Laney Student Honored with 2023 National Academy of Arts & Sciences Award
Laney College student Susan Bradley became the first student to ever be honored with the 2023 Governors Service Medallion Award by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). NATAS also serves as the organization that provides the Emmy Awards. Susan earned this honor thanks to her continual contribution as a photographer for NATAS, but only after three years of service.
Ms. Bradley started her photography training as a Black & White still photographer in the Laney College Professional Photography Program in 2010. Completing all of the introductory classes in professional photography, Susan has been recognized as an acclaimed Black & White Photographer and even exhibited her work locally at numerous exhibitions.
Along with her niche of Black and White Photography, Ms. Bradley has since continued in the advanced Professional Photography Program at Laney, beginning her professional photography career as a still and video photographer. She is currently completing all of the required photography courses for her AS degree.
Her work has also taken the form of contributions to her fellow Photography students. Since enrolling, she has also contributed to the College’s Photography program as a senior photographer and Instructional Assistant under the mentorship and instruction of Michael Moya. Along with videotaping Theatre performances at Laney, Susan is training in the Laney Media department under the guidance and instruction of Steve Shlisky, work that includes assisting him in his Documentary and Beginning Video Production Class. Of her work, Professor Shlisky noted, “Susan is not only a fast learner, able to grasp concepts about video production, but able to distill them to others. I have seen her gain such confidence in her skill sets that I trust her to work one-on-one with my production students.”
Laney College extends heartfelt congratulations to this outstanding student, photographer, and award winner!
International Astronomical Union Names Asteroid after Laney College Dean Angel Fuentes
Acting on a petition from the renowned Lowell observatory in Arizona, the International Astronomical Union officially named asteroid 1889TL34 as 28148 Fuentes, after Laney College Dean of Math and Sciences, Mr. Angel Fuentes Figueroa. “The totality of the body is in fact its own solar system orbiting the Sun forever named after me.” After capturing the body on his telescope, Fuentes notified family in Puerto Rico immediately of the honor, mentioning that he was able to show his mother the asteroid immediately.
A photo displayed at the Lowell Observatory marks the existing and naming. The honor represents an eternal naming. Laney College appreciates the work of all colleagues within the Math and Science Division and celebrates the honor bestowed upon one of its great educational leaders.
Summer, Fall 2023 Semesters Show Strong Numbers Despite Class Reductions
After a 2022-23 that saw roughly 500 more FTES than the year before, Laney College kicked off the Summer Semester with a number of full classes and with a 39% Fall increase from a year ago, looks to improve on the groundbreaking Fall 2022 Fall is Free semester with the program continuing toward meeting its 2023-24 target.
To ensure students would be able to complete career education programs and stay within budgeting requirements, Laney is running a summer that is 14% smaller than a year ago and moving this saved allocation to its Fall and Summer schedule. Despite the smaller summer, the college still sees an increase of 5% in FTES and another 10% in students (Year-to-date data as of June 20, 2023).
The move to a stronger Fall has shown unprecedented growth. Budget reductions to Laney’s schedule have the College running a schedule that is 6% smaller than a year ago, but nearly 1200 more students (a 30% increase) have enrolled than on June 20 of the previous year. Also, resident FTES have increased by 356 (39%) among residents and 378 overall, which both reflect increases of 39%. In the meantime, Laney readies itself to again welcome current and prospective students, with One Stop Saturday Events planned for August 12 and 19, just in time for the August 21 kickoff of what will be another incredible Fall.
All of this progress does not happen without the tireless dedication of many community partners, student employees, classified professionals, invested faculty, and administrators at Laney, all of whom are educational leaders in their own right.
This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Rudy Besikof, Laney College President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. To view it as a pdf, click here.