It’s all about partnerships

Uncategorized October 21, 2023 Leave a comment

It was a week of travel for me… headed north to Fresno City College with the Undocumented Student Action Week, then south to College of the Canyons where Chancellor Dianne Van Hook hosted a wonderful event on Vision 2030 and I was inspired by the forward leaning work of the college… then to my office in Sacramento for Consultation Council… then back to Fresno Convention Center for the annual CVHEC summit. Wrapped up Friday night watching episodes of Stephen Colbert and John Oliver. The John Oliver piece was on safety of our foods and after watching it I think when travelling I will stay away from salads and other fresh produce which we eat fresh and without cooking.

Here are a few photos from the Undocumented Student Action Week Conference. Thank you Gina Brown and Linda Vasquez for taking care of so many details to make this happen.

With State Center team and other presenters
Selfie with Linda Vasquez
Team from Chancellor’s Office: Belen Lopez, Leah Abate, Marisela Hernandez, Sonya Christian, Gina Brown, Linda Vasquez. Second row – Theresa Brown, Alonso Garcia, Paul Medina (BOG), Heather McClenahen
Ran into Bill Moseley, BC

Find out more about Undocumented Student Action Week on the CCCCO website.

Had an inspiring half a day with Dianne Van Hook, faculty, students, administrators at the College of the Canyons. Dianne’s suggestion that the theme of the day be “partnerships” set the tone for our gathering. Vice President of the Board of Governors Hildy Aguinaldo made it a priority to rearrange her schedule to join us.

Was happy that the California Labor Secretary Stewart Knox joined us for this event. I am planning on doing another blog on the workforce development work at Canyons. For now, let me share some of the photos.

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Here are some photos from the Central Valley Higher Education Summit.

With CVHEC Executive Director Ben Duran and West Hills Community College District Chancellor Kristin Clark.
Chancellor Carole Goldsmith, Ben Duran, Sonya Christian

Good morning California.
It is October 21, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

California Community Colleges Expand Access to Bachelor’s Degrees
with Two New Programs

California Community Colleges have approved two new bachelor’s degree programs in an effort to make earning a four-year degree more attainable for all Californians. This brings to the total number of bachelor’s degrees that are now offered or will soon be offered at a community college to 33.

The new programs are biomanufacturing at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) and public safety management at San Diego Miramar College. Five additional bachelor’s degree program proposals are in the current evaluation cycle and are pending review.

» Read the Press Release from CCCCO

» Read about Los Angeles Mission College’s Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing

» Read the Press Release from San Diego Miramar College

Irvine Valley College Hosts Manufacturing Day for High School Students

Earlier this month, IVC welcomed over 150 students from the Tustin and Irvine Unified School Districts to the Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP) on October 6 for Manufacturing Day. This event provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain insights into various aspects of manufacturing, broadening their perspectives on the diverse career pathways within this industry.

» Read more!

Cuesta College’s University Bound program
gets $10K donation from Bank of America

The Cuesta College Foundation is pleased to announce a generous $10,000 donation from the Bank of America Foundation for University Bound, a program supporting historically underrepresented students in their goal of transferring to universities to continue their education. The Foundation partnered with Cuesta College’s University and Transfer Center to launch the first University Bound program during the 2021-22 academic year, with money donated to the Cuesta Fund.

» Read more!

Woodland Community College hosts health & healing walk/run

In September Woodland Community College hosted “Sana Sana; Health & Healing Walk/Run.” The event was held to raise awareness of the health and healing practices in everyday life, according to organizer Dr. Melissa Moreno, a professor of ethnic studies at the college. It was part of several events scheduled throughout Woodland as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource: Community Colleges are key
to solving California’s toughest challenges

This week, EdSource published my commentary piece about the importance of community colleges.

The Community College System is one of our state’s most valuable assets, our main engine of social mobility. We generate $128 billion in annual income for California, amounting to more than 4% of the state’s gross product.

We are essential to the state’s achieving its ambitious goals in everything from climate policy, to growing a world-class labor force, to expanding the middle class. We are essential to the state’s ability to address a massive nursing shortage, support an aging population, prepare for an electric future in need of skilled and trained technicians and more.

» Read the article

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LA Times: New law will allow some Mexican residents
to pay in-state tuition at California community colleges

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday {October 13} signed Assembly Bill 91, which was inspired in part by a decades-old law in Texas that permits Mexican residents like Agustin to pay in-state tuition for their public education because they live so close to the border. The California law will permit low-income Mexican residents and citizens who live within 45 miles of the Mexico-California border to pay in-state tuition.

The bill permits 150 students at each of the eight partner colleges to be awarded this “nonresident fee exemption.”

» Read the article

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Constance Carroll:

Yesterday, the Assembly Higher Education Committee (Mike Fong Chair, and Tri Ta, Co-chair) held a hearing at East LA College to discuss various community college issues. I was pleased to present regarding community college baccalaureate programs and progress.

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From Allan Hancock College:

Hancock viticulture and enology program alumnus Fidencio Flores was featured on CBS’s “The Talk” as part of Hispanic Heritage Month! Congratulations Fideoncio!

Check it out at https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/0Ki0OWuKNn8OzCLEh5PaNaUzaXHruz59/.

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And check out these posts about last weekend’s solar eclipse –

College of the Desert:

San Bernardino Valley College:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Archives Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Bakersfield College Archives is excited to announce its 20th Anniversary celebration, marking two decades of preserving the rich history and cherished memories of Bakersfield College (BC). Since its inception in 2003, the Bakersfield College Archives has been dedicated to safeguarding the legacy of BC and fostering a sense of belonging within the BC community.

» 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 moment of reflection and prayer

Uncategorized October 14, 2023 Leave a comment

This has been another difficult week on the world stage. Last Saturday, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to a week of fighting and a rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people have been killed in Israel and Gaza, with many more wounded. Israel has called for the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern Gaza.

In Hamas’ devastating attack, scores of hostages were taken from their homes and from a music festival. Some of their stories:

Omer Neutra, 21

Omer Neutra – Daily Mail

Omer’s father said that they spoke to their son on Friday afternoon, a seven hour time difference. He said that his son sounded good, but a little tired. He said he had been very busy the last two weeks with the Jewish holidays.

By midnight, they saw on a news app that their was something happening on the Southern portion of Israel and they said they immediately called him but could not get through. 

Ronen said that one of Omer’s friends showed him a video two days after the attack.

He recalled, ‘it was pretty shocking,’ he said. ‘I asked a good friend to come over and watch it. I knew it was something I wasn’t ready to watch. He wasn’t sure but thought he saw Omer in the footage.’

Doros Asher Katz, 34, and her two daughters – Raz, 5, and Aviv, 2.

Aviv Asher and Raz Asher – from Washington Post

Around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Doron Asher Katz called her husband. The 34-year-old was visiting her mother in the Nir Oz kibbutz, a communal settlement in the south of Israel, along with her two daughters, 2-year-old Aviv and 5-year-old Raz. “I got a phone call in which she was saying that they were locked down in the security room,” her husband, Yoni Asher, said in a telephone interview. Hamas militants had entered the family’s house.

Omer Wenkert, 22

Omer Wenkert – from Washington Post

Omer Wenkert traveled to the Tribe of Nova music festival on Saturday morning, just three miles from the fence that divides Israel from the Gaza Strip. About 6:30 a.m., he called his family. The night of dancing and revelry was transforming into a massacre. Wenkert, according to his uncle Ricardo Grichner, who had a family dinner with him the night before, told relatives he could hear shooting but was unable to find a way out. In a text sent shortly before 8 a.m., he said he felt scared and helpless. Then he stopped picking up his phone.

Omer Shem-Tov, 21

Omer Shem Tov – from Washington Post

When Omer Shem-Tov last spoke to his father, he was attempting to flee by car as Hamas attackers descended on the festival. Between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday, they had multiple phone calls, as his father Malki Shem-Tov tried to help his son to escape. “From one call to another call, he sounded much more panicked,” Malki said. “In one of the last calls, he said that people are shooting. He said … ‘I love you.’”

There is much pain and suffering for countless innocent civilians. There is much misinformation and confusion, as well as anger and fear. It is a time to keep our loved ones close, and keep those in danger in our thoughts as we pray for peace.

Let us Pray.

*****

Good morning California.
It is October 14, 2023.
A day to bring hope and peace as Community College Champions

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Mission College Student Casey Chang Named
to the California Community Colleges Board of Directors

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of Mission College student Casey Chang to the prestigious California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Chang, a resident of Pleasanton, has demonstrated a deep commitment to education, environmental conservation, and student advocacy throughout her early career.

» Read More!

Long Beach City College Earns Seal of Excelencia Recertification

Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts accelerating Latina/o/x student success in higher education, announced that Long Beach City College has been recertified with the prestigious Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating through data, evidence-based practices, and leadership, how it is intentionally serving Latina/o/x students.

» Read more!

Skyline College IMMERSE Scholars Participate in
S-STEM Scholars Meeting in Washington, DC

Four Skyline College IMMERSE in STEM scholars, Abigail Jean Alfonso, Leonardo Calle, Gabriel Hapin-Aranda, and Arian Villena, attended the 2023 S-STEM Scholars Meeting in Washington, DC, along with Professor Emilie Hein, who went as a mentor. IMMERSE in STEM stands for Innovative and Meaningful Mentoring to Enhance Retention, Success, and Engagement in STEM. The program is funded by the NSF S-STEM program and was established at Skyline College this past Spring 2023, welcoming its first cohort of scholars.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Undocumented Student Action Week

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on October 16 – 20, 2023. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Community College League of California, and our statewide partners on Monday, October 16 for an in-person event at Fresno City College and daily webinars throughout the week.

» Find out more & register for events!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma:

Toured @SierraCollege and talked about current and new student housing with President @WillyDuncan and Chancellor @sonyachristian Team. Met some students and did some Q&A with students at the “Pizza With The President” lunch meeting. @CalCommColleges#housing#AffordableHousing#studentlife

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From Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg:

The national ACCT 2023 Charles Kennedy Equity Awarded to Kern Community College District!

Check out this piece from KGET about the award.

Kern CCD Trustee Yovani Jimenez shared this from the conference:

Day two at the #2023ACCT Building a Legacy National Conference! Representing our Kern Community College District at the conference. Attended workshops on legal challenges and national advocacy and connected with inspiring colleagues. Exciting insights gathered!

Cerritos CCD President/Superintendent
Jose Fierro, Assemblymember Mike Fong, Kern CCD Trustee Yovani Jimenez

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From Los Angeles Harbor College:

@_flemingmiddleschool_ in the house! So glad to host you at Harbor for a Campus Tour! Go Seahawks! You ARE Seahawks!

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From College of San Mateo:

Proud of our Student Volunteer Club! Our dedicated students hit the beach for the second time, making a BIG impact for their beach cleanup event!

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Project HireUp Fall 2023 Graduation

Images of hope, pride and celebration were seen this past Friday, October 6th, 2023, at The Summit Sanctuary, as community members, agencies, and partners gathered for the Fall 2023 Bakersfield College – Project HireUp Graduation, celebrating the 10th cohort graduation since Spring 2020. 

» Read More!

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With prayers for peace 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

CA CCs – Imagining and Dreaming big for our students

Uncategorized October 7, 2023 Leave a comment

Starting off with music ….

First check out this fun 4:25-min video production by BC Stem.

Thank you Travis Steele for organizing the BC Halfway There video!

And a stream of celebrities …. vocal talents: John Menzies, Timothy Plett, Tatevik Broutian.  actors: Nicholas Ramirez (student), Destiny Mitchell (student), Harlan Philips (student), and Donna Starr.  Lyrics were by Travis Steele and Megan McCullah-Boozer (MESA), editing  was by Isabella Ozuna (MESA), and special recognition to AUM Studios.

Also check out the 3:14-min video I captured of the opening song, Day 2 of the conference organized by Dr. Tina King of San Diego Continuing Education. Watch John Lennon’s Imagine performed by Bulki Domingo ..

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

California’s community colleges play a critical role in developing innovative approaches to bolster socio-economic mobility. This summit provided an opportunity to explore emerging strategies that will help us eliminate systemic barriers for our adult learners – both non-credit and credit, coming together.

Thank you Tina King and Valentina Purtell
and the planning team!

Good morning California.
It is October 7, 2023.
A good day to be a
Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Ventura College Recognized as Bright Spot for Eliminating Remedial Math & Improving Student Success

EdTrust West recently identified Ventura College (VC) as a “bright spot,” standout performer, in the implementation of Assembly Bill 705, particularly for Latinx students.  Ventura College’s efforts have eliminated all remedial math courses at VC by Fall 2022. All introductory math courses at Ventura College are transfer-level courses. This monumental shift has not only contributed to the success of VC’s students but has also promoted equity among them. Ventura College’s success has involved a multi-faceted approach, including administrative leadership, professional development, and communities of practice for faculty.

» Learn more!

$1.875 Million Grant Awarded to Santa Ana College to Impact Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Students and Community

Santa Ana College was recently recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), awarded a $1.875 million grant to be distributed over five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s AANAPISI Program, and will soon launch an Asian Pacific Student Programs (APSP) Center on campus.

» Read more!

Norco College Graduates 36 Scholars from
Inside the California Rehabilitation Center

Norco College, a member of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD), held a graduation ceremony on August 8 to celebrate 36 Rising Scholar graduates. It marked the return of hope and progress after a challenging period without commencement ceremonies for those on the inside since 2019.

» Read more!

Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program Welcomes 26 New Students

Political Science professor Christina Gabler, Ph.D., counselor Vicenta Arrizon, Ed.D., Business professor Nathan Khalil, J.D., and Interim Dean of Special Programs Debra Locke make up Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program team.

The Law Pathway Program at Santa Monica College (SMC)—which supports traditionally underrepresented students on their path to law school and is designed to diversify the legal profession—has entered the seventh year with 26 newly admitted students and 25 continuing students. The program has seen a 100% graduation and transfer rate since its inception. The most recent batch of 16 graduates transferred this fall—all of them headed to UCLA, with the exception of one student headed to UC Berkeley, bringing the total number of graduates over the program’s existence to 107.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

2023 Undocumented Student Action Week

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on October 16 – 20, 2023. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Community College League of California, and our statewide partners on Monday, October 16 for an in-person event at Fresno City College and daily webinars throughout the week.

» Learn more about the events and register!

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Vera: For Incarcerated Women and their Families,
Equal Access to Education Transforms Lives

Although they are the fastest-growing correctional population in the United States, women remain marginalized in discourse and action around criminal legal issues. Despite men largely being the face of legal system injustice, women—whose incarceration numbers rose an astonishing 525 percent between 1980 and 2021—have, too, been swept up into the scourge of mass incarceration.

» Read more!

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Diverse Issues in Higher Education: What We’re Learning
About the Dual Enrollment Student Experiences

When the fall 2023 term begins, close to 20% of community college students will also be high school students who are dually enrolled. Students in dual enrollment programs enjoy many benefits — participation provides them a jump-start on gaining college credit, and it can save them money. 

» Read more!

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Community College Daily: Community colleges can fuel
America’s economic reinvention – if we let them

States that want to compete in the clean-energy economy should do all they can to position community colleges as the engines of talent development for this new workforce. And it’s not just about providing more money; it also means spending it wisely, and making strategic investments that maximize finite resources to meet the needs of today’s students and economy.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Cerritos College:

Our Advanced Transportation and Logistics Sector Navigator Jannet Malig was inducted to the Clean Cities coalitions’ Hall of Fame AND received the Benjamin Watson Inspirational Award! She leads the state renewable energy & advanced transportation training! https://bit.ly/3LOYVZQ

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Stephanie Ricks-Albert, Program Specialist in the Educational Services and Support Division, Equitable Student Learning, Experience, and Impact Office at the CCCCO, shared this with me:

Just wanted to share a moment captured in time of the Chancellor’s Office MESA program leaders in our system dedicated to serving our students. This moment was captured at the MESA Leadership Institute held in Sacramento last week. Chancellor’s Office administrator support at the event included VC Educational Services & Support John Stanskas, Dean of Academic Affairs LaTonya Williams and Director of MIS Todd Hoig.

MESA has grown from 34 colleges to now serving students at 91 colleges (Note: 85 are new MESA Program Directors as of FY 2022-23 to date).

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From the Foundation for California Community’s Colleges – Saddleback College student Anna shares her story:

Part 1:

Part 2:

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From Foothill College:

Foothill College students and faculty have arrived in London. They will be taking their college classes in London with their Foothill professors while enjoying the amazing cultural life of this great city. Find out more about our Global Experiential Learning program at https://foothill.edu/global/index.html

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Check out this video from KCAL’s Look at This! segment, featuring Glendale Community College:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Paves the Way for Accessibility

Bakersfield College hosted the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center (CCCAC) on Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29 in the Renegade Event Center on the Panorama Campus. The CCCAC presented the Accessibility Capability Maturity Model (ACMM) and the goals associated with it in multiple workshops throughout the two-day visit. The workshops kicked off with an introduction from Acting President Steve Watkin reviewing the purpose of the workshops and introducing CCCAC Director Dawn Okinaka. Deputy Chancellor Zav Dadabhoy also shared his thanks to those involved in the accessibility growth process of the campus and district.

» 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

CA CCs – Taking college to our future learners

Uncategorized September 30, 2023 Leave a comment

I came across this article in the New York Times about the rapid growth of the mosquito population – mosquitos have been thriving as long-used insecticides become less effective. I have definitely seen an increase of the population of mosquitoes here in California.

Less than a decade ago, it was the humans who appeared to have gained the clear edge in the fight — more than a century old — against the mosquito. But over the past few years, that progress has not only stalled, it has reversed.“

We often think of mosquitos as an annoyance, but they can be extremely deadly transmitters of disease. Malaria, transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, has killed more people than any other disease.

This past summer, the United States saw its first locally transmitted cases of malaria in 20 years, with nine cases reported, in Texas, Florida and Maryland.

*****

It was a big week up in Sacramento. During this week’s Board of Governors meeting, the BOG approved the Vision 2030 framework.

We enjoyed a no-host dinner at the end of day 1 of our meeting. This is a terrific group… absolutely dedicated to our students and a whole lot of fun.

We also had two more announcements at the BOG meeting.

The Apprenticeship Pathway Demonstration Project, creates a roadmap for colleges to convert apprenticeship learning experiences into college credit, including both existing and new and innovative apprenticeship experiences, as well as related supplemental instruction and prior on-the-job training.

The California Community Colleges and the United Domestic Workers (UDW) announced a partnership to support the ongoing educational needs of the union’s members and their dependents that will lead to educational pathways with upward socio-economic mobility.

Daisy Gonzales, Doug Moore, Stewart Knox, Sonya Christian

Good morning California.
It is September 30, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

California Community Colleges Represented
in HACU’s La Academia de Liderazgo

Laura Cantu, Freddy Ramirez, Sandra Martinez, and Giovanni Rodriguez

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities recently announced the 50 fellows who will be part of the fifth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

Several of our California Community Colleges colleagues are among this cohort:

  • Laura Cantú, Ed.D., Los Angeles Mission College
  • Sandra Martínez, Moreno Valley College
  • Freddy N. Ramírez, Ed.D., MiraCosta College
  • Giovanni D. Rodríguez, Mt. San Antonio College

Congratulations!

» Read more about the La Academia de Liderazgo cohort.

Taft College Program Teaches Skills Needed to Live Independently

Taft College’s Transition to Independent Living (TIL) Program is an inclusive post-secondary educational experience for students with developmental or intellectual disabilities that also offers on- and off-campus housing. The Program is comprehensive, with curriculum and training that promote acquisition of the functional, social, and career skills necessary for students to live a productive lifestyle. There are other programs that are similar to the TIL program at UCLA, UC Davis, and Fresno State but Taft College is currently the only school with a residential component located on a community college campus.

» Check out the 23ABC piece about the program

» Learn more at the Taft College website

New Tech High School Develops Early College Program with Napa Valley College

New Technology High School was awarded a Middle College and Early College (MCEC) Grant in July 2023 by the California Department of Education. The MCEC grant provides funding to support New Technology High School as it starts to develop an Early College program in partnership with Napa Valley College.

» Read more!

Hancock cuts ribbon on PCPA Stagecraft Building

Allan Hancock College and the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) celebrated the grand opening of the college’s new PCPA Stagecraft building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 15. The grand opening of the stagecraft building occurred as PCPA celebrates its 60th anniversary.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource – Why enrollment is rebounding at California’s community colleges

After years of pandemic declines, enrollment at California’s community colleges may finally be starting to rebound in a significant way.

Several colleges across the state, from San Diego to San Jose, are reporting that their enrollments are up by double digit percentages this fall. Statewide data for the fall isn’t yet available, but enrollment in the spring was up 8% across the system of 116 colleges, according to a memo prepared by the state chancellor’s office.…….

“Vision 2030 asks the fundamental question: Why have we not yet reached these individuals? When students cannot find their way to college, it is our responsibility to bring college to them,” Christian said.

» Read the article

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LA Times – Where to get a low-cost bachelor’s degree close to home
and a job lead: Community college

Community college leaders say they want to tap into a population of learners who otherwise wouldn’t attend a four-year college — students like Roberts, who had never entertained the idea of commuting “down below” from the Antelope Valley to Los Angeles to earn a bachelor’s degree.

» Read the article

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Rowena Tomaneng:

Celebrating Tết Trung Thu (Chữ Hán: 節中秋) at San Jose City College today, a traditional Vietnamese Autumn festival! #CultureOfBelonging #AANAPISIWeek

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From Santa Barbara City College:

Enrollment Services hosted SBCC Connect this morning. SBCC Connect is a partnership between SBCC and high schools from Lompoc to Ventura to provide an opportunity for school district members and partners to learn about the transition for students from high school to SBCC.

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From Butte College:

Our Native American Center and campus community came together in observance of Orange Shirt Day. Wearing an orange shirt signifies a recognition of the trauma that Native American children endured during the residential/boarding school era.

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And check out this Student Spotlight from the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Holds 2023 Corrections Academy Graduation

Bakersfield College hosted its 2023 Corrections Academy Graduation on September 22 to recognize and honor thirty-two students who completed a rigorous program that aligns meticulously with the standards set by the Board of State and Community Corrections.

» 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

CA CCs on the move

Uncategorized September 23, 2023 Comments: 2

What a busy week! Across the country and back.

On Saturday, headed out to Morgantown home of West Virginia University where my best friend from high school teaches in the Life Sciences department.

On Sunday headed with the team to Washington DC to elevate the visibility of the work being done at California Community colleges. The team included – Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales and Vice Chancellor of Government Relations David O’Brien; from the Board of Governors, President Amy Costa & Pamela Haynes; from the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Executive Director of Workforce Development Tim Aldinger.

Then headed to San Diego for the DEI Conference and then back home Friday night.

Here are some photos:

Morgantown visiting my friend who cooked great Kerala dishes and event packed some food for the road…. yuuum.

A delicious Kerala meal for the road
At the Kennedy Memorial, Morgantown

***

Washington DC visit

Department of Education:

Department of Energy:

Department of Labor:

Senator Alex Padilla:

A must-do photo of the Washington monument every time I visit DC:

Check out Little Amal who visited DC. Little Amal represents a fictional nine-year-old Syrian girl, representing displaced children today. The giant puppet was created by the South Africa-based Handspring Puppet Company.

“The Walk” tells Amal’s life story, her search for her mother and her flight to safety.

Check out this video from Georgetown University about it:

Goodbye for now DC

David O’Brien, Pam Haynes, Amy Costa
Daisy Gonzales, Sonya Christian, David O’Brien, Pam Haynes at Dulles. Heading out to San Diego

*****

After a few jam-packed days in DC, we headed to San Diego for the DEIA in Action Institute.

At the conclusion of my talk, I invited the leadership at the Chancellor’s Office to come up on stage with me – John Hetts, Daisy Gonzales, Pamela Haynes, Marc LeForestier, Lizette Navarette and Aisha Lowe. Check out the photo.

John Hetts, Daisy Gonzales, Sonya Christian, Pam Haynes, Marc LeForestier, Lizette Navarette, Aisha Lowe

What a wonderful week!

Good morning California.
It is September 23, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

CCC Presidents Selected for Aspen Presidents Fellowship

Tawny Dotson, Michael Gutierrez, Jim Limbaugh,
Claudia Lourido-Habib, and Julius Sokenu

The College Excellence Program announced the cohort of college presidents for the 2023-2024 Aspen Presidents Fellowship. Several of our California Community College Presidents were selected:

  • Tawny Dotson, Yuba College
  • Michael Gutierrez, Hartnell College
  • Jim Limbaugh, West Los Angeles College
  • Claudia Lourido-Habib, Porterville College
  • Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College

Congratulations to all!

» Read more about the 2023-2024 Presidents Fellows

Las Positas College Hosts Black College Day

Las Positas College hosted its first annual Black Family Day. “It really ties into our educational master plan, which is to be the destination campus for Black students and other students of color here in the Tri-Valley,” said LPC President Dr. Dyrell Foster.

» Check out the news coverage!

Cerritos College Hosts Event For The College Tour Episode

Cerritos College is featured in a 30-minute episode of The College Tour, an Amazon Prime streaming series. This week, Cerritos College hosted an exclusive screening of the episode at their Performing Arts Center.

» Learn more about Cerritos College on The College Tour!

Check out the video below:

San Joaquin Delta College Launches Free Public Fitness Court

Delta College celebrated the opening of a new outdoor exercise facility known as a Fitness Court, part of an initiative by National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to plan, build, and fund healthy communities across the country.

» Learn more about the fitness court!

In Case You Missed It

NANDI: Reimagining Success

The Nandi Symposium will center the voices of Black women while also creating space for all professionals and students in the California Community College System to be in community with one another. The Nandi Symposium is being brought to you in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

When: Thursday, October 5; 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Where: Westin Los Angeles Airport

For more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nandi-symposium-tickets-700528769407?aff=oddtdtcreator

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From MiraCosta College President Sunita Cooke:

@MiraCosta⁩ representing ⁦@NCAAWA⁩ Annual Gentlemen’s Gourmet scholarship fundraiser. TY to our talented chefs, volunteers, and donors! Shout out to Trustee Raye Clendening, ⁦⁦ @RepMikeLevin⁩ ⁦ @jim_desmond⁩ ⁦ @joegreen760⁩ ⁦ @satiaaustin

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From CA Assembly Member & Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon:

Yes! This is exactly why we formed the paid Community College Internship for the Assembly. This is such an important program. Community college students are incredibly diverse, and have so much to offer. Uplifting them benefits everybody.

The Assembly’s community college interns are placed in Member offices (both Republican and Democrat) to learn how the legislature functions. One of these interns, Frank Arenas, works in my office. He’s an aspiring attorney, and has been a wonderful addition to the team.

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From Lassen College:

Thank you to our amazing students and staff for representing LCC this morning at The Out of the Darkness Community Walk. This walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

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From Kern CCD Trustee Yovani Jimenez:

Grateful for an inspiring State of the College event at @PCollegePirates, celebrating their achievements and future vision with Dr. @PortervillePrez and the PC team. I am excited for what’s to come!

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Learning Resource Center in Delano

Bakersfield College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning for the newly finished multipurpose building at BC’s Delano campus. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the college in its commitment to providing enhanced and expanded educational opportunities to students in North Kern.

» 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