This week began with my first Board of Governors meeting, on Monday morning. We officially kicked off Vision 2030, our roadmap for California Community Colleges.
Vision 2030 builds upon the foundations and work from the Vision for Success (2017) and the Governor’s Roadmap (2021), taking into account current issues and future considerations.
This plan focuses on improving equitable success for our nearly 2 million California Community College students, while introducing equitable access to find future learners and bring college to them.
Over the next few months, there will be many opportunities for statewide engagements as we focus on refining the plan before a final version is presented to the Board of Governors next January.
My week continued on Tuesday as I headed to Washington, DC, in time for Wednesday’s National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. In his keynote speech, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona reminded us all:
“Every generation is called upon to renew the promise of America. This is our moment. To be innovative. To act with urgency. And to lead with courage.”
It was also nice to see former California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley, who spoke on a panel about rebuilding affordable higher education pipelines.
After an exciting time being away, it was good to be back home for a bit of rest and relaxation. And of course – some quality time with Neo.
Good morning California.
It is July 29, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Fullerton College Drone Program and FAA Host Public Drone Event
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Fullerton College drone program teamed up to give a bird’s-eye view of the growing industry during a free three-day event, Droning On: California Edition.
The event kicked off on July 21 at Fullerton College with a Public Service Day that included a series of panels, lectures, and demonstrations with featured companies from various public service organizations, including Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, and many more.
» Read more about this event & Fullerton College’s drone program!
Antelope Valley College Fire Academy Grads Respond to First Assignment
Wildland Fire Academy students and class of 2023 graduates assisted firefighters from the Inyo National Forest in containing a fire 10 miles east of June Lake near Pumice Mine Road on Saturday, July 15. Fire crews braved high temperatures and dry winds to contain the fire to one acre.
» Learn about Antelope Valley College’s Wildland Fire Academy
Mt. San Jacinto College Culinary Arts Instructor Serves Up
Food and Fun with a Focus on Regenerative Practices
There’s more to Leah Di Bernardo’s culinary arts class at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) than lectures, reading and recipes. Di Bernardo serves up lessons about what farm-to-table means for people and the planet.
She is a key member of an MSJC advisory group that is currently in development on a Regenerative Agriculture program at the college.
East LA College Psychology Department Awarded $8.1M in Grants
he East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Psychology department and Addiction Studies program were recently awarded $8.1 million in grants. This is the largest ever received by the department and also one of the largest grants awarded in ELAC history.
In Case You Missed It
Community College League: California Community Colleges Support Rep. Schiff’s Bill to Help End Food Insecurity at Community Colleges
Last week, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif., 30th District) proposed legislation that would help community college students with food insecurity. The Community College League of California’s leadership supports this bill and its recognition of students’ basic needs.
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Community College Daily: A renewed appreciation for the humanities
San Diego Miramar College’s PATH Program was featured in a piece in Community College Daily.
“A collaborative program between SDCCD and UC San Diego School of Arts and Humanities, funded by the Mellon Foundation starting in 2016, PATH has resulted in a 78% transfer rate of arts and humanities majors. This rate doubles the regular transfer rate for SDCCD arts and humanities majors which was at 39% prior to PATH. In fact, the program has expanded opportunities for underrepresented minority students who are 63% of the students participating in this program.”
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Check out Nick Strobel’s piece on teaching and learning:
“I have been teaching at Bakersfield College for 27 years and before that I taught the intro astronomy courses at University of Washington for five years, so I’ve been doing the teaching gig for 32 years now. I’ve been reflecting a bit on those 32 years on how the academic environment has changed and how I’ve changed with it or maybe the environment hasn’t changed all that much but I’ve gotten better at recognizing what’s already there and adjusted accordingly. Whatever the case may be, I can see three major shifts in my teaching.”
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From Tawny Dotson
“Fantastic weekend in Sacramento supporting some of @CalCommColleges’ newest CEOs!“
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Kylie Campbell shared this:
“Thank you @CSEA_Now and @billrawlings for inviting Vice Chancellor @JohnStanskas and I to present on #Vision2030 and #DualEnrollment at your CSEA Community College Symposium! @CalCommColleges@sonyachristian#OurTimeIsNow“
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Foothill College recently welcomed a group of students and professors from the The University of Tokyo / UTokyo School of Education. They were in the Bay Area visiting area colleges.
And From the Home of the Renegades
On-Campus Employment Meet & Greet
The Office of Student Employment and Financial Aid hosted the Student Employment Festival this week which gave students the opportunity to speak to several BC departments about available positions and federal work-study. Attendees were also able to get assistance with jobspeaker, BC’s online Job Board that features employment postings from local companies.
» Read more about this week at BC!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
Tagged: Antelope Valley College, Bakersfield College, California Community Colleges, Chancellor California Community Colleges, Community College League, dual enrollment, East Los Angeles College, Foothill College, Fullterton College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Nuestro Tiempo Es Ahora, Our time is now, San Diego Miramar College, Sonya Christian, Vision 2030
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