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21st Annual Scholarship Banquet Awards $84,600 to Students Thanks to everyone who supported our students through scholarships and by attending the Mesa College 21st Annual Scholarship Banquet on April 26th. Special thanks go out to Ashanti Hands, Kathy Fennessey, the Scholarship Committee, and the Mesa College Foundation. Here are the numbers: • Total amount $$ of scholarships - $70,800 Foundation + $14,375 Osher = $85,175 • Number of students receiving scholarships - 114 • Number receiving multiple scholarship. – 16 • Student receiving the highest amount of scholarships – Sarah Farmer receiving $3,750. Sarah

received the President’s Award of $2,500, Beta Beta Upsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa: $250, and the Whitney Young Memorial: $1,000

• Scholarship basket opportunity drawings raised an additional $839 dollars, and the silent auction raised $1,875.

Click here for more photos.

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San Diego Mesa College Institutional Learning Outcomes

Prof. Moctezuma Honors her Mom in “Artists for Healing” Professor Alessandra Moctezuma donated a piece she created in memory of her mother, Yolanda Garcia-Rubio, for a Grossmont College fundraiser “The Emperor No More: Artists for Healing,” in March. She was among 100 local artists who responded to donate an art work in the fight against cancer and to celebrate the healing power of the arts. Moctezuma’s piece, "Eve and the Dragon", acrylic on wood panel, 12" x 12“, honored Garcia-Rubio, who died of ovarian cancer in 1995, when she was a young 58 years old. The event was held at the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College, March 10-April 3.

Alumni Corner: Nuvia Crisol Ruland Among the documentaries the White House choose to screen during the Student Film Festival in February was one produced by the students of Mesa College Museum Studies graduate Nuvia Crisol Ruland. An amazing teacher at High Tech High Chula Vista, Nuvia (pictured below at right) is one of two teachers who supervised 45 high school students in “project-based learning” as they investigated what young people can do to reduce the amount of gun violence in America. In honor of a friend’s daughter who was a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, Nuvia guided her students to research the causes of violent behavior through the lens of biology. Their result was “Beyond the Crossfire,” a kickstarter funded documentary violence. Click on the YouTube icon at right to view. Nuvia has taught at HTHCV since 2012. Previously she worked as a research scientist at Arena Pharmaceuticals for nearly 10 years. In addition to being a scientist, she’s been part of San Diego’s art community as a painter, curator and instructor.

Physical Therapist Assistant Program Chair Christine Balderas boldly brags that our PTA students competed in a Student Bowl at the California Physical Therapy Association’s Annual Student Conclave and won! They competed against PTA students from the College of the Sequoias. Held in April, Student Conclave is a state conference for doctor of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students. “I am very excited to see our students perform so well when competing against their peers,” noted Christine. Their hard work and dedication to the program is evident in their performance.”

The Mesa PTA team, from l-r, are: Jennie Phouthavong, Adriana Vargas, Rodney Marquez, Bess Christiansen and Jimmy Heffel.

Bragging Rights: PTA students Win at Cal Conference

Canyon Day – Fun, education and doing-good, all rolled in one

Thanks to all who turned out early -- and stayed all day -- helping to register attendees and help out whereever needed. Special thanks to: President Pam Luster; Gilda Maldonado and Carol Rohr for handling registration; resident nature expert Bill Brothers; David Donoso and our student veterans; provider of nourishment Mike Fitzgerald; nurses Adelle Arias Nicolas and Robin Perry; and photographer Carol Beilstein, and everyone who turned out to volunteer and assist. Special thanks go out to Gemma Conine and College Police whose presence made everyone feel safer on busy Genesee. According to co-chairs Prof. Don Barrie, Lina Heil and Laurie Lorence, the volunteers removed filled a 20-yard dumpster to capacity. On Friday, April 18, Canyon Classroom – led by Prof. Lorence and her students – hosted children from and more from the summer academic program at Bayview Community Center. This year’s educational focus was on “water conservation. The children planted succulents, watching and doing science experiments with water, learning about the recycling of water as well as the usual canyon tours, pottery building and fine arts projects (this year was Kachina dolls).The children also learned about college during lunch from President Pam Luster. Look for clean-up photos at www.facebook.com/sandiegomesacollege (tag yourself and add a caption!). Canyon Classroom photos are on flickr.

Special thanks to Sgt. Gemma Conine’s niece, Tawnni Crossman, who created the 2014 video. It’s awesome. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/sandiegomesacollege

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Photo of the Month Professors Wendy Smith and Pegah Motaleb at the 4Cs conference (Conference on College Composition and Communication), held in Indianapolis, in March, with Angela Davis. Yes. THE Angela Davis, American political activist, scholar and author who emerged as a counterculture activist and radical in the late ‘60s. At the conference, Wendy and Pegah presented on their work in Acceleration in our English Department during the conference - “Coming Up to Acceleration: History, Process, and Progress at Our Community College.” Pretty darn cool.

Two-time Olympian and Mesa’s own (grad and former coach) Arnie Robinson celebrated his birthday on April 5 on the field at Mesa College at the 2nd Annual Arnie Robinson Invitational. High school and college students in and out of San Diego competed in hurdles, high-long jumps, sprints, relays and throwing events to honor Arnie, who the Voice & Viewpoint dubbed “San Diego’s king for a day.” Read the full article here.

Foundation News: Jerome’s Helps to Furnish Veterans Center

Having a Veterans Resource Center on campus has long been a campus priority, and one the Mesa College Foundation wanted to have a role in. On their behalf, Anne Zacovic contacted Jerome’s Furniture hoping for a donation of a chair. Instead, Jerome’s Furniture furnished the entire center, providing a sofa, love seat, two reclining chairs, tables, chairs and lamps. “We are so thankful to Jerome’s Furniture for creating a warm, welcoming space for our veteran students,” said Jeff Marston, president of the board of directors.

On Track with Arnie Robinson

Supporting Mesa’s veteran students is a priority for the Foundation. In addition to helping with the center, the Foundation paid the admission and snacks for veterans and their families to a football game in the fall, is providing a speaker this spring, and has started a special fund to help veteran students through financial emergencies. This coming November 8, for Homecoming, the Foundation is holding its inaugural fundraising 5K run, bazaar, and assortment of activities to raise funds for emergency assistance for veteran students. “We agree with John F. Kennedy when he said, ‘the highest appreciation is not saying ‘thank you,’ but by living ‘thank you,’” added Jeff. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact the Foundation office at 388-2285, azacovic@sdccd.edu. –Submitted by Anne Zacovic

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Prez Pam is Grand Marshall for Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Parade Our own President Pamela Luster was Grand Marshall for the 29th Annual Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair and Parade, held Sat., April 26th. Held annually on the 6900 block of Linda Vista Road, (between Comstock and Ulric Streets) is intended to promote cultural awareness and understanding within the City of San Diego. Its numerous cultural exhibits, varied ethnic food offerings and delightful artistic performances are eagerly anticipated by residents and visitors to San Diego. While Mesa has been represented in the past through the efforts of Genevieve Esquerra and Karla Gutierrez, of the Outreach Department and the student ambassadors, Prez Pam sees Mesa’s involvement expanding in the future. “We’ve done a great job of celebrating diversity on our campus… this is a real opportunity for us to literally ‘take it to the street,’” she said. A call for volunteers and groups to get involved will go out this fall. Prez Pam is pictured in the photo above as her car passes in front of the Mesa Outreach booth. Students are pictured at left.

“Hogwart’s Castle” takes tops in Edible Structure Competition VPs Tim McGrath and Juliana Barnes, Dean Margie Fritch and Senior Clerical Assistant Virginia Enriquez judged the April 15 Edible Structure Competition, which tasked the students to construct unique creations out of cookies. The contest portion is not part of their grade, but does allow students feedback on their projects. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t allowed to taste, but anyone who has dined at MFusion knows the delicious awesomeness of their baked treats! And the winners were (pictured below, l-r) 1st Place: Hogwart’s Castle, 2nd Place: Farmhouse, 3rd Place: Easter & Bunny, 4th Place: Pink Princess Castle. Congrats, all!

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Dr. Ashanti Hands, Dean, Student Affairs. Dean Hands successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on April 29 at San Diego State University. Along with the degree, her peers selected her to receive the William E. Piland Leadership Award from SDSU. Her research, which is entitled "Perceptions and Frequencies of Classroom Incivilities on Community College Campuses," examined faculty and student perceptions of uncivil and disruptive behavior and the perceived frequency of behaviors in community college classrooms. Pictured at left is Dr. Hands, second from left with her dissertation committee,

Accolades and Kudos to…

Dr. Luke Wood , Dr. Juliana Barns and Dr. Frank Harris, III.

Gilda Moldonado, Financial Aid Officer. Gilda received the Leadership Award at the Spring 2014 California Community Colleges Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Association Conference, held in April. The award is presented to individuals who have provided outstanding leadership in furthering the mission of the association and who made a significant contribution to the financial aid profession. The individual must exhibit high integrity and character, creative leadership, have inspired and encouraged others to actively participate in professional financial aid development. ” I am honored, but it’s a team effort,” remarked Gilda.

Fashion students help REP with designs inspired by Mark Rothko

In April, led by Prof. Alessandra Mocktezuma, Mesa College Fashion students collaborated with The San Diego Repertory Theatre to create garments and illustrations inspired by expressionist abstract painter Mark Rothko, who is known for his vivid use of color. Their creations were mounted on the Rothko Fashion Catwalk prior to the performance of Red, a play on the life of the Latvia-born artist. Student Starr Lanier took a first-place garment award. Read the entire article by fashion instructor Diana Cavagnaro here.

“An Experience Like No Other” Mesa Models Take to the Runway

Prof. Susan Lazear, fashion students and members of the Global Awareness committee collaborated to present a fashion show of World Costumes, in celebration of Global Awareness, along the promenade in front of the Math+Science Complex on April 2. Among the models (pictured here l-r) were Lynn Dang, Monica Romero, Jesse Reyes, Jackie Szittta, Irma Buchin, and Judy Sandayo. Stockroom clerk Jesse Reyes, who is quite the writer and pens a regular column for San Diego’s Filipino Press, captured his experience in a feature article. “Walking down the runway, I felt incredible, even bolder that I had in any of the other things I have ever done in my sixty-plus years so of life here on Earth,” penned Jesse. “I loved it!” Read the full article here.

Jesse Reyes was also once again a finalist in the U-T’s Steve Breen Cartoon Caption Contest. His caption entry for the image at right was: “Mi casa es su casa.” He was one of 13 finalists, and was last recognized in October 2012. Keep trying Jesse!

Name Title Department Comments

Peter Markall Instructional Assistant/

Learning Resources

DSPS New Hire

Frank Fernandez Stockroom Supervisor Facilities Promotion

Promotions, Comings and Goings

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• Shared governance committee agendas, minutes and reports can be found at http://www.sdmesa.edu/governance/committees. • Check out This Month at Mesa for a full listing of campus

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Coach Michael Hootner shared this photo of Sophie Najera, who won the women's singles state title at Ojai. Way to Go, Mesa!