San Mateo County Community College District

Today marks my last day serving as Acting Dean of Business, Education, and Professional Programs at Skyline College. I will be returning to my faculty position and am excited to engage with students in my Communication Studies courses this fall. Reflecting on the past 14 weeks, I can confidently say I learned a great deal about navigating challenges and pivoting at a moment’s notice. One of the highlights was participating in the Association of California Community College Administrators Admin 101 conference this past July, where I had the opportunity to connect with incredible administrators across the state. It was one of the most rewarding professional development experiences of my academic career, and I highly recommend it to anyone early in their managerial/leadership journey. Thank you for the recommendation, Chris Gibson. At the end of Admin 101, Lauren N. Ford, Ed.D. and I were honored to receive peer recognition awards. Dr. Ford was awarded “Most Inquisitive,” and I am sure this may come as a shock to some of you but I was awarded “Best Sense of Humor”... I am deeply grateful to the amazing BEPP Division Assistant, Angelica Gorostiza for all her institutional knowledge and patience, my fellow dean colleagues across the district that allowed me to reach out with many questions, and the dedicated faculty and classified professionals in the BEPP division who welcomed me into the world of Career Technical Education. Lastly to Dean Michael Kane, who took the time to onboard me prior to filling in for him during his leave, it was very much appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me this summer. Your support and camaraderie have meant a great deal. Wishing everyone a smooth start to the fall semester!

"Skyline College, a public community college in San Bruno, was the top-ranked school, with its students earning a median of $55,702 ten years after enrollment." Way to go Skyline! #1 https://lnkd.in/g4FGinBb

✨ Employee Spotlight: Jennifer Yang ✨ As our College Physician in the Student Services Department at College of San Mateo, Jennifer Yang plays a vital role in supporting student well-being through accessible, compassionate care. Based at the CSM Wellness Center, she provides free medical services to enrolled students and helps operate the clinic as a hybrid urgent care and mini-Planned Parenthood. Her hands-on approach and dedication to health education make a lasting impact on students’ lives. Thank you, Dr. Yang, for being such a compassionate and innovative advocate for student wellness! 🩺💙 💬 Here’s what Jennifer has to say about working at our District: "SMCCCD is a great place to work because the staff and students care about each other." 💡 Learn more about our Wellness Center at College of San Mateo: https://lnkd.in/g6-AhDsg   💼 Come join us at SMCCCD! Explore our career opportunities here: jobs.smccd.edu #EmployeeSpotlight #SMCCCDSpotlight #EmployeeAppreciation #EmployeeRecognition #ThankYou #CollegePhysician #StudentHealth #WellnessCenter #CollegeofSanMateo #CSM #SanMateo  

📢 SMCCCD has unveiled its first-ever Internal Control Plan SMCCCD has released a draft of its Internal Control Plan (ICP), a strategic, five-part framework designed to strengthen internal operations, enhance transparency, and improve district-wide communication across Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. Presented to the Board of Trustees on July 30, the ICP aligns with national standards while addressing our District’s unique needs. It outlines key components like risk assessment, monitoring, and control activities, supporting effective governance and consistent operations across all campuses. The draft is now available for public review and feedback before formal consideration later this year. 🗞️ Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gspcQs5A 📬 Stay up to date with all SMCCCD News: news.smccd.edu 

Classes begin next week. It isn't too late to sign up. Helpful tips for navigating campus. https://lnkd.in/emSNisax

📣 Still thinking about taking classes this fall? Good news it’s not too late! 🎓 Classes at Cañada College, Skyline College, and College of San Mateo begin August 13, and you can register through August 26. Whether you’re looking for a full semester schedule or something more flexible, we’ve got late-start and short-term courses to fit your life. 👉 Don’t wait, secure your spot today! 🔗💚 Register at Cañada College: canadacollege.edu 🔗💙 Register at College of San Mateo: collegeofsanmateo.edu 🔗❤️ Register at Skyline College: skylinecollege.edu #FallClasses #CollegeLife #LateStartCourses #ShortTermCourses #SMCCCD #EnrollNow #CommunityCollege #CollegeofSanMateo #CSM #SanMateo #SkylineCollege #SanBruno #CañadaCollege #RedwoodCity  

Started the day hosting our San Mateo County Community College District Anti-Racism Council retreat at College of San Mateo… Ended the day hosting small business innovation and entrepreneurship with San Mateo County Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s Legacy Builders Summit “Elevate. Community. Opportunity.” Let’s go, Bulldogs! ¡Vamos, CSM! 🐾💙

✨ Employee Spotlight: Marcos Baluyut-Hand ✨ As our Program Services Coordinator in the Veterans Resource & Opportunity Center (VROC) at College of San Mateo, Marcos Baluyut-Hand plays a key role in supporting student veterans and their families. He coordinates logistics, programming, and events for the VROC while guiding students through matriculation and education benefits. Marcos is passionate about helping students feel seen and supported—whether he’s celebrating their milestones or cheering them through tough times. We’re grateful for the care and commitment he brings to our veteran community. 🎓👏 💡 How does Marcos describe SMCCCD in three words? Inclusive – Supportive – Committed 💡 Learn more about our Veterans Resource & Opportunity Center at College of San Mateo: https://lnkd.in/g5bNeBCP 💼 Come join us at SMCCCD! Explore our career opportunities here: jobs.smccd.edu #EmployeeSpotlight #SMCCCDSpotlight #EmployeeAppreciation #EmployeeRecognition #ThankYou #VeteranSupport #StudentSuccess #VeteransResourceCenter #CollegeofSanMateo #CSM #SanMateo 

One month in—and the spirit of Skyline College has already left a mark on me. From walking the campus and joining meet-and-greets to listening deeply in conversations with students, classified professionals, managers, and faculty—I’ve been struck by one constant: a shared commitment to doing whatever it takes to help students succeed. At Skyline College, that commitment is more than words—it’s action. Through programs like the Promise Scholars Program, we remove financial barriers and provide dedicated support that helps students stay on track and graduate. We foster belonging through culturally rooted learning communities, support first-year and returning students with structured pathways and wraparound services, and ensure that veterans, foster youth, adult learners, justice-impacted students, and students with disabilities have the tools they need to thrive. From tutoring to transfer prep, food access to financial coaching, the college is built around one idea: every student deserves the chance to rise. And this is just the beginning—our community includes even more programs, services, and people ready to walk alongside every student’s journey. In this moment in higher education, we are not standing still. We are moving forward to ensure every student can access opportunity, complete their education, and elevate their lives through the power of learning. Come check us out!

The start of a new semester is just two weeks away, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you to CSM! Whether returning to campus or joining us for the first time, this is your time to shine and achieve great things. If you haven't applied or registered yet, there's still time! Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of our vibrant CSM community. Enroll now and take the first step toward your future. Why CSM? 🐾 Exceptional and friendly faculty dedicated to your success 🐾 State-of-the-art facilities and resources 🐾 A supportive and inclusive community 🐾 Countless opportunities for growth and learning Classes begin in two weeks on August 13, so make sure you're ready to hit the ground running. Apply, register, and get excited for a fantastic semester ahead! https://lnkd.in/gFMaj7Bc Let's make this semester the best one yet. See you on campus, Bulldogs! 🐾💙