Good morning California.
It is September 6, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Porterville College students win national video competition
Porterville College is celebrating a major win after our Advanced Digital Video Production students took home first place in the college category of the NASA HUNCH/CTE Month 2024–25 Student Video Challenge. This was a national competition that pitted our students against others from colleges across the country.
Check out the video:
San Fernando Valley Colleges Awarded NASA Grant
to Host MESA Robotics Competition
Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Mission College, and Los Angeles Valley College, and have been awarded a $50,000 planning prize from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) to develop a new robotics competition for community college students in the San Fernando Valley.
San Diego Mesa’s Leland Simpliciano Recognized
for Outstanding Impact with NPIEN Award
San Diego Mesa College proudly congratulates Leland Simpliciano, AANAPISI Program Activities Manager and Grants Director, on being named a recipient of the National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) Educator Award.
In Case You Missed It
How California community colleges are using AI to battle financial aid fraud
Community colleges in California for years have been fighting a losing battle with fraudsters who have stolen millions of dollars in federal and state financial aid. But now state officials believe they are finally turning a corner thanks to new tools.
The game-changer? Artificial intelligence.
About 80 of the state’s 115 community colleges are now or will soon be using an AI model that detects fake students by looking for information such as shared phone numbers, suspicious course-taking patterns, and even an applicant’s age. Officials say the AI catches twice as many scammers as the human staff, with some campuses estimating that they are now detecting more than 90% of fraudsters, who are a mix of bots and human criminals, sometimes even located in other countries.
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California community colleges tackle workforce shortages post-wildfires
Disasters expose needs we often overlook — and clarify our responsibilities.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County — including the Eaton Fire that struck Pasadena and neighboring communities — damaged or destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The loss of lives and homes, and the disruption of normalcy and routines, was swift and severe.
California’s community colleges are a part of the communities they serve, giving them a deep understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities that emerge in moments of crisis. Pasadena City College has played this role over the last 100 years, stepping up again during the Eaton Fire and continuing to lead in the difficult work of recovery. The college is a hub for uniting partners, aligning resources and helping chart a path forward.
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From Programs to Professions: New Partnership Opens Doors to Careers
in State Government for California Community College Students
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has partnered with the California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) to launch a new initiative aimed at creating clear, seamless pathways to meaningful careers in state government for students and alumni.
The strategic collaboration, officially announced today, is designed to expand talent pipelines to address current needs while helping to build the state government workforce of the future. With more than 2.1 million students enrolled each year, California’s community colleges serve as a powerful stream of skilled, diverse, and motivated individuals ready to serve in public sector roles, across the state.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Los Angeles City College:
On August 28, Star Wars actor and proud LACC alumnus Mark Hamill spoke at our convocation for faculty and staff. “I don’t know where I would be without LACC,” he shared. His inspiring remarks about the power of education reminded us that the Force is strong at LACC.
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CalFresh Healthy Living shared this about Taft College:
The Taft College Cougar Support Center food pantry has achieved Gold certification! Yesterday, our team presented them with a glass award and a certificate to recognize their accomplishments. The Cougar Support Center is dedicated to promoting healthy and nutritious options and providing valuable information to their students. We are proud to partner with the pantry.
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From Representative Scott Peters, who visited San Diego MiraCosta College:
I visited @MiraCosta college and learned more about their nursing and biomanufacturing programs. MiraCosta works with local businesses to educate the top talent our workforce needs. I also stopped by their police Swearing-In and Pinning Ceremony and congratulated the new officers.
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From Santa Rosa Junior College:
First annual Disability Support Fair at #SRJC – plus a free Farmers Market. 25 SRJC departments and community organizations offered info about the ways they support disabled students and community members.
And From the Home of the Renegades
‘Styled For Success’ Offers BC Students Free Haircuts and Styling
Earlier this week, Bakersfield College’s Renegade Nexus hosted the first edition of ‘Styled for Success’ for the Fall 2025 semester. Through a special partnership with ClipDart, a mobile hair care company, this unique event enables BC students to receive free hair care services on campus while alleviating barriers such as transportation, accessibility, or cost.asdf
Hosted in the Panorama Campus bookstore, more than 50 students checked in throughout the day and left with their hair cut, trimmed, and styled, ready to embark on the Fall semester with a fresh look. The professional stylists were eager to provide their services, bringing energy and expertise to ensure the best results for each client.
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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
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