Mario Padilla
SMC Interior Architecture & Architecture student finalists at NOMAS 2025
Robert Myers
Roxanne Captor
Megumi Smith at YNF faculty concert 2025
Lynn Dickinson and Kas Metzler's new book
Greg Schreiner's show Hollywood Revisited
Greg Schreiner & Veronica Bell
Eleni Hioureas
Dr. Sofi Khachmanyan's book
Scott Edwards and Jill Hudson
- Geography / GIS professor Jing Liu has two brags to share: first, Geography students from Santa Monica College surveyed
the Santa Monica Canyon community in order to develop an accurate map of its narrow roads, intermittent staircases,
and other unique features to use in an emergency. On Aug. 16, a group of students,
who study Geospatial Technology at SMC, used the survey app they designed, and collected the information of 166 points
of interest, including Driveway Gates, Staircases, Hydrants and Tanks, Construction, Debris/Waste, etc. Click here to view the results on an interactive map.
Secondly, on Sept. 2, a former Geospatial Technology student at SMC, Diego Johansen, gave a live presentation from the E/V Nautilus about his adventures and findings around Howland and Baker Island, where he and his team were. After SMC, Diego transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduated with a degree in Marine Science in 2025. He is currently focused on deep-sea ocean exploration and mapping. Talk about making us #ProudToBeSMC! - Architecture/Interior Architecture faculty member Javier Cambron reported that SMC Architecture and Interior Architecture students had advanced to
the final round of the 2025 NOMAS Student Competition held in Kansas City—an esteemed national event featuring 41 schools, including top architecture universities
throughout the country—and won third place! “Guided by Professors Josephine Hao, Javier Cambron, and Michael Rocchio, our students have dedicated six months to this effort,” Javier wrote. “For the second
year running, Santa Monica College is the only community college to ever reach the
finals—a remarkable feat.” Indeed!
- Campus Counsel Robert Myers was inducted into Penn State’s Obelisk Society at a ceremony in State College on September 12, 2025. Presented with a limited-edition print of one of Penn State’s most cherished landmarks, Bob was recognized for his commitment to supporting the university’s Geographics Lab as well as establishing the Myers Award for Excellence in Cartographic Design. This reflects his long-standing commitment to student cartography both at Penn State and at Santa Monica College, where he established a Geospatial Social Justice Scholarship. Congrats, Bob!
- Spanish professor Alejandro Lee has been busy, per usual! Alongside Hugo Díaz-Rodil (American River College and Sierra College), Sarah Harmon (Cañada
College), and Cristina Moon (Chabot College), Alejandro presented “Conversemos, Escuchemos, Hablemos: Communicative Assessments
in Spanish OER,” during CAL OER 2025 on August 6.
And in August, Alejandro was appointed the Spanish Lead for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Open Educational Resources Initiative (ASCCC OERI). - STEM Counselor Sheridan McArthur reported that the STEM/MÁS Program hosted its 14th STEM Skills Week this past August! “Our newest cohort of STEMies committed themselves to an intensive
week, starting each morning with three hours of math preparation. Afternoons were
packed with workshops covering program services, transfer preparation, career insights
from an alumni panel, mental health support, a resource fair from various special
programs/services, and student club presentations,” Sheridan wrote. “We closed the
week on an inspiring note with encouragement from our alumni panel—some of whom were
from our very first cohort. Their stories and advice offered invaluable motivation
to our current participants.” Check out this short video that captures the energy of STEM Skills Week, made by STEM social media intern Bryan Hartanto—the energy is infectious!
- Psychology professor Dorothy Chin served as moderator for a workshop hosted by Boston University and the Public Health Institute on "From Insight to Action: Advancing Trauma-Informed Care for Asian American and
Asian Immigrant Children and Families." Participants included researchers, clinicians,
and community organizations and members.
Dorothy also had the honor of giving a keynote address at the "Room to Grow: Journey to Cultural and Linguistic Competency" virtual conference held by the Kennedy Krieger Center for Excellence in Public Health Leadership at Johns Hopkins University. Dorothy's talk focused on "Authenticity in Mentoring: Turning Stereotypes and Imposter Syndrome Inside Out."
And last, but not the least, Dorothy is blogging on Substack, about her “adventures as a new empty-nester.” Follow her here. - CalSTRS recognized the long and illustrious career of Elaine Roque, former Chair of the Kinesiology & Athletics department, and current Vice President
of the Faculty Association/member of the negotiating team. Watch the CalSTRS video
feature, which is posted on their website: “From Volleyball to Teaching, it’s Always About the Fun.” Elaine is entering her 36th year of service at Santa Monica College, and plans on retiring “in the next year
or so.” Congrats on the well-deserved highlight, Elaine!
- Communication & Media Studies instructor Roxanne Captor was the keynote speaker and panel moderator at Mattel’s Creative Economic Workshop held on Sept.19. “As the Chairperson for the CA Arts Council appointed by Governor Newsom and a member of the legislative Creative Economic Workforce, this day presented by Mattel is an important one for the health of artists in the
state and nationally,” Roxanne wrote. Congratulations!
- Director of the Percussion Ensemble Megumi Smith returned for her third year as a faculty member at the YOLA National Festival (YNF) this summer. YNF is part of the LA Phil’s education programs for young musicians and includes inspiring collaboration with
Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. “The two-week festival was both intense and incredibly fun—each day brought fresh
energy and exciting new things to learn. It truly felt like the Disneyland of music festivals!” wrote Megumi. One unforgettable highlight was Megumi’s marimba solo performance with a fantastic YNF faculty quintet, playing “Jónsi” from Song Book, Vol. 3by Ivan Trevino. “Every rehearsal felt like we were growing closer through the music—it was pure
magic to create such beautiful sounds together. I can’t wait to reunite with everyone
next summer!”
- English/Creative Writing professor Mario Padilla’s most recent collection of short stories, "Dark Pilgrims," has been selected as a
finalist for the 2025 Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series. The winning book will be published by Black Lawrence Press.
- Santa Monica College faculty members Lynn Dickinson (Media & Communications) and Kas Metzler(Kinesiology) are excited to share the publication of their new book, Who’s Cheating? How to Stop Your Students from Cheating with AI. A timely, practical guide for educators navigating the rapidly changing landscape
of teaching and learning in the age of generative AI.
- Music instructor Greg Schreiner performed a concert with soprano Veronica Bell, at the home of Stan Harris in the Lafayette Square area of Los Angeles. The concert featured music of many different eras and styles. In late October,
Greg is also traveling with his troupe of performers to Decatur, Illinois to present his show, Hollywood Revisited, at the Kirkland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Millikin University. The show will feature singers and dancers wearing the actual costumes worn by the
great stars of Hollywood in movies. Greg will also give a lecture to the students while he is on campus.
- On her flight home from the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) conference, Nursing faculty member Poy Yamada responded to a medical emergency midair when a passenger experienced an allergic
reaction. Drawing on her clinical expertise, she provided immediate assessment and
intervention that stabilized the individual, preventing the need for an emergency
landing. Thanks to her quick action, the passenger’s condition improved, and the flight
was able to continue safely to its destination. Talk about life-saving skills coming
in handy—whew!
- English professor Eleni Hioureas was selected to join the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture Community
Advisory Board.
- Fashion instructor Sofi Khachmanyan published her book about the symbolism of Catholicos’ vestments in Armenia. She held a book signing event at the Academy of Science, lectured at the State History Museum in Armenia, and gave a few interviews for radio and several TV channels. The book is translated
into English by Dr. Khachmanyan and is ready for publication in the U.S.
- On August 5, Promo Pathways instructor Scott Edwards and his co-worker Jill Hudson (of Fox Entertainment) presented the main keynote at the Florida Public Relations Association annual summit in Orlando. The session was titled Mastering the Art of Storytelling in Crisis and Creativity.“Must have gone well since they've already been invited back for next year. Crisis averted,” wrote Scott. We’ll say!
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SMC in Focus Volume XI, Issue 6
Fever Dream
A severe childhood illness motivated Jacqueline Cortez to become a nurse, and Santa Monica College helped shape her path. Read Article
Preparing the Next Generation of Caregivers
Tomorrow’s caregivers, both paid and unpaid, are getting an in-depth education in gerontology through SMC’s Introduction to Working with Older Adults noncredit certificate program. Read Article
Rhythm and Ledger
Dancer-actress Naomi Henderson found harmony between art and accounting at SMC. Read Article
Freddie’s World
The beloved SMC watercolor instructor looks back on a career filled with painting, quirky collections and students who feel like friends. Read Article
Bragging Rights
Geography students help develop accurate maps. An English professor’s book a finalist for a prestigious contest. A nursing professor responds to an emergency midair. Read Article
The Wisdom of Age
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, SMC Emeritus launches the “Fifty-over-50” campaign, a compendium of collective wisdom from those who have made significant contributions to this community, and beyond. Read Article