This week the Chancellor’s Office gathered for our annual retreat.
And a colleague sent me this ….
Good morning California.
It is August 22, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Merced College Secures $1.5 Million for Fire Training Facility Expansion
Merced College has secured $1.5 million in federal funding to support the expansion of its fire training facilities at the Hawk Regional Training Center, advancing efforts to strengthen workforce development and public safety across the region. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Project Funding program, the funding will support Phase II development of the training center and was secured with the support of Senator Adam Schiff.
Palomar College Television Wins Awards for Documentary Film
A moving documentary about a wildlife photographer directed by Bill Wisneski, director/producer at Palomar College Television, recently received a Gold Telly Award, a worldwide competition for video and streaming pieces that received more than 13,000 entries. It also won an Emmy for best documentary from Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards, which honors professionals in the southern California and Las Vegas markets. The film was also nominated for best musical composition and best audio recording and mixing. The 48-minute film, My Wild Life, tells the story of wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas, who has faced life-threatening challenges to capture intimate images of newborn animals and family life in the wild.
Chabot College Leads Hub as California Medicine Scholars Program
Expands to LA and Bay Area
The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP), a program of the Foundation for California Community Colleges, is expanding its innovative Regional Hubs of Healthcare Opportunity (RHHO) model to the Bay Area and Los Angeles. As part of this expansion, CMSP is launching three new regional hubs: two in Los Angeles, led by the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science , and one in the Bay Area, led by Chabot College.
In Case You Missed It
An Earn-While-You-Learn Path Into Teaching
As a new academic year begins, teacher shortages remain a challenge for K–12 districts nationwide. Addressing those workforce needs will require long-term strategies, including building new pathways into the profession, researchers say.
A new report from New America’s Center on Education & Labor examines one such pathway: teacher degree apprenticeships. These programs allow aspiring educators to earn a paycheck while completing their degree and teaching certification.
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From survival to success: Kristofer Evans’ remarkable path through Cabrillo College
Kristofer Evans hit rock bottom before he decided to get sober and create a stable life in his late 20s.
Since graduating from continuation high school about a decade ago, he had been mostly unemployed, was in and out of jail and his health was tanking from years of alcohol abuse. About six months into sobering up and working, he learned he was going to be a father.
Four years later, as a new Cabrillo College graduate on his way to Morgan State University in Baltimore, having earned one of four statewide California Community College Student Leadership awards, he’s full of emotion and joy at what he’s accomplished for himself and his son, Ke’vion.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Monterey Peninsula College:
First day of class funsies
Campus is officially back in action. Welcome back, Lobos!
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From Ventura College:
We love the Mini Horses
Thank you for coming to Ventura College. You always make the day better.
Thank you for coming back to visit us Reins of H.O.P.E.
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From Citrus College:
So great to see so many smiling faces at Welcome Day! Congratulations to all of our new Owls — wishing you the best as we prepare to start the fall semester!
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From Río Hondo College:
Students, staff and community members, as well as our Board of Trustees President and Student Trustee, came out today for a meet and greet to say good bye to the herd of goats that has been working hard at fire prevention on the Río Hondo College campus.
Thank you to Fire Grazers and their hungry goats for helping make Río Hondo College a little safer for upcoming fire seasons.
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And from Cañada College:
The whole leadership team is hyped for this semester. Whether you’re back for more or just getting started, welcome to Cañada College
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Annual New Student Convocation
Earlier this week, hundreds of new students and their families gathered together on Bakersfield College’s Panorama Campus for this year’s New Student Convocation. This annual event welcomes incoming freshman, first-time students and family members to celebrate the new academic year, preview various campus resources, meet faculty, staff and fellow Renegades, and more.
The event started with a resource fair where attendees could get more information about the services, programs, activities, and campus clubs available to BC students. Each program had an information booth with representatives available to provide information, answer questions, and hand out swag to new students. Students could get information from the Student Health & Wellness Center, the BC Rodeo Club, Financial Aid, the BC Industrial Automation program, and several others.
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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
