Spring 2010 - Santa Fe Community College

spring 2010
S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e
Inside SFCC
Enrollment Skyrockets at SFCC
Focus: Enrollment
Todd Eric Lovato
History is in the making at Santa Fe
Community College. Take a trip to the
campus to see it unfolding firsthand.
The parking lots are packed. Classes
have reached capacity. The Campus
Center is abuzz with students eating,
laughing, or studying quietly with
headphones on.
Enrollment at SFCC is up. Way up.
Between fall semester 2008 and 2009,
enrollment grew by nearly 13 percent,
or 735 students. This spring, the
community college is serving more
than 6,500 students in credit courses, a
15 percent increase over this time last
spring. And students are taking heavier
class loads, suggesting the current
economy has sent many students back
to school for a degree, certificate or
workforce training.
Tremaine Moncrieffe, who enrolled in
SFCC’s dental program after losing his
job with a non-profit health agency in
Espanola, is an example. “I had been
working in the dental profession for
10 years but there were so many things
on the job I couldn’t do without my
(D.D.S.) degree,” said Moncrieffe, 34.
“After losing my job, I did some soulsearching
and decided school was the
right choice.”
Increasingly, students around the
country are finding themselves in
Moncrieffe’s shoes. Community
colleges across the country are seeing
unprecedented enrollment jumps
Enrollment at Santa Fe Community College has risen dramatically this spring semester.
while at the same time dealing with
widespread funding reductions (on
average, U.S. community colleges rely
on state and local appropriations for
about 60 percent of their funding).
The current belt-tightening has meant
increased pressure on operational areas
such as the financial aid office. Director
Scott Whitaker says while more students
are applying for financial aid, funding
sources are currently flat-lined. “This is
an interesting time in financial aid,” he
said. “The recession has brought a lot
more students into our office seeking
financial aid but our funding has
remained flat. So we have the same pool
of money but more demand for it. This
basically means we have fewer students
getting awards than we’d like.”
While some of the enrollment growth
can be attributed to the state of the
economy, Ron Liss, SFCC’s vice
president of academic and student affairs,
suggests there are other factors at play.
“There’s no doubt that the economy
is the main driving factor for the huge
enrollment,” he said. “But also we have
new, timely programs that are attracting
students regardless of the economy.”
Dr. Liss points out classes in the
renewable energy and environmental
sciences are surging in popularity,
with more than 170 students currently
enrolled in classes in areas like biofuels,
solar energy, water conservation and
green building. The School of Health
and Sciences, which houses programs
Santa Fe Community College • 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM • (505) 428-1000 • www.sfcc.edu
Continued on Page 2

S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e Inside SFCC spring 2010
Faculty Focus: Phyllis Baca
Phyllis Baca wants to see more
students with engineering degrees.
As a professor and Chair of SFCC’s
Computer and Information
Technologies Program, Baca says
helping underrepresented students
train for jobs in the high-tech world
is a personal mission. “I want students
to know that by not engaging in these
fields, they are missing out on the high
paying, skilled jobs that are out there,”
she said.
A former computer specialist at
Los Alamos National Laboratory,
Baca joined SFCC as full-time
faculty member in August 2006. Her
engineering background coupled with
licensure in alternative teaching have
earned Baca a reputation as a potent
instructor and a tireless advocate for
better jobs for New Mexicans. Inside
SFCC recently spoke with Baca.
Inside SFCC: Where are you from
Phyllis Baca: Here. Santa Fe. I’m one
of the offspring of the “old ones” –
the lineage of the Cabesa de Vaca
family. My uncle traced our family
roots back to some of early explorers
who touched the land, which was in
the 1500s.
I: Describe your job in a sentence.
B: I’m the director of a statesponsored,
state-wide effort to align
dual enrollment pathways in STEM
disciplines between high schools
and colleges.
I: We’re seeing the STEM acronym
a lot more in higher education, what
does it mean
Enrollment (continued)
like nursing and emergency medical training, has reported
a 25 percent increase in total registrations. Inside the SFCC
library, the scene is quietly animated. The computer bays
and study rooms are full. At tables, students pore over
reference books and magazines. “It’s just a huge increase
in student traffic,” said library director Peg Johnson, who
oversees a full-time staff of two librarians. “The students
are keeping us busy, which we love, and we’ve seen a huge
increase in the circulation of books. Let me put it this way,
we go home very tired at night.”
B: STEM means, science, technology,
engineering and mathematics and
we here at SFCC have been very
lucky, we received two grants in a row
that are helping us promote STEM
statewide to our students.
I: Who are these students Why is
education in STEM areas important
B: These are young students
who are walking the fence, the
“underachievers.” We know if we
can give them this kind of learning –
problem-based, project-based learning
– that they will get that seed planted
that will allow them to move toward
one of these types of fields.
I: What are you reading right now
B: (Laughs) Terry Pratchett’s Unseen
Academicals. It’s satire and it’s hilarious.
I love anything with spaceships and
science fiction. Are you going to ask
me if I have a favorite movie
I: Do you have a favorite movie
B: Oh, heck yeah, “Star Wars,” no
question. I guess it’s in my blood.
When I was in high school I was in
the junior miss pageant and the judges
asked me, “Where do you want to go”
I said “The moon.”
I: Do you have a hobby
B: Yes, fanatically. Tennis. I sign up
for tennis classes at the community
college every semester and I play as
much as possible. We have wonderful
courts but I’ll play anywhere, courts
with cracks and weeds just make
things interesting.
Phyllis Baca
I: What was your profession prior
to working at SFCC
B: Both my husband and I are
chemical engineers who ran our own
consulting businesses. In fact, my girls
are also chemical engineers – my
20-year-old is in college studying, my
23-year-old is environmental engineer
with a pharmaceutical company.
I: What kind of music do you like
B: Classic rock ‘n’ roll. I’m very
tone deaf so anything with a good
drum beat I love. I love Steppenwolf,
AC/DC, that whole ’60s ’70s era.
Why not I just turned 50 so that
sounds about right.
I: Your students clearly gain much
from STEM programs but I’m curious,
what have you learned as a teacher and
advocate at SFCC
B: Wow, this has been a big learning
experience. I started as an adjunct
faculty member who wanted to
revitalize the engineering program,
but things have changed so much. The
college has shown me how to teach on
many different levels. I used to think
you just lectured the students.
On the other end of the campus, Rebecca Estrada helps
students enroll in the college’s dual credit program. She says
student traffic into her office has nearly doubled during the
past year. “More families are concerned about the rising cost
of attending a four-year college,” she said. “It’s advantageous
to get a head start at the community college.”
Recession aside, community colleges are enjoying a new
celebrity status as value-added institutions, and students,
familes and communities are reaping the rewards.
2

Scholarship Fund Receives Gift
The New Mexico Land Title Association has added
to its endowed scholarship fund at SFCC. On Feb. 24, the
GROW SFCC Foundation welcomed representatives of the
association to campus for a check presentation ceremony in
President Sheila Ortego’s office.
The latest gift of $2,500 to the Chili Currier Scholarship
Fund brings the value of the group’s scholarship
endowment at the community college to $12,500.
Statewide, the value of the association’s combined college
and university scholarship endowments is over $155,000.
The fund was formed more than 20 years ago to assist
students at a dozen colleges and universities around the
state. President Ortego said scholarship money is especially
appreciated at this time of economic stress. “Our enrollment
has increased dramatically, and more students than ever are
finding it difficult to pay for classes,” Ortego said.
Events Honor Donors
On Friday, April 9, GROW will host a reception in honor
of the college’s new Richard Bradford Memorial
Creative Writing Scholarship. The scholarship was
In Memoriam
Thomas Riggs
July 27, 1953-Dec. 24, 2009
Thomas Riggs, director of the
college’s American Sign Language
Interpreting Program, joined the
college in 2008 and was a lifelong
language enthusiast and advocate for
sign language education.
Albert Leroy Archuleta
Feb. 16, 1950-Jan. 20, 2010
Leroy Archuleta was a maintenance
technician who, in his nearly 8 years
at SFCC, kept the college running
smoothly. From moving furniture
to repairs and renovations, Leroy’s
work improved the college. His
widow, Jeanne, continues to work
in the Cashier’s Office as the Lead
Accounting Technician.
On Feb. 24, representatives from the New Mexico Land Title Association
added $2,500 to its endowment fund with GROW.
started by Santa Feans Charmay Allred, Rebecca
Wurzburger and Michael McGarrity in honor of
Bradford, the best-selling author of Red Sky at Morning
and So Far From Heaven.
The reception will be held in the SFCC Fine Arts Gallery
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A highlight of the event will be the
awarding of the first Richard Bradford scholarship to an
SFCC creative writing student. Interested donors and friends
should call (505) 428-1175 to participate in the event.
On Thursday, April 28, GROW will host a breakfast in
honor of all donors to Santa Fe Community College.
The Donor Appreciation Breakfast will begin at
8:30 a.m. in the college’s Jemez Rooms. “Donors to
Santa Fe Community College have helped thousands of
students achieve their dreams,” said President Ortego.
“We want to honor these ‘angels’ in our community and
say thank you for their investment in education.”
To participate in the donor breakfast, call (505) 428-1175.
Lou Schreiber,
Feb. 28, 1944-Jan. 24, 2010
Lou Schreiber was active in the
sustainability movement, both on
campus and in the community. Part
of SFCC since 1996, Lou worked for
the Continuing Education Division as
Director of Workforce Development.
In that capacity, he developed
relationships with local business,
industry, government and education
groups to help launch the college’s
green jobs training programs.
S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e Inside SFCC spring 2010
3

S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e Inside SFCC spring 2010
Noteworthy
The SFCC Governing Board sets date for
bond issue election.
The SFCC Governing Board has set Aug. 3 as the date
for a $35 million bond issue election. The measure will
ask voters to approve financing to make needed campus
improvements and help fund a higher learning center
where universities and colleges can provide courses leading
to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in partnership with the
community college. The plan has earned approval from the
New Mexico Higher Education Department.
A Web site with complete information about the bond
projects, citizen’s get-out-the-vote efforts and other material
will be up and running by March 15 at www.votesfcc.com.
Campus Safety Officer Jonathon Lujan
Safety and Security gets a new look.
In February, the department replaced its old uniforms – grey
polo t-shirts, black pants and boots – with professional navy
blue duds, known in the law enforcement world as
professional class “A” uniforms. The new ensembles come
complete with such accoutrements as a security badge, name
plate and lapel pin touting the SFCC logo.
In an effort to improve on-campus safety while minimizing
the carbon footprint of the college, the department also
recently traded in its patrol SUV for a sleek and efficient
Smart Car, which ranks as one of the most fuel-efficient
non-hybrid gasoline powered vehicles in the U.S. SFCC’s
model, called a Smart Fortwo coupe, boasts 70 horsepower
and gets about 33 city miles to the gallon.
SFCC’s Health and Sciences Building will be completed in May.
SFCC Health and Sciences Building
to Open in May
The $17.7 million Health and Sciences Building is nearing
completion. The building, which features a number of
sustainable energy features, was designed by Studio
Southwest Architects in joint venture with Diamond +
Schmitt Architects. Gerald Martin General Contractor is the
builder. The facility encompasses 50,000 square feet and will
house laboratories, classrooms, offices and a dental clinic
operated by La Familia Medical Center.
SFCC is part of New Mexico’s
high-tech future.
SFCC is one of eight initial gateway sites to receive a
connection to Encanto, a supercomputer based in Intel
Rio Rancho that has been dubbed the world’s fastest public
supercomputer. The state-funded program, titled “Connect
New Mexico,” aims to help expand the educational and
economic potential of the state, said Gov. Bill Richardson
during a Roundhouse videoconference. “We’re bringing
the highest level of supercomputing to every corner of
the state, giving New Mexicans the opportunity to tap in
to its remarkable educational and economic possibilities,”
said the Governor.
As one of the gateway sites, SFCC received 30 computers, a
62-inch high-definition monitor, 3-D glasses and upgraded
fiber-optic connections. Students and instructors should be
able to begin using the supercomputer starting in April.
Green Construction Underway
Construction has begun on the Trades and Advanced
Technology Center, the future home of the Sustainable
Technologies Center. Scheduled for completion this fall, the
45,000 square-foot facility will become a regional epicenter
for green jobs training and education in renewable energy,
trades and technologies.
The building, which aims for a LEED certification of Gold
or higher, will feature a number of sustainability design
elements, including rainwater catchment; solar systems to
provide hot water, electricity and air conditioning; small
wind turbines for electricity; and a space for business and
technology-specific demonstration and training.
4

Kudos
SFCC student Maria B. Sanchez,
48, was among 26 students honored
at this year’s New Mexico All-State
Academic Team recognition ceremony,
held Feb. 4 inside the Capitol
Rotunda. SFCC Dean of Liberal Arts
and Core Studies, Dr. Bruno Bornet,
presented Maria with the academic
honor, which includes a full-tuition
scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree
at one of the state’s public four-year
colleges. “I dropped out of high school
in the ninth grade and am a returning
student. This award means the world
to me,” Sanchez said after the
ceremony. “I want to be model to
other adults that it’s never too late
to get an education.”
Maria B. Sanchez
and Dr. Bruno Bornet
Randy Grissom, Interim Assistant
Vice President of Continuing
Education and Workforce
Development, and Tina Ludutsky-
Taylor, Special Assistant to the
President, received awards in
recognition of their continued support
of the New Mexico Small Business
Development Center (NMSBDC).
The awards were given during the
organization’s 20th Anniversary
celebration on Jan. 28. Both Grissom
and Ludutsky-Taylor worked on the
original proposal to establish the
program in 1989 and were
instrumental in the program’s growth
throughout the years.
The Santa Fe
Community
College
Governing Board
has extended
President Sheila
Ortego’s contract
through 2013.
Dr. Sheila Ortego
Dr. Ortego is the
sixth president of SFCC and has served
in the role since 2006. Ortego rose to
the president’s position after serving in
a number of staff capacities at SFCC
since the college was founded in 1983.
She holds a doctorate in American
Studies from the University of
New Mexico and attended the
Harvard President’s Academy.
Currently, Ortego is leading an
effort to establish a higher learning
center that would expand partnerships
between SFCC and the state’s
universities in order to allow local
students an affordable pathway to a
bachelor’s degree. Additionally, she is
directing a project to increase the
college’s effectiveness through
participation in Quality New Mexico,
a statewide program that determines
the level of an organization’s
performance and provides education
and feedback on quality concepts.
“I believe strongly in the mission
of Santa Fe Community College to
improve lives through education,”
Ortego said. “I look forward to
continued work with the board
and our broader community to
build an even stronger college in
the coming years.”
Janelle Johnson, counselor in the
School of Business and Technologies,
was elected to the American College
Counseling Association as secretary of
the Executive Council. The ACCA is a
national organization that supports
counseling professions in higher
education. Johnson begins her term
in July.
The Interior Design Program has
been accepted as a member in good
standing by the National Kitchen and
Bath Association. The acceptance is the
first step in achieving full-accredited
status from the NKBA. When fully
accredited, SFCC will become the
only school in the state and one of
only 53 schools in the country to offer
NKBA-certified training in residential
kitchen and bath design.
The front cover of SFCC’s award-winning
exhibit announcement.
An exhibit announcement designed by
Deni Javas, senior graphic designer
with SFCC’s Marketing and Public
Relations Department, for the college’s
Visual Arts Gallery has been selected
to receive a Paragon Award. The
prestigious award, given by the
National Council for Marketing
and Public Relations, recognizes
outstanding achievement in
communications at community
colleges. The award-winning piece
was one of 1,700 submissions from
throughout the country.
The college has earned a Roadrunner
Recognition Award from Quality
New Mexico. The award signifies
SFCC has achieved the second level of
a three-tiered awards program modeled
after the Malcolm Baldrige National
Quality Awards Program, which assesses
and recognizes organizations that strive
for performance excellence. The
Roadrunner designation signals that
SFCC is making measurable progress
toward excellence in student
achievement, effectiveness and overall
satisfaction with the student experience.
S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e Inside SFCC spring 2010
5

6401 Richards Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87508
S a n t a F e C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e
Inside SFCC
S F C C
C A L E N D A R
Spring Break March 20-26
Spring Holiday (college closed) April 2-4
Registration for summer & fall 2010 begins April 19
Final examinations May 15-21
Semester ends May 21
Commencement May 21
Memorial Day (college closed) May 31
First four-week & eight-week summer sessions begin June 5
First four-week summer session ends July 2
Independence Day (college closed) July 4
Independence Day observed (college closed) July 5
Second four-week summer session begins July 6
Second four-week & eight-week summer sessions end July 30
Inside SFCC
Published by Santa Fe Community College
President and Governing Board
Sheila Ortego, Ph.D.
President
Bruce Besser
Chair
Carole Brito
Vice Chair
Linda Siegle
Secretary
Chris Abeyta
Member
Andrea Bermúdez, Ed.D. Member
Cindy Nava
Ex Officio
Student Member
Inside SFCC is produced by SFCC’s Marketing and Public
Relations Department.
Janet Wise, Executive Director
Writing and editing: Todd Lovato, Jennifer Bleyle, Savannah Sweatt
Layout: Sonja Berthrong, Deni Javas, Jeff Atwell
SFCC: Helping Students Succeed. Serving our Community.
Contribute to the success of SFCC with a gift to GROW Santa Fe Community College Foundation. Donations of any amount are
welcome and are put toward the most pressing needs of the college and students. To learn more about making a gift to SFCC,
contact Jean Marquardt, executive director of GROW, at (505) 428-1139. Thank You!