Sonya Christian's Blog

It’s the end of an era…

The Bakersfield Californian is moving from 7 days a week paper to 5 days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.

The Bakersfield Californian’s history can be traced to Kern County’s first newspaper, the Weekly Courier, which was first published August 18, 1866. It got its present name in 1907, and it moved to its downtown location in 1926.

I remember being heartbroken when the headquarters moved away from downtown.  I would drive up and sit and look at the building.

Learn more about the history of the Bakersfield Californian.

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California celebrated its 174th birthday this week! California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The first capital was in San Jose – but the city’s facilities were not suited for a proper capital, and the unusually wet winter led to the dirt roads becoming muddy streams.

Former General and State Senator Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo donated land in the future city of Vallejo for a new capital; the legislature convened there for one week in 1852 and again for a month in 1853.

The capital then was moved to the small town of Benicia, but there was no room for expansion.

The state’s capital was finally moved to Sacramento in 1854.

» Read more about California Admission Day

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As for me, the big event this week was the AI Summit on September 10^th  hosted by the Chancellor’s Office and Foothill DeAnza at the DeAnza campus.  We brought together over 420 educators, innovators, community college leaders and industry and philanthropic partners to share perspectives and experiences in the work of AI and gen AI. 

Chancellor Lee Lambert and I opened the summit and briefly shared about the Digital
Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity. Three members of the Board of
Trustees attended the event.

BOG member Bill Rawlings moderated the closing plenary panel with Lark Park, Secretary Stewart Knox, and Secretary Amy Tong.  Adrienne participated in a breakout panel. 

Here is a fun picture with BOG member Bill Rawlings and Adrienne Brown.

I was thrilled to talk to three trailblazers in the field of AI and higher education – three women – Safiya Nobel, Beth Rudden, and Jennifer Chayes.  Each of them with a wealth of experience and a vision for how AI can reshape learning for generations to come. And each of them is center stage when it comes to shaping the future of teaching and learning for students, faculty and the current and future workforce. 

Good morning California.
It is September 14, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Ohlone College, Ignited Collaborate to Expand Opportunities
for English Language Learners in Computer Science with $491,271 NSF Grant

Ohlone College is proud to announce the receipt of a $491,271 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program. The grant, awarded through the NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education, will support the project titled “Expanding Opportunities and Instructional Innovations for English Language Learners in Computer Science.”

» Read more! 

Miramar College Receives Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Grant From National Science Foundation For Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative

The three-year grant will fund the college’s Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative to support future automotive technicians. It will also prompt faculty members at the college to provide ideas to improve technician education.  The Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative, according to Principal Investigator Martin Kennedy and Co-Principal Investigator Ryan Monroy, professor of Automotive Technology at San Diego Miramar College, will make education on zero-emission vehicles a reality for technicians and independent repair shops in the region.

» Read more!

El Monte Union Honors Río Hondo College For Invaluable Partnership In Student Empowerment

Río Hondo College and El Monte Union High School District celebrated its longstanding partnership and collaboration to create pathways that empower students to achieve their academic and career aspirations at EMUHSD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 4. Over the last six years, Río Hondo College and El Monte Union have partnered to establish free dual enrollment opportunities for EMUHSD students, including the Early College Academy (ECA) at South El Monte High, allowing them to get a jumpstart on higher education by earning college credit in high school.

In Case You Missed It

Rowena Tomaneng Selected to Serve as Deputy Chancellor of the California Community Colleges

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office announced Rowena M. Tomaneng has been selected to serve as deputy chancellor.

Tomaneng has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education. And her expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, and high impact practices that lead to student equity, student success and civic engagement, will play a key role in her new responsibilities.

» Read more!

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Behind the Desk: Perspectives of Black Community College CEOs

Diverse Issues in Higher Education published the first in a collective 12-month series by California Community College’s Black CEOs. Dr. Jamal Cooks of Chabot College, Dr. David M. Johnson of Merritt College, and Dr. Tina King of San Diego College of Continuing Education shared their thoughts –

College presidents, superintendents, and chancellors are entrusted with administering the critical work at the community colleges. In recent years, the number of Black educators filling these ranks of CCC administrator has risen dramatically. Presently, there are 29 Black presidents/superintendents/chancellors leading institutions across the state, which constitutes more than 20% of the CEO workforce in the CCC.

» Read more!

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New Report on the ‘State of Apprenticeships in California’
Released by California Community Colleges

The new report, researched and analyzed by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit working to drive transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems, notes the number of apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards grew 11%, with 93,798 apprentices registered in 2023 versus 84,217 in 2018. And the most significant increases in apprenticeships over the last five years were in manufacturing (473%), health care (400%), barbers and cosmetologists (95%) and IT (45%).

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Mission College:

#MidAutumnFestival Recap! Mission on Thursday celebrated how this festival is embraced across China (Zhong Qiu Jie), South Korea (Chuseok), Taiwan (Moon Festival), and Vietnam (Tết Trung Thu)! It was a beautiful cultural journey!

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From Feather River College President:

Dr. Dianne Van Hook was honored as an “alum” by @FeatherRiverCol Board upon her retirement after 36 years w/ @canyons. Dr. Van Hook had her first admin job at FRC. Congrats on the retirement – we you for all that you did for @CalCommColleges students @CCTrustees @Comm_College

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Thanks to #Stockton Mayor @kevinjlincoln for touring Delta’s electron microscopy program on Tuesday – the only program of its kind in the United States!

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From Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu:

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth and #HSIsweek, here are some photos from Monday’s “Café Con Tu Comunidad de Moorpark College” event, where Moorpark College faculty, students, and employees gathered for coffee, cocoa, pastries and community. #MoorparkCollege#WeareMC

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a Series of Events & Activities

Bakersfield College is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant series of events and activities designed to honor and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community. Running from September 16 to October 23, students, faculty, and community members are invited to participate in these events, which include guest lectures, games, art, panel discussions, and more.

The festivities begin Monday, September 16 with a kick-off event that will feature live performances, a keynote speaker, and a “Taste of Hispanic Culture” appetizer bar. The event will take place in the Fireside Room and promises to be an educational and entertaining time and a perfect way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at BC.

» 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