Jessie Salter with museum specimens of her study species, the Northern Bobwhite
Chyna Tucker Abramson with her 2026 SMC Equity Award
SMC Board Vice Chair Tom Peters with his new book
IxD students/grads Fernando Herrera, Isabella Perrini, Kaylie Barr & Harmony Simpson
at BMW Designworks
IxD grad Lie Burgess at Snap headquarters, Santa Monica
Retd. Art professor Ann Marie Karlsen is headed to VCCA
Greg Schreiner at one of his "Hollywood Revisited" performances
- Life Sciences professor Dr. Jessie Salter was elected as an Elective Member of the American Ornithological Society (AOS) at its annual meeting in August. Elective Members are chosen for their significant
contributions to ornithology and to the AOS, the world's largest professional organization
for ornithologists. Previously, the AOS journal Ornithology selected two of Jessie’s papers as Editor's Choice, recognizing articles of special interest both within the society and to the broader
public.
- Psychology Professor Dr. Dorothy Chin's article "Race-Based Social Rejection and Mental Health: The Role of Racial Identity," published in Trauma Care in 2025 was cited as one of the journal's most-viewed articles in 2024 – 2025. Additionally,
as a board member of the Lotus Project administered by the Public Health Institute, Dorothy took part in the full-day workshop "Advancing Trauma-Informed Care for Asian American and Asian Immigrant Youth and Families" which took place on September 17 at the University Club at UCLA. Dorothy provided opening remarks and served as a moderator on panels, presenting
to about 80 participants and community mental health programs, including Little Tokyo Service Center and Yellow Chair Collective, two major Asian-serving mental health organizations in the community.
Dorothy was also interviewed and cited as an expert in this Boston Globe Magazine article on how to talk to your teen about school. This was fun for her as she herself is a mother of two teens with whom she “tries to have conversations without eliciting eye-rolling or cringe.”
- Geography instructor Maya O’Brien shared a blog she recently published about teaching accessibility best practices
in GIS (mapping) courses. Read the article on the Esri website.
- Daniel Donoso, coordinator of SMC’s Center for Wellness & Wellbeing is proud to share that the
Center proudly celebrates Chyna Tucker Abramson, MSW, ASW, recipient of a 2026 SMC Equity Award. Chyna was recognized for her outstanding commitment to equity through culturally
responsive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed counseling. Her compassionate clinical
work, healing circles, and advocacy, help historically marginalized students feel
seen, supported, and empowered. This fall, she will facilitate a therapy series for
Black women and girls called “Black Girl Therapy.”
- Vice Chair of the SMC Board of Trustees, Tom Peters has published “Just Living,” a novel about the 2028 election. Upon retiring from his full-time faculty position in 2020, Tom took creative writing
classes at SMC Emeritus. “Retirement is another key portion of life and I’m making the best of it,” wrote
Tom. “My novel is what I’d like to see in the next presidential election.” Just Living is available at Barnes & Noble online.
- Interaction Design (IxD) professor Nicole Chan sent in some amazing brags about what IxD students and recent grads have been up
to: Current IxD students and recent grads Lie Burgess (IxD ’26), Rafael Sanchez (IxD senior), and Devin Williams (IxD senior) participated in Snap Academies over the summer. Lie and Rafael completed the Design Academy, while Devin explored
augmented reality through the Lens Academy. IxD ’26 graduate Jon Lopez, a former Snap Academy participant, returned as a program coach, helping guide and
support this year’s cohort.
Also, current IxD students and recent grads Fernando Herrera (IxD ’26), Isabella Perrini (IxD senior), and Kaylie Barr (IxD ’26) participated in the BMW Designworks × LA Tech Rising Internship over the summer. Students explored how a single parking space could become an interactive experience celebrating 100 years of Route 66, while considering mobility, walkability, shade equity, and public life. IxD ’26 graduate Harmony Simpson returned as program coordinator, supporting and mentoring the interns.
- Retired Art professor Anne Marie Karlsen has been awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). She will be among more than 20 other fellows focusing on their own creative projects
at this working retreat for writers, visual artists, and composers. She will be in
residence for a month in April 2027. VCCA is a unique Virginia-based organization
of national stature and international impact. The artists who come to VCCA, whether
emerging or established, are selected through competitive peer review on the basis
of the important or innovative work they are doing in their respective fields.
- Spanish Professor Alejandro Lee, together with Hugo Díaz-Rodil (American River College and Sierra College), Sarah Harmon (Cañada College), and Cristina Moon (Chabot College), launched Entrada Libre 2.0, the updated open educational resource for second-year Spanish, at an ASCCC OERI webinar on September 18, 2026.
- Administrative Assistant Angela Bice sent the following brag on behalf of the SMC Malibu team: Since opening in February 2023, SMC's Malibu Campus has flourished into a vibrant
hub of learning and community engagement. Fall 2026 enrollment has reached an all-time
high, with nearly all credit classes at or near capacity and several exceeding enrollment
limits. Emeritus classes are also enjoying record popularity, with two classes over capacity. Adding
to this success, a new noncredit ESL class launched this summer and continues to thrive this fall. “These accomplishments
reflect the Malibu community's enthusiastic embrace of all that SMC has to offer and
demonstrate that the Malibu Campus is truly thriving,” Angela wrote.
- Music instructor Greg Schreiner performed a piano recital at the Gail Borden Library in Elgin, Illinois on September 24. On Sept. 25, he performed his show “Hollywood Revisited” at the Hemmens Theatre in Elgin. Around the same time, he also presented Hollywood Revisited at the Paris Center of Fine Arts in Paris, Illinois.
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SMC in Focus Volume XII, Issue 5
Teaching from the Cloud
Koda Kol’s life journey from a Cambodian jungle to teaching cloud computing at SMC is a story of grit, reinvention and paying it forward. Read Article
English at Work
A free SMC noncredit ESL course helps adult learners build workplace communication skills while opening doors to education and new career possibilities. Read Article
Opening Minds
Stockholm native Anja Winter developed her passion for psychology at SMC, leading her to pursue a PhD and co-author a book on psychedelic science. Read Article
Listening, Discovering, Reimagining
Director of Library & Information Services Walter Butler did not have a ‘straight path’ into this career, but he’s found his niche, helping students succeed. Read Article
Bragging Rights
A Life Sciences prof. named elective member of the American Ornithological Society. A trustee publishes a novel. SMC Malibu flourishes. Read Article
On the Horizon: Cloud Computing
CSIS Dept. Chair Howard Stahl on the new baccalaureate degree in Cloud Computing, why it’s so relevant & what opportunities await students. Read Article