Tag Archives: California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

Bye for now Toronto and hello San Diego

I was back in San Diego this week for a Vision 2030 Regional Workshop.

As I always say … what is there not to love about San Diego!

The Chancellor’s Office team showed up strong. Here are a few photos.

James Todd, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Cheri Fortan, Terrence Willett, Chris Ferguson, Sonya Christian

Here we are with the amazing West Ed team.

On My November 29th blog I mentioned that I was in Toronto and we were expecting snow the next day. Here are a few photos from the window of my bedroom in my daughter’s place.

Most folks love watching planes in action. I remember when I was a little girl, my brother Roy routinely driving me to the airport so we could watch planes land and take off.

So here is a 17-sec video of Air Canada pulling up to the gate at LAX.

Good morning California.
It is December 6, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

L.A. Pierce College Becomes First U.S. Community College to Launch
AI-Powered Biomedical Research Program

Students at Los Angeles Pierce College took a historic step recently as they convened their first research team meeting for the newly launched L.A. Pierce AI Campus, an initiative that officially makes Pierce the first community college in the United States to launch an AI-powered biomedical research program through a groundbreaking partnership with National AI Campus.

» Read more!


Golden West College Receives Major Investment to Expand Nursing Program, Strengthen Local Workforce Pipeline

Golden West College has been awarded $3.5 million over three years from the Samueli Foundation to expand its highly successful School of Nursing and increase access to high-demand healthcare careers across Orange County. The multi-year funding will support program growth, new faculty positions, expanded partnerships with local high schools, and upgrades to clinical training technology.

» Read more!


Los Medanos College Rolls Out Hi-Tech Type 1 Fire Engine

 Los Medanos College Fire Academy students this year will benefit from training on a fully-loaded 2009 Hi-Tec Type I Fire Engine.  LMC used California Strong Workforce Program grant funding to purchase the $114,000 engine from the Cordelia Fire Protection District. The engine includes equipment for urban and wildland firefighting, and represents significant cost savings to the college. A new engine of this type would have cost about $800,000 with no equipment on board.

» Read more!


The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Wins Prestigious
Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence

The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College has received the Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), a national honor recognizing  Annual Awards Banquet, recognizing the zoo’s excellence in new and unique live animal display, exhibit design and construction. This year’s award honors the zoo’s creation of “Rajah’s Retreat,” a state-of-the-art natural habitat for tigers. 



Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Sierra College:

Yesterday we held our annual EMT Trauma Day and SWAT training on campus. This event gives Sierra College EMT and paramedics students a chance to gain valuable, real-world experience in their field and provides an opportunity for them to practice hands on skills with several local industry partners. Our annual Public Safety Career Fair was held yesterday as well. This event gives students in related fields the opportunity to connect and network with representatives and recruiters in related fields

*****

From Palomar College:

Last month, the ESL Department hosted an inspiring event titled Multicultural Voices: An ESL Celebration. Students united to honor the rich tapestry of languages, cultures, food, and stories that define their home countries.

*****

From Allan Hancock College:

Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex welcomed the Santa Barbara County, Ventura County and Fresno fire departments for joint disaster response training this week. Crews practiced shoring damaged structures and ran search and rescue drills on the rubble pile.

*****

From Foothill College:

Big congrats to Nava Call for their incredible win! Presenting at Google HQ? Talk about next-level opportunities

*****

And check out this video from Las Positas College:

Big congrats to LPC music student Joshua Glatt for winning 1st Place in the statewide MACCC Composition Competition! His piece “Yearning for More” premiered last Spring with the Friction Quartet


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Students ‘Destress’ with Miracle Mutts

On Monday, December 1st, BC welcomed Miracle Mutts to their Panorama Campus to give students a chance to take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy some down time with their therapy dogs.

Several therapy dogs and their owners congregated in the lobby of the BC Library and students, staff and community members were able to pet and interact with the furry, friendly companions. Each therapy dog was eager to share affection with participants, while showcasing their own unique personalities. The event was part of De-Stress Week – a series of activities intended to help students get a mental health break from end of the semester exams, presentations, and projects.

» 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

Glorious May 2025

Mama duck with 7 ducklings. If you listen carefully, you will hear Neo in the background.

And for the first time, the Catholic Church is led by an American pope. On Thursday, the cardinals at the papal conclave elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, as the head of the Catholic church. He has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru. He is the first pope born in the United States, and the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship.

Good morning California.
It is May 10, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

San Diego College of Continuing Education Breaks Ground on $50-Million Renovation to Historic Theatre

San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $50-million renovation of its historic 275-seat theatre at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC). More than 150 people attended the event, including employees, students, community members, partners, and local elected officials.

» Read more!


Butte College celebrates Latinx culture with inaugural
‘Festival de Nuestras Voces’ event

Butte College hosted its inaugural ‘Festival de Nuestras Voces’ (Festival of our voices) on Wednesday, an event dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the diversity and heritage of Latinx and Hispanic cultures. The festival featured a lineup of live music and performances by local artists, offering students a taste of cultural music and dances. Additionally, guests enjoyed authentic cultural foods, art displays that reflected the heritage of the community, and keynote speeches that explored queer identity and immigration.

» Read more!


Long Beach City College Wins National Award For
Advancing Institutional Equity And Belonging

Long Beach City College (LBCC) was named the national winner of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Award of Excellence in the category of Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging. This distinguished honor was presented at the AACC’s annual national conference in Nashville and recognizes LBCC’s trailblazing efforts to embed equity, belonging, and inclusion throughout its campus culture and operations.

» Read more!


San Jose City College Embraces Diversity At Spring Cultural Festival

San Jose City College students and faculty gathered for the Spring Cultural Festival on April 30. The festival aimed to celebrate cultural pride and connection. Traditional dances were held on stage. The Vietnamese Student Association performed a fan dance, and the Latinx Unity Zone, or LUZ, did baile folklórico. Attendees also participated in water activities hosted by the Burmese Student Association, or BURSA.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

More, but not enough, Californians accessing free money for college, career

Over 3.9 million school-aged children across the state now qualify for at least $500 with CalKIDS, the savings account launched by the state in 2022. It automatically awards at least $500 to low-income students and English learners with the goal of helping families save for college or career training. In 2024, EdSource found that fewer than 8.3% of eligible families had claimed their account, despite fanfare surrounding the launch. 

» Read more!

*****

Community Voices: Kindness is not political

From Nick Strobel –
“Kindness is not political” is on a magnet being produced by a fellow member of my church to distribute everywhere. This is not some sappy, sweet sentiment message but, rather, a reminder that regardless of your political views, we’re called to treat all people with a sense of human dignity and respect. This used to be a commonly-held expectation but in today’s social climate, it can seem like a radical counter-culture statement at times.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From San Joaquin Delta College:

Still feeling the joy from our Black Graduate Ceremony last night! It was an evening of pride, culture, and achievement. Congratulations to all the graduates—you inspire us!

*****

From Los Angeles Harbor College:

Congratulations to the brand new LAHC E-Sports team, led by Professor Nick Garcia, for winning 1st and 2nd place in the first annual Los Angeles Regional Consortia (LARC) SMASH BROS Cup! The students have been practicing and having scrimmages since last Fall. Their hard work and dedication paid off.

*****

From Shasta College:

As part of our 75th anniversary celebration, we sealed a whole lot of Knight pride into a time capsule — including a commencement booklet and stole, local publications, a letter from President Dr. Frank Nigro, and more!

*****

From Allan Hancock College:

Thanks to @SBCAG_info for stopping by our Santa Maria campus and celebrating CycleMAYnia with our students, faculty, and staff!

*****

From Lake Tahoe Community College:

LTCC welcomed Assemblymember @hhadwickAD1 to campus for a tour and a discussion about the student support programs helping Coyotes thrive, shared by LTCC leaders and a student representative. Thank you for supporting our students and community!


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Jazz Combos Releases New Album of Original Compositions

The Bakersfield College Jazz Studies program is proud to announce the release of Funky Orca, a full-length album that features 12 original jazz compositions. The songs on the album are composed by BC Jazz students and were recorded in the PAC music lab on BC’s Panorama campus between 2023-24.

Over 50 songs were recorded for Funky Orca, and the album’s 12 tracks were carefully selected by the program’s faculty and staff. “This album is a really solid and diverse collection of tunes,” says Tiner, “and it’s a very entertaining listening experience from start to finish.”

» 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

Sonya Christian's Blog