SMC In Focus

SMC In Focus

A bi-monthly newsletter connecting the Santa Monica College community. Celebrating endless possibilities, innovation, and resilience.

A Working Edge

Volume XI, Issue 1, February 18, 2025
In a world going through massive changes, Santa Monica College continues to hold steady as a gateway to opportunity and career advancement. 2025’s first issue of SMC in Focus showcases the pioneering eSports program, a new AI course for SMC instructors, and the Fashion Design program/annual LA Mode fashion show which prepares students to excel in a highly competitive space and is an inter-disciplinary collaboration that helps build real-life skills. Plus, a Psychology professor who peels back the layers of the human psyche for Corsairs and herself, and a student from Myanmar who won’t let anything get in the way of his thespian dreams.

SMC Esports Club Members

Esports Advantage

SMC’s pioneering Esports Program instills the skills needed to become industry players in this burgeoning digital media arena.

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AI chatbot

AI for Educators

A new SMC course prepares educators from all disciplines to train their students in using artificial intelligence appropriately, effectively — and ethically.

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LaMode 2024

Haute-to-Go at SMC

Produced annually by SMC’s Photography & Fashion Department, the LA Mode Fashion Show of today is practically a de rigeur rite of passage for aspiring designers at the College.

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Dorothy Chin

When Trauma Makes You Better

For 25 years Dorothy Chin has peeled back the layers of the human psyche to curious Corsairs. Since the pandemic, she’s discovered a new layer in her own mind—and it’s a gamechanger.

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Bragging Rights

Bragging Rights

The SMC Foundation organizes a multi-day distribution drive for those affected by the LA fires. A journalism instructor elected regional director for National Association of Black Journalists.

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Ye Dyke as Peter Quince

Spider-Man, the Musical?

Ye Dyke’s first audition felt like a botched tryout reel from America’s Got Talent. But this student from Myanmar—who’d never been inside a theatre—wouldn’t let a first setback get in the way.

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SMC In the News

This college turned its wildlife relief center into a department store of free things (opens in new window)

SMC Hosts Fire Relief Drive, Thousands Volunteer (opens in new window)

SMC Ranked #1 in Transfers for 34th Straight Year (opens in new window)

SMC Film, Journalism Students Boosted by Golden Globe Grant (opens in new window)

Remembering Alumnus, Prof. Sehat Nauli ‘98 (opens in new window)

Converge + Vertex: Traversing the Minor Gesture of Timelines (opens in new window)

Donation Distribution in Santa Monica for Wildfire Victims

How to Live Safe: SMC’s Safety App