COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE
Transcription
COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE
Outlook COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE SPRING 2010 Outlook explores the various languages spoken within the Columbia Basin College community. contents 1 from the presidents Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement Striking a Balance Pathways 3 Early Childhood Education Nurtures Literacy in Latino Child Care Community 5 ACONEVyT Second Chance to Learn A t Columbia Basin College, we value the diversity of thought, feeling, and experience shaped by the differing perspectives of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation, socio-economic status, age, and physical ability. This spectrum of difference helps us to recognize that the aspirations and contributions of each individual are important and meaningful. This is the concept of diversity that allows us to regard one another with respect and dignity, to embrace and celebrate the ways we are both different and alike as human beings. HUD HSIAC 7 Revitalizing Downtown Pasco College Spark Foundation 9 Academic Support Assistance Program Faculty Focus 11Omar Bourouh, Ph.D.: No Translation Needed Our history is the story of immigrants and the children of immigrants who have been drawn by the magnetic forces of liberty and opportunity. These people have brought their many languages to America. As a boy growing up in Cincinnati, I envied many of my schoolmates for their ability to speak German, which was common in many bicultural families in my neighborhood. In grade school, I learned much about English by studying Latin. In high school and college, I studied both French and Spanish. When I moved to Arizona for graduate school, I enjoyed hearing Spanish spoken everywhere across Tucson. Each language contains a culture, a unique filter on the human experience. Special to this Issue 13 The Deaf Way Student Focus 15Marquia Fitzhugh: Total Submersion Monoligualism, the expression goes, is treatable, and the pleasant effects of knowing more than one language are many; I invite you to read in this issue of Outlook about the many effects those languages we share and those we don’t have on us at Columbia Basin College. A s we all know, advances in communication, transportation, and other forms of technology have “shrunk” the world and has brought us in closer contact with people from other regions and countries. This increasing contact also means that we need to learn now, more than ever, as much as possible about people who are different than us—this is crucial. And nothing brings people closer than being able to communicate in the same language. Therefore, in this issue of CBC’s Outlook magazine we decided to focus on language; in particular, the advantages of speaking more than one language. As the interview with Sociology Instructor Dr. Omar Chaoura Bourouh attests, speaking numerous languages can allow you to live in counties as varied as Algeria, France, and Canada. Also within these pages, articles describe various students at Columbia Basin College and demonstrate that one only need to walk around campus and interact with other students, faculty, and staff to experience the richness and connection that speaking more than one language brings. Please enjoy this edition of our Outlook magazine and get ready to enjoy learning another language this summer. Martín Valadez VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY & OUTREACH About this Issue Outlook explores the various languages spoken within the Columbia Basin College community and how world languages play a role in our everyday life; while also unveiling the advantages of learning languages beyond our native tongue. Spanish summaries written by Amy Stroud and Dawn Alford and translation provided by Antonio Cruz. Richard Cummins Language Courses Available at CBC Chinese French Japanese Russian Sign Language Spanish PRESIDENT MATHEMATICS ENGINEERING SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT Striking a Balance by Gabriela Whitemarsh L anguage is such a critical part of our identity. It tells the story of where we come from, where we have been, how we communicate with the world, and predominantly who we are. The Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Community College Program, or MCCP, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focuses on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students pursuing calculus-based, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) majors. The students we serve come from very distinct and diverse backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM fields. The life stories of our MCCP students are widely based on language and living in bilingual and bi-cultural worlds. Many of them are first-generation college and immigrant students whose maternal languages are those other than English. Moreover, they are trying to find the constant balance between the life they lead at home and the life they lead in the outside world. First-generation college students are faced with the difficult task of navigating the higher-education system and do not have anyone in their immediate family to go to for help. In addition to this struggle, MCCP students have to find the balance between embracing their roots, with fitting in with their peers and in fields where there are far too few people like them. Bilingual students have the advantage, however, of surviving in different worlds and being the link that connects them. STEM professionals often work with others within their field worldwide; whether it be in private industry, government positions, or research. Being bilingual and having the knowledge and experience of interacting with others of different backgrounds is a huge advantage. They are highly experienced and have lived the life of staying true to who they are and navigating The Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Community College Program, or MCCP, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focuses on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students pursuing calculus-based, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) majors. Outlook 1 1 a completely foreign environment. Language is more often the solution than it is the problem. The MESA Community College Program is fortunate to serve hardworking students who have the tenacity and courage it takes to make it within a STEM field. Their ability to communicate with others in more than one language will not only allow them to be more marketable within the workplace, it will propel them towards a successful future. E l programa de Logros en la Ciencia de la Ingeniería Matemática al nivel de la Universidad Comunitaria, patrocinado por la Fundación Nacional de Ciencias, recluta y provee servicios para los estudiantes minoritarios de baja representación que siguen carreras en las Matemáticas de Ingeniería en la Tecnología Científica, basadas en el cálculo. Los estudiantes a quienes se les dirige esta ayuda son aquéllos que son los primeros en asistir a la universidad en su familia, y muchos provienen de antecedentes bilingües y biculturales. Con los recursos de este programa, los estudiantes están aprendiendo con éxito como avanzar por el camino exigente de la educación superior. Outlook 2 2 PATHWAYS W hen Maria* was in the third grade she stopped attending school in Mexico because her family could only afford transportation to send her brothers. Years later, when she arrived in Pasco to work in the fields, she could barely read or write. Now, in her late 30s, Maria is a licensed family home child care provider (CCP) and for the first time has the opportunity to continue her education. In March 2007, the Spanish literacy program that teaches basic literacy skills began with 27 other CCPs like Maria. These CCPs are the ‘first teachers’ for more than 250 children in our community, yet the majority of them have less than a fourth grade education. “It was so hard to teach my children when I, myself, could not read,” one provider said. A community coalition comprised of the Columbia Basin College (CBC) Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, the Kennewick Division of the Department of Early Learning, the Benton Franklin Health District, and Washington State University-Extension (WSU-E) decided to do something to help these preliterate CCPs to increase their literacy skills, and in turn, improve the quality of care in their child care homes. ECE Program Through a $1M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2007, the program expanded into a three-year research project, the Literacy and Educational Pathways for Latino Child Care Providers (Pathways). CCPs in the project participate in two distinct stages. The first, at WSU-E, combines basic literacy in Spanish through the CONEVyT curriculum provided by the Mexican government, combined with child care best practices instruction in Spanish. Upon earning their Secondary certificate, students are ready to progress. The second stage, at CBC, is an ECE Spanish Child Development Associate (CDA) training course combined Nurtures Literacy in the Latino Child Care Community with English as a Second Language instruction to give CCPs the English language tools needed to pursue ECE coursework in the future. So far, the results have been outstanding. The first group of 18 students completed stage two at CBC last spring to earn their National CDA Certification. In addition, their family home child care environments have improved dramatically. Child care homes which were void of books on their shelves are now better places for children to play and learn. CCPs now read to the children daily and plan age appropriate activities that nurture children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development. *Maria is not a real person. Her story is a blending of many people’s stories. L os proveedores del cuidado de niños en el programa del alfabetismo en español del Columbia Basin College son los “primeros maestros” para más de 250 niños en nuestra comunidad, y la mayoría de ellos tienen un nivel de educación más bajo que el cuarto año de la escuela básica. Por un financiamiento de $1 millón de dólares de la Fundación de Bill y Melinda Gates, el programa de Alfabetismo y Caminos Educativos para los Proveedores del Cuidado de Niños Latinos provee los mejores métodos en el alfabetismo básico y el cuidado de niños. by Carolyn Fazzari Outlook 3 Outlook 4 CONEVyT A Second C Chance to Learn by Danica Garcia olumbia Basin College’s CONEVyT (National Educational Council for Life and Work) program offers a second chance for Spanish-speaking students to complete their primary and secondary education. CONEVyT [koh’-nay-veet] was created in Mexico, to provide primary and secondary education and training to adults (15-years-old+) who couldn’t start or finish their basic education. Course work is completed online and is supported by community study centers, known as Plaza Communitarias. The Plaza Comunitaria at CBC opened in fall 2008 to help students achieve life goals and equip them with the literacy, academic, and computer skills to succeed in English as a Second Language (ESL), GED, and higher education programs. CONEVyT is a unique opportunity because it is open enrollment, self-paced, and customizable to the student’s education level and personal interests. Education is divided into three basic levels-- inicial (literacy), intermedio (elementary), and advanced (secondary). Students take core math, language, and science courses and then choose elective courses, such as parenting, health education, business, agriculture, and social sciences. Diplomas are issued by the National Institute of Adult Education, in Mexico, when students pass the cumulative-level exam. Computer literacy is integrated into the CONEVyT program since course work is completed online. Students learn to log in, type, navigate the Internet, use email, and use word processing software to complete their assignments. For literacy level students who want to study English, CONEVyT gives them an edge. Skills such as phonetics, text decoding strategies, and writing conventions acquired in the student’s first language can be transferred to the student’s second language. “I never got a chance to go to school. I had to help my family sell in the market...” “We had a big family. …I had to stay home and take care of my brothers and sisters.” “I want to help my children with their homework, but I don’t understand it. I stopped going to school in the fourth grade because I had to work.” CBC’s CONEVyT Students CBC’s Plaza Communitaria is located at the Chase Center in Pasco and classes meet evenings and Saturday mornings. New students are always welcome. Students interested in enrolling should contact the ESL office at 509-542-5605. Cost is $25 per quarter. E l Programa CONEVyT (Consejo Nacional Educativa para la Vida y Trabajo) de Columbia Basin College les ofrece a los estudiantes hispanohablantes la oportunidad de cumplir su educación primaria y secundaria. El CONEVyT fue establecido en México para proveer instrucción y entrenamiento para aquellos adultos que no pudieron iniciar o lograr su educación básica. El currículum se relaciona con los intereses y las necesidades del estudiante, mientras que los requisitos de la clase se entregan por el Internet. Outlook 5 Outlook 6 HUD HSIAC Revitalizing Downtown Pasco by Rolando Garcia Outlook 7 A gricultural-based industry has attracted many migrant and immigrant farm workers to this area. As the demographic population of the City of Pasco continues to grow and evolve, the number of Latino-owned businesses in the downtown area continues to flourish and is representative of the large number of Latinos moving into the area. Columbia Basin College’s Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant, in partnership with the Pasco Downtown Development Association (PDDA), the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pasco, is giving Pasco business owners expertise to improve economic conditions in downtown Pasco. Through the Façade Improvement program, which is specifically designed to increase the business traffic flow throughout downtown Pasco, local businesses have the opportunity to improve existing façades. The focus of the Façade Improvement program is to establish a newer identity and centralized theme which is both historical and indicative of the population which encompasses the area. CBC marketing faculty and students will collaboratively work with the PDDA and the City of Pasco to develop a comprehen- sive marketing plan to increase the business is necessary and vital as we try to convey our message across to the local merchants traffic flow in the downtown business and secure proper progress of the grant. core. Efforts will include enhancing existing Preliminary grant efforts are also focused downtown events, creating promotional on creating and developing educational materials, establishing marketing strategies, workshops and seminars, also in English and identifying new opportunities. Addiand Spanish, for spring quarter that will tionally, student design teams supervised enable local Pasco business owners to run by CBC faculty and local architecture firms more productive businesses. These new will work with local downtown businesses to design and construct improved storefronts. The assembled partl programa de financiamiento para Ayudar ners working together and using a las Comunidades de las Instituciones que their expertise and resources will Sirven a los Hispanos en el área de Viviendas facilitate the revitalization of the y Desarrollo Urbano del Columbia Basin College, Pasco downtown area. en colaboración con la Asociación del Desarrollo del Centro de Pasco, la Cámara Hispana de Comercio Language is an important factor de los Tri-Cities, y la Ciudad de Pasco, les otorgarán as it relates to the overall level of a los propietarios de negocios del centro de Pasco success and intent of the grant. un conocimiento más profundo del programa We must ensure that both English de Mejoramiento de Fachadas. La meta de este and Spanish are used to actively programa es de establecer una identidad más nueva facilitate the grant’s goals and al igual a un ambiente centralizado que es tanto objectives. This accommodation histórico como representante de la comunidad latina presente en nuestra región. E Outlook 8 COLLEGE SPARK FOUNDATION T his year, the College Spark Foundation granted Columbia Basin College the funds to create the Academic Support Assistance Program, or ASAP. ASAP is designed to aid 35 low-income, first generation Latino college students through their first year at CBC with individual and small group advising, cultural and academic events, and help with scholarships and financial aid. Our community is home to many promising students who would benefit from ASAP. While they have goals, motivation, and the skills to achieve, they may lack parents with a college degree, the money to afford tuition and fees, and basic knowledge about higher education. ASAP will monitor progress and encourage excellence as the students are exposed to their new college environment. Earlier this year, we held a bilingual family dinner and introduction to ASAP and CBC, which included a bilingual campus tour. Families were able to experience the college firsthand, and especially enjoyed the Atrium of the Thornton Center. Some parents were even moved to ask about the High School Equivalency Program (HEP); while others asked how they could begin taking college courses. ASAP is designed to aid 35 lowincome, first generation Latino college students through their first year at CBC with individual and small group advising, cultural and academic events, and help with scholarships and financial aid. Moving Across Generational and Language Gaps by Casey Roberts Outlook 9 Without a 24-hour-a-day academic atmosphere, like that of a four-year college or university, CBC students must integrate college into their already hectic young lives. This includes their family time, since most students still live with parents or relatives, or may already be parents themselves. The close-knit Latino family dynamic is often cited as a barrier to the success of the Latino college student. ASAP works to make the students’ families more comfortable with the college and better acquainted with the purpose and policies of higher education. Moving across generational and language gaps, the families, students, and our ASAP staff were able to come together and celebrate the students’ past and future academic accomplishments, as well as share a meal with new friends. E l Programa de Ayuda del Apoyo Académico (conocido en inglés por el acrónimo ASAP), está diseñado para ayudar a 35 estudiantes latinos de bajos ingresos al nivel universitario siendo los primeros en su familia en asistir a la universidad, durante su primer año en el Columbia Basin College por medio de consejos académicos al individuo y en grupos pequeños, por los eventos culturales y académicos, y por la ayuda con becas y ayuda financiera. El ASAP recientemente organizó una cena familiar bilingüe y una visita del campus. Las familias que participaron pudieron conocer el ambiente universitario de primera mano y el evento fue un gran éxito. Outlook 10 Faculty Focus Omar Bourouh No Translation Needed by Dawn Alford O mar Bourouh, Ph.D., Columbia Basin College Sociology Instructor and Algeria native, needs no one to translate for him. In fact, he is fluent in four languages…five if you count Russian, although he’s admittedly a bit rusty. His life is a collage of interesting experiences— encompassing world travels and enriched by his ability to communicate with people from different lands. With an estimated 2,000 languages spoken on the African continent, according to Nations Online, three of these languages are systemic of Algeria. Berber, a language spoken in five countries across northern Africa, including Omar’s home of Algeria, is his native tongue. Upon entering elementary school and throughout college he was taught Algeria’s official language, Arabic, while also learning French. This came naturally to him, as French was also taught in schools and is widely used in business and administration. Then as an undergrad, Omar mastered Russian and English; rounding out his global language repertoire. As Omar explained, in life there is a practical side to knowing different languages. Throughout his travels to Africa, France, England, Turkey, Canada, and the United States, he has been able to communicate freely with diverse nationalities. While living in Canada, he was also able to assist immigrants with translating their documents or interpreting for them. “It’s like you open a window and you see all the cultures in front of you—you see all the people in an accessible way,” states Omar. Outlook 11 Knowing multiple languages also makes larger quantities of information more readily accessible, according to Omar. Whether seeking the news of the day, researching data for a paper, or compiling supplemental information for classroom discussions, Omar’s arsenal of information is expanded. “Language helps connect the dots. It gives you immediate access to information and shortens the distance in learning,” states Omar. “It’s truly liberating.” At home, his family primarily uses English when communicating, but with a twist. They mix all languages together within a sentence. It’s a real innovative way of communicating, says Omar. As a recent member of the CBC faculty (fall ’08), Omar has found the need to learn a sixth language. To conduct research on the local Hispanic community, he’ll need to know Spanish. He admits that he may struggle a bit, considering time constraints, but insists that he will learn this language, too. E l Dr. Omar Bourough, profesor de sociología en CBC, domina cuatro idiomas, y tal vez cinco si se cuenta el ruso (aunque él confiesa que le falta la práctica). Su repertorio extenso en idiomas le abre un mundo de posibilidades. Omar es capaz de comunicarse con personas diversas, buscar las noticias del día, investigar los informes de datos, y recopilar información suplementaria para las discusiones de clase de viarios fuentes por todo el mundo. Outlook 12 The Deaf Way by Dawn Alford In the hearing world, adjusting language patterns or communication styles is generally done on a limited scale and often accomplished without much forethought. B ut, for the deaf or hearing impaired, their way of communicating is broadened by necessity. Use of sign language, reading lips and facial expressions, writing, and on occasion using one’s voice are ways that the deaf have adapted to communicate with the hearing. Yet, inside the deaf community, they need only to use sign language. “’The Deaf Way’ is a lot more fun,” signs Columbia Basin College freshman Ann Buckley-Fink. “There’s lots of joking and teasing-- it’s not just a language, it is a culture.” “ K-12 was spent at a school for the deaf, where Ann gained additional instruction in ASL and other core courses. However, only basic English skills were taught during her formative years. And because Ann lived within the deaf community, there wasn’t much need for writing after graduation. Now that she is in college working towards her A.A.S. in Health Information Technology, Ann admits to struggling with her English. 13 “I can read and understand everything (in English),” signs Ann. I can read and understand everything (in English), signs Ann. Imagine being born deaf into a family who also were without hearing. This is Ann’s reality. She, along with her parents and two sisters grew up in a quiet household--relatively speaking. American Sign Language (ASL) came to her quite easily; as it was the language spoken at home. Outlook ASL is a very complex and expressive language; using hand gestures, facial expressions, and body postures. It is a very complete language, in and of itself. But because there are no signs for some parts of speech such as: the, a, and is, ASL does not translate easily into English. ” She concedes, however, that her instructors find her essays difficult to understand because she writes words out of order and commas are often missing. “If I said: ‘CBC really cool’ in sign language, it would translate into English as: ‘The CBC is cool because school is important.’ In ASL you simply say it in two to three signs versus 15 words,” explains Ann. It’s taking some effort, but Ann says that she is improving. As the deaf community must adjust and learn English to communicate with the hearing, Ann encourages the hearing to do the same by learning sign language and “The Deaf Way.” P ara los individuos sordomudos, su manera de comunicarse se amplía por necesidad. El lenguaje por señas, leer los labios y las expresiones faciales, la composición y a veces la manera en que uno vocaliza son todos métodos que han utilizado los sordomudos para comunicarse con los que tienen el sentido del oído. La estudiante Ann Buckley-Fink nació sordomuda y se crió en una familia que también era sordomuda. Ella opina que “El Camino Sordomudo” es mucho más divertido que el mundo de los que pueden oír. Outlook 14 STUDENT FOCUS the directors Marquia Fizhugh: Total Submersion Miriam Fierro Roy Garcia CAMP College Assistance Migrant Program Outreach Adán Suárez Gabriela Whitemarsh by Dawn Alford HEP High School Equivalency Program Christina Martinez apanese is more than simply a language; it’s also a culture, a people. If anyone understands this, it’s Marquia Fitzhugh. J “Japanese is more diverse (than English); because there are three ways to write. Like any language, if you practice it every day, it’s easy,” states Marquia. “She (Noriko) really gets into it! She tells stories of when she lived there; it almost feels like we (students) have been there too,” states Marquia. Marquia is not your typical American college student. The 19-year-old sophomore is intrigued--some might say obsessed--with all things Japanese. She has submerged herself in the Japanese culture; watching cartoons, listening to boy bands like Visual Kei [kā], collecting tabloid magazines, and on occasion, dressing like many teens in Japan--in Harajuku fashion. Among her most prized possessions--a tattoo in Japanese characters of her favorite singer HYDE. Did I mention HYDE is from Japan? She and her classmates find themselves talking to one another outside of class, not just for extra practice, but because it’s fun. According to Marquia, an added bonus is that her friends can have private conversations because those around them can’t understand what they’re saying. On the other hand, knowing another language and culture has increased the diversity of her friends. In fact, some of these friendships have spilled into the CBC Japanese Culture Club, where Marquia serves as president. Travelling to her beloved Japan will have to wait for now; but Marquia continues to prepare herself for what will one day be her trip of a lifetime. Love for Japan and its culture also propelled Marquia to take classes at Columbia Basin College to learn the language. Now in her fifth Japanese course, of a six-course series, she is closer to becoming fluent. Marquia is well versed in three styles of Japanese writing: Kanji, a set of complex Chinese characters, the traditional writing style called Hiragana, and Katakana, a way to write foreign words. Marquia credits her Japanese Instructor and Club Advisor Norkio Ryder with fueling her desire to one day travel to and work with Japan. Along with language, Norkio teaches students about the cultural aspects of Japan and its people by covering such topics as: food, etiquette, and the school system, while also clearing up misconceptions. Outlook Medical Imaging 15 M arquia Fizhugh tiene gran curiosidad –algunos dirían una obsesión- con todo lo que pertenece al mundo japonés. Ella se ha rodeado con la cultura japonesa mirando caricaturas y escuchando música japonesa, vistiéndose como muchos jóvenes en el Japón, y tomando cinco clases de japonés en CBC. La pasión por el idioma y la cultura le ha inspirado a esta estudiante de segundo año en CBC ser la presidenta del Club de Cultura Japonesa, y un día ella espera viajar y trabajar en el Japón. Rolando Garcia HUD HSIAC Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities Adán F. Tijerina SSS (TRiO) Student Support Services Susan Vega Upward Bound (TRiO) MESA Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement Carolyn Fazzari Early Childhood Education Pathways Jason Clizer CONEVyT National Educational Council for Life and Work Casey Roberts College Spark The U.S. Department of Education provides 100% funding for the following Columbia Basin College federal programs: College Assistance Migrant Program at $1,976,903 from 2007-2012, Student Support Services at $277,976 per year from 2005-2009, Upward Bound from 2007-2011 $366,988.00 per year, High School Equivalency Program at $2,132,064 from 2005-2010, and the Title V Institutional grant at $2,870,294.00 from 2006-2011. Washington MESA Community College Program grant is funded by the National Science Foundation through the University of Washington at $275,000 from 2009-2014. The KnowHow2GO grant is funded by Northwest Education Loan Association at $20,000 from 2008-2010. The College Spark grant is funded by College Spark Washington at $50,000 for the 2009-2010 academic year. HUD HSIAC grant funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development at $600,000 from 2009-2012. Nuclear Education Scholarship program funded by Nuclear Regulatory Commission at $120,000 for the 2009-2010 academic year program. Columbia Basin College complies with the spirit and letter of state and federal laws, regulations and executive orders pertaining to civil rights, equal opportunity and affirmative action. CBC does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation or Vietnam veteran status in its educational programs or employment. Questions may be referred to Camilla Glatt, Vice President for Human Resources & Legal Affairs, (509) 542-5548. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all college sponsored events and programs. If you have a disability and require an accommodation, please contact the CBC Resource Center, (509) 547-4412, or TTY/TDD at (509) 546-0400. This notice is available in alternative media by request. Outlook 16 heritage awareness month events January – June 2010 January Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday February Black History Month March Women’s History Month April Gay/Lesbian Awareness Month May Asian American/Pacific Islander Month For a current list of events and times, visit the diversity calendar columbiabasin.edu/diversity