Tag Archives: Barstow Community College

Measure J: 10-year anniversary. Thank you Kern County voters.

Uncategorized July 11, 2026 Comments: 2

At 1:45 pm, on July 14, 2016, the Kern Community College District Board decided to place a bond measure on the November ballot. The voters voted “yes on Measure J.” Thank you!

#DareMightyThings

I submitted a 550-word opinion piece which was published today in the Community Voices section of today’s Bakersfield Californian.

https://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community-voices/community-voices-celebrating-an-investment-in-the-community/article_4dcbd062-0ca6-4c3c-af04-1f5865322b83.html#:~:text=Sonya%20Christian%20is%20a%20fierce,and%20educate%20the%20future%20workforce.

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Did you see about the woman who rowed solo from California to Hawaii?

Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river rafting guide, made the 2,400 mile journey from Monterey to Honolulu in just 43 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes and 59 seconds – breaking both the previous women’s record (86 days) and men’s record (52 days) for the crossing.

Hundreds gathered in the harbor to cheer her on as she finally made it ashore, and many more followed along with her journey on social media.

Check out this piece from Hawaii News Now talking about her experience:

Good morning California.
It is July 11, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Barstow Community College Purchases Property
to Create New CTE Workforce Training Center

Barstow Community College (BCC) has completed the purchase of the former Rite Aid building at the corner of Barstow Road and Rimrock Road and plans to transform it into a new Career Technical Education (CTE) Workforce Training Center. The facility will serve as a training hub preparing local residents for high-wage careers. The new facility will house five hands-on Career Technical Education labs with capacity for up to 25 learners per lab, enabling hundreds of residents to train each year.

» Read more!

Porterville College Celebrates the Next Generation
of Women in STEM with Innovative Program

Porterville College, AAUW Porterville, and the Porterville Chamber of Commerce  officially celebrated the InnovateHER STEM Program, a collaborative initiative designed to inspire and empower the next generation of young women in science, technology, engineering, and math. On June 22, community members, local leaders, and families gathered at Porterville College (PC) for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the success of the 2nd Annual InnovateHER STEM Summer Camp. The day was filled with inspiration, featuring powerful words from sponsor organizations, local dignitaries, and a special awards ceremony honoring some of the wonderful students who have participated in the program.

» Read more!

California Volunteers wildfire recovery grant provides opportunities
for Pasadena City College students and the community

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor has awarded Pasadena City College more than a half a million dollars to create a new Wildfire Recovery College Corps chapter on its campus. The award from California Volunteers creates the state’s first College Corps chapters dedicated specifically to rebuilding communities ravaged by the Eaton and the Palisades fires in January of 2025.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Tuition to be permanently free at San Mateo County Community College District

The San Mateo County Community College District has made its free tuition program permanent following a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom, The Daily Journal reported. 

Senate Bill 968, signed into law by the governor, disregarded the 2028 sunset date for the Free College pilot program. The legislation enables the community college district to eliminate tuition by using property tax revenue, The Journal reported. 

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles Mission College:

On Tuesday, June 2, students, faculty, and staff from Los Angeles Mission College participated in the Student AI Showcase at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Pacific Design Center as part of the National AI Campus Project.

Los Angeles Mission College presented eight research posters demonstrating applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in biomedical sciences and astrophysics. Research topics included planetary debris disk identification, cancer cell segmentation and classification, optimization of deep learning models for biomedical imaging, AI-assisted analysis of urothelial cell images, and neural network hyperparameter optimization.

The showcase featured student research from Los Angeles Mission College and Pierce College and provided participants with an opportunity to present their work to faculty, researchers, industry partners, family members, and the community.

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From Modesto Junior College:

MJC Student Services employees were honored during the annual Student Services Celebration, an end‑of‑year gathering dedicated to recognizing the commitment of counselors, student workers, administrators, and classified professionals who support student success at Modesto Junior College.

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

More highlights from A Taste of the District!

Our Advanced Culinary Arts students showcased their talent with a seven-course tasting menu inspired by SDCCE’s seven campuses.

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From Woodland Community College:

Our Upward Bound students are making the most of their summer!

These 9th–12th grade scholars are taking college courses at the Colusa County Campus while participating in tutoring and academic enrichment to prepare for next year’s high school classes. With support from tutors and peer mentors, they’re building the skills and confidence to succeed in college and beyond!

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts First Ever Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway Pinning Ceremony

In October last year, Bakersfield College announced the launch of an exciting new initiative in collaboration with Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), Morehouse School of Medicine, Kern High School District, KCSOS, and More in Common Alliance that creates a streamlined pathway for students from Kern County to pursue careers in medicine.

Recently, BC hosted the first ever pinning ceremony welcoming the first cohort for the Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway. Eight scholars were welcomed into the program and received a ceremonial pin and certificate. Dr. Kevin Smith, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Affiliations, welcomed each student to the program. “Tonight’s pinning ceremony marks the official beginning of each scholar’s journey through the Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway,” he said, “The pin represents commitment, service, academic excellence, and a promise to use education to improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

» 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

Let us pray

Uncategorized May 23, 2026 Leave a comment

Our week started with a senseless tragedy in San Diego ….. One of our team members had his eight-year-old daughter at the school during the active shooter incident. She was among the 140 children inside the school and mosque complex at the time.

Here is an email I sent ….

On Monday, May 18th, a horrific act of violence unfolded at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

There will be time for investigations, policy discussions, and broader conversations about hate, violence, extremism, and safety in our communities. But today, let’s simply pause to focus on three beautiful people whose courage helped prevent an even greater tragedy.

Let’s imprint their names, their faces, and their stories in our minds and hearts:

Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad who gave their lives protecting children.

140 children were inside the school and mosque complex at the time of the attack. In the middle of unimaginable danger, these men instinctively moved to action and helped save those children.

Amin Abdullah, a security guard who confronted the shooters, activated lockdown procedures, and warned staff and teachers inside the building.

Mansour Kaziha is a longtime elder and respected member of the mosque community.

Nader Awad is a community member who lived across the street from the Islamic Center.

These men acted out of love for their community and an instinct to protect children.

Our hearts are with the families of the victims, the Muslim community in San Diego, and all those impacted by this tragedy. As educators and public servants, we reaffirm our commitment to campuses and communities where every individual feels nurtured, respected, welcomed, and safe.

Let’s envelope our colleagues and friends in San Diego with warmth and love as they cope with this senseless tragedy.

With much love,
Your colleague,
sonya

Let us pray.

This week we had our May Board of Governors meeting.

Snapped this photo of a boat on the Sacramento River for you.

At this week’s meeting, we presented six honorees with the 2026 Classified Employee of the Year award.

The recipients are:

Misti Hardy, Shasta College

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Carmen Hirkala, Sacramento City College

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Lusyna Kim-Narvaez, Mission College

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Desiree Ortiz, Irvine Valley College

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Natalie Vázquez, Riverside College

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Crystal Villafaña-Tafoya, Barstow Community College

Congratulations to this amazing group, and thank you for all you do for our students!

Here is another great shout out to the apprenticeship work we are doing. Thank you to Gary Adams for sharing this update –

The CCCCO Apprenticeship Team was invited to present, along with DAS Chief Adele Burns and LAUNCH Director Charles Henckles, at the 2026 Apprenticeship for America Annual Summit in Washington, D.C. on the nation leading innovation and investment that California’s community colleges (the nation’s largest system of workforce training and development) are undertaking in the first of its kind statewide and regional employer engagement network, called LAUNCH.

Our session had over 200+ attendees (see photo below) and we were interviewed by the American Association on Community Colleges by their workforce team, who videotaped the interview for posting to the website and listserve. Our time is now and we must be bold in our visioning of the future of apprenticeship and work-based learning as the core career education strategy of the nation’s largest system of public higher education – Gary Adams

Good morning California.
It is May 23, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Los Medanos College showcases research at 10th Annual STEM Symposium

LMC’s 10th Annual STEM Symposium, featured 48 poster presentations and about 200 student scientists who conducted research in chemistry, biology and biochemistry. Presentations included experiments using essential oils to break down plastics, research on the effects of natural versus synthetic fertilizers on earthworms, testing varied procedures for creating catalysts to break down plastics, and more.

» Read more!

Los Angeles Valley College MESA Team Wins HackMESA 2026

The LAVC MESA (Math, Engineering & Science Achievement) Program teams won first place of HackMESA 2.0 and best Video Game Design during the second-annual MESA student-led hackathon in downtown Los Angeles. The HACKMESA 2026 competition brought together 150 registered students from 15 MESA programs across the state—from Oakland to San Diego—for a 24-hour hackathon to build real projects, gain industry experience, and launch their tech careers.

» Read more!

Berkeley City College Celebrates OakTown Leaders Graduates

Berkeley City College hosted a graduation ceremony for nearly 90 Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) dual enrollment students completing their early education youth pre-apprenticeship through the OakTown Leaders teacher preparation program. Graduates participated in an earn and learn model that allows students to gain college credit while in high school, creating a clear and structured pathway into careers in education and related fields.

» Read more!

Contra Costa College Foundation Erases the Debt of Nearly 200 Graduates

Nearly 200 Contra Costa College students woke up to a surprise this morning: A text informing them that the CCC Foundation has paid off their outstanding fees and tuition.

This initiative applies to all Contra Costa College Spring 2026 graduates who qualify for California residency under California’s tuition structure. That includes refugees and other immigrants who qualify for in-state tuition under California law.

On average, each student carried about $173 in remaining debt. While that amount may seem small, for many students balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, this relief represents something much bigger: a clean slate.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

New tool allows college student parents to compare resources across campuses

Using The California Student Parent Resource Hub, parenting students can check if campuses offer on-campus childcare, family-friendly study spaces, food pantries and academic support. They can also verify if schools have in place the resources that the law requires them to provide, such as a webpage with information for student parents and designated lactation spaces on campus.

Students can find detailed information about specific campuses, compare colleges by viewing their resource profiles side-by-side and search for campuses that provide the resources they are specifically interested in. The database also collates information on progress made by the California Community Colleges, California State University and University of California systems in providing legally required resources and highlights schools with particularly good programs.

» Read more!

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Who Will Staff the AI Economy? They’ll Be Community College Grads

The emerging AI workforce is actually a vibrant tapestry of trades and occupations, spanning healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, each with its own version of AI integration and its own skill demands. What’s missing is a trained middle tier of workers who understand AI well enough to work with it, manage it, and apply it in their specific field. 

That missing middle is the mandate community colleges are uniquely built to answer, and which becomes more critical by the day.

Community colleges already educate more than 40% of the American workforce. They are deeply embedded in their regions, accessible to working adults, and structured around applied learning by partnering with local companies. No other type of institution is better positioned to train the people who will staff the AI economy at scale. The question is, does the policy and industry infrastructure exist to support them in doing it?

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Sheri Horn Bunk of the Taft College Foundation:

I had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful dinner at Ella’s in Sacramento last night with some esteemed guests. My gratitude goes to Assemblyman Stan Ellis for organizing a fantastic evening. Special guests included Sonya Christian, Keetha Mills, Karen Sue Yarrow-Zuber, and Rob Duchow, all of whom expressed their support for our Non-Profit of the Year award.

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From American River College:

Co-hosted by the Electronics Technologies and Welding departments, the Solar Contest on May 9 challenged student teams to race head-to-head constructing professional ground-mount solar systems. This electrifying event showcased a powerful blend of grit, technical gear, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.

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From Imperial Valley College:

Twelve Imperial Valley College agriculture students recently showcased their project-based field research at the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center (UC DREC) in Holtville.

Through hands-on drip irrigation system trials, students demonstrated innovative approaches to water management while gaining real-world experience in agricultural science.

This partnership highlights IVC’s commitment to experiential learning and preparing students for careers in Agri-STEM.

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From Cañada College:

Recently, the Promise Scholars Program and TRIO Program took students on an inspiring visit to the University of San Francisco, where they explored campus life, academic programs, student resources, and transfer opportunities at a four-year university. Students connected with peers, learned more about the university experience, and envisioned their future educational journeys.

To wrap up the day, the group visited the California Academy of Sciences, exploring interactive exhibits, marine life, and incredible science and natural history collections.

The trip was a fun and enriching experience that blended college exploration, community building, and hands-on learning opportunities.

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From Foothill College:

Thank you, Assemblyman Marc Berman and Foothill-De Anza trustee, Laura Casas, for joining our Emerging Technologies team to learn about Foothill College’s groundbreaking work in Artificial Intelligence and robotics.


And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Holds 2026 Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations to the Bakersfield College Class of 2026.

This past Friday, we celebrated the dedication, perseverance, and hard work of every graduate who crossed the stage. We are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished.

Bakersfield College is honored to serve this community and the students who make our mission meaningful. Wishing the Class of 2026 every success in the next chapter ahead.

Check out the stream from the Commencement Ceremony:

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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

Our students bring us joy

Uncategorized March 7, 2026 Leave a comment

Last Friday, I caught the redeye to Toronto to spend the weekend with my daughter. This winter has been quite something. Storms seem to be sweeping across North America one after another.  Snow, wind, delays, and travel plans constantly shifting.

My daughter wasn’t feeling well, and it was very cold outside, so we stayed in. The fireplace was on, blankets were out, and we ended up binge-watching Monarch: The Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV. If you enjoy a little sci-fi and adventure, it’s a fun show.  The story moves across three generations, shifting back and forth between scenes of the grandparents when they were young and their grandchildren in the present.

I always listen to CBC when I am in Canada. Last weekend while I was listening, they announced the nominees for the 2026 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

One of the nominations this year was Sade. 

Here is one of my favorites:

From Toronto, I headed to Washington, DC to join our Student Senate for their inaugural federal advocacy visit. The flight to DC was delayed three hours, which, looking back, was just the beginning of the travel adventures.

Once I arrived, though, the energy from our students made it all worthwhile. The room was alive with music, dancing, and an inspiring keynote speaker. Watching our students step forward to advocate for community college students across the country was truly food for the soul.

Here I am with the keynote speaker and the President of SSCCC

Eric Mayes, Jerry Reyes, Sonya Christian

Then came the trip home. Just as our plane in DC was about to leave, it started snowing. We had already boarded and ended up sitting on the tarmac for three hours waiting to be de-iced. After that came a five-hour flight to Phoenix. By the time we landed, I had missed my connecting flight, so I spent the night in Phoenix and took the next flight the following day. Delays are part of a heavy travel schedule. I try to just settle into it and not let my nervous system get into overdrive. Try is probably the key word.

From there, it was Long Beach at 72 degrees for the A2MEND conference.

A2MEND does extraordinary work supporting the success of African American men in higher education. Being in that space with educators and students who are so deeply committed to this mission is just fantastic.

Here is a picture of folks from my Office.

Keetha Mills, Sonya Christian, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Pam Haynes, Abdumalik Buul, Linda Vasquez, Rowena Tomenang, Elaine, Aiesha Lowe

Was so happy to see folks from Kern!

Here with Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and NaTesha Johnson

And then finally… back home to my boy Neo. Check out this quick little video of him engaging with the ducks that visit our pool in the spring. Neo is very interested. The duck, on the other hand, seems completely unbothered.

And spring has arrived with flower gardens popping up in houses. I snapped these for you.

After a week of snowstorms, flights, delays, and conferences, I have to say it feels really good to wake up at home this Saturday morning and share a little bit of the week with you.

Good morning California.
It is March 7, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Barstow Community College Awarded $750,000
to Expand Rural Mental Health Services

Barstow Community College has been awarded $750,000 in federal funding to expand its Rural Mental Health Services Program and increase access to unmet mental health care needs in Barstow and surrounding rural communities. This award also builds on Barstow Community College’s recent partnership with the Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation through the Vibrant Villages Barstow initiative.

» Read more!

Carbajal Visits Ventura Collegeto
Understand Student Cost-of-living Crisis

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal visited Ventura College on Feb. 19. Carbajal’s talk was part of a tour of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to learn more about the student affordability crisis and other issues affecting residents. Sudents who got to speak to Carbajal were recommended by different departments across campus.

» Read more!

New Health Products Vending Machine Now Available
in Los Angeles Pierce College Library Courtyard

Pierce College has installed a new Health Products Vending Machine in the Library courtyard area, expanding convenient access to essential wellness resources for students. The machine provides a range of items supporting sexual health, personal health, and general health, offering students discreet and easy access to important supplies throughout the day. 

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Expanding credit for prior learning

Turning prior learning, work experience, military service and other credentials into college credit can save students time and money. Despite that benefit, it’s been underutilized.

Only about 11% of adult learners, for example, have benefited from prior learning assessment (PLA) – also referred to as credit for prior learning (CPL) – according to a 2020 report from the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL) and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

There are a lot of different reasons for that, says Beth Doyle, CAEL’s chief of higher education strategy and impact: It’s not talked about or promoted broadly at the college level, and processes may be burdensome for students – and for colleges.

Though there are resources and guidance available, such as the American Council on Education’s (ACE) learner evaluations and the Competency-Based Education Network’s (CBEN) learning model, each college has to develop its own policies and processes – and get faculty and staff on board.

Doyle is seeing a positive shift, though, as colleges move toward more and better use of PLA. 

“Institutions are getting more sophisticated in how to assess,” she says.

» Read more!

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Coalinga College ‘Farm of the Future’ explores agave
as sustainable crop for West Side farmers

Water is a valuable resource for farmers across the Central Valley.

The Farm of the Future at Coalinga College is no exception.

“You know, the restrictions of water allocations are severe, and we’ve got to continue to look for ways to keep West Side farmers in agriculture, and whether that be through alternative or experimental crops,” Director of Coalinga College’s Farm of the Future Seth Yocum said.

Yocum says they are currently growing pistachios – a crop known to require a large amount of water. Because of that, many other acres of land have been left uncultivated to conserve water use.

But recently, thanks to a donation from Wolf Farms, a new crop has been added. It’s one that requires drastically less water to grow: agave.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

College of the Sequoias shared this pic of their students who attended A2MEND:

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From Woodland Community College:

Thank you to all the students who stopped by and made a sodalicious Italian sodas!

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From College of Marin:

What an unforgettable day for our campus community!

We were proud to celebrate the grand opening of the Dr. David Wain Coon Center for Student Success and it was amazing to see students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members come together for this special moment.

The CSS is a welcoming new hub that brings academic resources, student support services, wellness programs, and community spaces together in one place. Watching everyone explore the building, connect with services, and celebrate made the day truly meaningful.

A special thank you to Dr. David Wain Coon, former COM President and Superintendent, Jonathan Eldridge, current COM President and Superintendent, Dana Emerson, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Affairs, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, for helping us mark this important milestone.

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And I loved these beautiful pictures of flowers on Chabot College’s campus –

Spring is slowly approaching at Chabot. The campus is blooming with fresh colors and that new-season energy we’ve all been waiting for. There’s something about walking through these flowers that makes everything feel like we’re entering the next chapter

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

Recently, Bakersfield College hosted the annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. This exciting event brings together young women from high schools from across Kern County to learn more about engineering and STEM career fields. The day is filled with a variety of activities, including engineering panels, professional development workshops, a keynote speaker, and more.

Sara Sullivan, Program Manager of the California Renewable Energy Lab at Kern CCD and one of the event coordinators, talked about the importance of the event, “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is important because it expands access and opportunity for young women who may not otherwise see engineering as an attainable career,” she said, “The event highlights the importance of diversity in STEM fields and aims to motivate young women to imagine themselves in technical careers.”

» 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

A week from snow country to the desert

Uncategorized January 25, 2026 1 Comment

Last weekend I spent with my daughter in Toronto.

Toronto got slammed by a full-on blizzard, with thick snow and sharp winds messing up flight schedules. My flight to Toronto from LAX got cancelled and the one coming back spent over an hour on the tarmac being deiced.

Coming into Toronto after a blizzard had shut down Pearson –

And a lower altitude photo from the plane –

And a short video of the plane taxiing in Toronto –

Then back to California for a busy work week. Headed to Long Beach and then to Twentynine Palms to visit Copper Mountain College. Though small in size, the college has a wide reach and an outsized impact. In a geographically isolated area, Copper Mountain serves as both an educational anchor and a community hub.

Check out this fun selfie taken by our SSCCC student Valerie Pamphile – you can see Bill Rawlings and President Daren Otten at the back.  And further back, Adrienne Brown.

And another great pic, this one with Julie Adams and Chris Ferguson added to the group:

Copper Mountain College has a tortoise preserve right on campus. The desert tortoise is an iconic species known for its long lifespan and remarkable ability to survive in harsh, arid conditions. It is endangered primarily because of habitat loss from development, roads, and energy projects, as well as disease and human disruption that threaten its fragile ecosystem.

The preserve at Copper Mountain protects this habitat, supports conservation efforts, and helps educate students and the community about caring for the desert they live in. It is pretty amazing that a California community college is literally helping safeguard an endangered species right on its campus.

Check out this 30-sec video of Professor Paul Delaney talking about the tortoise preserve being a natural laboratory for students.

Just a few miles away from the college is one of the most significant military installations in the country, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. As the largest Marine Corps base in the world, it prepares service members for complex, large-scale combat operations and plays a critical role in national defense. The installation is also a major economic engine for the region, shaping both the workforce and the broader community.

Here we are with Colonel Ron Storer who was a wonderful story teller about the Marine Corps and the training provided at the installation. He praised the partnership with Copper Mountain College.

Good morning California.
It is January 24, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Calbright Partners With Barstow Community College, Los Angeles Trade Technical College For Research Supporting Students

Calbright has entered into partnerships with two sister California community colleges to test new research that improves support for students’ basic needs, including access to food and health care. Pilot programs developed through that research showed promising results: Significantly more students in the pilot programs disclosed that they needed support and scheduled meetings with Calbright staff who can guide them through the California programs designed to offer support to qualifying adults. This includes programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs, that help millions of eligible Californians receive support for themselves and their families.   Now Calbright will work with Barstow Community College and Los Angeles Trade Technical  College (LATTC) to further test, develop, and expand that research. 

» Read more!

Santa Rosa Junior College Receives STARS Gold Rating
for Sustainability Achievements

Santa Rosa Junior College has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), recognizing SRJC’s leadership and ongoing progress in advancing sustainability across academics, operations, and community engagement. STARS—the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System—is a transparent, self-reporting framework used by colleges and universities worldwide to measure their sustainability performance. Santa Rosa Junior College’s full STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.

» Read more!

PBS SoCal Recognizes East Los Angeles College Child Development Center
with Bryson Transformative Leader Award

 PBS SoCal recently announced that the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Child Development Center has been selected as the recipient of the John and Louise Bryson Transformative Leader in Early Childhood Award. The award recognizes the Center’s unwavering commitment to creating learning environments that value and empower every child and family in East Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles Community College District.

» Read more!

Middle College Students Explore Emerging Technologies
in Eight-Week Cohort at Moreno Valley College

Through an eight-week Experiential Technology and Engineering Cohort hosted by the iMAKE Innovation Center, 68 Middle College students from Wendy Sharkey’s fifth and sixth period classes engaged in hands-on instruction in emerging technologies this fall. The cohort was designed as an immersive, project-based learning experience that introduced students to artificial intelligence, microcontrollers, mechanical systems, sustainability concepts, and app development. 

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

CBS News: Local Community College Students Partner
with Habitat for Humanity to Help Rebuild Altadena

Trade students are engaged in hands-on learning, as they help rebuild homes in Altadena in partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

» Check out the video!

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OC Register: Santiago Canyon College hopes to lead the way in AI for educators

Jason Parks is staring at a problem with a moving target of a solution. A problem that not only promises to get worse but comes with the chaser of potentially taking a wrecking ball to his institution’s purpose, mission and reason for being.

Scott James is trying to be the solution to that problem. It’s a job with a moving target of answers that is the academic whack-a-mole of the 2020s. And James finds himself holding the mallet and wondering where and what he’s going to smack next.

The problem is artificial intelligence, or AI, which is turning the world upside down. And as AI flips industry after industry on its head, few industries find themselves dealing with the falling debris and attack on purpose more than academia. This is why Parks, the vice president of academic affairs at Santiago Canyon College, and James, a professor and distance education coordinator at SCC, are trying to get ahead of the AI craze and turn the debris field into an intellectual garden.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Lake Tahoe Community College:

Mic check. Yogi has something to say…Did you know you can check out snowshoes, podcasting kits, and more from the LTCC Library? It’s all part of the Library of Things (yes, that’s what we like to call it), thoughtfully curated by our library staff to support student success and made possible by our recent LTCC Foundation Student Success Grant.

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

Spring Institution Day was an inspiring reminder of the shared purpose that drives our work at SDCCE. From campus safety and student support services to academic excellence and innovation, the “heart work” our colleagues bring every day is creating progress for student success.

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From Ventura College:

We’re celebrating our centennial all year long! Last night our Learning, Equity, Achievement, and Persistence Division (LEAP) honored tutors and staff who have made exceptional contributions to Ventura College over the years Congratulations to the honorees!

Dr. Vandana Gavaskar
Sandy Hajas
Pedro Gaxiola
Ouiall Ghazi
David Oros
Sara Sevilla

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From De Anza College:

Check out these photos from the @SVReads kickoff last week! Thank you to @profjohnapowell (The Power of Bridging), @KeeonnaHarris (Mainline Mama), Annie Hartnett (Unlikely Animals) and Sal Pizarro for making this an amazing event!

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And check out the first episode of San Bernardino Valley College’s Centennial Podcast:

Blast From the Past

I had to hop on the “back to 2016” trend I’ve seen going around social media. Here’s a pic from 2016 after Mayor Harvey Hall endorsed Measure J for Kern CCD:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Renegade Rally of Belonging to Promote Connection and Community

Bakersfield College was excited to welcome back students for the Spring 2026 semester. On the first day of classes, the BC Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life hosted the first ever Renegade Rally of Belonging. The event gave attendees a chance to learn more about various BC student resources, enjoy some delicious food, connect with fellow Renegades, and have fun!

The event included lively music, donuts, Ronnie Renegade, and a series of information tables for a variety of campus resources. The lively atmosphere provided the perfect environment for students to connect and take a quick break between their classes.

» 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

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Uncategorized November 29, 2025 Leave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving from Toronto.

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend surrounded by family and friends.

I am in Toronto right now… spent Thanksgiving with my daughter. We are expecting the first snow of the season to roll in late Saturday. I’m already imagining what it will be like to wake up to a blanket of white outside the window … instantly puts you in the Christmas spirit.

I am so blessed with incredible people in my life – family, friends, colleagues.

And eternally thankful for our entire California Community Colleges family, and for all of the amazing students we are privileged to support in our mission of access, equity, and opportunity.

Here are a few fun photos from the last few weeks:

The famous Linda Vasquez selfie

Larry Galizio and the League team put on an inspiring convention.

Linda Vasquez, Sonya Christian, Larry Galizio, Rowena Tomaneng, Chris Ferguson

Good morning California.
It is November 29, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

College of the Siskiyous Holds Groundbreaking Event
for New Student Housing Facility

College of the Siskiyous is proud to announce a new student housing development aimed at addressing critical housing shortages in the Weed community. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the City of Weed, represents a major step toward supporting both student success and community recovery.

» Read more!

LYLA Conference Inspires Launch of
College of the Redwood’s Indigenous Language Institute

This year’s Live Your Language Alliance (LYLA) gathered at College of the Redwoods from August 11–14, alongside CR’s Indigenous Language Institute (CR ILI). Speakers, learners, and cultural leaders from across the United States gathered for a week dedicated to language preservation, education, and community connection. Participants engaged in hands-on learning around grammar, digital teaching tools, and online language resources, while “language time” encouraged attendees to speak in their languages, not just speak about them.

» Read more!

Nissan Donates Two All-Electric Vehicles to
El Camino College’s Automotive Program

El Camino College is proud to announce a generous donation from Nissan North America, which has provided two all-electric Nissan vehicles to the school’s automotive program. This contribution will offer students invaluable, hands-on experience with cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) technology—preparing them for the rapidly evolving automotive industry.

» Read more!

Vibrant Villages Barstow Partners with Barstow Community College
and High Desert Second Chance to Restore Food Distribution in Barstow

Barstow Community College’s Basic Needs Center, led by Magaly Rojas, has partnered with Vibrant Villages Barstow, led by Executive Director Juan Rivera, and High Desert Second Chance to bring back and expand food distribution services for local nonprofits. Supported by IEHP Foundation, the program provides a steady supply of fresh food every Monday from 8 to 10 a.m., now reaching Fort Irwin’s military families as well.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Come as you are: Noncredit coursework is
the hidden engine of California’s workforce

Adult education is one of California’s best avenues for helping our communities move forward, yet it doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves. These free courses allow adult learners to build skills and earn credentials without the roadblocks that can make higher education feel out of reach.

Adult education practitioners must actively reach out to individuals facing barriers such as low digital literacy, limited English, employment gaps, mental health challenges, poverty or incarceration, and draw them into our programs.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Monterey Peninsula College:

MPC’s International Student Program (ISP) recently celebrated our F-1 students in honor of International Education Week! International education expands horizons, promotes cultural exchange, and enriches our campus here at MPC. Thank you to all of our ISP students who picked MPC!

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From Chaffey College:

Chaffey celebrated its 22nd annual International Education Week through a vibrant celebration of culture and conversation! We kicked off the week with a panel discussion featuring Chaffey’s international students, faculty, and staff as they shared their educational experiences from around the world. Yesterday, we continued the celebration with live performances, cultural tables, international cuisine, and more!

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From Antelope Valley College:

Umoja’s Grateful Gathering brought students, staff, and mentors together for an afternoon of connection, culture, and delicious food Thank you to @avcumoja for continuing to create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered.

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From American River College:

American River College’s Renewable Energy Program recently received a significant visit from Heidi Sanborn, SMUD’s elected Board Member representing Ward 7 in which ARC is located, at the ARC Solar Lab on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Scheduled a month in advance, Ms. Sanborn’s visit offered invaluable insights to our students. During her time with the class, she delivered an inspiring speech and engaged with students by answering their questions about the vital future of renewable energies, particularly solar, and the job opportunities within the sector. Students described her address as highly motivating and found her perspective on the industry’s future to be extremely helpful.

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From Gavilan College:

Thank you to ASGC for a thoughtful, generous thrift event this week. The care put into collecting and sharing clothing made a real difference for students and gave hundreds of items a second life. Grateful for the heart behind this work.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Celebrates Fall Holiday Season with Friendsgiving and Turkey Giveaway

In celebration of the Fall Holiday Season, Bakersfield College hosted two events to bring community together, play games, provide aid, and eat delicious food.

On Monday, BC’s Renegade Nexus, in partnership with the Bakersfield College Foundation, hosted a Holiday Harvest Giveaway in which they distributed more than 250 turkeys to enrolled students. Students were invited to the Renegade Pantry, showed their student IDs, and received a free turkey to share with friends and family during the holidays.

» 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