Wrapping up January 2026

Uncategorized January 31, 2026 Leave a comment

I was supposed to be in DC this week …. but between the storm and a wave of flight cancellations, the trip just didn’t happen.

The good news…. got to see a lot more of my boy Neo

Good morning California.
It is January 31, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cerritos College delivers for local communities
with new $850,000 workforce training grant

Cerritos College continues to deliver unmatched value to workers and employers across our local communities with a new $850,000 workforce training grant from the California Employment Training Panel (ETP). As one of the region’s strongest workforce partners, Cerritos College remains the top choice for employers seeking high-quality, industry-responsive training that drives real results. Cerritos College collaborates closely with local employers to design customized, results-driven programs that strengthen the regional economy.

» Read more!

Norco College Rising Scholars Program Celebrates Historic Final Graduation
at California Rehabilitation Center

Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program celebrated its final graduation ceremony inside the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, marking a profound moment of both achievement and legacy. The intimate ceremony honored 63 graduates—the largest cohort in the program’s history—and recognized students for their perseverance, academic success, and commitment to personal transformation. The ceremony carried special significance as the CRC is scheduled to close in August 2026, marking years of collaboration that expanded access to higher education within the institution. Norco College extends its sincere gratitude to CRC leadership and staff for their steadfast partnership in supporting educational opportunity and student success.

» Read more!

Palomar College Stadiums Win National Award

The new football and softball stadiums at Palomar College have been recognized with a national award from the American Sports Builders Association. The projects received a bronze award in the multi-field facility category, selected from submissions across the country that ranged from schools and universities to health centers and public recreation complexes.

» Read more!

The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges reaches
Promise Plus endowment goal of $4 million

At the December 16, 2025 Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board meeting, the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges announced successfully reaching the Promise Plus endowment campaign goal of $4 million. By achieving this goal, the Foundation will be able to distribute $200,000 in Promise Plus scholarships annually, in perpetuity, benefitting up to 400 East County students each year. Since its inception, the Promise Plus has provided nearly $500,000 to fund more than 900 scholarships for Grossmont and Cuyamaca college students.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

The EduLedger: Higher Ed Staff Embrace AI for Daily Work
Despite Policy Gaps, New Survey Finds

Nearly all higher education employees are using artificial intelligence tools for work tasks, but less than half know whether their institutions have policies governing such use—a disconnect that experts warn could pose significant risks to data security and privacy. According to a new report from EDUCAUSE released this week, 94% of survey respondents said they have used AI tools for work within the past six months, yet only 54% are aware of policies or guidelines meant to guide such use. The survey, conducted in partnership with AIR, NACUBO, and CUPA-HR, drew responses from 1,960 higher education professionals between late September and mid-October 2025.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From College of the Desert:

#Recap of College of the Desert students taking part in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program at our Indio Campus.

During the program students:

  • Competed in robotics challenges
  • Connected with STEM professionals
  • Toured Collins Aerospace and UC Riverside
  • Built teamwork and perseverance skills
  • Learned what it takes to meet NASA’s expectations for space missions

Congratulations to our NCAS scholars, and thank you to Professor Pérez, Professor Burns, Professor Blanton, the Indio Campus staff, and all who made this experience possible.

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From Cañada College:

Last week, the Cañada College Art Gallery was buzzing as students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of Guy Diehl: A Retrospective. With Guy Diehl himself in attendance, the evening was filled with meaningful conversation, connection, and reflection as guests explored nearly seven decades of his masterful still life work.

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From Cabrillo College:

Welcome Seahawks! Cabrillo’s Week of Welcome continues with new Superintendent & President Dr. Jenn Capps working the welcome table in Watsonville!

Bienvenidos, Seahawks! La Semana de Bienvenida de Cabrillo continúa con la nueva superintendente y presidenta, la Dra. Jenn Capps, atendiendo la mesa de bienvenida en Watsonville.

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From Santiago Canyon College:

Thank you to Rep. Lou Correa’s staff for visiting SCC’s Veteran Resource Center!

Student veterans led a tour & hosted a powerful Q&A with the Veteran Advisory Council.

The visit ended with a meaningful challenge coin exchange.

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From Mission College:

Mission College Nursing and Counseling faculty earlier this month traveled to Vietnam for a weeklong cultural exchange focused on advancing global partnerships and student success.

While in Ho Chi Minh City, the team collaborated with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) to share best practices and support the development of a Certified Nursing Assistant program. This meaningful exchange highlights the power of international collaboration in strengthening workforce pathways and healthcare education.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC’s Renegade Jazz Combo Performs in New Orleans

Recently, the Bakersfield College Renegade Jazz Combo traveled to New Orleans to perform at the JENerations Jazz Festival at the 17th Annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference. The group performed a set of original songs to a panel that consisted of professional artists and educators and received critique and feedback. During the four-day conference, the students also participated in various clinics, concerts, jam sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

Kris Tiner, Music Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at BC, was instrumental in coordinating the trip and getting the musicians ready to perform. “The Renegade Jazz Combo is the top jazz group at BC,” said Tiner, “and each year we try to take the group to a festival. The (JEN Conference) is a four-day conference and they perform a set of their original music, and they get a clinic following the performance from two professional jazz artists.” The conference represented a large part of their trip, but the students also got to experience other aspects of New Orleans. “We got to visit the French Quarter to hear some local music a few times,” said Tiner, “I wanted to take the students to Preservation Hall, because that is where the local musicians present their music. We started off at the gumbo shop to eat some local food and then we visited Preservation Hall – it was amazing.”

» Read more!

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Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

A week from snow country to the desert

Uncategorized January 25, 2026 1 Comment

Last weekend I spent with my daughter in Toronto.

Toronto got slammed by a full-on blizzard, with thick snow and sharp winds messing up flight schedules. My flight to Toronto from LAX got cancelled and the one coming back spent over an hour on the tarmac being deiced.

Coming into Toronto after a blizzard had shut down Pearson –

And a lower altitude photo from the plane –

And a short video of the plane taxiing in Toronto –

Then back to California for a busy work week. Headed to Long Beach and then to Twentynine Palms to visit Copper Mountain College. Though small in size, the college has a wide reach and an outsized impact. In a geographically isolated area, Copper Mountain serves as both an educational anchor and a community hub.

Check out this fun selfie taken by our SSCCC student Valerie Pamphile – you can see Bill Rawlings and President Daren Otten at the back.  And further back, Adrienne Brown.

And another great pic, this one with Julie Adams and Chris Ferguson added to the group:

Copper Mountain College has a tortoise preserve right on campus. The desert tortoise is an iconic species known for its long lifespan and remarkable ability to survive in harsh, arid conditions. It is endangered primarily because of habitat loss from development, roads, and energy projects, as well as disease and human disruption that threaten its fragile ecosystem.

The preserve at Copper Mountain protects this habitat, supports conservation efforts, and helps educate students and the community about caring for the desert they live in. It is pretty amazing that a California community college is literally helping safeguard an endangered species right on its campus.

Check out this 30-sec video of Professor Paul Delaney talking about the tortoise preserve being a natural laboratory for students.

Just a few miles away from the college is one of the most significant military installations in the country, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. As the largest Marine Corps base in the world, it prepares service members for complex, large-scale combat operations and plays a critical role in national defense. The installation is also a major economic engine for the region, shaping both the workforce and the broader community.

Here we are with Colonel Ron Storer who was a wonderful story teller about the Marine Corps and the training provided at the installation. He praised the partnership with Copper Mountain College.

Good morning California.
It is January 24, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Calbright Partners With Barstow Community College, Los Angeles Trade Technical College For Research Supporting Students

Calbright has entered into partnerships with two sister California community colleges to test new research that improves support for students’ basic needs, including access to food and health care. Pilot programs developed through that research showed promising results: Significantly more students in the pilot programs disclosed that they needed support and scheduled meetings with Calbright staff who can guide them through the California programs designed to offer support to qualifying adults. This includes programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs, that help millions of eligible Californians receive support for themselves and their families.   Now Calbright will work with Barstow Community College and Los Angeles Trade Technical  College (LATTC) to further test, develop, and expand that research. 

» Read more!

Santa Rosa Junior College Receives STARS Gold Rating
for Sustainability Achievements

Santa Rosa Junior College has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), recognizing SRJC’s leadership and ongoing progress in advancing sustainability across academics, operations, and community engagement. STARS—the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System—is a transparent, self-reporting framework used by colleges and universities worldwide to measure their sustainability performance. Santa Rosa Junior College’s full STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.

» Read more!

PBS SoCal Recognizes East Los Angeles College Child Development Center
with Bryson Transformative Leader Award

 PBS SoCal recently announced that the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Child Development Center has been selected as the recipient of the John and Louise Bryson Transformative Leader in Early Childhood Award. The award recognizes the Center’s unwavering commitment to creating learning environments that value and empower every child and family in East Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles Community College District.

» Read more!

Middle College Students Explore Emerging Technologies
in Eight-Week Cohort at Moreno Valley College

Through an eight-week Experiential Technology and Engineering Cohort hosted by the iMAKE Innovation Center, 68 Middle College students from Wendy Sharkey’s fifth and sixth period classes engaged in hands-on instruction in emerging technologies this fall. The cohort was designed as an immersive, project-based learning experience that introduced students to artificial intelligence, microcontrollers, mechanical systems, sustainability concepts, and app development. 

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

CBS News: Local Community College Students Partner
with Habitat for Humanity to Help Rebuild Altadena

Trade students are engaged in hands-on learning, as they help rebuild homes in Altadena in partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

» Check out the video!

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OC Register: Santiago Canyon College hopes to lead the way in AI for educators

Jason Parks is staring at a problem with a moving target of a solution. A problem that not only promises to get worse but comes with the chaser of potentially taking a wrecking ball to his institution’s purpose, mission and reason for being.

Scott James is trying to be the solution to that problem. It’s a job with a moving target of answers that is the academic whack-a-mole of the 2020s. And James finds himself holding the mallet and wondering where and what he’s going to smack next.

The problem is artificial intelligence, or AI, which is turning the world upside down. And as AI flips industry after industry on its head, few industries find themselves dealing with the falling debris and attack on purpose more than academia. This is why Parks, the vice president of academic affairs at Santiago Canyon College, and James, a professor and distance education coordinator at SCC, are trying to get ahead of the AI craze and turn the debris field into an intellectual garden.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Lake Tahoe Community College:

Mic check. Yogi has something to say…Did you know you can check out snowshoes, podcasting kits, and more from the LTCC Library? It’s all part of the Library of Things (yes, that’s what we like to call it), thoughtfully curated by our library staff to support student success and made possible by our recent LTCC Foundation Student Success Grant.

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

Spring Institution Day was an inspiring reminder of the shared purpose that drives our work at SDCCE. From campus safety and student support services to academic excellence and innovation, the “heart work” our colleagues bring every day is creating progress for student success.

*****

From Ventura College:

We’re celebrating our centennial all year long! Last night our Learning, Equity, Achievement, and Persistence Division (LEAP) honored tutors and staff who have made exceptional contributions to Ventura College over the years Congratulations to the honorees!

Dr. Vandana Gavaskar
Sandy Hajas
Pedro Gaxiola
Ouiall Ghazi
David Oros
Sara Sevilla

*****

From De Anza College:

Check out these photos from the @SVReads kickoff last week! Thank you to @profjohnapowell (The Power of Bridging), @KeeonnaHarris (Mainline Mama), Annie Hartnett (Unlikely Animals) and Sal Pizarro for making this an amazing event!

*****

And check out the first episode of San Bernardino Valley College’s Centennial Podcast:

Blast From the Past

I had to hop on the “back to 2016” trend I’ve seen going around social media. Here’s a pic from 2016 after Mayor Harvey Hall endorsed Measure J for Kern CCD:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Renegade Rally of Belonging to Promote Connection and Community

Bakersfield College was excited to welcome back students for the Spring 2026 semester. On the first day of classes, the BC Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life hosted the first ever Renegade Rally of Belonging. The event gave attendees a chance to learn more about various BC student resources, enjoy some delicious food, connect with fellow Renegades, and have fun!

The event included lively music, donuts, Ronnie Renegade, and a series of information tables for a variety of campus resources. The lively atmosphere provided the perfect environment for students to connect and take a quick break between their classes.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

Uncategorized January 17, 2026 Comments: 2

It was Board of Governors week, and we had a few especially exciting topics.

First, the CCC Chancellor’s Office and AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on advancing climate action, sustainability, and workforce development opportunities within California’s growing ‘blue economy.’ 

Here is a fun celebratory picture after the signing

Avin Sharma, Carla Grandy, Sonya Christian, Terry Tamminen, Hildy Aguinaldo, Tony Cordova, Derrick Kirk, Sandra Sanchez, Bill Rawlings

Terry Tamminen signing the MOU

I am so excited to see what great things will come of this amazing partnership.

Check out the opinion piece – The emerging California job industry that is AI-proof, published in the Sacramento Bee

With 840 miles of coastline and the nation’s most active port complex, California is uniquely positioned to lead this revolution and share its model with coastal communities around the world seeking both good careers and a sustainable future. The blue economy is projected to reach $3 trillion globally by 2030, driven by the expansion of offshore renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, marine carbon removal, coastal restoration and maritime innovation. These sectors require skilled, trained workers who can operate vessels, manage hatcheries, install offshore infrastructure, grow sustainable seaweed crops, maintain marine robotics and make critical decisions in real time, where wind, waves, weather and ecosystems intersect.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article314061601.html#storylink=cpy

Also, congratulations to College of the Canyons – their Rising Scholars Program was recognized as this year’s Exemplary Program Award winner.

College of the Canyon’s Rising Scholars program was launched in 2016 and has served more than 7,290 justice-impacted students since its inception.

*****

And as we take time to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this weekend, I am reminded of his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” written on April 16, 1963. In particular, I am drawn to this quote –

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Good morning California.
It is January 17, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Mt. San Jacinto College’s First Commercial Driver’s License Cohort
Celebrates Strong Completion and Workforce Impact

Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) is proud to celebrate the successful completion of its first Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training cohort, a new workforce-focused program preparing adult learners for high-demand careers in commercial truck driving. MSJC’s CDL program offers comprehensive, hands-on preparation and testing support, covering vehicle safety, pre-trip inspections, road operation, and exam readiness—ensuring graduates are prepared for both certification and employment.

» Read more!

Compton Community Health Professions Partnership
Receives $1.78 Million Grant from The Broad Foundation

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has awarded $1.78 million to support the continued
implementation of the Compton Community Health Professions Partnership (CCHPP) over the next three years. Established in 2024, CCHPP is a collaborative initiative designed to address the critical shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in Los Angeles County and improve the overall health and well-being of community members through education and increased access to trained healthcare professionals.

The grant will fund key positions essential to CCHPP’s success, including a Research Analyst at
Compton College, an Administrator at Compton Unified School District, a Program Partnership
Analyst at CSU Dominguez Hills, and a Program Manager at Charles Drew University. These roles
will provide critical coordination and support for expanding work-based learning and increasing access to health career pathways for the Compton community, including those who are first-generation, low-income, Black, or Latino students.

» Learn more about CCHPP!

Reedley College Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Agriculture

The National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) named Reedley College the Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award winner in Region 1 for 2025, which covers the Western United States (California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington & Wyoming). 

» Read more!

SisterWeb Partners with City College of San Francisco
to Launch Credited Community Doula Training Course

 In a groundbreaking move to expand equitable access to pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support—and to increase workforce development opportunities for Black community members—SisterWeb has partnered with City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to offer the Blossoming Birth Community Doula Training Course (HLTH 210, Community Birth Worker/Doula Education). This three-unit credit course is the first of its kind in the Bay Area.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource Commentary: New California AI laws that matter to you in 2026

As we head into 2026, it already feels clear that 2025 will be remembered as a turning point: the year artificial intelligence (AI) became a regular part of daily life. ChatGPT is now as ubiquitous as Google, Waymo cars are a familiar sight on big city streets, and distinguishing between real and AI-generated images or videos is no longer straightforward. 

Every sector, whether entertainment, finance, health care and beyond, is grappling with the implications. Education is no exception.

» Read more!

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LA Times: Auto shop class is thriving. Community college students
basically fix your car for free

Los Angeles Trade-Technical College offers the largest community college auto repair program in the region, turning out graduates ready to work at dealership service centers, independent shops and the fleet departments of municipalities, among other areas.

The college has offered the training for decades, and its Automotive and Related Technology program has evolved with industry changes — including the advent of fuel injection, airbags and the rise of electric vehicles.

As the rising cost of four-year universities has led many to question the value of higher education, training for high-demand trades has been growing. An American Staffing Assn. survey conducted by the Harris Poll and released in June found that 33% of U.S. adults would recommend to high school seniors that they attend vocational or trade school.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Moorpark College:

Day 2 of IN THE HEIGHTS rehearsals- After an energetic night of plunking out parts for the AMAZING Lin Manuel Miranda music in this play, the cast continues their bonding and growing friendships as they come together for a first cast picture! This is an exciting collaboration between the Theatre Arts, Music and Dance programs and a full-court press for the PAC on the Moorpark College campus. IN THE HEIGHTS opens March 12th and runs through March 29th and promises to be one of the biggest and most energetic productions to come to our main stage in some time. 2026 @ Moorpark College is starting with celebration and fireworks!

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Santa Ana College is celebrating the grand re-opening of their Main Campus Entrance:

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From Chaffey College:

The wind didn’t stop us from enjoying Unity in Community today! Thank you to everyone who joined us.

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From Merced College:

Hoops & Hello’s was a success! Thank you to everyone who came out today to meet our Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams and show some Blue Devil love to our student-athletes!

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From Cerritos College:

When @cerritoscollegepres is away, the real big dog comes out to play. Okay, she’s little, but we’re betting Delta is speedier than Dr. Fierro on his scooter! Shoutout to Professor @crystallovetere for stopping by before the spring semester with her pup.

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And check out this video of the Santa Barbara City College Trombone Quartet playing “Auld Lang Syne.”

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Athletics Hosts Sports Media Day for Spring 2026

This week, Bakersfield College Athletics hosted their Sports Media Day for the Spring 2026 semester. Local news outlets, students, staff, and the community were all invited to learn more about the teams and athletes that would be competing throughout the semester. The event included players and coaches from men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s and women’s tennis, track and field, women’s wrestling, swimming, and more. 

Representatives and players from each team addressed attendees, and discussed goals for their upcoming seasons, preparation strategies, team chemistry, goals, and a variety of other topics. Marc Gomez, Head Coach of the BC Women’s Tennis team, shared excitement about the prospect of their upcoming season. “We have some girls who are returning from last year’s state championship finals team,” he said, “and we’re looking forward to building on that success.” 

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Back into work in the new year 2026

Uncategorized January 10, 2026 Leave a comment

Monday, January 5th arrived quickly after the holiday break, and just like that, we were back in motion. The quiet rhythm of the holidays gave way to full calendars and early mornings.

For me, it meant heading back to Sacramento, returning to the Capitol as the new year’s work began in earnest, with budgets to review, conversations to start, and the pace of 2026 already well underway.

Flight starting the descent into the Sacramento Valley.

One more –

Good morning California.
It is January 10, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

San Joaquin Delta College Group Earns
Prestigious ‘Freedom Fighter’ Award From NAACP Branch

In a powerful recognition of its work to support underrepresented students, Delta College’s Black Alliance for Student Empowerment (BASE) was presented with the 2025 Freedom Fighter award on Saturday by the Stockton branch of the NAACP. BASE, formerly known as the Black Faculty Task Force, received the award for its work bringing the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caravan to Delta. 

» Read more!

Modesto Junior College Receives $400,000
National Science Foundation Grant

Modesto Junior College has been awarded $400,000 from the National Science Foundation Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation grant program. The NSF EPIIC program is designed to strengthen the ability of two-year colleges, minority-serving institutions, and emerging research institutions to participate in the national innovation ecosystem. MJC’s award is part of a multi-institutional collaborative proposal titled A-SPARK: Agriculture and Science Practice and Access for Research-Driven Knowledge.

» Read more!

Monterey Peninsula College Launches Adult Learner Bridge Programs
with Monterey Adult School

Monterey Peninsula College has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding with Monterey Adult School  to develop and implement bridge courses and programs that support the successful transition of adult learners from the adult school to college.  This proactive partnership brings college coursework directly into the community, serving adult learners in the Seaside area where they are. 

» Read more!

Copper Mountain College Stories: Notes from the fire line

Note from Cody Almanza, graduate of Copper Mountain College Wildland Fire Academy:

After earning my S-130, S-190, L-180, and ICS-100/200 certifications, I was deployed to the Sunset Fire in Idaho, where I spent several days digging nearly three miles of handline with my crew. Much of our work took place at night, cutting hot line and staying constantly vigilant for snags—dead, burned-out trees that threatened to fall without warning.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

After years of volatility, Newsom previews
a stable budget year for California schools

Governor Newsom’s proposed budget is $42.5 billion more than was forecast, a “windfall” that does not include nearly $3 billion from December projections. The budget projects $248.3 billion in total revenue for the general fund. Proposition 98, a constitutional amendment four decades ago, guarantees that about 40% of that total must go to TK-12 schools and community colleges.

» Read more!

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As job market tightens, more Californians are heading back to college

If you want to gauge the health of California’s economy, start with its community colleges. 

“When the economy is doing well, our enrollments are down, and when the economy is in a tough stretch or in a recession, we see our enrollments go up,” said Chris Ferguson, an executive vice chancellor with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, which oversees all of the state’s 116 community colleges. 

Ferguson said the state has yet to release authoritative data on fall enrollment, but early data shows upward trends. In interviews with CalMatters, some college presidents said they’re seeing over 10% more students compared to last fall. But they say the state hasn’t provided enough funding to keep up with their growth. 

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Shasta College:

CRAFT Apprenticeship recently hosted a Student Skills Showcase featuring Shasta College’s Heavy Equipment Logging Operations Fall 2025 students. This event builds opportunities by giving industry partners a direct look at student skills through live equipment demonstrations and resume-based evaluation, in collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries.

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From MiraCosta College:

We have a feeling these grads are going to have the best bedside manner. Celebrating the 29th graduating class of Registered Nurses. Thirty-three students graduated this past December 2025 after completing either one or two years of nursing coursework through the program.

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From Gavilan College:

Huge congratulations to our EMT graduates. These graduates are prepared to respond in critical moments and make a real difference in our communities. We cannot wait to see the impact they will have.

*****

And check out this video from Citrus College:

ICYMI: Night Shift, our acclaimed group of student musicians, performed on New Year’s Day at Floatfest, a showcase of Rose Parade floats following their appearance along the parade route. Way to go, Night Shift!

And From the Home of the Renegades

Industrial Automation Students Showcase Senior Projects

Each year, the Industrial Automation Department at Bakersfield College hosts their Senior Projects Open House which allows students in the program to present the innovative projects they have been working on throughout the year. The event is open to the public, and attendees have the opportunity to preview the students’ automation creations and interact with the people who developed them. This year’s open house took place during the first week of December and was hosted in the Robotics Lab of the Science & Engineering Building.

There were a variety of projects that covered multiple industrial practices including agriculture, human-machine interface, industrial processes, and more. One of the participating projects was titled ‘Aerophonics with Weather Machine’ and was conceived and created by a student team. RJames Viloria, Juan Manriquez, and Amy Huerta have been working together on the agriculture-based project for nearly two semesters. The ambitious endeavor focuses on optimizing a controlled environmental system for more efficient farming.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou 2026

Uncategorized January 3, 2026 Leave a comment

Made a quick trip to Hawaii this past week. The first thing to do when I get to Hawaii….POG (Passion-Orange-Guava).

75 degrees and beautiful

From my room.

Hibiscus, one of my faves:

Then there is Kai Coffee –

Check out this 11-second video. The traditional Diamond Head hike:

And the 16-second early morning before sunrise, still dark beach walk:

Check out this 9-sec sunset video captured from a boat.

Good morning California.
It is January 3, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

Every year I post a few of the books I read. Here is the 2025 list….

2025 Books

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
By: Walter Isaacson

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Walter Isaacson takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the creation of one of history’s most powerful sentences: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, this line lays the foundation for the American Dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation.

Isaacson unpacks its genius, word by word, illuminating the then-radical concepts behind it. Readers will gain a fresh appreciation for how it was drafted to inspire unity, equality, and the enduring promise of America. With clarity and insight, he reveals not just the power of these words but describes how, in these polarized times, we can use them to restore an appreciation for our common values.

*****

Mother Mary Comes to Me
By: Arundhati Roy

Mother Mary Comes to Me, Arundhati Roy’s first work of memoir, is a soaring account, both intimate and inspirational, of how the author became the person and the writer she is, shaped by circumstance, but above all by her complex relationship to the extraordinary, singular mother she describes as “my shelter and my storm.”

“Heart-smashed” by her mother Mary’s death in September 2022 yet puzzled and “more than a little ashamed” by the intensity of her response, Roy began to write, to make sense of her feelings about the mother she ran from at age eighteen, “not because I didn’t love her, but in order to be able to continue to love her.” And so begins this astonishing, sometimes disturbing, and surprisingly funny memoir of the author’s journey from her childhood in Kerala, India, where her single mother founded a school, to the writing of her prizewinning novels and essays, through today.

*****

Looking at Women Looking at War
By: Victoria Amelina

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Victoria Amelina was busy writing a novel, taking part in the country’s literary scene, and parenting her son. Now she became someone new: a war crimes researcher and the chronicler of extraordinary women like herself who joined the resistance. These heroines include Evgenia, a prominent lawyer turned soldier, Oleksandra, who documented tens of thousands of war crimes and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, and Yulia, a librarian who helped uncover the abduction and murder of a children’s book author.

Everyone in Ukraine knew that Amelina was documenting the war. She photographed the ruins of schools and cultural centers; she recorded the testimonies of survivors and eyewitnesses to atrocities. And she slowly turned back into a storyteller, writing what would become this book.

On the evening of June 27th, 2023, Amelina and three international writers stopped for dinner in the embattled Donetsk region. When a Russian cruise missile hit the restaurant, Amelina suffered grievous head injuries, and lost consciousness. She died on July 1st. She was thirty-seven. She left behind an incredible account of the ravages of war and the cost of resistance. Honest, intimate, and wry, this book will be celebrated as a classic.

*****

Pariah
By: Dan Fesperman                                                                                            

Hal Knight, a comedian and movie star-turned politician, is no stranger to controversy. But after an embarrassing and humiliating encounter on set, Knight resigns from Congress, quits social media, and disappears to the tiny Caribbean island of Vieques to drink dirty martinis and nurse his wounds. Shortly after his arrival, he is approached by a trio of CIA operatives hoping to recruit him to infiltrate the power structure of Bolrovia—a hostile, Eastern European country whose despotic president, Nikolai Horvatz, happens to be a longtime fan of Knight’s adolescent male humor. Knowing that Horvatz plans to invite the disgraced star for an official visit, the CIA coaxes Knight to accept. Skeptical, but with little to lose, Knight accepts the challenge, sensing this might be his one chance to do something worthwhile, even if no one else ever finds out.

*****

Idea Man
By: Paul Allen

In 2007 and 2008, Time named Paul Allen, the cofounder of Microsoft, one of the hundred most influential people in the world. Since he made his fortune, his impact has been felt in science, technology, business, medicine, sports, music, and philanthropy. His passion, curiosity, and intellectual rigor-combined with the resources to launch and support new initiatives-have literally changed the world. 

In 2009 Allen discovered that he had lymphoma, lending urgency to his desire to share his story for the first time. In this classic memoir, Allen explains how he solved problems, what he learned from his many endeavors-both the triumphs and the failures-and his compelling vision for the future. He reflects candidly on an extraordinary life. 

*****

Iron Flame
By: Rebecca Yarros

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

*****

Fourth Wing
By: Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

*****

Source Code
By: Bill Gates


Everyone is programmed a little differently, and Bill Gates’ unique insight led to business triumphs that are now widely known: the twenty-year-old who dropped out of Harvard to start a software company that became an industry giant and changed the way the world works and lives; the billionaire many times over who turned his attention to philanthropic pursuits to address climate change, global health, and U.S. education.

Source Code is not about Microsoft or the Gates Foundation or the future of technology. It’s the human, personal story of how Bill Gates became who he is today: his childhood, his early passions and pursuits. It’s the story of his principled grandmother and ambitious parents, his first deep friendships and the sudden death of his best friend; of his struggles to fit in and his discovery of a world of coding and computers in the dawn of a new era; of embarking in his early teens on a path that took him from midnight escapades at a nearby computer center to his college dorm room, where he sparked a revolution that would change the world.

*****

State of Terror
By: Louise Penny and Hilary Rodham Clinton

After a tumultuous period in American politics, a new administration has just been sworn in, and to everyone’s surprise the president chooses a political enemy for the vital position of secretary of state.

There is no love lost between the president of the United States and Ellen Adams, his new secretary of state. But it’s a canny move on the part of the president. With this appointment, he silences one of his harshest critics, since taking the job means Adams must step down as head of her multinational media conglomerate.

As the new president addresses Congress for the first time, with Secretary Adams in attendance, Anahita Dahir, a young foreign service officer (FSO) on the Pakistan desk at the State Department, receives a baffling text from an anonymous source.

Too late, she realizes the message was a hastily coded warning.

*****

The Vegetarian
By: Han Kang. Translated by Deborah Smith

Before the nightmares began, Yeong-hye and her husband lived an ordinary, controlled life. But the dreams—invasive images of blood and brutality—torture her, driving Yeong-hye to purge her mind and renounce eating meat altogether. It’s a small act of independence, but it interrupts her marriage and sets into motion an increasingly grotesque chain of events at home. As her husband, her brother-in-law and sister each fight to reassert their control, Yeong-hye obsessively defends the choice that’s become sacred to her. Soon their attempts turn desperate, subjecting first her mind, and then her body, to ever more intrusive and perverse violations, sending Yeong-hye spiraling into a dangerous, bizarre estrangement, not only from those closest to her, but also from herself.

Celebrated by critics around the world, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and one woman’s struggle to break free from the violence both without and within her.

**********

And a look back at some of the books I’ve read in the previous years –

2024 Books

» Read my January 4, 2025 Blog: Happy New Year 2025

  • The World’s I see. By Fei-Fei Li
  • Something Lost Something Gained. By: Hillary Clinton
  • Swann’s Way. By Marcel Proust
  • Algorithms of Oppression. By Safiya Noble                                                                                            
  • Why we are polarized. By Ezra Klein
  • AI for the Rest of Us. By Phaedra Boinodiris and Beth Rudden.
  • Sitting Pretty: A view from my ordinary, resilient broken body. By. Rebekah Taussig
  • The Bird Hotel. By Joyce Maynard

2023 Books

» Read my January 6, 2024 Blog: Happy New Year 2024. Seize Every moment of every day.

  • The Covenant of Water.  By: Abraham Verghese
  • The Last Animal.  By: Ramona Ausubel
  • One Hundred Years of Solitude.  By: Gabriel García Márquez
  • I Love Learning; I Hate School.  By: Susan D. Blum
  • Superintelligence.  By: Nick Bostrom
  • How to Know a Person.  By: David Brooks

2022 Books

» Read my January 8, 2023 Blog: Rain bathing California in glee

  • Cry of the Kalahari by Mark and Delia Owens
  • The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs by Madeleine Albright
  • The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee
  • The Distance Between Us: A Memoir by Reyna Grande
  • Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
  • The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa Yoko Ogawa
  • The Loneliest Americans by Jay Caspian Kang
  • The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs by Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker

2021 Books

» Read my January 8, 2022 Blog: KCCD CEOs welcome you to the new semester

  • The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
  • Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard
  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
  • Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer
  • Post Corona by Scott Galloway
  • The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris
  • Divided we Fall by David French
  • Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon
  • Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
  • The Guest List by Lucy Foley
  • Deadliest Enemy by Michael Osterholm
  • Grace and Grit by Lilly Ledbetter

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Sonya Christian's Blog