Bragging Rights
Sri Susilowati
Crystal Robbins
Sri Susilowati
Mark Tomasic
Michelle Pearce
- He’s not just someone who’s around for the good times: Counselor Jeff Gordon—a lifelong Disneyland fan—has raised over $25,000 for a food bank that supports those who have lost employment
at the amusement park, as well as other hospitality industry personnel who were laid
off in the aftermath of COVID-19. Jeff’s fundraising page says: “We the fans are doing our part to help as much as
we can.” That is an understatement, Jeff – and you make us #ProudToBeSMC!.
- Two SMC dance professors and choreographers had their work featured in Indonesia (and to a global audience via the Internet). Mark Tomasic’s “A Shard” and Sri Susilowati’s “Love is the Love” was showcased during the International Virtual Performing Arts Festival, Faculty Performing Arts 2020" December 12-14, 2020 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The lineup included faculty works
from Chile, Ecuador, Hongkong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Turkey, UK, and the US.
- If you haven’t yet met a lawyer who’s also crazy about maps (and geography), look
no further than Santa Monica College. Campus Counsel Robert Myers completed his last class in the Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing and Earth Observation from Penn State in October. He obtained his Master of Geographic Information Systems degree in 2018.
In the Spring, he is will be starting a program in Geospatial Programming and Web
Map Development, also at Penn State!
- Shelley Pearce, Integrative psychotherapist and Associate Faculty at Santa Monica College, presented
at the 2020 International Embodiment Summit. The event broke global records of over a half million registrants and featured many
of the most respected teachers in the fields of medicine and healing today. Shelley’s
talk was entitled Embodied Receptivity: Integrating our Senses and Essential Nature for Healing, and she also participated in a Meditation and Leadership panel.
- Theatre Arts instructor and Lessac Master Teacher Crystal Robbins is currently interviewing participants for the 2021 four-week Lessac Summer Intensive to be held at DePauw University next summer. Co-directing with Dr. Marth Munro from the University of Pretoria, Crystal[1] is innovating options that range from fully on-ground to fully remote. The workshop is for those who desire healthy creative vocal functioning and the somatic embodiment of one's own authentic and original voice. Find out more about Lessac training here.
* * *
SMC in Focus Volume VI, Issue 5
The Face of Mental Health at SMC
SMC nursing student Eva Ahmad realized her fellow students needed a voice, someone to tell them “it’s really OK to not feel OK right now.” The year 2020 had been disastrous for her, too. Read Article
What Makes a 30-Year Success Story?
Santa Monica College marked a landmark anniversary: three (unbroken) decades as the #1 Transfer College to University of California. Four past & current transfer center leaders give us a look behind the scenes of this success. Read Article
Food for Thought
COVID-19 proved devastating for students who were already struggling with food insecurity. The SMC Foundation launched the Meal Project, to deliver free nutritious meals. Read what two recipients have to say. Read Article
Baked from the Heart
Santa Monica resident Marina Drasnin has been the leader of a “cookie brigade”, spreading hope to SMC students through home-baked goodies Each week, Marina drops off nearly 200 cookies to the SMC drive-thru food pantry. Read Article
Bragging Rights
A counselor who is a Disneyland fan raises thousands of dollars for laid-off employees. Two dance professors showcase their artistry in Indonesia. A lawyer continues to sharpen his geography and GIS toolkit. Read Article
The Teacher Who Loved the Sea
If coral colonies could do so, they’d surely be patting SMC Life Science Professor Garen Baghdasarian on the back. While he’s not figuring out how to save coral reefs, Garen is inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards. Read Article