SPSCC Soundwaves, Winter 2020

SOUTH

PUGET

SOUND

WINTER QUARTER 2020

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

ON THE COVER

SUCCESS IGNITED: MEET TANYA MOLINAR

The Night Shift

Monday to Friday

Tanya delicately placed a new bedpan under the middle-aged woman in the acute care unit. The nurse watched her swift and careful movements from across the room. “You should’ve called me in here sooner,” she said to the nurse with a gentle smile. “Just because it’s 4 a.m. doesn’t mean you should do my work.”

“I’m an empath. A natural nurturer,” Tanya said when she met us the next day. She’d been that way her whole life, she explained, but didn’t realize it would drive her career path until she had a chance to care for her grandmother after a cancer diagnosis. “Nursing is that important combination of empathy, skills, and passion,” she said. “That’s just me.”

Tanya spends three twelve-hour nights each weekend as a Nursing Assistant at Providence St. Peter Hospital. It’s hard work, but she gets to care for people who really need her. She’s happy to do it. And it’s a great work schedule to balance her full-time studies in pre-nursing and time with family and her 10-year-old step son.

“The amazing thing is that our students do all of this hard work for themselves. We’re just here for them when they need us, and when they know that, they succeed.”

She wrapped up her shift that cool and dark grey Monday morning and stepped out of the hospital toward her car. Water droplets covered the door handle so she dried her hands on her scrubs and settled into her car. She turned the key, grabbed her phone from her jacket pocket, and tapped the play button. It was her most recent anatomy and physiology lecture. It played at full volume from the cup holder so she could hear it while driving. She had to keep studying for the exam that was just 36 hours away. But first, a nap before heading to campus to start the week.

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SOUNDWAVES

In her second go at college since graduating from Yelm High School in 2008, Tanya started classes online in January 2018. Fast forward almost two years, Tanya is completing prerequisites and preparing to apply for the competitive Nursing program. Getting accepted means earning high marks in every class—including psychology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and organic and biochemistry—before applying for one of 30 spots each year.

“It’s been a challenge and an opportunity,” Tanya said. “Faculty and educational planners have been a huge part of helping me balance school and my work schedule, and I’ve had a lot of financial help through the college, as well.”

Shortly after enrolling at SPSCC, Tanya was identified as a candidate for IGNITE, a program that creates equitable opportunities for

Scan to watch Tanya's story on YouTube

>

students to succeed at SPSCC. She applied and was accepted into the program in fall 2018, beginning yet another way she would help others through empathy.

IGNITE-ing Success

More Info

A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center spscc.edu/deic deic@spscc.edu | 360-596-5323

“My pronouns are she/her/hers and I identify as multiracial,” Tanya told us. IGNITE is designed to help first generation, low income, students of color, and students with disabilities—and Tanya fits into a few of those groups.

Run by staff in the A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center (DEIC), “IGNITE helps address the challenges that these students face,” said center director Parfait Bassalé. “Not only does IGNITE create a community of peers and friends, it also provides much needed financial and social-emotional resources that directly impact a student's ability to meet their goals.”

After just one quarter in the program, Parfait recognized that the supports surrounding Tanya—especially a peer mentor assigned to help her—were making a powerful and positive impact on her. And she was paying it forward. She immediately connected with other students in the DEIC and motivated others with her positive attitude and willingness to listen and help.

“She is such a caring and nurturing person,” Parfait told us, “so it was only natural to offer her a position as an IGNITE peer mentor.” Tanya accepted the offer and took on her own mentees in January 2019, just one year after she enrolled.

As the program has grown to 80 students, Tanya supports 19 students who are navigating their college experience at SPSCC. “Really, I just check in with everybody,” she said, “because what you get from a peer mentor is something you don’t realize you need until you have it.”

Her Self-Care Routine We recognized that Tanya does so much for others, so we had to ask what she does for herself. “First of all, I’m a master napper,” she laughed. “Like 10 minute naps, anytime.” It’s a skill that has helped her refresh after long nights at the hospital and in between classes.

While she admits she could do more for herself, Tanya also finds time to see a counselor, meditate, take walks, and is part of starting the new women’s soccer club on campus. “I also listen to true crime podcasts. You should check out Hide and Seek, it's amazing!"

Just like the rest of us, Tanya made it through her week. She got a 98 on her exam. She made it to all of her appointments and shifts in the DEIC, all while her phone vibrated a steady rhythm of texts and emails. And she responded to them all.

It's hard work, but Tanya gets to care for people who really need her. She's happy to do it. And it's the perfect college experience for a full-time nursing assistant with a family and 10-year-old step son. ■

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IGNITE STUDENTS

ARE ON TRACK TO JOIN GRADUATES FROM JUNE 2019

$15,000+

IN SPSCC SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED SPECIFICALLY TO UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS

Winter 2020

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3

PATHWAYS

spscc.edu/areas

Pathways allow you to take classes related to your interests, earn your degree faster, and graduate. ● Certificate ● **AAS: Associate in Applied Science ● *AA: Associate in Arts (transfer degree) *AS: Associate in Science (transfer degree)

Arts & Communications Art ● Communication Studies ● Drama ● English ● Film ● Music ● Philosophy ●

Automotive, Welding & Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing ● ● Automotive Technology ● ● Welding Technology ● ●

Business, Finance & Office Administration

Accounting ● ● Business ● Business Administration ● ● Economics ● Entrepreneurship ● Office Technology & Administration ● ● Human Resources ●

Cultural Studies

Anthropology ● Geography ● History ● Humanities ● International/Intercultural Studies ● Languages ●

Food, Beverage Arts & Hospitality Baking & Pastry Arts ● Culinary Arts ● ● Craft Brewing & Distilling ●

Government, Public & Non-Profit Administration Criminal Justice ● pre-Law ● Paralegal ● ● Political Science ●

Healthcare

Allied Health ● ● ● Dental Assisting Technology ● ● Medical Assisting ● Medical Billing & Coding ● pre-Medicine ● Naturopathic Medicine ● Nursing ● ● Nutrition ● Physical Therapy ● pre-Veterinary Medicine ●

Information Technology

Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technology ● ● ● Computer Programming ● ● Computer Science ● Cybersecurity & Network Administration ● ● Database Management ● ● Information Technology Support ● ●

Science, Engineering & Math Astronomy ● Biology ● Botany ● Chemistry ● Earth Science ● Engineering ● Environmental Science ● Geology ● Math ● Oceanography ● Physics ●

Social Services & Education Early Childhood Education ● ● ● Education ● Parent Education ● Physical Education ● Psychology ● Sociology ● Social Work ●

Pre-College & ESL

Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Completion (High School+, GED®), I-BEST

Pathways, degrees, and certificates are subject to change.

South Puget Sound Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance inquiries: Chief Human Resources Officer, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA, 98512, 360-596-5361. SPSCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access Services Office at 360-596-5306.

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SOUNDWAVES

FEATURED CAREER

CLEO PINEDA: FROM RUNNING START TO CIVIL ENGINEERING Growing up as the child of Filipino immigrants, Cleo Pineda wanted a rewarding and meaningful career at a young age—and SPSCC helped her find the right path to success.

“I always knew I wanted to go to college,” Cleo said, “but the road to receiving higher education was unclear because I knew how expensive it was.”

Cleo graduated from Saint Martin’s University in May 2018 with her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and soon found her career at Lacey-based consulting firm Skillings Connolly. Cleo specializes in road, drainage, and stormwater design, so she gets to break up her desk job with on-site visits for data collection. ■

Her family had moved to the U.S. from the Philippines when she was four years old. She experienced first-hand the financial and cultural struggles that many immigrants face and was eager to continue her own path with a college degree.

THURSTON COUNTY CAREERS: CIVIL ENGINEERING

Attending SPSCC through Running Start gave her the time and options to find her way: “I was able to take more specialized courses geared towards my fascinations while also fulfilling the general education requirements for high school.”

WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREE TO START: $62,596

She explored several fields through her classes, including environmental science and business, before settling on engineering.

It fit her life—it was a creative outlet that let her see her ideas and efforts materialize in the real world while contributing to society in a positive way.

Median salary

$83,722

During her two years at SPSCC, Cleo also embraced the opportunity to become a Peer Mentor at the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Center, learning to come out of her shell and be more outspoken. When she graduated from SPSCC in 2014, Cleo knew she was on the right path.

<

Source - Career Coach by Emsi More at spscc.edu/careercoach

UP TO:

73

$108,482

ANNUAL JOB OPENINGS

STATE OF WASHINGTON IS THE

#1 Local

employer

Winter 2020

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spscc.edu

5

STEPS TO ENROLL 1 APPLY

spscc.edu/start/steps

2 SET UP EMAIL

3 PLAN TO PAY

& PORTAL

Submit an admissions application online or in person at Olympia or Lacey campuses.

Activate your student email and open your mySPSCC portal.

Fill out the FAFSA or WASFA to apply for financial aid (grants and loans) and learn about funding and payment options.

4 GET PLACED

5

Take an English and math placement test or submit test scores and transcripts to get placed in the correct classes.

Sign up for New Student Advising and Registration—NSAR, a required group advising orientation—to learn about resources, meet advisors, and pick your classes.

GET REGISTERED

DEADLINES BY QUARTER WINTER (Jan. 6 – March 27) Complete FAFSA / WASFA ASAP Tuition & Fees Due Dec. 17 Apply by Dec. 23 Classes Begin Jan. 6

HOW SPSCC STUDENTS PAY 46% by student 30% by grants 12% by third party 6% by waiver 4% by loans 2% by scholarships

spscc.edu/pay-for-college

FAFSA OR WASFA The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) helps you determine what financial awards, grants, and loans you can receive. Do this important step first, and include SPSCC’s school code: 005372.

Get started at fafsa.gov.

Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status, sometimes called DREAMers.

Complete the WASFA at readysetgrad.org/wasfa.

ABE, Parent Coop, ESL, GED® $10.00 per quarter

Number of Credits

Washington Resident

Non-Washington Resident, US Citizen

Non-Resident, International

1

$110.26

$124.85

$288.13

5

$551.30

$624.25

$1,440.65

12

$1,211.76

$1,359.20

$3,004.96

15

$1,375.50

$1,525.25

$3,190.45

SOUNDWAVES

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Technology Fee:

2019-20 TUITION

6

SPRING (April 6 – June 23) Complete FAFSA / WASFA ASAP Apply for Scholarships by Jan. 10 Tuition & Fees Due March 17 Apply by March 23 Classes Begin April 6

All Other Students $35.00/quarter (1-9 credits) $45.00/quarter (10+ credits and Running Start students) Student Building Fee: All students $6.00 per credit (all credits)

Matriculation Fee: All students $20.00 per quarter Course Fees: Listed in class schedule if required.

Associated Student Programs Fee: Running Start students $5.00 per credit (up to $50 max.)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CURIOUS

THE

INCIDENT

OF THE HT-TIME G I N E H T N I G DO

spscc.edu/entertainment

Theatre Collective

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Nov. 15 – 24

HADDON

by MARK the novel Based on NS HE EP SIMON ST Adapted by ve Lauren Lo Directed by

Jazz Band Concert Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

Choirs & Symphony Orchestra Concert Hope is Kindled Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Student Film Showcase Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

The Gallery

Stay: New Work by Eun-Kyung Suh Nov. 11 – Dec. 13 2020 Fine Art Postcard Exhibition Jan. 6 – Feb. 7

Artist & Lecture Series DOLEN PERKINS-VALDEZ

Dolen Perkins-Valdez Lecture Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER: STUDENT-ATHLETE BEN JANSSAN In his time at SPSCC, sophomore Ben Janssan has taken on much more than the role of international student-athlete.

Originally from Australia, Ben attended high school in Centralia before joining the Clipper Men's Basketball team in 2018. Kicking off his second year at the college—and on the basketball team—Ben has connected with nearly all sectors of campus and works in the Clipper Cafe and as part of the Social Media Team. He also excels in the classroom and frequently lands on Academic Honor Role lists.

Head Men's Basketball Coach Andrew Green shares that, "Ben is a great representative of the program. We're expecting big things from him on the court this year." ■ Look for Ben and the rest of #TheClipperNation when Men's and Women's Basketball games crank it up in mid-November.

Note: Home games for 2019-20 season are held at Evergreen's Constantino Recreation Center.

spsccathletics.com Winter 2020

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2011 Mottman Rd. SW Olympia, WA 98512

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