Trustee

Fresno City College was established in 1910 (as Fresno Junior College) by Charles L. McLane, superintendent of Fresno schools. The first class of 20 students is a quite a bit smaller that the tens of thousands SCCCD educates annually now, 100 years later. But the commitment to quality education and community-driven spirit remain the same.

The Centennial Celebration began on New Year’s Eve with the Centennial Ball and culminates in the Centennial Convocation in September. After the Masquerade Ball, the next Centennial Celebration event will feature guided tours of the campus trees and landscaping on May 1, 2010.

The Centennial Masquerade Ball will be held Friday, April 16, 2010 from 7pm to midnight in the FCC Cafeteria. Tickets may be purchased at the FCC Business Office for $30 per individual or $50 per couple. On April 14 and 15, tickets will be “buy one, get one free.” Tickets will not be sold at the door. Call (559) 442-8275 for more information.

PAL participants and their Reedley College mentors from PAL Orientation Seminar in November 2009.

“This program focuses on keeping students interested in agriculture on the path to a college education and ultimately to an agricultural career,” said Alberto Godinez, a PAL participant and a Reedley High School junior.

“This program focuses on keeping students interested in agriculture on the path to a college education and ultimately to an agricultural career.” —Alberto Godinez
PAL participant

The two-year program includes seminars at leading agriculture colleges and research centers. The sessions in the first year include expert panels, workshops, group discussions, and study assignments. In addition to Reedley College, seminars are conducted at Fresno State, Cal Poly, UC Davis VMTRC, the USDA Ag Research Center, and the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center. The second year focuses on current agricultural issues such as water, trade, and policy. Participants also serve their local communities through volunteer projects.

Each year, the program includes 40 high school juniors from Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties. Participants in the competitive program also have a chance to earn scholarships of up to $50,000 upon graduation.

Reedley College offers a variety of agriculture courses and majors related to field, including horticulture, natural resources, mechanized agriculture, and forestry. For more information on the PAL program at Reedley College call 559-637-2539 or visit their website.

Japanese Americans in front of poster with internment orders.

Now, nearly 70 years later, the State of California and its colleges and universities, including SCCCD, are officially recognizing these former students whose education was disrupted or cut short by their internment. State Assembly Bill (AB 37) was enacted for this purpose, establishing the Nisei College Diploma Project. The term Nisei refers to a person born in the U.S. or Canada whose parents were immigrants from Japan: from the Japanese, literally “second generation.”

“Our hope is that this honor will offer Nisei an opportunity for healing…”—Paul Osaki
Executive Director
Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California

The Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) is coordinating the project. Executive Director Paul Osaki explains further: “The JCCCNC California Nisei College Diploma Project is available to help make the process as simple as possible. Our hope is that this honor will offer Nisei an opportunity for healing from this grave injustice and the loss of critical educational years during their youth.”

Following the lead of the University of California, Berkeley—which bestowed honorary diplomas to 42 former students in December—SCCCD will present honorary degrees to all Japanese Americans who were students during World War II and had their education disrupted by incarceration in internment camps. Nisei students attending Fresno City College or Reedley College in 1941 or 1942 are eligible to receive the honorary degree. Families of eligible individuals who are now deceased may apply on behalf of their relatives to accept the honorary degree.

Identifying potential honorees

The colleges need your assistance in identifying potential honorees. If you know of any potential recipients, contact Deborah Ikeda at 559-325-5214 or email deborah.ikeda@scccd.edu. The colleges will validate the honoree’s attendance and contact the family regarding the ceremony. Please provide potential honoree’s first and last name, date of birth, and any other names he or she may have used (e.g., maiden name). In addition, please provide contact information including your name, telephone number with area code, street address and email.

The new Residence Hall at Reedley College. (Photo courtesy of Conlan Spangler.)

In December, Reedley College officially unveiled the new Sequoia Residence Hall. The two-tone building, tucked in the quiet south corner of the campus, is able to house almost 150 students. The new hall replaces the previous 35-year-old residence hall.

The building, tucked in the quiet south corner of the campus, is able to house almost 150 students. The new hall replaces the previous, 35-year-old residence hall.

Each room in the new facility houses two students and includes two beds and mattresses with attached desks, as well as chairs and wardrobe closets. Some units include microwave/ refrigerator combinations. All rooms have individually-controlled heating and air-conditioning. The rest of the building includes a common recreation room, a six-station computer lab, and a full kitchen for student use. Each of the two floors contains separate restroom and laundry facilities.

The location of the hall is near the sports fields, providing residents access to a variety of recreational activities including outdoor tennis, basketball, volleyball, and racquetball. The gymnasium and swimming pool facilities are also available for use. In addition, several leisure activities are being planned by staff to offer relaxation and social interactions for residents.

But it’s not all fun and games for Sequoia Hall residents: courtesy hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., requiring quiet conditions conducive to study and sleep. This encompasses the entire building, as well as the immediate vicinity. A number of security cameras onsite provide additional security.

In addition to the new construction, the Reedley College student center is undergoing extensive renovations including the addition of meeting rooms and study areas.

Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) building at the Madera Center

The new Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) building at the Madera Center was officially unveiled at a dedication ceremony on September 22. The 7,750-square-foot facility, funded in part by Measure E bonds, contains occupational laboratories and classrooms, as well as offices and storage space.

“This program is ideal for not only those interested in making a career change, but also those who work in the field and want to upgrade their skills.” — Dr. Terry Kershaw

The building provides space for students to work hands-on in a machine and hydraulics shop, an electric shop, a mechanics shop, and a welding shop. These disciplines are all aspects of the new Maintenance Mechanic Program, which includes courses in welding, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical motor control, and wiring.

The program is designed for “students looking for a short-term, one-semester, job-ready training program,” said Dr. Terry Kershaw, vice chancellor of the North Centers. “We’re very excited to offer a new program that will assist those interested in entering the area of industrial mechanics. This program is ideal for not only those interested in making a career change, but also those who work in the field and want to upgrade their skills.” Upon completion, students are presented with a maintenance mechanic certificate.

Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) building at the Madera Center

The classes, which are offered during the day and evenings to accommodate diverse schedules, focus on both technical and job preparation skills. Erik Hanson, instructor of maintenance mechanics, described the program as “intensely practical.” He said, “When students complete the Maintenance Mechanic Program, they will not only have gained experience in using calipers, micrometers, welding, circuitry, and understanding industry codes, they will also leave with a resume and having experienced a mock interview.”

For more information about the Maintenance Mechanic Program, please visit the Madera Center website or call (559) 675-4800.