Dear Faculty and Staff:

I am happy to share that there are 94 international students on student visas currently studying at St. Charles Community College. Since last January, 17 new students arrived at SCC from all over the world (Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Jordan, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, South Africa, Turkey, and South Korea). Under the leadership of Virginia Guneyli, director, these students are participating in International Student Service's (ISS) semester-long online orientation program to help them adjust to life in the United States and at SCC. To welcome them and help them adjust, ISS staff members matched new students with ISS Student Leaders as part of a peer mentoring program. ISS Student Leaders support their peers and also represent SCC's international student populations at many events. The 2021 ISS Student Leaders are: Nickson Mbaro (student-athlete), Delger Erdenbal, Maria Dilio, Minerva Perez, Debora Andrade, and Gloria Bosire.

Thank you to more than 150 staff and faculty who took part in February PEAK Program. Please review the March slate of classes and sign up for classes that will support your professional growth at SCC.

In 1870, the 15th Amendment authorizes the following: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” However, it is not until 1920 that women gain the right to vote. Forty years later, the Equal Pay Act is passed, promising equitable wages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin or sex of the worker. Sadly, women today still earn less on average than men. 

March is the official month for celebrating the contributions of women in American history. It is good time to stop and reflect on the women in your life who have contributed to your development and success. So, to all the women at SCC – thank you for your service to our college. I appreciate you. Our next Women’s History Month event is set for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Francesca Rossi - Thriving Through - Steps to Successful Drug Education & Prevention. Francesca will emphasize how the first step to successful education and prevention of alcohol and drugs is to understand the current reality of the culture. Please register here.

Consider joining the History of Racism discussion this month. The third and final discussion will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 22. You can register here. Those who are interested on this topic are encouraged to review these three videos in preparation for discussion:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n17YkhLWybY
• https://youtu.be/5oIkXtiFppY
• https://youtu.be/sEtyPIO6P1E

Have a great week,

Barbara

Here is this week’s COVID-19 update: