I started my week at Oracle Park, at the Giants-Dodgers game dedicated to California Community Colleges. CCCCO Vice Chancellor for Communications Paul Feist planned this event as part of the ICan campaign. It was so much fun!
We had Malia Venegas, San Jose City College student athlete throw the first pitch. Venegas is a 4.0 student and a softball team standout player who is transferring to San Jose State University. In the picture below you see Malia in action right before she executed a delightful overhand pitch to the catcher behind the plate. Her smile lit up the big screen over the center field, and the crowd loved her.
Five of us joined Malia on the field for the first pitch – President Rowena Tomenang, Debbie Huntze-Rooney (Malia’s coach), Paul Feist, BOG Member Tom Epstein, and me.
Malia and I got a chance to snap a pic with the Giants’ three World Series trophies as the San Francisco Giants. They won in 2010, 2012, and 2014. (The Giants also won 5 times as the New York Giants.)
Was it Muhammad Ali that said – Don’t count the days, make the days count….. Always making the day count!
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On Tuesday, I was at Mt. San Antonio College for our final climate event for the year.
Good morning California.
It is May 18, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Fullerton College’s Applied Engineering Team Dominates
at 2024 NASA MINDS Competition
The Applied Engineering Club at Fullerton College recently won first place at the 2024 NASA Minority Innovative New Designs for Space (MINDS) competition, beating California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), California State University, Fresno (FSU) and other four-year schools across the nation.
San Diego City College Partners with TBH to Provide
Essential Basic Needs Services for Students
San Diego City College (SDCC) is thrilled to announce its new partnership with TBH, a leading provider of virtual basic needs support services for students. This dynamic collaboration will offer SDCC students complimentary access to virtual Resource Navigators, who will assist them in identifying and securing benefit programs and support services they are eligible for.
Foothill College Welcomes Community to Day On The Hill
Rainy weather didn’t stop hundreds of community members from visiting Foothill College for their Day On The Hill on May 4. The free, family-oriented open house gave people the opportunity to meets students, faculty and staff and learn about their academic and student resources programs.
Check out these videos from the event:
Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Donates $100K to Gavilan College
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP), a community-based health plan in Santa Clara County dedicated to creating opportunities for better health and wellness for all, has committed $100K to Gavilan College to support students pursuing careers in healthcare. The donation is part of their regional $500K investment over the next five years to support the future health care workforce in Santa Clara County.
In Case You Missed It
Community Colleges Are Critical to Climate Action
Jeff Clary, senior director for climate strategies at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and Cameron Sublett, associate professor and director of The Education Research & Opportunity Center at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville wrote a commentary for Inside HigherEd about the importance of community colleges to climate work.
The federal government (and some states) have advanced aggressive climate targets. The Biden administration’s goals include reducing U.S. greenhouse emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030, reaching 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Guidelines to federal agencies also include a commitment to ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments in climate and clean energy.
These climate goals are ambitious, and without the involvement of the nation’s community and technical colleges, out of reach. Here’s why: community and technical colleges offer scale, speed, and community engagement.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From San Bernardino Valley College:
Celebrating the journey of the Spring 2024 nursing class at our Nurse Pinning Ceremony. Family members proudly pinned these dedicated students at the iconic Greek Theater, marking a significant milestone in their nursing careers. Congratulations to all of our graduates!
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From Mission College:
Did you catch the spectacular APIDA Fashion Show that lit up the Central Plaza this past Tuesday? The runway was ablaze with colors, patterns, and styles from across the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American spectrum.
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From Modesto Junior College:
The 2024 Latinx Comic Arts Festival was incredible! Students and community members met with talented creators and artists who shared unique work and stories. Families and students alike walked the aisles of the Lowriders car show on Saturday. During the festival, artists lend their voices to speaker panels meant to inspire young illustrators, writers and families alike. The LatinX Festival brings culture to campus, learn more at the link https://ow.ly/2fWW50RFPQr
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And check out this video of students sharing their experiences at Moorpark College:
Blast from the Past
Check out this video of fireworks after the 2016 Bakersfield College commencement:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Hosts 110th Commencement Celebration
Bakersfield College celebrated its 110th Commencement on Friday, May 10th, 2024, with a remarkable milestone of 1,648 graduates. The event was streamed live on YouTube and attracted over 1,000 viewers from around the world. This year’s commencement was particularly significant as it marked the first for newly appointed BC President, Dr. Jerry E. Fliger, and newly appointed Chancellor of KernCCD, Dr. Steven Bloomberg.
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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
