Beyond the Horizon
Volume XII, Issue 2, April 21, 2026
The April issue of SMC in Focus pays homage to the indefatigable spirit, resilience, creativity, and mentorships
creating a tapestry that is uniquely Santa Monica College—from a counselor who ran
into a student at a mall and inspired her to get back on track; a new(ish) vice president
whose immigrant parents gave her a life that wasn’t possible for them; a fashion brand
that’s investing in SMC students (in more ways than one); Art students representing
the college at a prestigious world-class fair; and so much more.
Here at SMC, everything that you see beyond the horizon is possible.
It Was Destiny
A chance encounter in a Sherman Oaks mall put graduating Interaction Design student Harmony Simpson back on track.
In her Shoes
The daughter of Cuban immigrants—and a first-gen high school & college graduate—SMC’s new(ish) VP of Student Success on resilience, her life’s turning points, and what keeps her centered.
Fashioning Futures
Rails founder Jeff Abrams brings scholarship support and industry insights to SMC students as they pattern careers in fashion.
Frieze Frame
SMC showed up in force at Frieze Los Angeles, where 22 student interns engaged with top galleries and collectors, established artists (including four SMC alum) and 32,000 visitors at this world-class art fair.
Bragging Rights
Applied classical voice students win top awards. IxD grads receive offers from the best schools. An aquaculture instructor dives deep into kelp conservation.
Lighting the Way
Santa Monica College widened the lens for Charles Butler, helping him go from modeling and background acting to success behind the scenes of hit reality shows.
SMC In the News
SMC to Launch Bachelor’s Degree in Cloud Computing
Santa Monica College Named Black-Serving Institution
Santa Monica College Corsair Wins 23 Journalism Awards
Community College Students on Paths to Legal Careers
Santa Monica College Receives Grant For Homeless Service Training Program
Michael Silverblatt, NPR’s ‘Bookworm’ Who Interviewed Authors, Dies at 73
Sustainability at SMC:
Proud To Be SMC 💙