Tag Archives: American River College

It’s a wonderful world

Uncategorized August 24, 2024 Comments: 4

This past week, I have been listening to Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World….. and what a wonderful world we live in.

A subset of the lyrics

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
I love you

Did you catch this week’s Supermoon Blue Moon?

The next seasonal Supermoon Blue Moon will be August 21, 2032!

This photograph taken in Rome shows the Super Blue Moon rising over the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, on August 19, 2024. (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

And I saw that a lucky photographer in Colorado caught a double “moonbow” just the day before the Supermoon Blue Moon –

Double rainbow captured in the early hours of the morning on Aug. 18, 2024. (Image credit: Aaron Watson – Skies Alive Photography)

So much beauty in the skies, and closer to home….

My backyard bougainvillea is in full bloom –

Good morning California.
It is August 24, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

New El Camino College Program Prepares Students
for Green Jobs in the Building Industry

As demand for “green” jobs grows, today’s El Camino College students are poised to become tomorrow’s leaders in the Green Building Economy. Starting the 2024 Fall Semester, the new Sustainable Design program offers students the opportunity to pursue a Career Training Education (CTE) that prepares them for careers in a variety of professions of the building sector.

» Read more! 

West Valley College Launches Senior Guided Pathways Program

West Valley College and Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting , a nonprofit service provider and community consultancy that offers a suite of programs for older adults, have announced they’re launching Senior Guided Pathways, the nation’s first program addressing the intersection of education, aging and job skills training for adults aged 50 and up. Starting this fall, SGP will offer credit and noncredit course bundles at WVC designed to support older Californians facing barriers such as ageism, a rapidly-changing job market, and the lack of training programs tailored to their needs.

» Read more!

Virtual Becomes Reality as Merced College Launches New Lab, New Year

Hundreds of local students will be transported to an immersive alien landscape to aid in learning the basics of biology this year, thanks to the launch of Merced College’s new Dreamscape Learn Lab. Developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn and in collaboration with Arizona State University, the lab is the first permanent, brick-and-mortar virtual reality learning facility in the California Community College system to deploy both a Dreamscape Learn classroom and a free-roam pod experience.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Futures Summit 2024: AI: Powering Tomorrow’s Workforce

Registration is now open for the inaugural Futures Summit 2024: AI: Powering Tomorrow’s Workforce. The summit will be led by California Community Colleges in partnership with Foothill De Anza Community College District on September 10, with an opening reception on September 9.

» Read more & register!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles City College:

LACC was honored to host the mayor & delegation of Sejong City, the de facto capital of the Republic of Korea. A celadon King Sejong statue was presented to mark the beginning of our partnership.

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From Foothill College:

Congratulations to our Retail Sales Specialist apprenticeship graduates! Foothill College partnered with Goodwill Industries on this first-of-it’s kind apprenticeship to train Goodwill’s next generation of managers.

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From Ohlone College:

Last week, our CalWORKs students, CARE students, and families joined our EOPs team’s End of Summer picnic. With our CalWORKs and CARE programs, we are honored to assist our EOPs students with vocational/ educational training and educational/personal support. Cheers!

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And check out this video from American River College celebrating their California Early College Academy graduation:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Set To Welcome Back Students for Fall 2024 Semester

As the summer heat starts to subside, Bakersfield College is excited to welcome back students for the Fall 2024 semester. The official first day of instruction is Saturday, August 24th for weekend courses, and Monday, August 26th for weekday courses. There will be several opportunities for new and returning students to get involved and find community through a series of ‘Welcome Week’ events and activities during the first two weeks of the semester.

» 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

California Community Colleges Driving Positive Impact

Uncategorized July 13, 2024 1 Comment

39 years ago today, on July 13, 1985, the Live Aid concert was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. One of the most memorable performances was Queen. Check out this video of “Radio Ga Ga”:

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On July 14th, eight years ago in 2016, the Kern CCD Board of Trustees voted to put Measure J on the November ballot.

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Was in Clayton, Georgia last weekend for a family reunion. My first visit to this beautiful state… so green with majestic oaks, pines, rhododendrons…. Woke up in the morning to birds chirping away. Did not snap pictures for you like I usually do. Just close your eyes and imagine.

Good morning California.
It is July 13, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cabrillo, Clovis Take Top Honors at MATE ROV Competition

Cabrillo College Team
Clovis Community College Team

Each year, the MATE ROV Competition pushes students to the forefront of real-world
underwater technology. The 2024 competition is no exception, with innovative mission tasks
designed to address critical global issues under the theme of ‘CREATING SOLUTIONS.’

In preparation, participants have engaged in diverse and impactful projects, from expanding
the Global Ocean Observing System, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and developing
ocean-based climate solutions. This year’s tasks include deploying advanced ocean observing
assets for data collection, installing state-of-the-art submarine telecommunications cables,
administering probiotics to heal diseased coral, identifying healthy habitats for lake sturgeon,
and deploying autonomous robotic floats to monitor ocean health.

The Cabrillo College team won in the EXPLORER Class Category.

» Read more about Cabrillo College’s win!

The Clovis Community College team took first place in the PIONEER Class category.

» Read more about Clovis Community College’s win!

How Calbright College Connected With San Diego (And Camp Pendleton)

Calbright is statewide – right now they have students in 52 of California’s 58 counties – and they’re always looking to make new connections with new communities in every corner of the state. In May and June that meant a special emphasis on southern California, where Calbright attended three different events in Oceanside and San Diego.

» Read more!

Crafton Hills College and CONFIRE: Pioneering Partnership
for EMT Training and Employment

In a groundbreaking move, Crafton Hills College has forged a partnership with local employers to address a pressing need in the community: emergency medical technicians (EMTs). With a vision to bridge the gap between education and employment, the college has collaborated with CONFIRE’s Priority Ambulance to launch a program that not only trains aspiring EMTs but also guarantees them employment.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

CalMatters: California Boosts Spending to
Help Students Earn Math and Science Degrees

California allotted millions of dollars in 2022 to create MESA programs at community colleges across the state. Currently, 91 out of 115 campuses have programs established, with three more set to create one next year. The state hopes the expansion will reduce barriers to STEM jobs for “underserved and underrepresented” students. As the initiative rolls out statewide, questions remain about how long the funding will last, and how the programs can track how well they’re working.  

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Oxnard College:

This summer, our Trio Upward Bound Program welcomes over 50 students from Hueneme and Channel Islands High schools to participate in its Summer Program. This week, the students took a break from classes by having a field day!

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From San Bernardino Valley College:

SBVC collaborated with the San Bernardino Symphony for the third annual SummerFest last Saturday!

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From College of the Sequoias:

Former Giant Quincy Hall just ran a 43.8 in the 400m in a tune up race for the Olympics. He ran a 44.18 to win the USA trials just a few weeks ago. His 43.8 is the best time in the world this year in the 400m. Go Giants!

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And check out this video from American River College celebrating their Early College Academy graduates:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Project HireUp Summer 2024 Graduation

It was a day of celebration and optimism as Bakersfield College and CityServe Educational Collaborative celebrated the graduating participants of Cohort #12 of Project HireUp. This unique project provides education and training to adults seeking reentry into the workforce or higher education programs. Project HireUp aims to decrease homelessness in the community through a creative and innovative partnership that supports students currently experiencing housing insecurity or other setbacks.

» 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

Wrapping up an academic year

Uncategorized June 22, 2024 Leave a comment

I started my week in DC for a White House AI summit. And of course did my Washington Monument photo ritual…

Back in Sacramento, the executive team had a two-day planning meeting, and we also celebrated Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales who is transitioning to lead the California Student Aid Commission:

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It was also a time to honor Juneteenth, a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.

Good morning California.
It is June 22, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Coalinga College Advances to Community College Innovation Challenge Finals

Coalinga College was one of 12 finalist teams selected to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge. The Coalinga team’s project – “Got Calcium: The New Battery Innovation” – seeks to switch from lithium to calcium batteries to improve cost-effectiveness, safety, and battery performance offering an eco-friendly alternative for energy storage solutions.

» Read more!

Shasta College & Reach University Partner to Increase
Local Bachelor’s Degree Attainment for Rural Working Adults

Shasta College and Reach University today announced a partnership to offer Shasta College graduates a fully transferable, job-embedded, and paid pathway to a bachelor’s degree in their local community. In the partnership’s “Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Pathway,” Shasta College graduates from 70 programs can transfer 100% of their associate credits into Reach University’s liberal studies degree program. 

» Read more!

Sacramento State Partners with Community Colleges to Create
Guaranteed Pathway to Black Honors College

The California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) signed a deal with 15 California community colleges to guarantee the admission of all eligible transfer students to its first-in-the-nation Black Honors College (BHC).

Sacramento State signed the partnership agreement with the participating community colleges during a Juneteenth Symposium on June 13. Eligible students will be able to transfer smoothly into the BHC from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.

The colleges include:

American River College
Butte College
Cosumnes River College
Folsom Lake College
Fullerton College
Merritt College
Mission College
Modesto Junior College

Moorpark College
Palomar College
Sacramento City College
San Diego College of Continuing Education
San Joaquin Delta College
Sierra College
Yuba College

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Stanford Report: Monica Hicks’ about-face

Once an inmate in California’s state prison system, Monica Hicks graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

The Stanford Report published this great story about a student who graduated after completing a prison sentence and forging a new path by starting at a community college.

» Read more!

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Cal Chamber: Local Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Have Extensive Community College Underpinnings

Through diverse and innovative workforce development programs and initiatives, California Community Colleges are directly shaping the future of the state’s workforce by addressing industry needs, bridging skill gaps and providing students with practical training and opportunities for economic advancement and career success.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From the Student Senate for California Community Colleges:

Thank you to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors for a wonderful year. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and continued success

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From Cañada College:

On Tuesday, June 18th, the Black Student Union (BSU), TRIO Student Support Services, and Promise Scholars Program (PSP) collaborated to help our campus celebrate Juneteenth. As a way to commemorate this day, we supported a Black owned business, Everett and Jones (located in Oakland), and participants enjoyed barbecue and soul food as they watched Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. The series explores the throughline of food, tradition and culture that survived the Transatlantic Slave Trade and became staples in American cuisine. The documentary series proved impactful as folks dried their eyes as the episode ended. Next, participants teamed up for a game of Kahoot! to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth not only celebrates the freedom of enslaved Africans but is a celebration of progress in our community. Thank you to the BSU, TRIO, and PSP for creating a moving event!

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From MiraCosta College:

Congrats to Kat Parra, MiraCosta alumna, on her Emmy Award win! She received the Emmy for her exceptional work as a Newscast Director at @fox5sandiego and @KUSINews. Her success is a testament to the strong foundation laid at MiraCosta College.

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From El Camino College:

CA State Senator @SteveBradford recognized the ECC Men’s soccer team for being named the 2023 Nat’l Champions by @UnitedCoaches for the Junior College D3 Men’s Soccer Rankings.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Theater Program To Present Something Rotten!

Bakersfield College’s Theater Program announced today the details of their annual summer musical, a traditional collaboration with the Choral and Instrumental Music programs. This year’s presentation will be Something Rotten, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed by Professor Brian J. Sivesind, with Vocal Direction by Professor Caley Mayhall and Music Direction by Dr. Scott Dirkse. The musical will play in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre on the Bakersfield College campus from July 12 through July 21; asdf

» 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

Honoring our people

Uncategorized June 8, 2024 Comments: 2

This week, our nation honored the D-Day at Normandy, which took place 80 years ago on June 6.

The stories of veterans who were part of that day…..they are now between the ages of 96 and 107.

At a ceremony commemorating the anniversary, French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Legion of Honor on 14 U.S. veterans and a British female veteran.

The female veteran is 103-year-old Christian Lamb, the daughter of a Royal Navy admiral who was studying in Normandy in 1939 when her father called her back to London. Lamb created detailed maps that guided the crews on places to land on D-Day.

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On Wednesday we celebrate former Bakersfield College Athletic Director Sandi Taylor, who was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Directors Hall of Fame at Lake Tahoe.

Sandi Taylor is a very special person. Check out the video below under the “blast from the past” section of the blog.

Good morning California.
It is June 8, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Palomar College Student Earns Prestigious Internship

Jerrie Fabrigas got a bachelor’s degree in art history because she thought she wanted to curate other people’s art. It wasn’t until she took a ceramics class at Palomar College that she realized she had a talent for making her own art. Since her first ceramics class at Palomar College in 2020, Fabrigas has been making and selling her ceramic art pieces. She recently was selected as a 2024 Artaxis fellow, which provides funding so that she can attend a two-week summer workshop at the renowned Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine.

» Read more!

Folsom Lake College and Sutter Health Announce Partnership

Sutter Health is launching a new initiative, NextGen Scholars, to provide educational opportunities and career pathways in healthcare for high school students from Title 1 schools and diverse backgrounds—with a goal of training 5,000 youth by 2030 as part of the program. Sutter is investing $1.7 million in Folsom Lake College as a pilot and plans to extend the program to other schools in the Los Rios Community College District and others across its Northern California and Central Coast footprint in the coming years.

» Read more!

Longtime Riverside City College Supporter Raises
More Than $6,500 for Student Emergency Fund

Justin Scott-Coe, a former adjunct professor and long-time Riverside City College (RCC) supporter, recently organized a crowdfunding campaign to benefit the RCCD Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund. In lieu of birthday gifts for his 50th birthday, Scott-Coe raised more than $6,500 to support RCC students in need. 

» Read More!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource: California releases $470 million
to put students on track for college and career

California has made good on a promise in the 2022 budget to invest in programs that simultaneously prepare students for both college and career. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Friday that the state has released $470 million to 302 school districts, charters and county offices of education to fund the Golden State Pathways program.

» Read more!

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CalMatters: An obscure option could help Californians
without high school diplomas pay for college — if it survives

Many adults in California are missing out on financial aid for college — and for years, the state declined to help. 

The most popular form of federal financial aid, the Pell grant, provides low-income students with around $7,000 a year— money that can go towards all kinds of expenses, such as tuition, rent or transportation. Typically, college students need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify, but a workaround, known as the Ability to Benefit provision, allows adults without a high school diploma to get federal financial aid in college.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From San Joaquin Delta College:

Congrats to San Joaquin Delta College’s student-run media group, Fierce Mustang Media, for their recognition today by the Board of Supervisors for their work on San Joaquin County’s illegal dumping awareness campaign!

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From Clovis Community College:

Congratulations to our amazing CCC team that just completed the Mental Health First Aid National Certification Training! @cccwelcomecenter @scccd#GoCrush#SafetyFirst

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Jackie Vanderbeck from Broadway Sacramento shared this post:

I am so thrilled to welcome our Broadway At Music Circus Intern & Professional Assistant class of 2024!

In partnership with American River College, 46 students join us for the summer in the fields of Stage Management, Wardrobe, Costume, Props/Scenic, Sound, Marketing & PR, Graphic Design, Social Media, Development, Education & Community Engagement, and IT.

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And congratulations to Southwestern College’s Randy Beach, who is completing his second term serving on the ACCJC

Bittersweet day today. In 2018 I was honored to be elected to serve a three-year term as an Academic Member of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Today, after two terms, four presidents, three commission chairs, dozens of presentations and webinars, hundreds (yes hundreds) of commission and committee meetings, and thousands (yes thousands) of pages of reading college reports, and a global pandemic (yikes!), I completed my second and final term as a board member and commissioner. The work has been one of the most professionally rewarding experiences I’ve ever had supporting the mission and success of two-year colleges. The commissioners and ACCJC staff that I’ve worked with over the years are wickedly talented, insightful and knowledgeable, and dedicated to student success for the diversity of students that make up our institutions.

Blast from the Past

Here’s the video from 2020, when Sandi Taylor and Corny Rodriguez earned a Presidential Leadership Award at Bakersfield College:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Measure J Community Brief and Update

In 2016, the Measure J bond was introduced to the Bakersfield and Kern County communities with the goal of improvements to Bakersfield College and its rural campuses. The measure passed and BC was awarded $502 million for facility updates, new educational spaces, technology upgrades, and more.

 On June 5, 2024, BC hosted a Measure J Community Brief and Update in the Renegade Events Center to offer students, faculty, staff, and community members a detailed update on the various projects funded by Measure J.

» 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 starting the new year 2024 full throttle

Uncategorized January 13, 2024 1 Comment

Santa Barbara – what’s not to love?

This week, I attended the Dual Enrollment conference at Santa Barbara City College.

Student Trustee Paul Medina, SBCC Trustee Jonathan Abboud and SBCC President Erika Endrijonas participated in an awesome panel moderated by Tonya Williams, titled “Mobilizing Vision 2030.”

Our new Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development, Anthony Cordova, and Don Daves-Rougeaux, Senior Advisor, Workforce and Strategic Partnerships, were also on hand to discuss Career Education and Dual Enrollment.

It was also so much fun to catch up with Kylie Campbell. Here we are in the photo with Naomi Castro

Good morning California.
It is January 13, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Los Angeles Trade Tech College Hosts Barber Battle

Last December, LATTC’s Cosmetology Pathway hosted its first barber battle. 33 of the college’s Barbering students faced off in a competition across six categories, including Best Haircut & Style, Most Creative, The GOAT (greatest of all time), Fastest Fade, Crispiest Lineup, and Best Beard Style.

» Read more!

Yuba College Receives Grants to Extend Zero Textbook Cost Efforts

Many students at Yuba College will soon see their textbook costs be dramatically reduced, or eliminated entirely, following the awarding of a series of grants designed to help institutions create or utilize existing open educational resources (OER). OER are teaching or learning materials that are free to students because they exist in the public domain and are designed with the intent of sharing freely.

» Read more!

College of the Canyons Earns Carnegie Classification

College of the Canyons is the only California community college to receive the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation that indicates institutional commitment to community engagement awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

» Read more!

Evergreen Valley College Celebrates Latest Tesla START Program Graduates

Congratulations to Evergreen Valley College‘s latest graduates of our Tesla START program, one of two programs in the state devoted to this discipline. The program has had a 100 percent graduation rate and is ranked No. 1 for women wanting to get into the field. It also places graduates around the Bay Area and in places like Arizona and Tennessee within Tesla.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Headline

GV Wire: What’s the Secret Sauce
in State Center’s Enrollment Boom?

“State Center Community College District appears to be on track to set a new high-water mark for student enrollments, erasing the losses that occurred after the pandemic. The district, which includes colleges in Fresno and Madera counties, is about 3% under the record set in the 2019-2020 school year, just as the pandemic was arriving and forced classes to move online.“

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From David O’Brien:

The hardest-working Government Relations team in higher education is working hard on analyzing the State budget and helping @CalCommColleges ensure we have the resources to continue serving our students, our communities, and the planet!

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From Clovis Community College:

President Armstrong at the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Essay & Speech contest reception at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District

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From American River College:

At just 13 years old Alan Daniel started the long journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.

Alan, now 14, enrolled at American River College as a biology major, taking some initial pre-requisite classes while working to complete his high school graduation requirements. Starting with the Spring 2023 semester, Alan plans on becoming a full-time ARC student where he will focus on completing his transfer requirements. He hopes to be transfer-ready at 15 and to start the next phase of his education journey at UC Davis or Sac State.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Launches Spring 2024 Semester with Series of Welcome Week Events

Each semester, the BC Office of Student Life hosts a series of Welcome Week events to promote student engagement and provide important information for new and returning students. 

This semester’s Welcome Week events will feature “Pop by and Play” where students can participate in various lawn games, including soccer, volleyball and a bounce house, a trivia night, an evening of video games and board games, Campus Rush, and more. 

» 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