Cañada College Parking Lots Offer a Spectacular View of Fourth of July Fireworks Shows

Campus will open at 6:30 p.m.



It has become a tradition for many Peninsula residents. Pack the family into the car and head to Cañada College on the Fourth of July for amazing views of local fireworks shows.

Parking Lot 7 on the Cañada College campus, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., in Redwood City, overlooks the San Francisco Bay and offers views of local fireworks shows up and down the Peninsula. "It's a fantastic view and I understand the community enjoys coming to the campus for this event," said Cañada College President Larry Buckley. "We're pleased to open the parking lot on the Fourth of July and participate in this tradition."



Cody the Colt

The college will also be an active participant in the Redwood City Fourth of July Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Cañada will have a float and walking group in this year's parade with the theme "From Here, You Can Go Anywhere!" The float is being built by the Associated Students of Cañada College and Theater Manager Mike Walsh. It will commemorate Cañada's 45 anniversary and includes a destination pole pointing out the college goals along with some of the universities that Cañada students have transferred to in recent years. Riding on the float will be several students representing campus programs and Cody the Colt, the school mascot.

If you are planning to watch fireworks from the college, it’s important to remember that alcohol, barbecues, pets, and personal fireworks are not permitted on campus. Lot 7 will open at 6:30 p.m. Directions to the campus and a map can be found on the college website.

Crafts to Cash - How to Get Started in the Business of Art

Free Workshop is Designed to Help Artists Start a Business

A free workshop will teach artists how to start a business.

Arts RWC and the Cañada College Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities will present a free workshop for artists titled, "Crafts to Cash - You Can do it! How to Get Started in the Business of Art."

The workshop will be held Monday, July 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Dragon Theater, 2120 Broadway St., in Redwood City. The theater is located near the corner of Broadway and Jefferson.

Catherine Fraser, director of the Cañada College Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities, will offer an overview for artists on how to start a business to sell art. She will discuss organizing the business, developing a business plan, and marketing. This will be followed by a Q&A session.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP Beth Mostovoy at artsrwc@gmail.com. Space is limited.

Alicia Karver Hired to Coach Volleyball at Cañada College

Karver was a member of the CSU San Bernardino team that finished second nationally in 2008-09.

Alicia Karver, a former assistant coach at Sierra College in Rocklin, has been hired to rebuild the Cañada College volleyball program.

Karver spent three seasons as the first assistant at Sierra, winning a Northern California championship during her tenure. She was also a successful college player, winning conference titles at San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton and winning two conference titles and finishing second in the nation at California State University San Bernardino.

Karver is a 2005 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Stockton where she played four years earning first-team all-area three times.

Most recently, she’s been coaching Mercy High School in Burlingame, which finished 20-12 in 2012. That record was good for a three-way split of the West Bay Athletic League Skyline Division title.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” she said. “I enjoy coaching at the community college level. I played at a community college and I’ve coached at a community college so I know that’s where I want to be.”

Karver said she understands the situation many community college athletes face. “When I finished high school, I was burned out and I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “I had been playing high school and club volleyball for years. It wasn’t until I started playing at Delta that I fell in love with the game again.”

Once the volleyball season starts, Karver said she’ll be attending local high school matches to introduce them to the Cañada program. She’ll have her eye out for talent but, more importantly, she wants commitment. “I can teach them the skills,” she said. “I need athletes who are committed and excited to help build this program.”

She describes her coaching style as “tough but positive” and she’ll emphasize strength and conditioning in conjunction with the primary volleyball skills of serving and passing. Karver works as a strength and conditioning coach and earned her master’s in kinesiology from Sacramento State.

Karver is also interested in having an impact on her players beyond volleyball. “I want to help them transfer to universities,” she said. “My experience at Delta was instrumental in helping me earn a college degree.”

The National Hispanic University Partners With Cañada College to Offer Child Development Program

Partnership gives early childhood education students the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree






Dr David Lopez (L), president of The National Hispanic University, and Dr. Lawrence Buckley, president of Cañada College, sign an agreement Monday, June 17 that creates a partnership between the schools to offer NHU's Bachelor of Arts in Child Development at the Cañada College University Center. Classes for the degree begin this fall and will be taught by NHU's award-winning faculty. Early Childhood Education is the largest academic program at Cañada College and the partnership with NHU gives students the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree without leaving Cañada.

The National Hispanic University (NHU) and the San Mateo Community College District’s Cañada College announced today a partnership to offer NHU’s Bachelor of Arts in Child Development program at Cañada College in Redwood City, Calif., beginning fall 2013. The partnership expands access to a four-year degree completion for early childhood professionals who are looking to strengthen their knowledge base and skills while continuing their important work in the field.

“As early childhood programs and schools become more diverse, there is a growing demand for culturally and linguistically responsive professionals who can inspire and engage young learners and their parents,” said Dr. David P. López, president of NHU. “We are proud to partner with Cañada College to extend the educational opportunities offered to their students and help them advance their careers and address the needs in today’s multicultural classrooms.”

“We're proud to welcome The National Hispanic University as our newest University Center partner,” said Cañada College President Larry Buckley. “Early childhood education is among the largest academic programs on our campus. Approximately 500 students were registered for early childhood education classes at Cañada this past spring. Many of those students are juggling academics with families and jobs. Offering the convenience of earning a bachelor’s degree without leaving the Cañada campus provides them a wonderful opportunity.” 

The partnership will allow students from Cañada College who are near graduation or have completed their Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education the opportunity to enroll in NHU’s B.A. in Child Development program and complete their bachelor’s degree on Cañada’s campus. Students can choose from a variety of concentrations, including Early Biliteracy Development, Early Intervention, School-Age and a Dual Concentration in Early Intervention and Early Biliteracy Development, which are designed to prepare today’s early childhood education professionals for emerging opportunities in the field.

The B.A. in Child Development program reflects the competencies and guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is also structured to meet the State of California Child Development Permit Matrix requirements for employment in preschools, child development centers and after-school sites.

Students enrolling in NHU’s program will benefit from a minimized time-to-degree completion via Cañada’s A2B program, an accelerated associate to bachelor’s degree initiative that offers an evening and weekend format as well as maximized transferability of courses.

For additional information about The National Hispanic University and partnership with Cañada College, visit http://www.nhu.edu/canadacollege.



Two Cañada Paralegal Students Earn Scholarships

Lorna Boales and Victoria Hughot received Scholarships from the San Mateo County Legal Secretaries Association

Two Cañada College paralegal students have each earned the Eula Mae Jett Scholarship from the San Mateo County Legal Secretaries Association.

Lorna Boales (L) and Victoria Hughot receive scholarships

Lorna Boales and Victoria Hughot each received a $500 scholarship from the association and Hughot was selected by the San Mateo Chapter of LSI to represent the county in the statewide competition where she earned another $1,500 scholarship. The second scholarship was awarded by Legal Secretaries Incorporated, California State Scholarship Board.

“This is a very competitive scholarship and our students should be commended for their hard work and outstanding academic ability,” said Althea Kippes, a faculty member in the Cañada College Paralegal Program.

Kippes had Boales and Hughot in her Advanced Legal Writing class in the spring semester. “As part of my regular assignment for this class, I require all of my students to draft the essay required for this scholarship,” Kippes said. “We do several drafts and revisions, and I find that it is the perfect persuasive writing exercise. After doing the hard work – the essay – many of the students decide to apply for the scholarship.”

Hughot graduated from Half Moon Bay High School and briefly attended Canada College prior to transferring to UCLA, where she received her degree in 2009. While attending UCLA she helped develop a program that offers support to foster youth and adults who have aged out of the foster care system and are now in pursuit of higher education. Hughot plans to complete her paralegal certificate at Cañada College and graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies by December 2013. She aims to work as a paralegal in areas of Fair Housing, Consumer Rights, and Foster Youth Advocacy.

“It’s increasingly difficult for foster children who have aged out of the foster care system to attend college,” she said. “They simply don’t have the necessary support system. I know, because I was one of those children.”

Boales, a San Mateo resident, lost her job during the economic downturn and decided it was time to update her job skills. She had worked with several attorneys as an administrative assistant and when her father passed away in 2008, she helped settle his estate. “I had a strong interest in estate planning and probate after settling my father’s estate so I decided to study in a paralegal program.”

Kippes said Boales and Hughot both impressed her with their commitment to their education. “While my class is not an easy one, Victoria and Lorna did whatever was necessary in order to become better writers,” she said. They came to class early, stayed late, always attended office hours, and helped their classmates get a better understanding of the subject matter. They brought their own experiences, insight, and analysis into the assignments and class discussions which made the class relevant and interesting for everyone. I’m confident they will both succeed in their legal careers.”

“We need more professors like Althea Kippes,” Hughot said.  “She is amazing!  From the very first class I was inspired by her personal academic and professional achievements.  Throughout the semester she continually gave of her time and expertise and ALWAYS made herself available to students outside of class.  Not only was she a positive influence on me, but I witnessed her have a positive effect on other students as well.  Without Professor Kippes, I would have missed the opportunity to apply and ultimately win these scholarships!  I am very grateful that I took her class when I did. Moreover, I am very happy that she chooses to teach at a school like Cañada.”

Boales said she is going to pursue an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies and she recently joined the College for Working Adults Program at Cañada, a program specifically designed to help working adults complete an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year college or university.

Boales said. “I’m still exploring my education and career path, but I am clear about the type of work I enjoy doing. I am planning to continue taking writing courses as well, because the better writer I am, the more useful I will be to a legal office.”

Cañada Begins Operating Under Summer Hours June 7

The college will be closed on Fridays through Aug. 2

Cañada College will begin operating under summer hours on Friday, June 7. During this time, the college will be closed on Fridays.

Student Services will be open Monday and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Library and Learning Center will be open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through July 25.

The college will resume normal business hours on Monday, Aug. 5. For more information, call (650) 306-3100.

A Five-Year Journey Ends at Commencement for Yesenia Haro

The Cañada College employee earns her Associate’s Degree in Human Services

Yesenia Haro

After five years of studying, one class a semester, Cañada College employee Yesenia Haro was able to walk across the stage at this year’s commencement ceremony and accept her Associate’s Degree in Human Services. Not only did she fulfill a life-long goal, but she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Haro came to California when she was 13-years-old and graduated from Half Moon Bay High School. English was her second language, so school was difficult. After high school, she joined the workforce to help her parents financially. In 2007, Haro began working for the college at the Coastside Center in Half Moon Bay, where she was in charge of admissions, financial aid, placement testing, and outreach.

It was there that she set her mind to earning her college degree. In 2008, Haro returned to school, taking the Career 401 College Success course at Cañada. “That class motivated me and my family,” she said. “After that class, I set a goal to finish my degree in human services.”

Haro joined the Welcome Center at Cañada in 2010 following the closure of the Coastside Center. She would work at the college during the day, and go to school at night. “I remember getting out of class at 9:30 or 10 at night and getting back to Half Moon Bay to pick up my four children from my mother’s or sister’s house and not getting the kids to bed before 10:30. Some nights I would have to stay up until 1 in the morning to do homework. Getting the kids up for school the next morning was a challenge.”

Haro’s husband worked the night shift but always supported her decision to pursue her degree, even if he wasn’t available in the evenings to help take care of the children. “It was a big sacrifice for me and my family, but I had a goal in my mind and I knew that education was the key to my success so I pursued my goal,” she said.

While she enjoyed all of her classes at Cañada, Haro said she really enjoyed her English 100 class, because, for the first time in her life, she was able to finish reading two books from beginning to end. “I mean two grown up novels, because I only read kid books to my children. Because of this class, I am reading more now.”

Haro said her reading and writing skills have dramatically improved because of the skills learned in her classes at Cañada

While completing a two-year degree may not seem like a big deal to some people, Haro said it’s a really big deal in her family. Her husband and four kids joined the huge crowd at this year’s ceremony, anxiously awaiting her trip across the stage.  “My five-year-old daughter, Camilla, said ‘mom, you pass your ABC’s?’  I started laughing. My oldest son, Alberto, who is 15, was my personal photographer at commencement and my daughters Samantha and Juliana were cheering for me.”

While she has achieved her goal of earning her associate’s degree, Haro has more to accomplish. “I want to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services,” she said. “I will take a break because my kids are growing too fast and I want to spend more time with them, but I will keep my goal in mind and I will complete my second degree."

Sarah Harmon Receives Bay Honors Consortium Faculty Award

Award recognizes exemplary work of faculty in support of their honors community

Sarah Harmon receives award from Bay Honors Consortium

Sarah Harmon, a Spanish and linguistics professor at Cañada College, received the Bay Honors Consortium Faculty Award at the group’s annual Honors Research Symposium held in May.

The Bay Honors Consortium is made up of honors program directors and counselors from 16 Northern California community college honors programs. The group’s mission is to promote and support honors programs and host its annual Honors Research Symposium.

“I am very grateful to receive this recognition by my colleagues and peers,” Harmon said. “It is truly an honor to work with the Bay Honors Consortium on our various agendas.”

Patty Hall, professor of early childhood development and director of the Honors Transfer Program at Cañada, said Harmon has shown consistent support for the school’s honors program. “She has mentored student research in her classes, participated on the Honors Transfer Program Advisory Committee, and assisted the program coordinator in preparing the program for UCLA Transfer Alliance Program certification,” she said.

Harmon worked with Lillian Marujo-Duck from City College of San Francisco and Jennifer Saito of Los Medanos College and president of the Bay Honors Consortium, to design and launch the “Think You?!” digital honors research journal for California Community college students.

“As an adjunct who works on multiple campuses, I know how much of a struggle it can be to promote honors on any campus,” Harmon said. “I engage in my role both at Cañada and in the Bay Honors Consortium with enthusiasm and energy, with the hopes of mentoring students in how honors courses can create pathways to achieve their goals, and mentoring faculty so that they may become further engaged in these pathways on their campuses.”

Harmon expressed thanks to Hall for serving as her mentor on honors issues. “Her leadership and friendship have helped me in many elements both on our campus and in the Bay Honors Consortium in general.”

Cañada Student Esmeralda Gutierrez Accepted Into Prestigious Accounting Development Program

The workshop is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of earning the CPA credential

Esmeralda Gutierrez (R) with Professor Leonor Cabrera

Cañada College student Esmeralda Gutierrez will travel to Denver, Colorado, July 7-11 to participate in the Accounting Scholars Development Program. At the event, she will join other aspiring accountants honing her skills and learning about career opportunities.

The workshop is sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Foundation. Through speakers, panel discussions and interactive programs, participants gain confidence and an enhanced understanding of the various career paths in the accounting profession. An all-expenses paid event, the AICPA Foundation covers the cost of student attendees’ transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals.

Gutierrez enrolled at Cañada in the fall of 2012 intent on earning a certificate in medical billing but was soon motivated by Leonor Cabrera, professor of accounting, to apply for scholarships and pursue a career in accounting. Cabrera also encouraged Gutierrez to apply for the Accounting Scholars Development Program.

“I felt good that I applied, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up because I didn’t feel my personal statement was good enough,” Gutierrez said. Soon after, she received an email notifying her that she had received the Cañada College Accounting Scholarship and later found out she was accepted into the Accounting Scholars Development Program.

Gutierrez participated in the May 25 Commencement Ceremony at Cañada to receive her Entry-Level Bookkeeper Certificate but now she is considering transferring to a university. “I still need to get advice on where to transfer but I know I want to become a CPA,” she said.

The 2003 Sequoia High School graduate said she is looking forward to applying the skills gained in the development program towards her education. In Denver, Gutierrez will participate in numerous sessions and panel discussions covering a wide array of topics such as developing leadership skills and passing the CPA exam. Gutierrez will also have the opportunity to interact with CPA professionals who will impart knowledge regarding career opportunities in accounting and the value of networking.

“I am really excited for this opportunity and want to thank Professor Cabrera for helping me realize this was something I could do,” she said.

Summer Session Begins June 17

Summer session at Cañada begins Monday, June 17. Class registration has begun and will continue through late registration, which concludes June 22. Students can register for classes at WebSCHEDULE.

The college has added a number of new online courses this summer, including Human Biology, Computer Science, Introduction to Astronomy, English 100, and Physical Geography. Space is limited so students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible.

Janet Stringer, Dean of Science and Technology and coordinator for distance learning, said the online courses are extremely popular with students returning home from four-year universities who need core requirements. "There is a growing demand for online courses, especially in the summer," she said. "Those classes have been filling quickly."

A new online course in US History that transfers to both UC and CSU schools has proven so popular it filled within days of opening.

For a complete list of summer classes, go to WebSCHEDULE. To register for summer classes, please visit our Admissions & Records Department on the first floor of Building 9.

The six-week summer session ends July 27 while the eight-week session ends Aug. 10. Final examinations for all summer classes will be held on the last meeting day of the class.