The Skyline College Women in Transition Program had their annual luncheon on April 25.
Since 1975, the WIT Program has been successfully helping women make the transition back into the academic environment. The goal is to encourage women to expand their horizons, and reach their intellectual, professional and personal goals.
Lori Slicton, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Anthropology Club advisor, and WIT Coordinator, hosted the luncheon.
In attendance were past, present and future WIT students. There were four alumni members who lead a panel discussion on their experience as WIT students and also discussed where they are now.
Alessa Adamo became a member of WIT in 2003, graduated from San Francisco State University in May of 2006, with a BA in Creative Writing, and now works in nonprofit for Disaster Preparedness Training in San Francisco. Kathy Ryan Collis was a WIT student from 1992 to 1999, graduated from SFSU in 2005 with a BA in Psychology with Honors.
“I will never for get how special I felt being escorted across the stage for the graduation ceremony, by my son James Valeria, who was also a graduate that day with a BA in Speech and Communication,” Collis said.
Gilda Guerrero was one of the very first members of WIT, with Rosemary Bell as the coordinator. Guerrero founded Independence Support Agency, assisting young men and women with disabilities. Georgia Gero was a WIT student from 1986 to 1989, graduated from SFSU with a BA in English. Gero is now an Instructor at Skyline College and Coordinator of The Women on Writing Conference.
“I am very excited about returning in the fall of 2007 to teach the WIT English Class. I am here today to encourage new WIT students, connect with WIT members I know, and to help foster the program that was so pivotal to me,” Gero said.
Connie Spearing and Brenda Smith joined the WIT Program in the fall of 2006. Both felt very grateful to the program, highly supported by fellow WIT members, and extremely inspired by the positive energy from everyone present.
| “From the time I began teaching the History 108 Survey course for WIT, I was hooked. Many of the women I met had never been to school before or they put their education on hold to do other things. The energy, commitment and sacrifice that many of these women went through to get to a 7pm class astounded me. I drew strength from them and it made me realize that where there is a will, there is a way.
The best part of WIT is the amazing and strong women I have met over the past 17 years. You see, WIT women are like sponges; they soak everything up. They have helped me understand why I love teaching and that if you don’t succeed at first you just pick yourself up and try again.“ |
Rosemary Bell received an award as past WIT Coordinator from 1989 to 2006. Rosemary Bell was emotionally overwhelmed and unable to speak momentarily.
“You know that I always wear my emotions on my sleeve,” Bell said.
“The Annual Luncheon was such a huge success that we will consider having it every semester,” Slicton said.
For further information about The WIT Program, please contact Lori Slicton at 650-738-4157 or contact her via E-Mail: [email protected] to set up a get-acquainted appointment.
