SAN JACINTO COLLEGE WWW.SANJAC.EDU

Pastry chef students Scholarship winner followed Mental health services program 2 construct giant 3 passion for computers 4 promotes caring for others, self gingerbread village

SANJAC.EDU CHRONICLE CUSTOM ADVERTISING SECTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 2 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | January 5, 2020 sanjac.edu News frOm YOur COllege

College hosts presented the College with the ACS Pastry chef students Outstanding Kids & Chemistry Award, Maritime Throwdown part of the national ChemLuminary construct massive Awards for excellence in gingerbread village The San Jacinto College Maritime promoting chemistry. Program hosted the 2019 Maritime Through the STEM Council’s This was not your mama’s Throwdown Competition Houston leadership, the College introduces more holiday baking. Regional Qualifier. The annual than 7,000 pre-college students to STEM But San Jacinto College Pastry Chef industrial maritime line-handling and education and career opportunities each Program students made mass quantities line-throwing skills competition was year. Events include STEM expos for look easy with their construction of the created to increase skill and safety while elementary students, Mind Trekkers for annual gingerbread village at the showcasing the maritime industry middle schoolers, the Aerospace Academy North Campus. to the public. Photo courtesy of Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College Space Day, and science fairs combined After weeks of preparation, quantity The qualifier featured San Jac Dance, a national educational outreach with campus tours. baking and cake decorating classes maritime students and industry organization, works with under- Although ACS-GHS received the assembled the village Dec. 5 for display professionals from six different maritime served communities to show students national recognition, the chapter on campus before the holiday break. companies all competing for the best The project scale — five gallons of how diversity, technology, and dance honored San Jacinto College for its time in various obstacles simulating field molasses, 80 pounds of flour, and 100 merge together to empower, educate, expansive STEM outreach that puts situations. Prizes included a 4x4 ATV pounds of powdered sugar — put the and encourage the next generation of Houston on the radar. average home kitchen’s December output and more than $15,000 for winners, who technical innovators. ACS-GHS ranked third in outreach to shame. qualified for the finals in May 2020 held Beach gave a morning presentation nationwide in 2016 and first in 2017 and “I include this project in our in St. Louis, Mo. about her personal story growing up 2018, thanks to the College’s initiatives. curriculum because it is a common The 2019 winners included: Aim in the dance, art, and STEM worlds ACS-GHS and San Jacinto College request of pastry chefs this time of year,” challenge — Smalls Whitaker, Cheryl and how she formed STEM From said Chef Andrea Huerta, North Campus K Marine, winning the longest throw Dance to inspire young girls to pursue culinary arts program director. “It’s in distance caught with a single-part STEM fields. The afternoon featured overwhelming if you have never done line; Line handling course — first a computer programming coding it before.” place, Stephen Conner, NGL Marine; workshop where participants learned Students turned out sheet after sheet and second place, Smalls Whitaker; simple coding for light-up technology of spice-infused gingerbread in mid- Overall best time - Grant Seibolt, San they could wear while performing November. Next, they cut the house walls Jac sophomore maritime student, who a dance they choreographed. using templates, toasted the pieces to finished third overall in the throwdown. The workshop ended with a fun harden them, and assembled the houses. performance by attendees wearing the Finally, students decorated the houses technology they coded. Photo courtesy of Maxx Shearod and arranged them in the village, along For more information on STEM From with candy landscaping. Dance, visit stemfromdance.org. have a long partnership. For two The project teaches time management, decades, the local chapter has helped large batch cooking, and construction and San Jac earns fund the College’s STEM outreach design skills. ChemLuminary kudos programs, said Dr. Ann Cartwright, “It’s a very fun project to get behind,” STEM Council co-chair. Huerta said. “I never have trouble getting The San Jacinto College STEM “At the STEM expo on Central students to buy in to the excitement of Photo courtesy of Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College Council has done it again. Campus in October, the Greater this project.” Dance, technology Thanks to continued STEM (science, Houston section had a booth to technology, engineering, and math) conduct experiments with our guests,” collide for outreach to local K-12 students, Dr. Cartwright said. “They saw San Lyceum event San Jacinto College earned recognition Jacinto College in action and were very this fall from the American Chemical impressed with our student volunteers. The San Jacinto College South Society - Section We have a great partnership, with many Campus Lyceum Committee hosted (ACS-GHS). of our chemistry faculty serving as STEM From Dance founder and CEO At its annual awards banquet members of the local chapter and several

Yamilée Toussaint Beach. STEM From in October, the Houston chapter having served as officers.” Photo courtesy of Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College sanjac.edu Sunday | January 5, 2020 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 3

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ScholarShip winner followed her paSSion for computerS

By Cheryl P. Rose programming science workshop is an international organization that CORRESPONDENT focused on women. I knew a lot about recognizes academic achievement at a computers, but I didn’t know how to two-year college. As a young girl in Nigeria, Ruth Obe write code. Once I learned, I loved it and Obe plans to take a year or so to was fascinated with computers. But wanted to spend all my time doing it.” work before pursuing a bachelor’s as she embarked on her university Obe came to San Jacinto College degree. She hopes one day to work with education, she didn’t have any examples in 2017 and recently graduated with a big tech firm. or mentors of women working in an associate degree in computer and “I’d like to build up to a be a senior Ruth Obe Photo courtesy of Sophia Primera, San Jacinto College computers as a career. information sciences. software engineer for a company like Last fall, Obe won the Phi Theta “I wasn’t motivated to go to university Google, Apple, or Amazon,” she said. takeaway Obe has learned from her Kappa New Century Workforce Pathway to study computers because I didn’t have “It’s my big dream I’m working toward.” education journey is that finding the Scholarship from among more than During her time at San Jacinto people around me in those careers. Most 2,000 applicants. Obe was the top- right fit matters. people in Nigeria want to do medicine scoring candidate from to win the College, Obe participated in NASA’s “I encourage anyone out there to and nursing because those jobs are very scholarship of $1,250, which recognizes 2018 Swarmathon “Mission to Mars” follow your passion,” she said. “Even lucrative and easy to get,” she said. “So the most outstanding workforce-bound competition team that took second if you can’t see the big picture from the I decided to go to school for medicine. student from each state. place. She tutors other students in beginning, push through and work hard. But at junior year, I attended a computer Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society math, physics, and programming. One It will pay off.”

STaff SPOTLIGHT DeStry DokeS ContinueS College’S miSSion

By Andrea Vasquez where he served as an advisor, interim They will encourage their friends and SAN JACINTO COLLEGE president of HCC Northeast College, and family members to join in that success and chief operations officer of HCC Northwest accomplish their own goals, and that is In fall 2020, San Jacinto College will during his six years there. something that perpetuates the College’s open its new Generation Park Campus. “I appreciated the chancellor’s mission of committing to opportunities At the helm will be Executive Director confidence in me to lead the college, which that enrich the quality of life in the Dr. Destry Dokes. As the first semester proved to be instrumental in preparing me communities we serve.” nears, Dokes discusses his leadership for this new role at San Jacinto College,” Leading the new San Jacinto College vision for the new campus. Dokes said. Generation Park Campus along with “I’m looking forward to developing As the Generation Park Campus Dokes will be Dr. Kelly Mizell, director our fifth campus, along with an engaging executive director, Dokes believes student of instructional services, and Sonia culture that promotes the College’s values, success is tied to experience from the Townsend, director of student support and encouraging an intentional focus on Dr. Destry Dokes working with students, faculty, staff, ISDs, Photo courtesy of Andrea Vasquez, San Jacinto College moment students walk through the doors services. Together they will open the new industry partners, and our community to in business administration from Walden to the day their name is called $26 million, 57-acre campus with an initial advance San Jacinto College Generation University, Dokes is no stranger to at graduation. 55,000-square-foot facility that will house Park as an educational campus of choice,” organizational leadership. Prior to his “If students have the best possible general education and academic classes, Dokes said. career in higher education, Dokes served student experience from every step from and focus on the educational needs of With more than 20 years of leadership in administrative and operational roles in the enrollment process to the faculty students looking to transfer to four-year experience in medical and higher the . He later joined members teaching their classes, that colleges and universities. education administration and a doctorate Houston Community College (HCC), creates advocates for San Jacinto College. Destry Dokes continued on page 4 4 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | January 5, 2020 sanjac.edu

MentAl HeAltH ServiCeS progrAM Self-care in 2020 ‘Tis the season for resolving to change. Thinking about diet and proMoteS CAring for otHerS, Self exercise? San Jacinto College’s Cayman Tirado encourages self- By Courtney Morris to enter the mental health services field reflection first. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE and help others. But what they may Ask yourself these questions: not realize up front is the need to care Many people experience for themselves. 1. Am I doing too much? turning points. “This is not an easy population to • Does every moment feel rushed as For Larry Wyntjes, that moment came work with. There are highs and lows, I try to get it all done? not around New Year’s but when an oil and it requires a commitment to • Am I trying to be the best and gas buy-out left him unemployed self-care to prevent burnout,” at all things? after 20 years in sales and marketing. Tirado said. • When did I last say no “I took a series of sales gigs and No matter what your career or to something? realized that sales at any level had personal situation, overextending ceased to be fulfilling for me,” he said. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock yourself for others can lead to ignoring 2. Am I taking time daily to do Because addiction had affected his challenges themselves. Others are your own needs. something that brings me joy? family, Wyntjes chose to do a 180. veterans wanting to help other vets. Wyntjes echoes this. Although he • What brings me joy? He enrolled full time in San Jacinto But most share maturity, emotional learned about the need for self-care in College’s mental health services program intelligence, and compassion. his classes, now he has experienced • What small thing can I do today to at the North Campus to become a “It’s not a career that individuals get it. To be his best for clients, he must experience joy? licensed chemical dependency into for the money, but it is one that prioritize his health. counselor (LCDC). brings immense satisfaction,” “Self-care may look like exercise, 3. When did I last spend Today, Wyntjes serves as the executive said Cayman Tirado, mental health diet, getting plenty of sleep, setting time outdoors? director of ’s Into Action services program director. boundaries with clients,” he said. (Bonus: It reduces stress Recovery Center, a personalized The program offers a clinical and “It’s revitalizing yourself spiritually in and lowers blood pressure.) addiction treatment center for drug counseling psychology associate degree whatever form that may take with you.” • When did I last watch the and alcohol abuse. with mental health technician, substance Have a desire for a compassionate sunrise or sunset? After changing careers, he now abuse counseling, and prevention career that will challenge and fulfill? • How often do I enjoy nature? changes lives. specialist certifications. Or students Check out mental health services, “It’s my job to create a culture … may pursue the individual certifications Tirado said. 4. How much time do I spend that attracts and motivates clients to outside the associate degree. “We have open enrollment. If you expressing love? recovery and the staff to compassionate, Students can expect a rigorous, have a giant heart and desire to help • Do I tend to show love through diligent care for both themselves and interactive program with licensed others in need, talk to us,” she said. actions (e.g., making dinner or our clients,” Wyntjes said. “There are faculty who hold graduate degrees and “We would love to support you on running an errand)? some heartbreaks, to be sure, but the practice in the field. Depending on your path to success.” • When is the last time I connected the track they pursue, graduates work wins are incredible. Frequently, they are with someone and told him or everywhere from K-12 substance abuse referred to as miracles by clients and her how much I care? their families.” prevention programs to treatment/ recovery facilities. 5. Do I treat myself kindly? Fulfilling career “This is one of the only fields where • How do I speak to myself? Mental health services program you can become a counselor without a • Does my inner voice affirm students come from all walks. graduate degree,” Tirado said. or criticize me? Like Wyntjes, some have walked alongside family or friends who struggle Self-care for the caregiver • When did I last acknowledge Photo courtesy of Shutterstock everything I do well? with mental health and substance After training and a final practicum/ It’s a new year. Take time to self-reflect, abuse disorders. Some have overcome internship, program graduates are ready get outdoors, and slow down.

Destry Dokes from page 3 Generation Park campus can said Dokes. the College’s global reputation as a part of our taxing district,” Dr. The Generation Park Campus expect to experience a beautiful Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto leader in workforce training. Hellyer said. “We look forward has a projected enrollment of campus specifically designed College Chancellor, said the new “San Jacinto College is proud to serving the surrounding area more than 3,000 students for its around student engagement, campus will not only serve the to be part of this rapidly growing by being an academic transfer inaugural semester in fall 2020. student services, academic northern part of the College’s area, and we are positioned to partner and a resource for “Students attending the learning, and training needs,” taxing district but also continue serve the needs of the northern workforce training.” sanjac.edu Sunday | January 5, 2020 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 5 Monkiewicz aiMs high, lands aMong Most expensive cars in the world

By Melissa Trevizo automotive industry began at a young SAN JACINTO COLLEGE age, when Monkiewicz learned basic car maintenance from his father. Thomas Monkiewicz, an automotive “My dad always emphasized that he technology student at San Jacinto wanted me to be able to work on my College, spends his mornings in class own car and not have to pay someone to at the Central Campus and his do it for me. I started doing oil changes afternoons under the hoods of and tire rotations in middle school,” luxury vehicles. Monkiewicz said. The 25-year-old’s interest in the In 2012, he and a group of friends built a business selling used BMW parts in the warehouse district of Houston. “We rented out a 4,000-square-foot warehouse and started parting cars. from San Jacinto College next May with “The first week I was at Motowerks, We became pretty popular on BMW an associate degree and certifications, I had to install a spoiler on a Ferrari. Facebook groups, and I really loved the has been working as an intern at We had to drill into the body, which work,” Monkiewicz said. “I was going to Motowerks Auto Group near the was scary but necessary for the job,” college at the time, just taking my basics Galleria since January 2019. He is Monkiewicz said. “I’ve worked a lot without much direction. That’s when looking at a guaranteed full-time job on our owner’s McLaren, adding ice I realized I wanted to make my hobby upon graduation. tanks, coilovers, and cooling fans for the my career.” “I knew I needed to get an internship transmission. He races the car, so we Monkiewicz, who will graduate to gain some real-world experience have to make sure it’s always in while I’m still in school, so I started great shape.” cold calling different places, including Monkiewicz is not expecting to stay in Motowerks. I called asking if they the maintenance field, looking toward needed an intern and got a call back the bigger and more lucrative goals. YOU CAN STILL next week,” Monkiewicz said. “I would love to open my own shop REGISTER FOR “I love this job, and the hands-on one day, maybe five or 10 years down experience is so valuable. Everything the road. I need to save up money and here is held to a higher standard. get more experience first,” Monkiewicz SPRING You have to work clean, accurate, said. “I’d like to transition into the and pay attention to every detail.” performance and tuning world. It Motowerks clients own luxury vehicles would be a great feeling to see my work CLASSES often worth $100,000 or more. translated directly to the track.” CLASSES BEGIN JAN. 13

Photos courtesy of Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College 6 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | January 5, 2020 sanjac.edu

THIS MONTH IN SOCIAL MEDIA

The San Jacinto College Office of Recruiting welcomed new students during the Astros College Night  at Minute Maid Park.

1 2 Soon-to-be San Jac grads shared messages of appreciation during an event on campus. 3 

The College’s Instagram Takeover featured South Campus dance student Jasmine Lopez, showcasing dance students preparing for the program’s  20th anniversary dance concert.

National Career Development Week kicked off with the Workplace 4  Fashion Show at Central Campus. 5

Central Campus celebrated National  First Gen Day with an indoor picnic. 6

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7 Students in the College’s Honda PACT sanjac.edu | 281-998-6150 program met with Hunter Engineering to improve their alignment skills. An Equal Opportunity Institution  sanjac.edu Sunday | January 5, 2020 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 7 San Jacinto college South campuS celebrateS twenty yearS of Dance

By Melissa Trevizo Friday and Saturday morning. These SAN JACINTO COLLEGE classes were free to community members to expose them to different choreography The San Jacinto College South and to learn from the best San Jacinto Campus celebrated Twenty Years of College has to offer. Dance, marking the anniversary of the “There were eight master classes, Campus’ dance program. four each day, and they were open to In 1999, Dr. Suzanne Oliver turned everyone,” Williams said. dance at the South Campus from a Saturday evening, the celebration physical education credit into a full- a strong foundation for my educational finding joy in movement, cultivating culminated with a reception in the San fledged fine arts program to educate career as well as a greater passion for young creators, and watching students Jacinto College South Campus Gallery, dancers and expose them to as much concert and academic dance.” blossom into educated professionals both showcasing photos and videos from the professional choreography and Salter, who has been on the dance in and out of dance.” program’s 20 years. faculty at San Jacinto College since 2014, experiences as possible. The celebration took place Friday and “Alumni and friends of the program is excited to share her experience along “I joined the program on scholarship Saturday, Nov. 22-23, including concerts walked throughout the gallery space and with other alumni at the celebration in 2001 after high school, under the each evening. reminisced about past performances,” this fall. direction of Dr. Oliver,” said Jennifer “Our current students worked with Williams said. “It was a wonderful event.” “I feel very grateful to have maintained Salter, dance adjunct faculty and former professors and alumni to perform relationships with so many pillars of either new pieces created by them alumna. “I fully credit my love for this program, and I am thrilled to be or older works that were originally modern dance and teaching in higher able to bring them back to San Jac for choreographed 10-plus years ago here education to my start at San Jac. The the reunion,” Salter said. “To us, this is at San Jac,” said Jamie Williams, dance program, along with Dr. Oliver, gave me celebrating 20 years of fighting for art, professor. “They were also joined by alumni who are still working professional dancers to revive pieces they performed while students.” Four alumni, including Tuesday Boswell and Seth McPhail, returned not only to reprise choreography they performed as students but to join former professors in conducting master classes Photos courtesy of Jennifer Salter, San Jacinto College

SaN Jac HappeNiNgS

Date event time Site Jan. 9 Information Session: How to Apply for Free Job Training 1-3 p.m. Central Campus, CPD Community Education Center, C1.108 Jan. 13 Spring 2020 classes begin All campuses and sanjac.edu Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday; No classes held Central Campus, CPD Community Education Center, C1.108 Jan. 24 Bass Extremes Concert 8-10 p.m. Central Campus, Slocomb Auditorium, C12 Jan. 27 Spring Installment Payment Plan due date 7 p.m. All campuses and sanjac.edu Jan. 28 Pesticides Management Workshop 12-1 p.m. Central Campus, CPD Community Education Center, C1.108 Jan. 31 Community Fitness 12-1 p.m. Central Campus, CPD Community Education Center, C1.108 All times and event schedules listed are subject to change. For more information, visit sanjac.edu. 8 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | January 5, 2020 sanjac.edu YOUR GOALS. YOUR COLLEGE.

VISION & Vision — San Jacinto College will advance the social and economic mobility of all members MISSION of our community. We will be known for our excellence in teaching and learning, our intentional student-centered support, and our commitment to every student. We will be the preferred workforce and economic development partner in the region and a champion for lifelong learning. San Jacinto College will inspire students to explore opportunities, define their educational and career paths, and achieve their goals and dreams.

Mission — San Jacinto College is focused on student success, academic progress, university transfer, and employment. We are committed to opportunities that enrich the quality of life in the communities we serve.

SUPPORT STUDENT A gift to the San Jacinto College Foundation transforms lives, enriches our community, and SUCCESS provides tomorrow’s community leaders. For more than 20 years, the foundation has helped NORTH CAMPUS thousands of students reach their goals. Our 5800 Uvalde Rd., Houston, TX 77049 former students and graduates have filled vital roles in hospitals, classrooms, executive offices, CENTRAL CAMPUS manufacturing plants, and laboratories across 8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505 our region and beyond. They have also won the World Series and NBA championships, starred SOUTH CAMPUS in major motion pictures, and created major theatrical productions. Help our students today 13735 Beamer Rd., Houston, TX 77089 with the gift of education. Contact the San Jacinto College Foundation at 281-998-6104 or MARITIME CAMPUS visit sanjac.edu/foundation. 3700 Old Hwy. 146, La Porte, TX 77571 COMMUNITY Surrounded by monuments of history, ONLINE industries and maritime enterprises of today, sanjac.edu IMPACT and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is JOIN SAN JACINTO COLLEGE fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA IN ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. San Jacinto College is a 2019 Aspen Prize HIGHER EDUCATION. for Community College Excellence Top FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER AT 10 institution, a 2017 Aspen Prize Rising Star Award recipient, and an Achieving the WWW.SANJAC.EDU • 281.998.6150 Dream Leader College. The College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit Connect with us on students annually and offers eight areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College’s impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which An Equal Opportunity Institution supports 13,044 jobs.