But before I jump into my week, let me start with Sterling Silver, last Saturday, March 14th. It was wonderful seeing friends and colleagues.
With Kate Pluta, Nick Strobel and Janet Tarjan:
It was great connecting with Ravi and Naina Patel. I got to know the two of them very well when we worked on the Peace Gardens at BC and the Regenerative Farm project. The won the philanthropist of the year award at this year’s Sterling Silver.
Talking about the Patels, here is a blast from the past….
In 2020 the Pease Garden was established. Here is a 10-min video where the committee introduced this project to the campus. The speakers in this video include — Sonya Christian, Krista Moreland, Emma McNellis, Naina Patel, Lisa Elzy Watson, Hansa Patel, and Neeraj Rama.
And Corny Rodriguez was recognized with the Sterling Silver Service award. A
Always happy to see Mayor Karen Goh.
Talking about Corny, here is a blast from the past…..
Check out this video celebrating Corny on his retirement:
Back to Sterling Silver. Here is a photo with Romeo Agbalog, Kay Meek & Jean Fuller:
Was so happy that Jean Fuller was able to make it. Here is throwback to when Jean was recognized with the Service award.
Here is the video of Kylie introducing Jean Fuller and her work with Early College.
And another selfie with Kate, Nick & Janet –
Thankful that Janet snapped these pictures.
Here is one with Rudy Salas.
Rudy Salas brought significant resources to Bakersfield College when he was in the Assembly. He received the 2020 Sterling Silver Service Award. Check out this blast from the past. A 3-min video.
And with Yovani Jimenez
And with Norma Rojas-Mora and Gabby Gonzalez
Now, let’s move to this week…. started in Sacramento…
Spring has sprung in Sacramento. Snapped photos of azalea on my walk back with a friend from Zocalos.
More flowers –
And calla lilies –
And dogwood in bloom –
Closed out my week in San Diego.
What’s not to love about San Diego
And at night –
And the icing on the cake – when I met up with Daisy Gonzales and we did our usual walk by the waterfront.
Then it was off to the CEO symposium. Here’s a pic with Anthony Culpepper and Rowena Tomaneng:
This week was also the Rising Scholars Program Convening.
Rising Scholars now spans 104 colleges, supports students in 147 correctional facilities, and connects them to 90 on campus programs that help them continue their education after release.
Chelsea Esquibias, senior advisor at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, started the event with a welcome and network address.
Board of Governors Member and Former President Pamela Haynes held a fireside chat moderated by Assistant Vice Chancellor Erin Larson, with panelists Tyee Griffith, program coordinator at the Prison Education Project and Matthew Caddell, Student Government President/Student Trustee at Chaffey College.
Michael Redding, deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor for public safety at the Office of the Governor, gave the keynote address on ‘Public Safety and Higher Education.’
Good morning California.
It is March 21, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Cloverlane Foundation Funds New “Jaws of Life”
for Allan Hancock College Fire Academy
A generous donation is helping Allan Hancock College strengthen hands-on training for the next generation of firefighters. The Allan Hancock College Foundation received a $25,000 donation from Cloverlane Foundation to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art “Jaws of Life” extrication system for use in the college’s fire academy, along with other essential equipment for fire academy students.
Rep. Juan Vargas secures additional $500K in funding
for San Diego College of Continuing Education
U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) has secured $500,000 in federal funding for critical utility and water infrastructure improvements at San Diego College of Continuing Education. The investment will upgrade critical campus infrastructure, strengthening SDCCE’s ability to provide hands-on workforce training to approximately 30,000 adult learners each year.
Long Beach City College Opens New Building MM to Help Students Build the Future
Long Beach City College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus to celebrate the grand opening of the new Building MM complex. The facility supports the city’s growing Space Beach sector and serves as the new home for the Architecture, Anthropology, Carpentry, Horticulture, HVAC, and Plant Science programs, preparing students for careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and construction industries expanding across the region.
In Case You Missed It
He was an undocumented immigrant. Now he runs LA’s community colleges
When Alberto Román was a boy growing up in the Mexican state of Durango, his father was often far from home. Most times, he’d be gone for months.
Román’s father, Javier, had a third-grade education. And when work was scarce in Mexico, he’d venture north to the United Sates and take whatever job he could find.
Román missed his father terribly, and he relished the time alone with him. When his father would return to Mexico, they’d hike to a majestic statue of the revolutionary Pancho Villa, where Román and his father could also look out at their city.
Román did not know it then but, soon, that view would become a memory. When he was eight, his father returned; but, this time, Javier took his son, his daughter, and his wife with him back to the U.S. The family settled in Rialto, in California’s Inland Empire. Suddenly, Román had a new home and new challenges to contend with.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Mission College:
Mission College’s Rising Scholars program is partnering with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office on an initiative to revitalize the Elmwood Men’s Library, supporting education, personal growth, and second chances for incarcerated students. Last week marked a major milestone as decades-old furniture was replaced and new furniture donated by Mission College was installed.
*****
From Ventura College:
From galaxies to black holes, Ventura College welcomed a full crowd for an inspiring two-day astronomy experience.
We honored 100 years of science at VC with stargazing, interactive space simulations, and a vibrant evening of discovery for all ages
Dr. Cameron Hummels from CalTech lectured on black holes as part of the American Astronomical Society’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectures Program, a nationally recognized initiative that brings leading astronomers to colleges across the country.
Thank you to the Ventura County Astronomical Society for setting up the all the telescopes for the star watching party.
*****
From Ohlone College:
This year’s #WomenInSTEM Dinner was one for the books! Thank you to Ohlone College MESA and our Society of Women Engineers student club for connecting women leaders in #STEM with our Renegades. Cheers to bright futures and #WomensHistoryMonth
*****
From Mt. San Jacinto College:
Enjoying pizza slices and conversations with the president!
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Beach Volleyball Makes History with First-Ever Home Matches
Bakersfield College’s beach volleyball program made history on Friday, March 6, hosting its first-ever home matches on the college’s newly constructed beach volleyball courts. The Renegades rose to the occasion, defeating Cuesta College 3-2 and Glendale 4-1 to sweep the day.
The milestone marked a significant moment for BC athletics, with the new courts giving the program a permanent home to compete and grow. The wins extended what has been a strong start to the season. BC has now won five straight and sits at 8-4 overall on the season.
All home events this season are free and open to the public.
» Follow results and see upcoming schedules!
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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 special thank you to our DVC student veterans for leading this meaningful tribute and reminding us of the values of unity, resilience, and service.
