Summer Quarter Update • July 14, 2017

“Tonight we celebrated an amazing class of South students who have opened the door to their future in pursuit of fulfilling, family-supporting careers. I admire our graduates for their dedication, and thank the important people in their lives - family, friends, instructors and allies - for supporting them every step of the way.” - South College President Gary Oertli

Root, Root, Root for the Graduates! Celebrating the Class of 2017 at Safeco Field Forget grand slams, it was our graduates that brought the crowd to its feet at the “Empowered to Achieve” Commencement Ceremony on June 16, the first combined Seattle Colleges’ graduation at Safeco Field. Gathering at the first base line, the night brought together graduates from South Seattle College, , , and the Seattle Vocational Institute. Over 900 South graduates were celebrated, with over 300 attending the ceremony. Many thanks go out to the graduation committee and volunteers for helping coordinate such a memorable night for our graduates, and thanks to those who attended and cheered our amazing students on. Page 2

Class of 2017

Student government president Jacky Tran delivering one of four student commencement addresses at the “Empowered to Achieve” Commencement Ceremony on June 16.

View more graduation photography in our Commencement Gallery or by exploring our photo albums on Facebook. Page 3 Service Awards Celebrate Over 1000 Years of Working at South! Representing an astounding 1330 years of service, 100 employees were honored at South Seattle College Service Awards on May 24. The annual event celebrates staff and faculty service milestones within the Seattle Colleges District, with service awards ranging from 5 to 45 years. Congratulations to you all! 10 YEARS Marilyn Anderson-Burt Gene Baker Vanessa Calonzo William Castillo Danielle Ingels Anne Joiner Janet Kapp 5 YEARS Laura Kingston Shan-E-Zahra Alavi Kimberly Kopetz-Buttleman Anton Amaratunge Kali Kuwada Stanislav Asaturov My-Dung Le James Bentley Susan Longstreth Daylene Boehm 5 Years Dione Mack Ocie Brown Sol Mendez Jill Bruyere Brian Neely David Carter Kim Nguyen Barbara Castleton Brian Patterson Benjamin Crum Judith Reed Gregory Dempsey Jr Teklezgy Sequar Daniel Dillard, Jr Yosef Tsehay Wilder Garcia Y Garcia Maria Vera Robert Glatt Kathleen Weiss Geoffrey Hamada Douglas West Bradley Harris Reika Yoshino Kenneth Hempel Der-Ming Hsieh 10 Years 15 YEARS Hibo Isse Catrina Bailey Ethan Jordan Joseph Bosco Kathryn Levenhagen Bill Fredericks Michael Moreland Colby Keene Tanya Morning Star Darling Eric Klevstad Andrea Pollard Anita LaFranchi Paola Querzoli Heidi Lyman Leteberhan Restat Laura Molina Eileen Robison Curtis Peterson Jennifer Schill Larry Reid Tara Slemons Adela Saenz Kimberly Smith Molly Ward Emily Sprafka Coleman Jane Wainwright Terry Weber Peter Whelan 15 Years

Page 4 Service Awards Celebrate Over 1000 Years of Working at South! 20 YEARS Brett Bess C. Jocelyn Brubeck Thary Khun Kim Llewelyn Kristin Lysaker Dana Owens Remedios Rullan-Millare Baxi Vu 20 Years

25 YEARS Halimah Bellows-Rockfort Douglas Collins Danica Holly Kathleen Kwilinski 25 Years Melanie Meligro Robert Schricker Servillano Tila

40 YEARS Diane King 40 Years

35 Years

35 YEARS Murray Fye 30 YEARS Judy Hall Linda Chase Brian Hughes 45 Years Steve Hilderbrand Michelle Kasim 45 YEARS Michael McCrath Allen Stowers Jihad Othman Arleen Williams Dan Sutcliffe Danelle Weston Page 5

Donor Appreciation at Friends of the College 2017 On May 15, the South Seattle College Foundation hosted the Friends of the College Celebration to acknowledge the achievements of Foundation scholarship recipients, and to honor the generous donors whose scholarships have made a profound impact on the lives of our students. Scholarship recipients were joined by friends, family members, faculty, staff and their respective scholarship donors, with whom they could share their appreciation and talk about their academic goals and achievements. The night concluded with two powerful speeches by South scholarship recipients Daniel Juarez and Chhavi Mehra (pictured right). Both spoke to the importance of education, the hurdles they overcame to get to South and what they hope to accomplish after graduation.

Endowed scholarship recipient Zeynab Inaii, connects with her scholarship sponsors Jerry and Linda Hermanson. The night also honored the 2017 Alumni of the Year Award recipient, Mike Hagler (pictured above left with President Gary Oertli). Mike graduated from South’s Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program in 1990. Since then he’s embarked on a 27-year aviation industry career that continues today in Delta Air Lines’ Tech Ops division, where he was instrumental to the creation of the Delta Aircraft Maintenance Internship Program for South students. Read what Mike had to say about his time in the industry and how he got his start at South Seattle College in the SSC News Center. Congratulations Mike, we are honored to have you as an alum! Page 6

Cheers for 13th Year! Celebrating a Scholarship Fundraising Milestone On May 22, the South Seattle College Foundation was joined by longtime college supporters, students, staff and faculty in celebrating the Foundation’s accomplishment of raising over $9 million to support the 13th Year Promise Scholarship in perpetuity at four of South’s service- area high schools: Cleveland, Rainier Beach, Chief Sealth International and, starting in 2018, West Seattle High School. The program will soon be replicated at Seattle Central College and North Seattle College thanks to additional, separate support from the City of Seattle. South Seattle College alum Ruben DeLeon spoke at the event, telling his story of graduating from Chief Sealth and getting the opportunity to attend college thanks to the 13th Year Scholarship. Today, Ruben is a senior at the University of studying construction management. His story, like so many others, speaks to the impact of the 13th Year Promise Scholarship and those who have supported it.

“I didn’t know how much my life would change that day I learned about the 13th Year Scholarship, and it has. It’s been the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I came here (to South), and didn’t take the scholarship for granted. I felt so much support here, from faculty and staff, and it really carried me through.” ~ Ruben DeLeon, 13th Year Promise Scholarship alumnus Page 7

Principals • Pancakes • Promise Scholarships President Gary Oertli held a March 30 breakfast meeting with Seattle Public Schools leadership and elementary, junior high and high school principals to share the history, overview and future of the 13th Year Promise Scholarship. President Oertli was joined by Foundation Executive Director Heather Foss, Vice President of Student Services Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap and Assistant Director of 13th Year Julius Moss in explaining different aspects of the program with the goal of expanding the conversation so that students, as early as elementary school, see college as reality in their future.

13th Year Promise Scholarship recipients gathered in South’s TRiO Student Success Services offices for an orientation seminar focused on college readiness on June, 27, 2017. Page 8

Expanding the Fleet: AMT Acquires Lancair Aircraft A sleek new aircraft has found a home at South! The Lancair IV/P will join the Aviation Maintenance Technology program’s seven planes and one helicopter on campus, and the five planes and one helicopter currently housed at Boeing Field (King County Airport). South first applied to receive the Lancair IV/P in October 2016, after it was announced that three aircrafts modified for the US Airforce by The Boeing Company were available as surplus. At just 25 feet long and with a 35 foot wingspan, the small ground-operational turbo-propeller Lancair will improve and upgrade all aspects of instruction, adding a fully operational turbo-propeller engine and propeller combination, cabin pressurization, a Global Positioning Satellite system, retractable landing gear, a modern, fully composite airframe structure, crew oxygen system, integrated autopilot system and a full operating instrumentation system.

“Being an intern definitely increases your chances at getting hired.”

Andrey Kaduchok South Aeronautical Technology Alum Delta AMT Today

Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Partners with Delta Air Lines After an extensive evaluation process, Delta Air Lines has selected South Seattle College as an approved partner college in training future aviation maintenance technicians for careers with the global aviation company. Delta foresees high demand for well-trained AMT professionals in the airline industry, and selected South along with 38 other AMT programs across the nation as a training partner. South and Delta have already been working closely since 2014, when a paid internship program launched that has become a national model Delta in now replicating in other cities. Page 9

New Staff & New Positions Shan-E-Zahra Alavi Kara Schwartz Full-time Tenure Track English as a Second Language Student Success Specialist/Advising Instructor/ Basic and Transitional Studies Kara has served as a part-time advisor in the Advising Center “If you make a difference in one person you have done your for the past year and a-half as she pursues her M.Ed. in job, and that person has improved in their way of thinking then Student Development Administration at . you have achieved your goal,” wrote Zahra Alavi’s father while She brings a strong background in student centered support she was a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa. Her Peace and development through her prior work at the University Corps experience and educational background led Zahra to of Redlands as a peer advisor and residential life community apply for a fellowship to Columbia University Teacher’s College director. Kara has developed those skills more deeply and and earn her Master’s Degree in TESOL while teaching ESL in an gained a strong understanding of South’s programs and student underserved high school in the Bronx. After teaching and living populations through her work here. She will focus on serving in New York and California, love brought her to Seattle. Zahra Basic and Transitional Studies students. Kara has a Bachelor of has been teaching with Seattle Colleges for six years and is so Arts in Psychology from the University of Redlands, and this June happy to be a part of the team at South. will finish her Master of Education from Seattle University. Daniel Dillard Moriah Shistle Associate Dean/Georgetown and BAS Programs International Admissions Program Coordinator/Center for Dan has been at South since 2012, first as an instructor in International Education continuing education. Since then he has served as Student Moriah demonstrates exceptional communication skills, Success Specialist for the Professional and Technical Education has a strong attention to detail, and is dedicated to working Division, as well as Interim Associate Dean of Arts, Humanities, with prospective international students, parents, and agent and Social Sciences. Dan holds a doctorate from Florida State partners. She previously held an administrative testing University in Tallahassee and a Master’s from the University of specialist position at Edmonds Community College, where she Denver. supported students through proctoring placement exams and database management. She has direct experience working with Bailey Jones international students from her experience at the IMG Academy. Student Success Specialist/Running Start In her capacity as a Student Services Representative at the Bailey has been serving as an Educational Planner in the IMG Academy she facilitated the residential experience of the Advising center for the last two years, prior to that she served international students and additional administrative functions as a Customer Service Specialist for the Advising Center front for the office. Moriah received her MA in TESOL degree from desk. Bailey has been a strong advisor at South and has taken Seattle University, and she completed her TESOL internship at on many projects improving services and process for students. South. Prior to working at South she worked in local high schools in Texas as a teacher. She supported the Running Start program as Rebecca Yedlin an educational planner and is well versed in the unique needs of Full-time Tenure Track ABE/GED/High School 21+ Instructor/ the program and student population. Bailey has demonstrated Basic and Transitional Studies a strong commitment to South and to our mission as an open Shortly after receiving her BA in Liberal Arts in 2006, Rebecca access institution, she has also demonstrated remarkable began teaching at South. In 2012, she completed her MS in flexibility as an advisor always willing to help out to support Post-Secondary and Adult Education. Over the last almost students. She earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the 11 years she has taught in a variety of programs including University of Texas, and in June 2019 will complete a M.Ed. in Corrections Education, Business Information Technology, Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University. Medical Office Professional, and Diesel Technology. In addition, she has assisted in many departments across campus, including Workforce Education and WorkSource. Rebecca prides herself on being an advocate for her students, while also collaborating with colleagues across campus to identify ways to contribute to the overall success of the college. Page 10

New Staff & New Positions Vernon-John (VJ) Fejeran Lauifi Tauiliili (LT) Custodian 2/Campus Services Custodian 2/Campus Services VJ worked for South as an hourly employee last year. He has Lauifi (LT) is a student at South and has worked as a student great work ethic, strives to keep complete all assignments, has employee for Campus Services since fall quarter 2016. He is exceptional computer skills, and is a family man and is steadfast passionate about working with students of color, has mentored in his values. VJ is a hard worker who has worked for various students to achieving their academic goals, and coached high employers from Sea-Tac Airport to Krispy Crème. school football. LT is working toward an AA and AAS degree in Network Administration. Karen Herndon Assistant Director, Capital Projects/Administrative Services Hobac Tran Karen will assist campus leadership in planning, implementing, Fiscal Analyst 2, American Apprenticeship Initiative and managing campus asset improvement and replacement Grant/Georgetown projects. She has a significant background in facilities and project Hobac comes to the Georgetown campus after completing her management. Before coming to South, Karen served Highline AA degree in Accounting from South in 2001 and working in College in a capital project manager role. She is very excited to the Seattle College District Accounting office since 2001, both in support South in a similar capacity. Karen is a graduate of South’s accounts payable and accounts receivable. She has worked with Sustainable Building Science Technology BAS program. the budget and financial personnel at all four campuses and credits her ability to be successful by prioritizing open and clear Eric Huberty communication and creating positive relationships with staff. Program Specialist 2, BAS/Georgetown She is interested in this position because she wants to build on Eric most recently served as the Youth Reengagement Specialist her skills, take on a more challenging position, and to pursue an for the Seattle Colleges’ 1418 (Open Doors Youth Reengagement) online BAS degree while working. Program. From 2011-2014, he was the Program Supervisor for College Access Now focused on Franklin High School. Prior to this Kim Walker he served as a Multi-Campus College Coach with College Possible Student Success Specialist (temporary)/Georgetown in St. Paul, MN. In all of these positions he has demonstrated A Seattle native and a graduate of the , tremendous ability in collaborating with various departments Kim earned her B.A. in Physical Education. She continued her and programs within and across campuses. He has extensive schooling, earning K-12 teaching certificates in Washington and experience working with students from diverse and underserved Pennsylvania. Her work in community colleges began in 2006 populations. In addition to his passion for advising, he also as an instructor at Harrisburg Area Community College, where brings much-needed skills and interest in recruiting students and she taught until 2014. Returning to Washington, Kim took on connecting with industry employers. He holds a BA Cum Laude volunteering opportunities at Working Wardrobe and Lake in History from Carleton College. Washington Institute of Technology as a coordinator and ESL tutor. Kim joined South in 2015 as a part-time Embedded Career Bailey Jones Specialist. The Georgetown campus is pleased to have her as a Student Success Specialist, Running Start/Student Services grant-funded Student Success Specialist, funded through the Bailey has been serving as an Educational Planner in the Boeing Foundation and SkillUp Washington, assisting students Advising Center for the last two years, prior to that she served with low math skills make the transition to manufacturing, as a Customer Service Specialist for the Advising Center front machining, and mechatronics programs. desk. Bailey has been a strong advisor at South and has taken on many projects improving services and process for students. Prior to working at South she worked in local high schools in Texas as a teacher. She supported the Running Start program as an educational planner and is well versed in the unique needs of the program and student population. Bailey has demonstrated a strong commitment to South and to our mission as an open access institution, she has also demonstrated remarkable flexibility as an advisor always willing to help out to support students. and

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Southies! This past April, Kathleen Rathbun retired after 37 years of teaching in South’s Basic & Transitional Studies program. Friends and faculty members gathered on June 1, 2017 at the NW Wine Academy to celebrate Kathleen’s years of service to South.

After nearly four decades serving as an administrative assistant to our Professional & Technical Education programs, Sue Nelson retired from South on April 30, 2017.

On August 18, 2017, Jihad Othman will retire after 45 years of teaching history and political science at South. A celebration took place on June 2, 2017, honoring Dr. Othman’s many years of service to our students.

Forrest Dorenwendt replacing rotted benches in the courtyard next to the Robert Smith Building’s faculty offices in March 2003. After 23 years, Ted and Judy Coskey at Ted’s retirement celebration Forrest retired from South’s Campus on May 22, 2017. After 42 years of teaching math and Services on May 31, 2017. Forrest astronomy on campus, Ted retired on August 31, 2016. On was best known on campus for his May 22, 2017, friends and faculty members gathered in remodeling work and specialty honor of Ted’s decades-long career. repairing across campus.

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you know? Sponsored by the US Department of Education Federal TRiO did Programs, the EOC welcomes qualified adults, and aims to provide support to low-income, first-generation college students, and veterans (including family members) in an effort to increase the number of adults who enroll and complete an academic or vocational program.

President Oertli Makes Progress on SBCTC/UW Critical Issues Task Force Advocating for stronger transfer pathways from Washington community colleges to UW, President Gary Oertli serves as co- chair the SBCTC/UW Critical Issues Task Force with Paul Rucker, University of Washington Special Assistant to the President and Provost of Community College Engagement. The task force has forged an agreement that, moving forward, 80% of community college transfer students in the state system will get a much earlier notification of their acceptance to UW versus the general application field, allowing for greater preparation in advance of their move to the four-year institution.

Jerry and Linda Hermanson and South President Gary Oertli (above, l-r) snip the ceremonial ribbon at the dedication of the Hermanson Sustainable Building Science Technology Center. Melanie Danuser (left), of the Northwest Energy Introducing the Hermanson Sustainable Building Efficiency Council, presents the Energy Science Technology Center Innovations Award to We had to break out the giant scissors on May 17 to officially Victoria Hardy, SBST B.A.S. faculty, at the 13th dedicate the Hermanson Sustainable Building Science annual Energy/Facilities Technology Center on South’s Georgetown campus. The Conference in May 2017. ceremony recognized Jerry Hermanson for his steadfast support of the college over the years. Jerry, a construction industry trailblazer, is a former member of both the President’s Advisory Council at South and the South Seattle College Foundation Board of Directors. Jerry and his wife Linda’s generous NW Energy Efficiency Council Presents Energy contributions include the Jerry and Linda Hermanson Endowed Innovation Award to South’s Sustainable Building Scholarship and the Hermanson Sustainable Building Science Program Technology Endowment. The Hermanson Sustainable Building Science Technology Center will train future building managers South’s B.A.S. program in has been recognized by the Northwest how to run complex, energy efficient facilities through our SBST Energy Efficiency Council for its innovative approach to training B.A.S. program. facility managers specialized in running “smart,” energy- efficient buildings. The SBST program is a unique bachelor’s TRiO Educational Opportunity Center NOW OPEN degree designed to meet the needs of industry by providing professionals an understanding of building function and project A new resource center has opened at South to connect finance, further enabling them to maintain buildings in healthier, community members with educational opportunities. The more durable, sustainable and economical ways. The program TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) opened in May was launched in fall 2014 with Instructor Victoria Hardy at the to community members, offering free one-on-one help for adults helm. Since then, 49 people have enrolled and 11 have already with questions about paying for and attending college. EOC graduated. The persistence rate in the program is 89%. Enrolled advisors provide assistance with financial aid, funding options, students have seen salary increases of as much as 31% and career guidance and college admissions applications to qualified significant promotions. adults who seek to enter or continue an academic or vocational degree or certificate program, whether that program is at South Seattle College or another college or university in the area. Page 13 did you know? TRIO Upward Bound Program Presents Ida B. Wells Award to Rep. Adam Smith Each year, the TRIO Upward Bound Program at South Seattle College holds an Ida B. Wells Award ceremony, recognizing an individual who has made major contributions in increasing access to higher education for disadvantaged youth in our surrounding communities. Upward Bound, funded by the US Dept. of Education, serves students at Highline School District’s Tyee Educational Complex and Evergreen Campus, providing low-income and potential first-generation students with the skills and motivation to complete high school, go to college and graduate from college. This year, on June 1, Upward Bound presented the award to 9th District Representative Adam Smith, who grew up in SeaTac, attended Tyee High School, and has been a longtime advocate for increased access to college. In a statement, Rep. Smith said, “Ida was an early leader in the civil rights movement, working tirelessly to fight injustice as a teacher and later as a journalist. It is an honor to continue to support Ida’s legacy as I work with my colleagues in Congress to reduce educational inequalities.”

Number 07 Number 18 Number 19 Navigating Race and Ethnicity part of a paper collage series by Kaitlyn Carr-Kiprotich

South Seattle College Art Gallery Love Art Show 2017 Monday, July 3 - Thursday, August 17 • Reception: Wednesday, July 12, 12:30-2pm

‘Love,’ is deep, but difficult to pin down and highly transient emotional state. It can even be a call to social action, self-examination, or affirmation of communal morality.Join us in the art gallery as we explore this complex emotion through artworks from South students, staff and community artists. Gallery Hours: 10am-2pm, Monday - Thursday (Hours subject to change) Location: Jerry Brockey Student Center Information: southseattle.edu/art-gallery • 206.934.5337 Refreshments for the reception will be provided. Admission is always free and open to the public!

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South in the Spotlight

Memorial Day Celebration a Strong Reminder of Veteran Sacrifice In remembrance of the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms; students, faculty, staff and community members come together on May 29 for the Memorial Day flag raising ceremony. Thank you to South student Balthazar Reforsado, English instructor Bob Dela-Cruz and President Gary Oertli for officiating the annual ceremony.

(l-r) Angela Flores, South President Gary Oertli and Chhavi Mehra

South Students Selected for All-Washington Academic Team Honored for their high academic achievements, community Coins & Cords: Honoring Student Vets at South contributions and inspiring personal stories, two South Seattle College students, Angela Flores and Chhavi Mehra, were Graduating student veterans and those new to campus gathered selected to the 2017 All-Washington Academic Team on March at the South Seattle College Veterans Student Center for the 23. The program recognizes those who have demonstrated annual Coins & Cords recognition event on June 1. The event a commitment to success in the classroom and in the also served as the official welcome open house for the newly communities in which they live. relocated Veterans Student Center, which can now be found in Chhavi is an international student from India pursuing a B.A. Rainier Hall, room 120. in communications. She has a passion for journalism and English instructor and US Army veteran Bob Dela Cruz oversaw community service, and hopes to become a reporter for The the “challenge coin” ceremony, presenting coins to nine new New York Times to advocate for under-represented communities. South Seattle College student veterans in appreciation of their Angela comes to South from California, and is known for her service, sacrifice and academic achievements. Veteran “challenge tireless work as a leader, volunteer, tutor and LGBTQ advocate coins” are a South tradition, and given to every student veteran on campus, and plans to pursue a B.A. in electrical engineering on campus. Red, white and blue graduation cords were awarded to become an audio hardware design engineer. Angela was also to six graduating student veterans by Peter Lortz, Vice President selected as a 2017 Coca-Cola Community College Academic of Instruction. Team Silver Scholar, chosen among 1,800 applicants to receive a “Our annual coin ceremony is a holdover from the US military,” scholarship of $1,250. Way to go Chhavi and Angela! says Terry Powell. “Challenge coins are common for troops in every branch of service. Many times service members will be awarded custom coins to symbolize unit identity and presented to soldiers who have performed above and beyond the call of duty.” Page 15

More South in the Spotlight The pantry is supported by South’s student government and Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s Society, with Student Service and Activity Fees and community donations used to obtain food. The pantry was created to address the reality that students may not have access to community foodbanks during class times, and not having reliable access to sufficient food makes it stressful to study and challenging to be academically successful.

Donations are now needed more than ever to keep students full, and on a path to academic success. For more information or to donate food and toiletry items, please contact Monica Lundberg at monica.lundberg@ seattlecolleges.edu. Read the full story here. Tam Mai Tekhong Meach Celebrating Awesome Otters at the Outstanding Two South Students Named UW Martin Scholars Student Awards Congratulations to South students Tam Mai and Tekhong South held the first annual Outstanding Student Awards Meach, chosen as two of the four 2017 University of Washington ceremony on June 6, celebrating faculty and staff-nominated Martin Scholars. The Martin Family Foundation Achievement students who excel at South, often times in the face of personal Scholarship selects students early in their community college adversity that makes college success a true feat. While some career and will fund, encourage and support their study and of these students may not have GPAs that qualify for academic eventual transfer to the University of Washington-Seattle achievement lists, their dedication to their field of study, civic Campus. Tam, a Viet Nam immigrant, is earning her Associate of engagement, public service and cultural wealth was rightfully Science degree with a passion for computers and programming. recognized. Tekhong moved to the United States from Cambodia in 2014 and is studying computer science with plans to enter the field of artificial intelligence.

Tackling Hunger at South No one should have to learn on an empty stomach! Beginning in April of this year, South’s on-campus food pantry began providing essential food and toiletry items to students in need. During Spring Quarter 2017, the pantry served approximately 400 students and distributed 2,000 food products and toiletries. During Summer Quarter 2017, the food pantry will be open by appointment only.

(l-r) South President, Gary Oertli, Kamil Jiwa, David Mickelbury IV, Luan Nguyen, Rosie Rimando-chareunsap Vice President of Student Services, and Peter Lortz, Vice President of Instruction Page 16

Activities throughout the week included a climate change More documentary viewing, on campus litter clean-up, waste sorting in the Spotlight tutorials, sustainable water bottle giveaway and the Earth Week South Fair featuring a poster contest and appearances by Olivia the Otter and the “Bag Monster,” played by the one and only James Lewis.

Showing Off Our Pride at South Did you notice the colorful new addition to the flagpole outside the main college entrance during the month of June? In honor of LGBT+ Pride Month, South flew the rainbow flag to acknowledge the strength, resilience and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on our campus and around the world. Happy Pride!

Meet Your Mentor Series Celebrates Exceptional Instructors It’s no secret South has some of the best and brightest instructors around, and we wanted to let you know all about the High School 21+ Splatter Art Scholars great work they do to help our students reach their academic As part of an art creation assignment, students from instructor goals. Last month South’s communications team introduced the Jane Harness’ HS21+ art portfolio program unleased their “Meet Your Mentor” series, led by our academic work study Tori creativity on giant canvases laid out throughout the classroom. Flores. Take a look at our spotlights on South biology instructor Once their pieces are finished, students will cut and fit the Henry Olson and math instructor Kim Llewelyn. canvas into matte which they will later frame.

(l-r) Dominique Simmons, Sandra Rodriguez and Kristine Schroeder STEM Speakers Talk Industry Realities

Speaking to their experiences working in male-dominated STEM industries, Dominique Simmons, Applied Research Scientist at Saving the Earth, One Otter at a Time Dimensional Mechanics, Sandra Rodriguez, Process Engineer at Silicon Designs and Kristine Schroeder, Program Director In celebration of Earth Week, April 17-21, South’s Sustainability at Seattle’s Hub for Industry Nanotechnology Education spoke Committee and United Student Association (USA) sponsored to students at the Women in STEM panel discussion on April a week of on-campus workshops, activities and service events 25, sponsored by WorkSource, the Women in STEM club and calling attention to environmental protection and sustainability the Gender Equity Center. Together, the panelists examined the on-campus and in our community. barriers faced by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Page 17

More South in the Spotlight

Decoding Diversity at Student Services Development Day Student Services’ staff were all smiles at the annual professional development day on April 27. This quarter our staff attended the Washington State Student Services Commission conference, held locally at Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Wash. Held tri-annually, the WSSSC brings workshops and content from around the state and region that are applicable to all areas of Student Services. This year’s theme was “The Student Experience: Focus on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.” Many of our colleagues were also part of the statewide organizing and attended as expert presenters on various topics. Oh Wow! Rosie was there. I could have taken her parking spot. ~ Glenn Gauthier Page 18

“Growing up, I didn’t know too many males that had a job, and many of them mistreated women. It’s easy to get a distorted perception about how to conduct yourself when everyone Faculty Spotlight around you is living that lifestyle,” says Omari. “So for the students to see that I’ve been down before, they can relate to it, and it inspires them to see where I’ve came from and where Omari Amili I am now. To see a guy that got out of prison with a GED, who’s now a faculty member at South Seattle College, it opens their Ten years ago, after serving eight eyes to the possibilities.” and a half months in the Pierce County Jail, South Seattle College Inspiration is one of the messages R.I.S.E. Navigator Omari Amili Omari hopes to convey through said many people, including his his first book,“Transforming probation officers, expected him to Society’s Failure,” which details end up back behind bars. his time growing up in poverty, his experiences in the criminal Studies by the US Department of justice system and finally Justice have shown that more than becoming a “productive member half of all state inmates end up returning to prison within five of society and a scholar following years of their release. High recidivism rates can be attributed incarceration.” to a shortage in reentry programs, vocational skills training, educational and employment opportunities. “I decided to write the book because people need to know But Omari always had other plans for himself, and within 10 that you can get out of prison, years of his release had graduated with his bachelor’s degree turn things around, and do in Psychology and Self and Society from UW-Tacoma, and a something positive with your master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of life,” says Omari. “I wanted to get this story out there, whether Washington. someone is reading it in prison, a family member or someone This Spring Quarter, Omari started his new position with South who might work with people who got out of prison. We Seattle College to help others follow in his footsteps, shunning don’t need to make these people a member of a permanent the statistics and finding a path forward after incarceration. He underclass just because they got in trouble in their past. Let’s teaches life skills to people who have recently been released open up some doors and let’s provide some opportunities from prison or on work release at local community corrections because they might be another Omari.” offices in Kent and Burien. Much of his teaching focuses on how Being in a community college setting isn’t new to Omari. After to break old habits. his release he applied to and earned his associates “Basically I’ll be teaching decision-making, and helping people degree before transferring to UW-Tacoma. For a student like make better choices so they don’t find themselves back in Omari, with no experience in higher education and a criminal prison,” Omari said upon starting at South. “I’ll be introducing background, community college made achieving a degree a real them to some tools and resources like the R.I.S.E. program at possibility. South, and get them thinking and analyzing situations from “For me it was the first time that I could see myself completing their past that they might encounter in the future.” something,” says Omari. “To be able to go to classes and earn R.I.S.E. (Resources to Initiate Successful Employment), a credits towards a degree, I was actually seeing progress and it pilot employment program at South, assists students and gave me a positive identity as a college student. People weren’t community members find employment through services in case looking at me as a convict or a felon, which plays a major role management, job experience, and employment and training in your identity. I felt that I was part of a campus community. I assistance. feel the same way here at South Seattle College.”

Omari will work mostly with underserved populations from a Read more about Omari’s past and academic achievements in wide variety of ages and backgrounds. He says breaking away his feature story in the Seattle Times here. from habitual criminal activity and negative lifestyles can be difficult, but his own experiences have helped him connect with students who might otherwise have tuned him out. Page 19

This is a reminder that our web team (Christian Clemmensen and Mario Mitchell) uses a ticketing system for website update requests, a system similar to the one used by Information Technology Services. South’s News Center Visit our online News Center for an archive of press releases, When the requests involve corrections, updates, or relatively highlights of recent media coverage. and the latest news. minor new page or redesign queries, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and a ticket will be generated for you. Be mindful of the fact that the formatting of text within your e-mail will be removed by the ticketing system, so if you Follow us at South! have more than plain text to send, please attach those materials to the e-mail (as Word or PDF files) and those attachments will be included unaltered within the ticket. www.southseattle.edu By using the ticketing system, we can track our workload and ensure that none of the requests slips through the cracks. While Click!www.southseattle.edu/facebook we love seeing everyone in person or talking via phone, any www.southseattle.edu/youtube requests we receive through those encounters will need to be logged in the ticketing system anyway, so it is best that you www.twitter.com/SouthSeattleCC initiate the e-mail to ensure that your request exactly reflects the http://instagram.com/SouthSeattleCollege work you’d like to see done. For more information and tips about the process, please click here.

For more major web projects, such as total rearrangements of content to a certain area of the site, you can continue to contact Christian or Mario directly so that we can provide consultation Take the Quiz! about your ideas before they are entered into the ticketing system. Thanks!

Summer Quarter Update • July, 2017 The Update South’s newsletter is produced by a the Question #1: “Tonight we celebrated an amazing class of South students who have opened the door to their future in pursuit of fulfilling, family-supporting careers. Public Information/Communications I admire our graduates for their dedication, and thank the important people in their lives - family, What was the name of the official South Seattle friends, instructors and allies - for supporting them every step of the -way.” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli Office (PIO): Ty Swenson, Director

Root, Root, Root for the College soccer team established in 1973? Graduates! of Communications and Marketing; Celebrating the Class of 2017 at Safeco Field Forget grand slams, it was our graduates that brought the crowd to its feet at the “Empowered to Achieve” Commencement • The Golden Eagles • The Pink Artichokes Ceremony on June 16, the first combined Seattle Colleges’ graduation at Safeco Field. Gathering at the first base line, the Glenn Gauthier, Graphic Designer night brought together graduates from South Seattle College, Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, and the Seattle Vocational Institute. Over 900 South graduates were celebrated, with over 300 attending the ceremony. • The Otters • The Puget Ridge Pigeons Many thanks go out to the graduation committee and volunteers for helping coordinate such a memorable night for and Photographer; and Mac Writt, our graduates, and thanks to those who attended and cheered our amazing students on. • The Golden Hawks • The Fighting Unicorns Communications Specialist. Question #2: Get the Publicity You Need! Who was South Seattle College’s President in The South community is encouraged to submit items the year 1996? of interest, including events, awards, presentations, • Jill Wakefield • Peter Ku conference attendance, student achievements, and photos • Robert Smith • Bozo the Clown

to [email protected]. For press releases and • David Mitchell • Jerry Brockey

from 1995-1997. from

readerboard announcements, please allow 4-6 weeks prior to

the event you want publicized. South over presided Ku Peter President Former #2: Answer

Peter Van Borkulo. Borkulo. Van Peter

college league game at , 5-3, led by Coach Coach by led 5-3, College, Highline at game league college More Photos? community first their won who Eagles,” “Golden The #1: Answer Go to the G drive, PIO folder, Photos of South folder.