Tag Archives: Antelope Valley College

Wrapping up women’s history month 2024

Uncategorized March 30, 2024 1 Comment

I started my week at the Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento.

I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful and restful Easter weekend.

Good morning California.
It is March 30, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Six New Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Approved for California Community Colleges

As part of a continued effort to enhance accessibility to four-year degrees, California Community Colleges will soon offer six new bachelor’s degrees programs, bringing the total number of bachelor’s degree programs that are now offered, or soon to be available, within the system to 39.

The new programs are Respiratory Care at Antelope Valley College, Paramedicine at College of the Siskiyous, Dental Hygiene at Cypress College and Oxnard College, Paralegal Studies at Santa Ana College and Respiratory Care Therapist at Victor Valley College.

» Read more!

Hartnell College Unveils El Mercado to Combat Student Food Insecurity

Hartnell College proudly announces the grand opening of El Mercado, an on-campus market set to launch on April 1, 2024. Developed by the Hartnell College SOUL Center (Office of Basic Needs), El Mercado is an innovative initiative designed to provide students with free, easy access to essential groceries, personal care items, and basic necessities throughout the year.

» Read more!

College of Alameda Launches its
Rising Scholars Initiative for Student Success

College of Alameda’s Rising Scholars initiative kicked off with its first meeting in early February, bringing together college members and various community partners to launch a program aimed at supporting student academic success.

» Read more!

Chaffey College’s Unity in Community Draws Hundreds

More than 200 students, faculty and staff members gathered for Chaffey College’s “Unity in Community” event Jan. 31, enjoying an afternoon of food, music and program information.

The event featured eight groups including Prism and the Lavender Coalition – supporting the undocumented and LGBTQIA+ community – as well as Umoja, Puente, the Center for Culture and Social Justice, Rising Scholars, the ethnic studies program and the Veterans Resource Center.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource: California’s new cradle-to-career system
can illuminate student pathways

California recently took a big step toward making data available in tangible, easy-to-access ways. The new California Cradle-to-Career Data System (C2C) connects the dots from early and K-12 education, to higher education and the workforce. It’s a new, longitudinal data system that can enable people to make more informed decisions about their lives. As early as 2024, Californians will have access to C2C’s first planned dashboard.

» Read more!

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California Competes, Ed Trust West Announce
New Digital Hub for Student Parent Success

California Competes and Ed Trust West launched a new digital hub for student parents. The website brings together resources, advocacy efforts & engagement opportunities aimed at empowering student parents statewide.

» Check it out at https://castudentparentalliance.org/.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Butte College:

Yesterday we hosted our second annual Big Time. Thank you to our Native American Center, and Student Services for creating this event and space for our students and community.

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From BOG Member Paul Medina:

Meet Lorenzo Valdez-Larios. He is a student at LA Pierce College. Although he isn’t officially in student government, he loves helping out with many activities such as this @piercecollegeaso sponsored Block Party.

Fun fact: I never met Lorenzo until yesterday. He recognized me from my Instagram page and we struck up a conversation.

Next to me is Dean Will Marmolejo. I first met him a few weeks ago at a Vision 2030 event on dual enrollment at LA Southwest College.

He is a well liked leader on campus and loves to champion student centered issues. I’m glad that @pierce_college has good people like Lorenzo and Dean Will.

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From Mt. San Jacinto College:

Last night, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society held its induction ceremony to recognize the outstanding students of Mt. San Jacinto College! Welcome the new members of the chapter and organization.

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Blast from the Past

Check out this video from Bakersfield College’s 2016 Chicano Commencement – less than 5 minutes.

And From the Home of the Renegades

The 2024 Bakersfield College Garden Fest

Get ready for one of the community’s favorite events of the year! Bakersfield College’s Garden Fest will take place Saturday, April 13, 2024.

Attendees can take part in various gardening seminars where experts will share tricks and tips to cultivate your green thumb, browse various plants and decor items for home and garden, and splurge at one of the food trucks.

» 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

CACCs celebrating our very best

Uncategorized January 27, 2024 1 Comment

This week started in Sacramento with a Board of Governors meeting.

One of the best things we get to do is celebrate the work of our community colleges, and this meeting was no different.

Chabot College, Glendale College, MiraCosta College and San Diego Mesa College have been honored by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors with 2023-24 Exemplary Program Awards in partnership with the statewide Academic Senate.

Good morning California.
It is January 27, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

De Anza College Wins NEH Grant for Oral History Projects

De Anza has received its first-ever grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, providing $150,000 for an ambitious, three-year effort to create and expand oral history programs focused on historically marginalized communities.

» Read more!

Cerritos College Economic Development Center
for Corporate Training Receives $500K Grant

The Cerritos College Economic Development Center for Corporate Training received a $500,000 grant from the California Employment Training Panel (ETP)

» Read more!

Orange Coast College President Earns National Honor

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recognized Orange Coast College president, Dr. Angelica Suarez, as the recipient of its 2024 National President’s Award — the first California community college president to be honored with this prestigious award. This award is the highest honor NASPA bestows on a college or university president or chancellor.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

LIFT 2024 Webinar Series

The Classified Professional Leadership and Career Advancement Series is developed and hosted by the Leadership Institute for Tomorrow in collaboration with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

The four webinars are scheduled on Fridays during the noon hour 12-1 p.m.

The first webinar will be on Friday, February 9:
Cracking the Code: Navigating Campus Politics for Classified Professionals

» Learn more & Register Now!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Napa Valley College:

Congratulations to President Torence Powell for being among ‘the 24 to Watch in 2024,’ as recognized by The Press Democrat!

His impactful words resonate: ‘For many students, their success is determined by their potential to receive support in basic needs. To provide assistance in those areas significantly increases their chance of success and persistence.’ A true advocate for student well-being!

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From Cañada College:

Yesterday marked a journey into the heart of Shogatsu at the Cultural Center. From the allure of osechi snacks to the artistry of mochi-making, we embraced diverse New Year traditions. Kite-making and Daruma goal-setting added interactive joy, creating a day filled with cultural richness and shared experiences!

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From Compton College:

Every student is a success story!

Compton College 2023 graduate Shyanne Bradley wants others to know that even in times of crisis, one can always change their circumstances. “I’m just like anyone else that is indecisive about going to school but I want to emphasize that even as a mom, attending college is possible. It’s harder, but possible,” said Bradley.

The mother of two enrolled at Compton College in the summer of 2021 and graduated in 2023 with three associate degrees — in biological and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and arts and humanities. Bradley was also honored as a 2023 Presidential Scholar, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

“To have Compton College in my corner has given me the push I need to be the best I can be, and I know I can continue to do so much more,” said Bradley. “I’m doing this for myself and my children so they can see that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

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From Antelope Valley College:

Our Achieving the Dream coaches met with students, classified professionals, faculty and administrators to learn more about the student journey at AVC. Our coaches engaged in meaningful conversation with various members of our campus community, and will use the feedback provided to enhance the student experience at AVC.

Blast from the Past

Check out this video from Bakersfield College’s Opening Day Spring 2021, about Competency Based Education:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Promotes Healthy Nutrition With Food Smarts Workshop

The Office of Student Life at Bakersfield partnered with the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) for a series of workshops highlighting healthy food and nutrition choices. They hosted the first of these workshops on January 23rd in the Campus Center on BC’s main campus and Zoom.
 
During the workshop, over 50 students learned about healthy living, positive nutrition choices, and cultivating healthy behaviors in themselves and their families. Throughout the workshop, attendees were invited to sample some delicious foods made with healthy ingredients.

» 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

2023 – Happy Holidays all

Uncategorized December 16, 2023 1 Comment

As we finish the Fall 2023 semester, I’ve been enjoying seeing the holiday greetings sent out from colleges across the state.  Here are a few….

Antelope Valley College:

Cypress College:

Chabot Los-Positas Community College District:

San Jose-Evergreen CCD:

North Orange CCD:

Good morning California.
It is December 16, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Los Angeles City College Student
Recognized by LA Rams a Community PLAymaker

LA City College Associated Student Government Executive of Clubs Natalie Goodliffe was recognized by the LA Rams as their 12th pLAymaker honoree of 2023. Earlier this year, LACC’s student government opened Cubby’s Closet, a free, on-campus clothing store aimed at helping students obtain clothes for interviews and fancier events, as well as books, toys and accessories.

» Read more!

Riverside City College Bridges the Transition for Adult School Students

In a dedicated effort to support nontraditional, first-generation, and older adult students, Riverside City College hosted a series of campus tours in collaboration with local adult schools. These tours aimed to bridge the gap between adult education and community college, providing valuable insights and resources for students pursuing diverse educational paths.

» Read more!

Cosumnes River College Cybersecurity Program Ranked Seventh in Nation,
Top Cyber Program in California

Cosumnes River College‘s Cybersecurity program was ranked number seven in the nation (out of 150 schools) and the top cyber program in the state of California.

» Read more!

San Bernardino Valley College Foundation
Awarded $25,000 SoCal Climate Champions Grant

SoCalGas awarded a $25,000 grant to San Bernardino Valley College’s (SBVC) Clean Energy/EV Tech Program. he grant will aid in the purchase of additional training modules and classroom tools for a second lab section, supporting the growing interest and enrollment in the college’s CNG/Clean Energy Training Expansion program.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

LA Times: The Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility Forum 2023

LA Southwest College President Anthony Culpepper is featured in this year’s Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Accessibility Forum.

Increasingly, corporations are recognizing the importance and need for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in the workplace. Listed alphabetically below are some of the area’s most influential and innovative thought leaders who are driving change, holding companies accountable and helping employees feel more valued.

» Read more!

» About the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility Forum

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Inside HigherEd: Painting a Picture of More
Student-Centric Career Services

Getting students to engage with campus career centers—and, more specifically, to engage early in their college careers with services and events provided by these centers—has been a nearly universal challenge within higher education. Being available to assist students in various stages of career exploration and development as well as having a presence across campus, including in classrooms, are aims that can help. Strategic data collection and use can help drive planning and prioritizing.

» Read more!

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EdSource: Hope for West Fresno Now Comes
in the Form of a College Campus

West Fresno is home to over 25,000 people in a historically marginalized section of the Central Valley’s largest city. It’s a region with one of the highest levels of concentrated poverty in the nation, higher rates of incarceration, and a lower life expectancy rate by about 20 years than their neighbors in wealthier sections of Fresno.

This history is why the newest Fresno City College location was thoughtfully chosen to be constructed within a 1- to 2-mile radius of more than 10 K-12 schools.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

West Hills College Coalinga‘s holiday staff photo:

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From Monterey Peninsula College:

Our Stress Buster event was an absolute blast! From pony cuddles to therapy dog hugs, we had it all! Plus, nachos, hot cocoa, and more treats to keep you going this finals season! Can’t wait for the next one!

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From East Los Angeles College:

#ELAC Music Department students merrily perform Jose Feliciano’s holiday season favorite “Feliz Navidad” as the final number of the Jazz Ensemble and Popular Music Workshop Concert on Wednesday. The concert was directed by Professor and jazz guitarist John Storie #CalCommColleges

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Check out this video from Los Medanos College about their Early College Credit program:

Blast from the Past

This 9:16-min video is from the ACCJC Learning Seminar in 2021. Check it out.

And From the Home of the Renegades

From Bakersfield to Monterey: The Math Club’s Journey to Success

The Math Club at Bakersfield College excelled at the recent CMC3 Fall Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel in Monterey, CA. Dominating the event, the team secured 1st and 2nd place with their research projects, namely “NLP Essay Grader” (NLP referring to Natural Language Processor) and “Covid-19 Research.” The conference showcased innovative projects from four research groups within the Math Club, including studies on “Flying Spiders Biomimicry” and “Foundational Math.”

» 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

California Community Colleges – acting with urgency and leading with courage

Uncategorized July 29, 2023 Comments: 2

This week began with my first Board of Governors meeting, on Monday morning. We officially kicked off Vision 2030, our roadmap for California Community Colleges.

Sonya Christian at Board of Governors Meeting

Vision 2030 builds upon the foundations and work from the Vision for Success (2017) and the Governor’s Roadmap (2021), taking into account current issues and future considerations.

This plan focuses on improving equitable success for our nearly 2 million California Community College students, while introducing equitable access to find future learners and bring college to them.

Over the next few months, there will be many opportunities for statewide engagements as we focus on refining the plan before a final version is presented to the Board of Governors next January.

My week continued on Tuesday as I headed to Washington, DC, in time for Wednesday’s National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. In his keynote speech, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona reminded us all:

“Every generation is called upon to renew the promise of America. This is our moment. To be innovative. To act with urgency. And to lead with courage.”

It was also nice to see former California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley, who spoke on a panel about rebuilding affordable higher education pipelines.

Panel about rebuilding affordable higher education pipelines
Eloy Oakley

After an exciting time being away, it was good to be back home for a bit of rest and relaxation. And of course – some quality time with Neo.

Good morning California.
It is July 29, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Fullerton College Drone Program and FAA Host Public Drone Event

Fullerton College Drone Students

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Fullerton College drone program teamed up to give a bird’s-eye view of the growing industry during a free three-day event, Droning On: California Edition.

The event kicked off on July 21 at Fullerton College with a Public Service Day that included a series of panels, lectures, and demonstrations with featured companies from various public service organizations, including Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, and many more.

» Read more about this event & Fullerton College’s drone program!

Antelope Valley College Fire Academy Grads Respond to First Assignment

Wildland Fire Academy students and class of 2023 graduates assisted firefighters from the Inyo National Forest in containing a fire 10 miles east of June Lake near Pumice Mine Road on Saturday, July 15. Fire crews braved high temperatures and dry winds to contain the fire to one acre.

Antelope Valley College Fire Academy Students

» Read more!

» Learn about Antelope Valley College’s Wildland Fire Academy

Mt. San Jacinto College Culinary Arts Instructor Serves Up
Food and Fun with a Focus on Regenerative Practices

Lea Di Bernardo

There’s more to Leah Di Bernardo’s culinary arts class at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) than lectures, reading and recipes. Di Bernardo serves up lessons about what farm-to-table means for people and the planet. 

She is a key member of an MSJC advisory group that is currently in development on a Regenerative Agriculture program at the college.

» Read more!

East LA College Psychology Department Awarded $8.1M in Grants

he East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Psychology department and Addiction Studies program were recently awarded $8.1 million in grants. This is the largest ever received by the department and also one of the largest grants awarded in ELAC history. 

» Read more about the grants!

East LA College

In Case You Missed It

Community College League: California Community Colleges Support Rep. Schiff’s Bill to Help End Food Insecurity at Community Colleges

Andrea Hoffman and Adam Schiff

Last week, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif., 30th District) proposed legislation that would help community college students with food insecurity. The Community College League of California’s leadership supports this bill and its recognition of students’ basic needs.  

» Read more!

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Community College Daily: A renewed appreciation for the humanities

San Diego Miramar College’s PATH Program was featured in a piece in Community College Daily.

“A collaborative program between SDCCD and UC San Diego School of Arts and Humanities, funded by the Mellon Foundation starting in 2016, PATH has resulted in a 78% transfer rate of arts and humanities majors. This rate doubles the regular transfer rate for SDCCD arts and humanities majors which was at 39% prior to PATH. In fact, the program has expanded opportunities for underrepresented minority students who are 63% of the students participating in this program.”

» Read the article!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Check out Nick Strobel’s piece on teaching and learning:

“I have been teaching at Bakersfield College for 27 years and before that I taught the intro astronomy courses at University of Washington for five years, so I’ve been doing the teaching gig for 32 years now. I’ve been reflecting a bit on those 32 years on how the academic environment has changed and how I’ve changed with it or maybe the environment hasn’t changed all that much but I’ve gotten better at recognizing what’s already there and adjusted accordingly.  Whatever the case may be, I can see three major shifts in my teaching.”

» Read his blog post!

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From Tawny Dotson

“Fantastic weekend in Sacramento supporting some of @CalCommColleges’ newest CEOs!“

Attendees at CEO

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Kylie Campbell shared this:

“Thank you @CSEA_Now and @billrawlings for inviting Vice Chancellor @JohnStanskas and I to present on #Vision2030 and #DualEnrollment at your CSEA Community College Symposium! @CalCommColleges@sonyachristian#OurTimeIsNow“

John Stanskas
Kylie Campbell

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Foothill College recently welcomed a group of students and professors from the The University of Tokyo / UTokyo School of Education. They were in the Bay Area visiting area colleges.

Visiting students from University of Tokyo

And From the Home of the Renegades

On-Campus Employment Meet & Greet

Bakersfield College employment office

The Office of Student Employment and Financial Aid hosted the Student Employment Festival this week which gave students the opportunity to speak to several BC departments about available positions and federal work-study. Attendees were also able to get assistance with jobspeaker, BC’s online Job Board that features employment postings from local companies.

» Read more about this week at BC!

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Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.

Sonya Christian and Neo

See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora