The California Community Colleges are wrapping up Fall 2024 and gearing up for the holiday season. Let’s check out a few Holiday Greetings from our colleges ….
Palo Verde College:
From Antelope Valley College:
From Lemoore College:
From Coalinga College:
From College of the Canyons:
Good morning California. It is December 14, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
Can’t believe that I have been blogging for 11 years…. started in 2013. As we close out the year, I will do the year in review over the next three blog posts. This week, let’s look at the posts from 2013-2016.
2013
April 20, 2013: Centennial Year Celebration. Planting of the California Oak
Today, April 20, 2013, the campus was alive with the annual Garden festival. This event is always a highlight of the year for campus and community, with food, performances, booths with information and a wide range of plants and garden goods for sale. This year’s Garden festival was a special one marking the start of BC’s year of activities commemorating the college’s 100th year.
You may have thought the world of curriculum stopped spinning in the summer but our BC Curriculum Team attended a three-day intense Curriculum Institute last week.
Sharon Bush, BC’s curriculum specialist, pointed out that, ‘The Curriculum Institute is a great forum to discuss hot topics that are at the forefront in the ever-changing world of curriculum. State resources include information about the Bakersfield College student success scorecard to the wage tracker, which shows a students salary before and after completing a program at Bakersfield College’.
The Community College League of California came to Bakersfield College to hold a small meeting regarding how to properly work with elected officials and communicate the needs of community colleges.Thank you Michele Bresso for making this happen.
Invited were trustees, presidents/chancellors, and governmental relations staff. We were a small, but robust group in the Fireside Room at Bakersfield College as CCLC staffers and our very own Amber Chiang talked about the dos and don’ts of working with Sacramento.
November 30, 2013: BC Featured: Collier Talks Health Care Needs with Assembly Committee
Bakersfield College made its presence felt at the recent California Assembly Select Committee on Workforce and Vocational Development, an event facilitated by 32nd district Assemblyman Rudy Salas in Bakersfield. The hearing featured information about health care needs, issues and trends as presented by local and regional experts, including Bakersfield College Dean of Allied Health and Nursing Cindy Collier.
Each fall, with the support of Chevron and Bakersfield College’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) grant, students start school early for Week Zero: a six-day orientation which exposes students to problem solving and team work dynamics. Held during the two weeks prior to the start of fall semester, Week Zero is designed for students majoring in science, engineering, and mathematics. During the 2013 Week Zero program, students participated in projects in various subjects, including biology, chemistry, green technology, industrial design with SolidWorks, and leadership training. In addition, break out sessions were offered for engineering statics, interdisciplinary filmmaking, computer integrated manufacturing, microcontrollers, and mathematics. This program, which has been offered for several years, had more than 150 students participating in 2013, and 14 faculty continue to guide the programming.
On Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014, students, faculty, and staff at Bakersfield College gathered to observe “Denim Day,” a campaign originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, wearing jeans on “Denim Day” has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault (http://denimdayusa.org/about).
September 12, 2024: A Circle of Friends – Milt and Betty Younger and Jim Young
On Thursday May 1st, 2014, Bakersfield College had the honor of hosting a very special event– a Betty younger sculpture dedication honoring Dr. Jim Young. “Circle of Friends” is an outdoor sculpture located atop a small hill Northeast of the GET Bus terminal on Panorama Drive. The sculpture, which consists of four red upright figures standing together in a circle, was created by Betty Younger to honor her friend JimYoung, who served as Kern Community College District’s chancellor from 1978 to 1999.
David Valadao, Jean Fuller, Andy Vidak, Rudy Salas
Thanks to Cindy Pollard, CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and Michele Bresso, Associate Dean of Instruction, Bakersfield College hosted the second legislative forum on September 26, 2014. We hosted the very first legislative forum last year. I hope the Chamber will continue to bring this event to
2015
March 20, 2015: Design Challenge Gathers Local Students to Test Engineering Smarts
Each Spring semester, the Engineers Club invites middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students and professionals of all ages to participate in their Design ChallenOge in honor of National Engineers’ Week. During the Fall, the Engineers Club members come up with the specific “design challenge” they want to hold in the Spring. They create a set of parameters that the entrants should follow in designing their machine, and send them off to the various schools and businesses by December. Contestants build their machines and bring them on the day of the event.
May 19, 2015: BC’s Second Annual Equity Conference
I am so proud to report that BC held its second equity conference on April 23rd. The day closed with frank presentations from a handful of BC students, all from various walks of life, sharing their personal stories of getting to where they are today and how BC can do better to address their needs.
It was an eye-opening and ultimately very satisfying and encouraging day.
July 22, 2015: BC Choir Reunion Celebrates Historic Victory’s 50th Anniversary
There have been many great events in the past 100-plus years since Bakersfield College first opened its doors. But few elicit the same type of warm memories and deep sense of community pride as one that happened a half-century ago thousands of miles away from our beautiful campus.
Earlier this month, nearly three-dozen surviving members of the 1965 Bakersfield College choir reconvened to remember the good old days and savor the memories of the day they helped put BC on the global map, scoring an underdog win for the ages with a first place showing at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in North Wales.
October 5, 2015: Another usual weekend enjoying the Bakersfield Community
I stopped by Wendy’s last evening to pick up a spicy chicken sandwich for dinner and the young woman serving me spontaneously commented that she was a student at BC, psychology major, and that her teachers in all of her classes were the very best. This encounter is not unusual for me or for any of you. BC has stood for excellence and leadership for over a century and this community has steadfastly supported its college for all that time.
November 11, 2015: Veterans Day, Vet Fest and Remembering America’s Best
U.S. armed forces veterans made the conscious decision to step up and serve their nation. And as the nation pauses today to honor Veterans Day, I think it’s important to not only thank veterans for their service, but to thank them for making the decision to do so in the first place. Since we did away with the draft more than 40 years ago, the decision to join the military has been a complex one and a responsibility that no one takes lightly. It’s a choice born of courage that so many of us couldn’t or wouldn’t make.
Soldiers of all branches obliged to honor our country with their service. At BC, we feel a strong sense of obligation and responsibility to serve them with equal vigor when they transition into higher education. We know they’re entering into a new stage in their lives, one that, in its own way, can occasionally seem as confusing and frightening as military service.
To show our ongoing support to military veterans and their families, BC hosted our 3rd annual — and best yet! — BC Vet Fest last week on the Student Services lawn.
We all have our traditions. One of mine is listening to Martin Luther King‘s I have a Dream speech (about 14 minutes long) on Martin Luther King day–this year on Jan 18th.
In Bakersfield there are several events that occur during Martin Luther King Day. More than 350 people poured into Bakersfield’s MLK Community Center Jan. 18th to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and further his message. Among those assembled, proud BC Renegades gathered to celebrate with local community leaders, and to offer support in striving for equity and justice.
March 25, 2016: The State of Kern County … is Strong!
Good morning Bakersfield. It is “Good Friday” morning. The start of a three-day weekend leading up to Easter. Easter, this year, falls on March 27th, my dad Paul’s birthday. He passed away 10 years ago so Sunday is going to be an extra special day.
A relatively calm week at BC with students away on Spring Break. Walking the quiet campus yesterday, I enjoyed the grounds and the buildings that were so meticulously planned in the 1950’s when the leadership of the campus and the community decided to bring the 40 year old college from Bakersfield High School to the hill. 1801 Panorama Drive….theHome of the Renegades. A campus carefully planned by visionary leaders 60 years ago.
July 23, 2016: Providing Pathways to teh Future and Buildng a Better BC
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Saturday, July 23rd and I woke up to a wonderful piece by Jeff Evans in The Bakersfield Californian above the fold. Indeed, a wonderful day to be a Renegade.
Here is an fuzzy image of the article taken on my iphone. For the entire web version check out http://tinyurl.com/h2f79wy. There is also a 15-minute video segment of Louis Amestoy interviewing Jeff Evans on the gymnasium and other athletics facilities that are on the BC facilities needs list. Note this is a “needs list” not a “wish list”. I particularly appreciated the comment that these facilities serve all of our students and not just our student athletes.
September 18, 2016: On remembrance, and making memories
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Sunday, September 18th…I started this blog yesterday, but since the day was packed with events that ended with driving to Riverside to watch Renegade football on the road I could not finish my blog. It was great to see the Bakersfield Community come out to support an away game.
Here is a gang of regulars at the games. Sharon Baker and Bill Baker (The Renegade Football doc) come to all the games. It always warms my heart to see both Dr. Baker and Dr. Tivnon out there with our student athletes.
Woke up early this morning at the Marina after a hectic and tiring week of travel. A leisurely walk to the bagel place and back. A great way to start the weekend.
Now on to the week of travel ….
On Friday, I gave the State of the System address at the Community College League of California’s annual convention in Indian Wells. Afterward, I was joined by Board of Governors Vice President Hildegarde Aguinaldo, and Board Members Pamela Haynes, Tom Epstein, and Paul Medina.
It was a wonderful day of seeing great colleagues from across the state.
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On the second day in Indian Wells we had consultation council and the CEO meeting. Ran into the Kern team.
Great selfie by Daisy Gonzales with Dr. Young and the Pipelines2Possibilities fellows. The program started as a vision to bring California Community Colleges graduates back to teach at our colleges.
Good morning California. It is November 18, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Board of Governors Recognizes 2023 Energy and Sustainability Award Recipients
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors has recognized a select group of innovative college leaders and programs with the 2023 Energy and Sustainability Awards for their ceaseless efforts in combatting the impacts of climate change in line with goals spelled out in the recently adopted Vision 2030 strategic plan.
Recipients include:
Riverside Community College District
Mt. San Antonio Community College District
MiraCosta Community College District
Solano Community College District
Dr. Tonya Huff, Riverside Community College District
Hussain Agah, Riverside Community College District
Dr. Rueben Smith, Los Angeles Community College District
San Jose City College, Bill Wilson Center Partner on Guaranteed Income for Unhoused Students
San José’s Bill Wilson Center announced a new guaranteed income program for San José City College Students to help address the statewide issue of youth homelessness. A recent California Community College system survey showed that nearly half of SJCC students have experienced housing, food, or transportation insecurity in the past year.
Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
Mt. San Jacinto College invited the public to its inaugural National Apprenticeship Week and Apprenticeship Connection Summit. Nearly 130 local leaders in education, business, government, and community organizations attended the summit.
Moreno Valley College, Riverside Community College District Sponsor Inaugural State of the Black I.E. Symposium
Last month, the Riverside Community College District and Moreno Valley College were honored to support and sponsor the inaugural State of the Black I.E. Symposium, a significant event dedicated to advancing equity, justice, and empowerment within the Inland Empire’s Black community.
Innovating at Scale: Guided Pathways Adoption and Early Student Momentum Among the AACC Pathways Colleges
In 2015, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) announced the AACC Pathways Project, a national initiative designed to support a cohort of community colleges to implement and scale whole-college guided pathways reforms.
Seven years since the project began, these colleges have made impressive progress adopting guided pathways practices at scale. Colleges that have adopted the model more comprehensively are seeing promising trends in leading indicators of success for their students.
EdSource: Community college students can take classes in their native language under a new law
Hoping to entice more non-English speakers to enroll in community college, California is making it easier for those students to take courses in their native language. Assembly Bill 1096, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and is set to take effect Jan. 1. The law will allow community colleges to offer courses in languages other than English without requiring students to enroll in ESL.
Shasta College is having a blast at STEM Career Day with our regional 9th grade students! Science, Technology, Engineering, Math is in many career pathways including GIS, Natural Resources, Logging, Heavy Equipment Operations, Welding, Machining, Health Sciences, and more!
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Hartnell College shared this update about a former student:
Check out this video of highlights from San Diego City College‘s Day of the Dead Event:
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And I loved this story from Santa Rosa Junior College:
The #SRJC Archives holds an impressive collection of 784 letters alumni serving in the war wrote to President Floyd Bailey during World War II. And the story about them is quite fantastic.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, our flight training school moved to Ely, Nevada, and SRJC was contracted to start special training programs, preparing service men and women for the army, navy, and nursing.
Along with hundreds of thousands of civilians who wanted to support the war efforts, the first President of the college, Floyd Bailey, conducted a “private morale booster” for servicemen. In July 1943, he asked his staff to prepare a mailing list with students, alumni, and instructors who were serving in the various military branches.
As he wrote in the first history of the college, “Nearly 50,000 copies of the student newspaper, the Oak Leaf, went out to servicemen who were eager for new of home and, in addition, some 4,000 birthday cards and more than 10,000 copies of mimeographed letters were sent to some 850 students of the mailing list.” In the first newsletter, President Bailey talked about life at the college and in Sonoma County and asked the alumni to write back. Thousands of cards and letters from all over the world, where our alumni were stationed or fighting, arrived at SRJC before the war ended.
These images are published with the support of the SRJC Archives. Some photos of alumni serving in the war are available online in our Digital Archives Collection. The original letters can be consulted in the Archives, located in Doyle Library, second floor, Santa Rosa campus. https://libraries.santarosa.edu/archives
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Grand Opening of Regenerative Agriculture Education Center with Ribbon Cutting
Bakersfield College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony November 14, 2023 to celebrate the grand opening of the Regenerative Agriculture Education Center at the Bakersfield College Delano Campus (1450 Timmons Ave., Delano, CA). This space aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices through community education, opportunities for student research, internships, workforce development, and demonstration of emerging technologies.
This Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to thank all of our nation’s veterans. To our active-duty military, military veterans, military reservists and dependents – thank you for safeguarding our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
Community colleges have a key role in supporting student veterans as they transition to civilian life. With an estimated 1.8 million military veterans living in California, many are looking to our community colleges for debt-free education and skills training. Each year, approximately 55,000 veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents enroll at a California community college, and can access the many services we provide, including veterans resource centers, priority registration, tutoring, food pantries, credit for prior learning and more.
For this Veterans Day, the American Legion with USAA offers suggestions for how we can “Go Beyond Thanks.” Let’s take a moment to quietly reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of veterans, and to consider how we can all find ways to serve those who serve our country.
Today, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Blas Villalobos, a member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
Dr. Villalobos served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999- 2003. During this time, he was deployed to Iraq where he served as a Squad Leader. He earned several awards during combat operations including: The Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars; and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
After his military service, Villalobos attended Long Beach City College. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California.
“We don’t fight to hold ground. We fight to win.” This was said by a Navy SEAL as he reflected on his numerous combat engagements in the current conflicts overseas. As I look back on another Veterans Day at BC, I think about what we have come from. I look back with pride at 102 years of Bakersfield College history and how BC alumni have fought in every conflict since World War I.
I laugh when I read about World War II veterans coming to BC in the late 1940s when it still on the BHS campus, and the high school administrators’ anxiety about the smoking, and bad language the student-veterans used on campus.
I am proud that those vets were called “DARS,” by administrators, which stood for Damned Average Raisers, because they did so well in class that they skewered all the grading curves. The tide of student-veteran involvement has ebbed and flowed over the decades. It was very active in the years after the Vietnam War, with the Veterans Club“running the campus,” as the late Vernon Valenzuela remembered. I saw it resurrect in 2010 thanks to the OIF/OEF veterans agitating for a veteran space. Not only has the club resurrected, it has thrived. Now, BC has a new Veterans Education Advisor, a new veterans’ student development class, plans for a larger space for the veterans lounge, and a college president who values what you bring to the table.
After your years of service it is now your time, as Bakersfield College student-veterans, to move forward. You have a great responsibility. You have a great responsibility to you; A responsibility to use your military experience to better yourself, your family and your community. You have a responsibility to get educated, and pursue your goals in a timely, productive manner. It is indeed frustrating at times. It isn’t easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. But, you aren’t everyone. You are the real 1%. Only 1% ever served in the military. If you are part of that elite percentage, then college is simply another challenge to overcome before the next challenge. The fact that you are at Bakersfield College says this about you: You don’t fight to hold ground. You fight to win.
From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of all of you winners.
Thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day. Job Well Done!
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I started my week at the California State Assembly for the Dual Enrollment Oversight Hearing.
I ended my week visiting the Home of the Renegades – Memorial Stadium for the last Bakersfield College football game. It was so much fun…. here are a few photos
Good morning California. It is November 11, 2023. Veterans Day. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coastline College Veterans Service Coordinator Earns Veteran of Distinction Award
To commemorate Veterans Day this year, Representative Michelle Steel is awarding Coastline College’s Veteran Services Coordinator Tom Boscamp the Veteran of Distinction Award from her Congressional District. Boscamp, a U.S. Army veteran, is being recognized for his tireless service in aiding active duty and veterans in starting and completing their education at Coastline.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, College of Alameda opened its doors to a remarkable event, “My Sister’s Dynasty and My Brother’s Legacy,” a groundbreaking educational summit designed to empower Black and Multi-Ethnic students. This special event, hosted in collaboration with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Office of Equity, brought together a diverse group of speakers, presenters, and attendees.
Butte College Dual Enrollment Student Takes Top Honors at National FFA Convention
Joe Schohr, a sophomore at Gridley High School who is concurrently pursuing his education at Butte College, took top honors at the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. The National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) is a highly competitive contest that recognizes exceptional FFA members for their ability to recite and interpret the National FFA Creed and respond to challenging questions.
Folsom Lake College Celebrates Enrollment Milestone
Folsom Lake College, a member of the Los Rios Community College District and a leading institution of higher education in the Greater Sacramento region, is thrilled to announce a momentous achievement in its history. The college has reached a significant milestone with its enrollment surpassing 10,000 students.
StateScoop: How 1 Billion Data Points Could Improve Career Outcomes for California Students
In late October, California’s Cradle-to-Career office — which manages a statewide education and workforce data project — collected its first data installment with more than 1 billion data points across 200 different categories, including K-12, college admissions, post-college employment opportunities. Officials told StateScoop it’s a vital step towards building the first longitudinal data system in the state.
Smiles, hugs, and tears this week at Delta as we dedicated our newly renamed forums in honor of Filipino American historian Dr. Dawn Mabalon, longtime counselor and mentor Tony Fitch, and the legacy of Campesino farmworkers.
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And a Veterans Day Message from San Diego College of Continuing Education President Tina King and Retired US Navy Commander Edgar Lucas:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC at the 37th HACU Conference
Bakersfield College had a presence with faculty, staff, and administrators at the recent 37th annual Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference in Chicago, Illinois. This event serves as a crucial platform for collaboration, fostering discussions on policy matters, emerging trends, and impactful opportunities that significantly influence Hispanic community education.
First check out this fun 4:25-min video production by BC Stem.
Thank you Travis Steele for organizing the BC Halfway There video!
And a stream of celebrities …. vocal talents: John Menzies, Timothy Plett, Tatevik Broutian. actors: Nicholas Ramirez (student), Destiny Mitchell (student), Harlan Philips (student), and Donna Starr. Lyrics were by Travis Steele and Megan McCullah-Boozer (MESA), editing was by Isabella Ozuna (MESA), and special recognition to AUM Studios.
Also check out the 3:14-min video I captured of the opening song, Day 2 of the conference organized by Dr. Tina King of San Diego Continuing Education. Watch John Lennon’s Imagine performed by Bulki Domingo ..
You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one
California’s community colleges play a critical role in developing innovative approaches to bolster socio-economic mobility. This summit provided an opportunity to explore emerging strategies that will help us eliminate systemic barriers for our adult learners – both non-credit and credit, coming together.
Thank you Tina King and Valentina Purtell and the planning team!
Good morning California. It is October 7, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Ventura College Recognized as Bright Spot for Eliminating Remedial Math & Improving Student Success
EdTrust West recently identified Ventura College (VC) as a “bright spot,” standout performer, in the implementation of Assembly Bill 705, particularly for Latinx students. Ventura College’s efforts have eliminated all remedial math courses at VC by Fall 2022. All introductory math courses at Ventura College are transfer-level courses. This monumental shift has not only contributed to the success of VC’s students but has also promoted equity among them. Ventura College’s success has involved a multi-faceted approach, including administrative leadership, professional development, and communities of practice for faculty.
$1.875 Million Grant Awarded to Santa Ana College to Impact Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Students and Community
Santa Ana College was recently recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), awarded a $1.875 million grant to be distributed over five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s AANAPISI Program, and will soon launch an Asian Pacific Student Programs (APSP) Center on campus.
Norco College Graduates 36 Scholars from Inside the California Rehabilitation Center
Norco College, a member of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD), held a graduation ceremony on August 8 to celebrate 36 Rising Scholar graduates. It marked the return of hope and progress after a challenging period without commencement ceremonies for those on the inside since 2019.
Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program Welcomes 26 New Students
Political Science professor Christina Gabler, Ph.D., counselor Vicenta Arrizon, Ed.D., Business professor Nathan Khalil, J.D., and Interim Dean of Special Programs Debra Locke make up Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program team.
The Law Pathway Program at Santa Monica College (SMC)—which supports traditionally underrepresented students on their path to law school and is designed to diversify the legal profession—has entered the seventh year with 26 newly admitted students and 25 continuing students. The program has seen a 100% graduation and transfer rate since its inception. The most recent batch of 16 graduates transferred this fall—all of them headed to UCLA, with the exception of one student headed to UC Berkeley, bringing the total number of graduates over the program’s existence to 107.
Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on October 16 – 20, 2023. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Community College League of California, and our statewide partners on Monday, October 16 for an in-person event at Fresno City College and daily webinars throughout the week.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education: What We’re Learning About the Dual Enrollment Student Experiences
When the fall 2023 term begins, close to 20% of community college students will also be high school students who are dually enrolled. Students in dual enrollment programs enjoy many benefits — participation provides them a jump-start on gaining college credit, and it can save them money.
Community College Daily: Community colleges can fuel America’s economic reinvention – if we let them
States that want to compete in the clean-energy economy should do all they can to position community colleges as the engines of talent development for this new workforce. And it’s not just about providing more money; it also means spending it wisely, and making strategic investments that maximize finite resources to meet the needs of today’s students and economy.
Our Advanced Transportation and Logistics Sector Navigator Jannet Malig was inducted to the Clean Cities coalitions’ Hall of Fame AND received the Benjamin Watson Inspirational Award! She leads the state renewable energy & advanced transportation training! https://bit.ly/3LOYVZQ
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Stephanie Ricks-Albert, Program Specialist in the Educational Services and Support Division, Equitable Student Learning, Experience, and Impact Office at the CCCCO, shared this with me:
Just wanted to share a moment captured in time of the Chancellor’s Office MESA program leaders in our system dedicated to serving our students. This moment was captured at the MESA Leadership Institute held in Sacramento last week. Chancellor’s Office administrator support at the event included VC Educational Services & Support John Stanskas, Dean of Academic Affairs LaTonya Williams and Director of MIS Todd Hoig.
MESA has grown from 34 colleges to now serving students at 91 colleges (Note: 85 are new MESA Program Directors as of FY 2022-23 to date).
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From the Foundation for California Community’s Colleges – Saddleback College student Anna shares her story:
Part 1:
Part 2:
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From Foothill College:
Foothill College students and faculty have arrived in London. They will be taking their college classes in London with their Foothill professors while enjoying the amazing cultural life of this great city. Find out more about our Global Experiential Learning program at https://foothill.edu/global/index.html
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Check out this video from KCAL’s Look at This! segment, featuring Glendale Community College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Paves the Way for Accessibility
Bakersfield College hosted the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center (CCCAC) on Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29 in the Renegade Event Center on the Panorama Campus. The CCCAC presented the Accessibility Capability Maturity Model (ACMM) and the goals associated with it in multiple workshops throughout the two-day visit. The workshops kicked off with an introduction from Acting President Steve Watkin reviewing the purpose of the workshops and introducing CCCAC Director Dawn Okinaka. Deputy Chancellor Zav Dadabhoy also shared his thanks to those involved in the accessibility growth process of the campus and district.
This week marked the one-year anniversary of the first image from the James Webb Space Telescope. To celebrate, NASA released a new image of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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Started last weekend with the new Indiana Jones movie. Absolutely enjoyed it … but then, I enjoy cinema, period. full stop.
If you are an Indiana Jones fan, I have organized the trailers of all five editions of the movie franchise for you here in one spot. Enjoy!
Indians Jones 1 – Raiders of the Lost Arc 1981
Indiana Jones 2 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Indiana Jones 3 – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones 4 – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Indiana Jones 5 – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
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Now if you think I am all play and no work, let me disabuse you of this thought.
Last Tuesday, I attended the 9th Grade to Baccalaureate Dual Enrollment Convening hosted by American River College. I was on a panel with Chancellor Brian King and Board of Governors member Pam Haynes. What fun! We talked about Vision 2030: A Roadmap for California Community Colleges.
I loved Pam’s reference to the frequently-discussed image of 3 boys looking over a fence at a baseball game.
“Why do we even have the fence? Let’s tear down the fence. We need all of our kids on the field!”
Cheryl Aschenbach (President of Academic Senate of California Community Colleges, Carina Hoffpauir (Academic Senate President, American River college) then moderated a faculty panel with Sandra Guzman (Academic Senate President, Sacramento City College) and Alisa Shubb (Academic Senate President, American River College). They discussed best practices related to dual enrollment, and how to increase dual enrollment with equity.
Frank Kobayashi, Interim President of American River College, and Scott Pitts, Principal at Inderkum High School, highlighted their institutions’ dual enrollment partnership.
Glad we snapped this photo with some of the presidents and chancellors who were in attendance.
President Frank Kobayashi, President Albert Garcia, President Art Pimentel, Board Member Pam Haynes, Chancellor Brian King, Sonya Christian, President Tawny Dotson, President Santanu Bandyopadhyay
We had a good turnout from the Chancellor’s Office.
Later that day, I headed to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for an all-staff meeting. It was a great afternoon of fun and fellowship. This was my first time seeing all the staff together at an in-person gathering.
Thank you Daisy for snapping the selfie!
And as a surprise special guest, Pam Haynes also joined us for the all-staff meeting:
After a busy and rewarding week, I returned home and was able to enjoy my calla lilies – an annual treat in my backyard.
And of course, I love coming back home to this sweet boy after a week away in Sacramento:
Good morning California. It is July 15, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Jose City College Holds Equitable Dual Enrollment Expansion Workshop
Kylie Campbell (KCCD), Naomi Castro (CLP), Dr. Rowena Tomaneng (SJCC), Dr. LaTanya Williams (CCCCO), Dr. Rene Alvarez (SJCC)
A team from the Chancellor’s Office and Career Ladders Project headed to San Jose City College this week to lead a workshop on equitable dual enrollment expansion.
Thank you to SJCC President Dr. Rowena Tomaneng and Interim SJECCD Chancellor Dr. Beatriz Chaidez for convening your college team and high school partners to engage in activities and meaningful discussions around implementing and scaling dual enrollment opportunities for your students.
Dr. Rowena Tomaneng (SJCC) & Dr. Beatriz Chaidez
So fun to see their mascot “Jagy” in these photos …check out San Jose’s SPOT campaign, which promotes Guided Pathways to their current and future students.
Bill Gates Visits Chaffey College
In April, Bill Gates visited Chaffey College to explore the state and region’s efforts to streamline college pathways benefitting California students. Last month, he published a blog post about how Chaffey is using pathways to foster student success with equity.
Congressman Cárdenas Presents $2 Million to LA Mission College
U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas announced $2 million in Community Project Funding to Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) to increase and diversity STEM Workforce programs.
Miramar College Peer Mentor Breanna Hinojosa is one of the thousands of students who have benefitted from a decade-long partnership between the K-12 San Diego Unified School District and the San Diego Community College District.
Inside HigherEd: Leadership Academy Provides Access, Equity in Career Development
Inside HigherEd published a piece about Ohlone College’s Junior Leadership Academy, an optional 15-week program allowing learners across the community college to engage in career exploration and receive paid internship experience.
“LPC’s Classified Senate had a blast at their annual Retreat Cultivating Classified Connections! Together, they set their sights on Classified Senate Goals & Priorities for the 2023-2024 AY. #ClassifiedConnections#ProfessionalDevelopment#LPC“
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Lake Tahoe Community College Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco shared a post about the new Mobility Hub:
“We’re thrilled to cut the ribbon for the state-of-art Mobility Hub @LakeTahoeCC Made possible through the “Power of Partnership” with @LibertyUtil_CA & @TahoeTrans (TTD), whose electric buses charge & propel our community toward a greener future!”
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Chabot College and State Senator Aisha Wahab hosted a free immigration clinic at the Chabot College Event Center:
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Rowena Tomaneng shared this photo from LEAP Advance:
BC Students Participate in Internship Project with Kern County Sheriff’s Office
The Baccalaureate degree program in Industrial Automation collaborated with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office on a special robotics project. Recent Industrial Automation, Early College, Wonderful Education Shafter High School graduates had the opportunity to participate in this 2-day internship project utilizing their recently gained skills.
Also this week, the City of Bakersfield awarded BC’s Launchpad a grant – the City of Bakersfield Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Technical Assistance and Grant Program, designed specifically for those who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The Workforce & Economic Mobility Blog blog shares approaches to workforce and economic development, with a goal of supporting economic mobility for our community while staying committed to the health of our people and the health of our environment.
In the Bhambi & Christian blog, Dr. Brijesh Bhambi join together joined together with the goal of facilitating healing and conversation in our community.
