This week, Russian strikes killed 8 in Ukraine, and damaged a maternity clinic.

» Read more

Russia also hit a university in Kyiv – this is where my daughter teaches when she goes to Kyiv.

Let us Pray.

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This week, I traveled to the southern part of the state for a variety of meetings and conferences.

What’s not to love about San Diego –

Beautiful moon…I snapped this photo from the Ferry from Coronado to the Convention Center.

And I took this 11 second video of the moon for you:

I snapped this picture on the elevator door at a hotel I stay at in San Diego. It’s an ad letting families know that kids under 10 eat free ….but it’s the expression on this kid’s face that gets me every time.

Every time I stay here, I see that face and laugh out loud…..Pure joy. Pure mischief. And maybe just a little excitement about eating for free.

Don’t you agree?

And another pic …

We had a Board of Governors visit San Diego Mesa College. The college shared these pics:

And here’s a video I took of dancers from San Diego Mesa College:

The next day after the Mesa visit, I spoke at the Nandi conference. Ebony Jeffries snapped this selfie.

We then launched our internship demonstration project at San Diego CCD – back at Mesa College.

Here is a photo of Chancellor Greg Smith.

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

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From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

San Diego Miramar College Receives 2026 Excellence
in Mental Health and Well-Being Award

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Shasta College Awarded $288,500 Federal TRIO Talent Search Grant

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Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara Receives Over $500,000 from State Coastal Conservancy to Launch the Ocean Collective with Santa Barbara City College

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FutureU Podcast – Live from Google: AI Is About People, Not Just Tech

Universities can build all the AI infrastructure they want, but if faculty aren’t on board, none of it lands in the classroom. Recent surveys make clear what many academic leaders already sense but rarely say out loud: there’s a real and widening divide between faculty skepticism and administrative impatience on AI. The question isn’t who’s right. It’s how you close the gap. 

In this episode, I joined Pradeep Khosla (Chancellor, University of California, San Diego) and James Frazee (VP and CIO, San Diego State University) to speak with podcast hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn.

» Listen here!

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Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Kern Community College District:

Kern CCD Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Kay Meek & Yovani Jimenez joined Chancellor Sean Hancock and others at a luncheon for Latino community leaders at the District Office.

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From Antelope Valley College:

Thanks to everyone who came out for EOPS All-Star Day!

Students stopped by for In-N-Out, games and giveaways, and learned more about the support available through EOPS | NextUp.

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From Victor Valley College:

Hispanic Heritage Month at VVC continues with Wear Your Rebozo, Zarape & Guayabera Day!

Students, staff, and faculty proudly celebrated Día del Rebozo by wearing traditional cultural garments and accessories that honor the rich history, artistry, and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities. From colorful rebozos and zarapes to elegant guayaberas, our campus was filled with culture, pride, and heritage.

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From College of San Mateo:

CSM students visited AbbVie in South San Francisco to tour the facilities, learn about research and development, and hear directly from scientists about their work.

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And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Seminar Connects Students Through Conversations About Mental Health

Bakersfield College students explored ways to cope with emotional challenges, and found support during a suicide prevention seminar Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The Student Health and Wellness Center hosted “Embracing Life When Life Feels Dark: A Seminar on Suicide Prevention” in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month.

Dave Seymour, a mental health clinician at the Center, led discussions about the pressures college students face and how those experiences can affect their mental health.

» Read more!

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

Tagged: #CACCsOurTimeisNow, #NuestroTiempoEsAhora, #OurTimeisNow, Bakersfield College, California Community College Chancellor, California Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian, Dare Mighty Things, Kern Community College District, Nuestro Tiempo Es Ahora, Our time is now, Santa Barbara City College, Sonya Christian