Tag Archives: Allan Hancock College

California CCs advancing Vision 2030 Workforce Development

Uncategorized August 10, 2024 1 Comment

The Fastest Man in the World.

Last Sunday, The US’s Noah Lyles took gold in the men’s 100M final. It was a photo-finish; he beat the silver medalist, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, by only .005 seconds. It was another in a series of amazing finishes and great story lines that have been all over these Olympic Games.

A huge congratulations to Diablo Valley College student Amit Elor, who took gold in 68kg women’s wrestling. Her cumulative score during the Games? 31-2.

20-year-old Amit is the youngest American to ever win wrestling gold at the Olympics.

Former Giant Quincy Hall made College of the Sequoias proud with a comeback win to take the men’s 400M gold. College of the Sequoias hosted a watch party –

Check out the race video from NBC Sports.

And congratulations to MiraCosta College student Bryce Wettstein, who made the finals for Women’s Sktateboarding Park, ending up in 6th place.

*****

As for me …..

This week I signed a MOU with Jensen Huang of NVIDIA and Governor Gavin Newsom as we launched a new state initiative to expand AI tools and resources for students, educators and workers.

This initiative will help our more than 2 million students get prepared with industry aligned skills in AI, and will support our Vision 2030 work about Generative AI and the Future of Learning.

Next I made a stop in Orange County to attend the Credit for Prior Learning workshop. It was a great conversation of how we can scale this work and bring it from the margins to the mainstream.

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Erin Larson, Gar Adams, Sam Lee, Gina Browne, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Michelle Smith, David O’Brien, Sonya Christian, Billy Wagner, Ginni May

Then I headed south to San Diego to speak at the Hunt Institute. I try to always squeeze in a walk when I am in San Diego.

*****

Good morning California.
It is August 10, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

U.S. Department of Commerce Leader Alejandra Castillo
Tours Chaffey College’s InTech Center

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo visited the Industrial Technical Learning Center with Congresswoman Norma Torres on July 26 to learn how the federal government can support workforce development in the Inland Empire.

» Read more!

College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team
Receives $136,000 Grant from NASA

It’s all systems go for the College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team (AST), which has received a $136,000 grant from NASA to support its High-Altitude Student Platform (HASP), RockOn, and RockSat-X suborbital rocket programs.  To date, COC is the only community college that has successfully participated in HASP eight years in a row, as well as four RockSatX missions and two RockOn missions.

» Read more!

Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC
Achieves Unprecedented Success

In June 2024, 52 students graduated from Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC with Associate Degrees for Transfer. This milestone was marked by the first graduation ceremony since 2019 that allowed the presence of family and friends, making it a particularly special event for the graduates and their loved ones. According to the 2024 Rehabilitative Programming Report by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC has awarded more college degrees than any other CDCR institution.

» Read more!

MSJC’s Roger Schultz Elected as League Board Chair,
CEOCCC Board President

Roger Schultz, Ph.D., Mt. San Jacinto College’s President/Superintendent, has been elected as the President of the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board of the Community College League of California. Schultz will also serve as the Chair for the Community College League of California (League) Board of Directors.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

California Community Colleges Expanding Nursing Programs
to Meet State’s Regional Nursing Shortages

The California Community Colleges announced the launch of a new initiative to increase the number of nurses to meet the growing needs of California’s aging and diverse population.

Twelve community colleges convened in a virtual kick-off of the associate degree for nursing demonstration project led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The goal of the initiative, part of the community colleges’ Vision 2030 strategic framework, is to increase enrollment in associate degree nursing programs to address the shortage of registered nurses in rural and remote areas while ensuring equity in access to the profession.

The 12 colleges participating in the demonstration project are: Butte College, Cabrillo College, Monterey Peninsula College, Bakersfield College, Modesto Junior College, Cuesta College, Ventura College, Golden West College, Saddleback College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside City College, and College of the Desert.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angles Harbor College:

Harbor College celebrating DSPS pride month College President, Dr. Dorado and VP, Dr. Dorado welcoming students Go Seahawks!!

*****

From Bakersfield College’s Kimberly Bligh:

Love love love our Bridge to BC team. One week to go for Summer 24… 10 years and over 15,000 students served!

*****

From Allan Hancock College:

The Santa Maria Valley YMCA, in collaboration with Allan Hancock College, hosted a RiseUP Bridging Ceremony Aug. 2 celebrating the achievements of local youth as they transition to higher education and future careers.

*****

From Ventura College President Claudia Lourido-Habib:

I’m grateful for my admin team’s openness & contributions during a productive leadership retreat. Grounded in the student experience, we worked towards increasing team cohesion and collaboration so we can lead and support our colleagues

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC History Highlight: Memorial Stadium

The Bakersfield College Memorial Stadium was not an easy feat for those credited with its creation, but certainly a triumph! The stadium was the first structure completed on Bakersfield College’s Panorama campus, and the construction plans were meticulously assembled. It required intensive research and close attention to detail by Theron McCuen, then Superintendent of the Kern County Union High School and Junior College District and its Board of Trustees, and then BC President Ralph Prator, who contributed significantly to realizing Grace Bird’s vision of a college on a hill.

» 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

Fourth of July 2024

Uncategorized July 6, 2024 1 Comment

Happy Fourth of July California!

I hope you enjoyed some time relaxing and celebrating with friends and family as we honored the United States’ 248th birthday.

Check out this video from NYC’s fireworks show:

*****

A July 4th tidbit – the day that the Caesar Salad was invented? It celebrated its 100th anniversary this year!

Not many classic dishes can claim a specific birthday. But the Caesar salad was created for the very first time on July 4, 1924, in Tijuana, Mexico.

It is not a Mexican salad, says Jeffrey Pilcher. He’s a culinary historian who studies Mexican foodways.

“This is an Italian salad,” Pilcher says. “Caesar Cardini, the inventor of the salad, was an Italian immigrant and there were many Italian immigrants to Mexico.”

» Check out this NPR story!

And CNN shared a video with the original chef’s grandson, Alex Cardini.

Good morning California.
It is July 6, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

El Camino College FIRST Students Win Big in PSA Competition

The team from El Camino’s Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) Program recently competed in the Rising Scholars PSA Challenge, part of the annual Project Rebound symposium at Cal State LA. The team brought home the first-place prize, along with a sense of pride in their work, and a $1,000 award for the FIRST Program.

» Read more!

Hancock Art & Design Professor Nancy Jo Ward Featured in
International Art Exchange Exhibition in Japan

Allan Hancock College Professor Nancy Jo Ward is one of 57 visual artists selected to represent the United States at the 23rd International Art Exchange Exhibition. The event fosters curiosity, artistic expression, and meaningful interactions. The exhibition is officially supported by the cultural embassies of Japan, China, Thailand, and Australia.

» Read more!

Three Solano College Arts students place in the top 20 in Bridgegood’s Inspire Oakland Design Challenge

As one of their class projects this spring, students in Rachel Smith’s advanced graphic design class (DMA 11: Graphic Design 2) participated in the Bridgegood.org Inspire Oakland  design challenge, creating billboard designs inspired by the diversity and culture of Oakland. Student Lilliana Mendez placed in the Top 6 with her design, while students Herman Billingsley and Nova Ojeda both placed in the Top 20.

» Read more! 

In Case You Missed It

LA Times – Mike Muñoz: College champion of marginalized students

Mike Muñoz bears the lofty title of superintendent-president of Long Beach City College. But he still sees himself in many of his students who have navigated hardscrabble lives to pursue higher education.

Muñoz, who grew up in Whittier and Anaheim, became homeless at age 17 and moved 10 times in five years searching for a place to live. He went without food or electricity at times, scrapping to make ends meet with low-wage work. He became a single parent at age 20. Then, he came out as a gay man and became estranged from his father.

» Read more!

*****

Education Trust-West: Championing Student Parent Success
in the Cradle-to-Career Data System

Juggling coursework and family can be a lot, as Dia, a parenting student at Los Angeles Pierce College, knows all too well. Dia was hired as a student worker with Project SPARC (Student Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs), a statewide effort that empowers parenting CalWORKs students to drive forward systems change through leadership development, research and policy development, and advocacy. Through this work study opportunity, Dia and other SPARC students design solutions that address their needs as parenting community college students and advocate for these solutions to systems leaders and policymakers.  

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From College of the Redwoods:

CR Trail Building class professor Dennis Houghton leads the Bigfoot Trail Alliance Trail Steward Team (including CR Faculty Gabrielle Gopinath and Benjamin Funke and CR students), along with Take to the Hills and the US Forest Service, in the Trinity Alps wilderness.

Students built and widened a ½ mile section of trail from 6200-6800ft elevation on the way to Packers Peak.

*****

Columbia College climate stewardship class helps clean up Firewise Community

Climate Stewardship class students (from left) Ben Cossel, Orion Peck, Christina Johnson, Morgan Velasco, Lisa Murphy (instructor), Autumn Azzaro, and Mateo Garcia helped create defensible space in the Sonora Knolls/Dragoon Gulch neighborhood.

» Learn more!

*****

From San Jose City College:

The Jaguar family mourns the passing of the retired, legendary Percy Carr, head coach of the San Jose City College Men’s Basketball team for 45 years. He is the winningest Black men’s basketball coach in history and the winningest men’s basketball coach in California Community College history.

» Read more!

*****

And check out this video promoting cybersecurity programs at our California Community Colleges!

Blast from the Past

Please enjoy this video of Bakersfield College’s fireworks after commencement in 2016:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Campus Stories: Voices Of LGBTQIA+ Scholars at Bakersfield College

In honor of Pride Month, BC’s Student Government Association recently hosted Campus Stories: LGBTQIA+ Scholars at Bakersfield College.

The event featured a panel of four BC faculty and staff members and two BC students and was moderated by Chris Cruz-Boone, Professor of Communications at BC. Each panel member answered various questions about their experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in Kern County and at Bakersfield College.

» 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

Rolling into March 2024

Uncategorized March 9, 2024 Leave a comment

I started my week in Austin presenting on a panel at SXSW – Higher Education’s Role in
Climate: The Missing Piece. Jeff Clary moderated the panel with Martin Keller, Director of
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Katy Launius from the Lumina
Foundation, and me.

The panel touched on the unique potential of community colleges to
accelerate climate action at scale. Serving millions of students, community colleges have
large operational footprints; a focus on technical education for essential careers in green
energy, transportation, and infrastructure; and close ties to their communities, where they
give voice to many who often go unheard.

I enjoyed seeing the Foundation there in full force.  Here is a photo that Bryan Miller snapped right before the session.

The very brief time I was in Austin, literally a one-day trip for the presentation, I checked out the Rainey Street that was bustling with music, musicians and DJs everywhere and walked the trail that ran along the river.  The trail is beautiful as you can see in the photos.  There is quite a lot of  recreational activity as well.

On Friday, I gave welcome remarks at Foothill College’s 2nd Annual Dual Enrollment Summit.

Here I am with Anthony Cordova and Dolores Davison:

And with Foothill College President Kristina Whalen and Student Trustee Nicole Nguyen – who also serves on the CCCT Board.

Good morning California.
It is March 9, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

ELAC Theater Arts Students Shine at
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Theater Arts students showcased their talent and dedication at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for Region 8, garnering numerous awards and accolades. 25 total ELAC students participated in the festival with many of them winning awards. Among the standout winners, Krystyna Colocho emerged victorious, clinching the prestigious National KCACTF Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Scenic Design. Krystyna will be representing Region 8 at the Kennedy Center in the Spring, a testament to their outstanding creativity and skill.

» Read more!

Imperial Valley College Rolls Out Lithium Tech Certificate Program

Imperial Valley College has been working with the local Lithium companies to develop new programs to prepare Imperial Valley residents with the skills and abilities to obtain the anticipated Lithium jobs. Based on projected workforce needs, IVC rolled the first Lithium related program in Fall 2023 by starting a new Plant Operator certificate Program.

» Learn more!

» Read KQED’s story about the program!

Santiago Canyon College, Korean American Chamber of Commerce
of Orange County Sign MOU for Workplace Skills

Members of the Santiago Canyon College President’s Cabinet and SCC’s Division of Continuing Education participated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Ceremony with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. The MOU calls for collaboration with SCC providing Workplace Skills Enhancement Training to the more than 100 businesses that comprise the membership of the KACCOC and thousands of Korean American businesses in Orange County.

College of the Sequoias Resource Aims to Assist Unhoused Students

The Giant Marketplace at College of the Sequoias was open with the needs of unhoused students in mind. The facility provides canned food, microwaveable dishes, milk, and fruit. Students can also be referred to assistive programs pertaining to their situation. The facility also has its own case workers who can guide students through their search for secure housing.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

In California, NREL Helps Kern County Embrace Clean Energy
in Partnership With Community Colleges

For more than 100 years, Kern County, California, has relied on energy (oil and gas) and agricultural production to stimulate the economy. People in Kern County have a fierce sense of pride and a strong sense of identity as an energy producing community, and they are expanding that vision.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg with a group at the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus’ International Women’s Day event at Los Angeles Mission College:

Some more members of the CCCWC:

Tammy Silver, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Linda Wah,
Rowena Tomaneng, Andra Hoffman, Sharoni Little

*****

Bakersfield College and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a Latinas in Business and Leadership panel this week to kick off Women’s History Month at BC. Nicole also went on KGET to promote the panel and other college events.

*****

From El Camino College:

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! We commemorated the occasion with our Women’s Walk yesterday to celebrate women everywhere.

*****

From Cerro Coso Community College:

On Friday March 1st, Cerro Coso Access Programs went on a cultural field trip to Manzanar National Historic Site. Access Programs was able to bring 14 students from the IWV Cerro Coso Campus, and 4 students from the ESCC Bishop Campus. Students had the opportunity to network with fellow Access Students, travel along the Eastern Sierra Mountains, learn about WWII history, and have fun!

*****

And check out this video from Allan Hancock College – Hancock Conversations with ASB President Samantha Martinez, discussing student mental wellness:

Blast from the Past

Came across this 3:36 min photo roll of my time as Bakersfield College President. This was shared at BC’s Opening Day, Fall 2021. Wonderful memories ….

And From the Home of the Renegades

Introduce A Girl 2 Engineering 2024

Introduce a Girl 2 Engineering (IGE) is an event that occurs during National Engineers Week, where high school students from low-income families are invited to Bakersfield College to expose high school girls to engineering careers and recruit them to the Bakersfield College MESA Program.  The event also serves as a platform for BC-MESA students and young engineering professionals to develop leadership skills.

» 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

Celebrating the Courageous Leadership of California Community Colleges

Uncategorized December 9, 2023 Comments: 2

What a great first week of December!

On Wednesday, we held the final System Webinar for the year: Celebrating the Courageous Leadership of California Community Colleges.

As I wrap up 6 months in my role as state chancellor, I experience this attribute of courage everywhere and anywhere I go….

  • I see leaders who stand unwavering in commitment to equity in success, equity in access, and equity in support fearless in the face of adversity. 
  • I see leaders with a extraordinary ability to listen, to adapt, to learn and to drive change.
  • I see leaders who ignite passion and purpose, foster trust and empathy while challenging norms with determination.

It has been an amazing experience working with everyone at the chancellor’s office. We have accomplished so much this year, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!

I enjoyed writing for the LIFT publication, you can find the 12-page pdf here. https://ed.fullerton.edu/lift/_resources/pdfs/lift_publications/LIFT%20YOUR%20VOICE%20Fall%202023.pdf

Good morning California.
It is December 9, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

CCC Faculty Selected for STEMSEAS Community College Oceanic Expedition

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Student Experiences Aboard Ships (STEMSEAS) is a multiyear project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grants 1701174 and 1701168) to provide students with inspirational opportunities to experience life on an oceanic research vessel.

A recent voyage from Seattle, Washington, to Honolulu, Hawaii, had a STEMSEAS team entirely comprised of community college science educators – including a few from California community colleges!

  • Dr. Tess Weathers, an Associate Professor in Engineering at Chabot College 
  • Roman P. de Jesus, professor of oceanography and Earth science at Fullerton College
  • Waverly Ray, professor of geography at San Diego Mesa College

» Read more!

» Learn about STEMSEAS!

Ohlone College Receives $400K Grant from
National Science Foundation to Boost Regional Innovation

Ohlone College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant of $400,000 from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) investment. This grant recognizes Ohlone College’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening regional partnerships.

» Read More!

Calbright Offers Student Leadership Training With Real Life Opportunities

While all students who come to Calbright learn key technical and career skills, their career aspirations vary widely. For students who want to move into management and leadership roles, Calbright has developed a set of optional leadership programs for them while they are completing their required coursework.  

» Read more!

Gavilan College Awarded $1.5M to Create Juvenile Justice Program

Annette Gutierrez, Director of Basic Needs; Noah Lystrup, Dean of Student Learning, Equity, Success for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Susan Sweeney, Dean of Career Education Workforce and Educational Partnerships

Gavilan was awarded $1.5 million by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, over the next five years, to create the “Gavilan College Higher Aspirations Juvenile Justice Program,” a part of the Rising Scholars Network, beginning in January 2024.

» Read More!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Mission College:

Mission College’s celebration of Kwanzaa earlier this week was a vibrant occasion that provided all with an opportunity to come together and learn about the celebration of African heritage, unity, and community.

*****

From Allan Hancock College:

Hancock police officers responded to a call of an injured bird, which turned out to be a protected Killdeer Plover. The bird was rescued and turned over to our friends at the Santa Barbara County Animal Control.

*****

Check out these pictures from Cerro Coso Community College‘s Jingle Jog:

*****

Foreign Agriculture Service Administrator Daniel Whitley visited the College of the Desert to speak with faculty, staff and students about USDA internships and careers:

Blast from the Past

Check out this video from 2017, talking about student veterans at Bakersfield College:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College and The Open Door Network
Partner to Serve Vulnerable Populations

Bakersfield College Adult Education and celebrated its inaugural graduation ceremony for students of The Open Door Network on December 4th.

» 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

It’s all about partnerships

Uncategorized October 21, 2023 1 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.

*****

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

*****

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.

*****

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/.

*****

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!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

Sonya Christian's Blog