Tag Archives: Bill Rawlings

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

Life – one moment at a time

Uncategorized August 16, 2025 Leave a comment

I started my week in San Diego. Out on my evening walk by the waterfront, I heard a stunning voice performing REM’s Losing my Religion.

Sit back close your eyes and play this song. A little over 4 minutes.

Is her voice and the song lingering in your mind and heart? That’s exactly what happened to me. So yes—this is officially my song of the week.

The song has always been one of my favorites. It came out the same year I moved to the U.S., and I’ve loved it ever since. Hearing Amber Rubarth singing it live was hypnotic. It drew me to the amphitheater which was packed with people. I stood outside mesmerized listening and watching the sunset over the water.

Rubarth was the opening act to Gypsy King … of course I love their sound as well. More on that later.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.

San Diego – what’s not to like?

On Tuesday, I visited Glendale Community College.

We began in the stunning Science Building, a space that feels both state-of-the-art and inviting.  I made sure to keep my distance from the vivarium, home to the snakes. From there, we checked out their biotechnology lab where students did research projects on DNA sequencing. The organic chemistry lab impressed us with its sophisticated expensive equipment.

Then came a personal first for me: stepping into their Dreamscape Learn virtual reality lab. The 3D immersion was unlike anything I’ve experienced.  It pulled me in emotionally and intellectually.

We wrapped up with a Persian lunch prepared by their culinary program that was delicious (I definitely ate more than I planned), paired with a showcase of their professional development work.

I’m grateful that Board members Hildy Aguinaldo, Bill Rawlings, Pam Haynes, and Adrienne Brown,  could join.  Also happy that  Craig Hayward was also able to come.

Good morning California.
It is August 16, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Chaffey College’s The Breeze Wins $10,000 Chronicle of Philanthropy Grant

Chaffey College journalism students have received investigative journalism experience, training and even some cash for their work after the Chronicle of Philanthropy awarded The Breeze $10,000 to report on Chaffey’s Mackenzie Scott gift. It’s a yearlong fellowship aimed at bolstering coverage of nonprofit organizations and philanthropy. Four news outlets including Riverside’s Black Voice News received $30,000 grants to improve coverage of nonprofits, foundations and other groups.

» Read more!

Los Angeles Valley College Awarded a
$1.4 Million TRIO Student Support Services Grant

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Los Angeles Valley College a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant totaling $1,430,545 million to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. This award marks the continuation of 25 years of TRIO SSS services on our campus. Since 2000, the program has served thousands of students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.

» Read more!

San Bernardino Valley College Partners with VARP to Expand Access
to Higher Education for Justice-Impacted Individuals

San Bernardino Valley College has launched a transformative partnership with VARP, Inc., a leading nonprofit provider of substance abuse recovery services, to expand college access for individuals impacted by the justice system. Through this collaboration, SBVC’s Rising Scholars program is working hand-in-hand with VARP to support prospective students with academic advising, enrollment assistance, and pathways into high-demand programs such as aviation, welding, and HVAC.

» Read more!

From High School to Higher Ed: Options Middle College High School
Opens Doors at Southwestern College

In a bold move to transform lives and broaden access to higher education, Southwestern College (SWC) has welcomed Options Middle College High School (Options MCHS) to its Chula Vista campus. This collaboration with the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is designed to uplift students who have often felt overlooked or underestimated, helping them discover that college is well within their reach.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Community College Daily: A New ROI Metric and Dashboards

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has launched a new return-on-investment (ROI) metric and dashboards to help students, policymakers and institutional leaders explore trends in student outcomes among the commission’s institutional members, which are primarily California community colleges.

The Student Achievement Dashboards pull from three data sources: institutionally reported annual data, federally reported IPEDS data and a new ROI metric developed in partnership with the College Futures Foundation. The metric uses a Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) model to assess how long it takes students to recoup their educational investment by examining the relationship between net costs and earnings premiums, according to ACCJC.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Golden West College:

Today marked the final day of GWC’s first-ever STEM XP summer program! Students wrapped up the week with a Shark Tank-style simulation, pitching ideas like new GWC App features and parking lot upgrades to a panel of campus faculty and staff. The judges were blown away by the creativity, problem-solving, and presentation skills each team brought to the table.

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From College of San Mateo:

Swifties have TS12. Bulldogs have F25. 12 tracks. One campus. Zero skips. What song are you streaming first this semester? Welcome to CSM, Bulldogs!

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From Porterville College:

College Promise Days kick-off with a day of full of making new connections!

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From Santiago Canyon College:

Over 1,000 @OrangeUnifiedCA students joined us this summer for College for Kids! Hands-on learning, new skills, and a taste of college life—all at SCC. Proud to partner with OUSD to inspire the next generation.

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Hosts ‘Bridge to BC’

“Bridge to BC” is a one-day, in-person, first-year experience course designed to help first-time and returning college students prepare academically, socially, and personally as they transition to college. Under the leadership of Faculty Director Dr. Kimberly Bligh, Education Advisor Kris Herrera, Program Manager Tim Lafondez, dozens of student peer mentors, educational advisors, and faculty come together to create an intensive and supportive learning community.

The Bridge in-person day includes a full campus tour highlighting all of BC’s academic, personal, and career resources. Classroom activities include topics such as learning strategies to identify and navigate barriers to success, setting SMART goals, learning to navigate the BC website, the student portal, STARFISH, and Canvas. Students also research their career and educational pathways and network with peers. They meet one-on-one with an education advisor to review their upcoming schedule, discuss their major, and review their educational goals. Lunch and hands-on classroom activities are always fun and interactive!

» 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: Celebrating Rising Scholars Milestones and Achievements

Uncategorized September 28, 2024 Comments: 4

Woke up this morning to the news that Maggie Smith had passed. A legend.

One of my very favorite Maggie Smith roles is in the move Sister Act. Check out this 2-min video.

And the NY Times has a long piece on her – https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/arts/maggie-smith-dead.html

Started this week with the BOG meeting at San Bernardino Valley College. What a phenomenal visit to the campus. Here are some photos.

Here are the BOG members who were able to join the meeting in person.

We did a great tour of the STEM-MESA center. Here is a selfie that Board Member Joseph Williams snapped. See if you can spot Board Members Tom Epstein and Bill Rawlings

We had dinner at the KVCR studio. What a treat! Former senator Connie Leyva is now the Executive Director of the PBS station. We also met Assembly member Eloise Reyes – I sat next to her at dinner and thoroughly enjoyed her warmth and care for our students and community.

Snapped this photo of John Stanskas when he presented to the BOG.

After the BOG meeting, I headed to Irvine for the 10-year anniversary of the Rising Scholars Network.

So many great speakers, including Le Barron Woodyard who stepped in for Tonya Williams, Martha Garcia, Keith Curry, Chelsea Esquibias, Anthony Cordova, Bryan Hirayama – and Rising Scholar graduates Serafin Leon, Isaiah Posey and Marquis Jiles.

We were joined by BOG members Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Bill Rawlings.

Did you know – one academic year of graduates saved over $27 MILLION in incarceration costs?

Serafin was in the first graduating class in 2019 at the Kern Valley State Prison – I was president of BC at that time. Check out this 37-sec video.

And now, here I am with Serafin 5 years later at the 10-year anniversary celebration of the statewide Rising Scholars program legislated in 2024 with the passage of AB 1391.

Was wonderful reuniting with he BC team who made this program happen.

And Vicki Coffee snapped this selfie.

Forever grateful to Bryan Hirayama for doing the first fully in-person course in the state of California in Spring 2015.

Following the Rising Scholars 10-year celebration was the DEIA Institute which opened with Tom Heasley’s BC Drumline. Just fantastic ….

Here is a panel with Gina Brown, Tony Cordova, and John Stanskas who joined us via zoom. Clearly Stanskas said something witty…

and here is John…

Good morning California.
It is September 28, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates Grand Opening
of New STEM Building at the San Jacinto Campus

Mt. San Jacinto College proudly announces the grand opening of its state-of-the-art STEM Building at the San Jacinto Campus. A ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by college officials, local leaders, and community members celebrated the completion of this transformative facility designed to enhance educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

» Read more!

Santa Rosa Junior College Awarded $3 million HSI Grant
From U.S. Department of Education

Santa Rosa Junior College has been awarded a $3 million grant, to be received over 5 years, from the U.S. Department of Education under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program. This grant will fund the college’s latest initiative, Transformando, aimed at enhancing SRJC’s ability to serve its growing Latinx and underrepresented student populations.

» Read more!

New Ballot Drop Box Unveiled at Woodland Community College and Voter Registration Drive Announced

In a significant step toward expanding voter accessibility, Woodland Community College (WCC), in partnership with Yolo County Elections and the League of Women Voters, is proud to announce the unveiling of a new permanent ballot drop box at the Woodland campus. This initiative is aimed at providing easier and more convenient access for students, staff, and the community to securely submit their vote-by-mail ballots during local, state, and national elections.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Undocumented Student Action Week: Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible

Register today for the Eighth Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on Oct. 14 – 18, 2024. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the Community College League of California and our statewide partners for a week of collaboration and supporting students, faculty and those involved in advocating for undocumented students.

» Register for virtual events

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2024 System Webinar: Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible

Join California Community Colleges on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for the System Webinar “Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible.”

» Register now!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Board of Governors Member & Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg shared this photo from the BOG visit to San Bernardino Valley College:

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From Fresno City College:

Thank you,@senatortoniatkins for letting us showcase the @fccwestfresnocenter We continue to empower our students with hands-on skills & opportunities for the future. We appreciate your dedication to advancing education & workforce development!

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From Santiago Canyon College:

Santiago Canyon College is continuing its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The college’s First Year Support Center, SCC TRiO and TRiO Future Teachers sponsored a workshop on Tuesday afternoon, titled Breaking Barriers: Latino Men in Education.

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From Evergreen Valley College:

Our latest graduates from our Tesla START program finished a 16-week intensive program as employees of the automotive company. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

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From Saddleback College:

Happy Birthday to us! Today we celebrate 56 years since we first welcomed students to our interim campus (where Mission Hospital sits today). Students finally took their first classes on the campus we occupy today in 1970.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Writing Centers Offer Renegades Valuable Support and Resources

The Bakersfield College Writing Center proudly offers its services to all BC students, allowing Renegades to hone the craft of writing throughout all areas – from structural elements and stylistic improvements to public speaking and academic reading. More than that, BC’s specialized Writing Consultants are determined to help students gain independence and confidence in their academic reading, writing, and English language speaking, while also equipping them to take those life-long skills into their careers.

» 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

Moments that take our breath away – May 2024

Uncategorized May 5, 2024 Leave a comment

This week, we had the Board of Governors retreat. Thank you so much to the Santa Monica Team team for your hospitality!

I also spoke at the ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) Summit at the College of the Canyons:

Last weekend I was in Cabo … loved waking up to this:

Beautiful Cabo:

Desert Rose:

At home, too, it’s a season of roses:

It’s also commencement season – with exercises for some of our community colleges happening this weekend!

Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take,
But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away

Good morning California.
It is May 4, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Chico State, Northern Community Colleges Streamline Transfer Process

Chico State President Steve Perez and leadership from Butte College, College of the Siskiyous, Feather River College, Lassen Community College, Shasta College, Woodland Community College and Yuba College signed Memoranda of Understanding to formalize dual admission and streamlined transfer for students interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree at Chico State. This guaranteed admission and accompanying support mechanisms lay the groundwork to simplify and ease transfer students’ pathways to pursue four-year degrees, credentials, and further education within their region.

Celebrating College of San Mateo’s HSI Status and Black Excellence

On April 22, 2024, as part of California Community College’s Black Student Success Week, CSM’s Title V Grant team hosted an event to celebrate their designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) while spotlighting Black excellence in higher education.

» Read more!

Calbright College Launches Project Management Program

This spring, Calbright College launched its new Project Management program. This skills-based program will serve as an entry point into project management-based careers, which have an expected job growth rate of 10.5% over the next decade and can span multiple industries. 

» Read more!

San Joaquin Delta College Invites Public to View “Eyes of Science”

San Joaquin Delta College is the only community college in the U.S. to offer training in electron microscopy. With magnification of 100,000 times or greater, these powerful microscopes are known as the “eyes of science” because they are used for critical research in many scientific fields. Graduates of Delta’s electron microscopy program have landed high-paying, in-demand jobs at laboratories across the country. SJDC recently held an open house showcasing their electron microscopy program.

» Learn more about Electron Microscopy at SJDC!

In Case You Missed It

Expanding Horizons: How California’s Community Colleges
are Shaping the Future of Education

In a recent episode of the Capstone Conversation, hosted by Jared Asch, a special three-part series on community colleges and local education was kicked off with Tom Epstein, a member of the California Community College Board of Governors. The series explores the unique roles and innovative programs within the California community college system, emphasizing their efforts in local education and community engagement.

» Check out the podcast!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Thank you Paul Medina for sharing this:

Wishing a Happy 21st birthday to Board of Governors member Casey Chang! Casey celebrated this milestone with her fellow BOG colleagues during a retreat.

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From Moorpark College:

Jamaal Brown hosted an exhilarating trivia-style Black History quiz competition at Moorpark College. The Black 365 Knowledge Bowl, a fast-paced, buzzer-beating event challenged participants to answer a series of questions related to African American history. The spirited contest crowned the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl Champ and was an inspirational celebration of Black history and achievements. The hour-long event was designed to entertain and inform attendees with rich historical content and stories of prominent Black individuals.

Winner of the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl: Student -Wren Grant. Special recognition to Tristin Fowler Counseling Service Specialist (Black Student Success) for organizing and implementing this event.

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From Reedley College:

2024 STEM Conference! Over 500 students from our local elementary, middle and high schools on our campus today. Lots of workshops and a lot of fun!

Blast from the Past

As we begin commencement season, I wanted to share my Welcome Remarks from the Bakersfield College 2021 Virtual Commencement:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Receives Generous Donation of 2023 Lincoln Aviator
Thanks To Jim Burke Ford

Bakersfield College’s Automotive Technology Program has received a generous donation of a 2023 Lincoln Aviator from local dealership, Jim Burke Ford Lincoln. This contribution marks a significant enhancement to the College’s training fleet, providing students with hands-on experience with the latest in automotive technology.

» 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

Field Trip — McFarland Early College & Kern Valley State Prison Rising Scholars

Uncategorized March 2, 2024 Leave a comment

Governor Gavin Newsom announced two appointments to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors:

Congratulations! I am looking forward to working with them as we continue our work on Vision 2030.

Wrapped up my week with beautiful clouds and snapped this photo while walking Neo.

Thursday and Friday were hectic with events at my home grounds — Farewell reception for Steve Watkin, acting President of BC; KCCD welcome dinner hosted by Chancellor Tom Burke for the Board of Governors visiting Kern; event at McFarland High with the Board of Governors showcasing what wall-to-wall dual enrollment looks like; visit to the Kern Valley State Prison to connect with students who are enrolled in BC pathways. All four events were food for my soul and as I write this blog on Saturday, I could not be more grateful to BC and KCCD. A picture is worth a 1000 words….. Enjoy!

At the Steve Watkin event.

Chancellor Burke, BOG Medina
BOG student member Paul Medina at BC

At the KCCD dinner

Chancellor Tom Burke
Trustee Romeo Agbalog

McFarland High School’s Early College program.

The students at McFarland, Cougar-Renegades, and truly remarkable. Could do an entire blog on our visit. For now, here are a few photos.

Paul Medina, Sonya Christian, McFarland Health Pathways students, Bill Rawlings, Cheryl Aschenbach

Kern Valley State Prison Visit

The visit to see our Renegades taking classes in the Kern Valley State Prison was amazing. Again, I could probably do a whole blog on this experience. Instead here is one photo of Rich McCrow, the founding Dean of the program, and Bryan Hirayama, founding faculty along with two members of the Board of Governors – Bill Rawlings and Paul Medina.

Good morning California.
It is March 2, 2024
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Las Positas College Hosts Science on Saturday Lecture Series

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) popular lecture series, “Science on Saturday,” returned Feb. 4 through Feb. 25 at Las Positas College’s Mertes Theater. The series offered four different lectures with the theme, “70 Years of Science.” Each lecture was presented by leading LLNL researchers, joined by high school science teachers. 

» Learn more about Science on Saturday!

Saddleback College Cuts Ribbon on Gateway Building

Saddleback College and the South Orange County Community College District unveiled the latest addition to the Saddleback campus, the Gateway Building, with a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony. The ceremony was led by Board of Trustees President Tim Jemal, SOCCCD Chancellor Julianna Barnes, and Saddleback College President Elliot Stern. The ultramodern, three-story building contains two floors dedicated to student support services and a third floor featuring modern classrooms.

» Learn more about the Gateway Building!

West Hills Community College District Celebrates Selection
as a Parks California 2024 Route to Parks Grantee

West Hills Community College District (WHCCD) is thrilled to announce its selection as one of the 29 Parks California 2024 Route to Parks grant recipients. Now in its fourth year, the program aims to break down barriers to accessing state parks and foster a deep appreciation for nature among participants. WHCCD’s project, known as the CATCH (Creating Access to California’s Heritage) project, is set to engage underserved, underrepresented, multi-generational, and “park poor” families in outdoor education opportunities. 

» Read more!

Santa Barbara City College Nurtures Pathway for Professional Journalism

The Channels, the student news outlet of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), welcomed the campus and community to tour their new collaborative workspace on the East Cliff Campus during a grand opening celebration on February 8. The Channels newsroom has relocated from a portable classroom on the edge of the East Cliff Campus to a newly redesigned space in the Administration Building at the heart of SBCC. This places students in the center of the action, giving them easier access to the administration, faculty, and staff and fellow media arts programs on campus. This move and investment emphasizes SBCC’s commitment to supporting and valuing students’ freedom of press and expression, recognizing journalism’s critical role in democracy and social justice, and operating with transparency.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Vision 2030: Access, Success and Support with Equity
for High School and Justice Involved Youth

Join a two-day convening exploring dual enrollment’s vital role, including opportunities for justice involved youth. This transformative initiative is led by dual enrollment and rising scholars practitioners bringing college experiences to students.

Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15 in Riverside

» Learn more & register!

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Register Now for 2024 System Webinars

Please join us on Wednesday, March 6 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. for the next System Webinar and mark your calendars for the upcoming webinars. All webinars will be on Wednesdays from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

» Learn more & register!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Vibrant poppies brightening up our day near the Science and Math Building!

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From Long Beach City College:

State of the College 2024 was a hit! “BeLong Beach” came alive with stories of progress from Dr. Muñoz & Vivian Malauulu, celebrating our amazing community, faculty, and student achievements. Thanks to all who made it our biggest yet!

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And from DeAnza College:

We’re closing out #BlackHistoryMonth with this great video from the #MartinLutherKingJr event in January

Blast from the Past

In honor of Nan’s new appointment, I thought it fitting to share her video of remarks from Bakersfield College Opening Day 2020.

And From the Home of the Renegades

Panorama Invitational Exhibit Creates
Unique Opportunity For Young Artists

The Bakersfield College Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is currently hosting the Panorama Invitational 2024. This unique event has taken place annually for more than twenty years, highlighting diverse artwork from local high school students. This year, there are more than sixty art pieces on display, ranging from a variety of different mediums including 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, and multimedia.

» 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

Sonya Christian's Blog