It was a sigh of relief as NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully returned back to Earth after nine months in space. Their trip to space was initially expected to last a little more than a week.
The vehicle that launched them to the International Space Station back on June 5 experienced helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, and NASA determined the craft was not safe for their return trip.
As for me…..
Yesterday, I attended the celebration of life of John Stanskas. Here is a poem published by John.
The Physics of Absence, the Nature of Nothingness
I believe it is all light at the end,
these strained seconds defined by the slap-click
of clocks means nothing. An effort to bend
time, to exert control, force this habit.
of filling the space occupied by light.
The vacuum is not empty, nothingness
seethes with production, mind-flash of insight
destined to collapse. I pant to undress.
you, mirage in the dark, strain toward molecules
unclaimed, underground. I know you are here,
the crease in the mattress, a vestibule
where in absence, from nothing, you appear.
The secondhand stops in this crease of night;
matter collapses, you flash into light.
This week I visited the West Hills Prison Education Program at Pleasant Valley State Prison. President Hildy Aguinaldo and Board Member Cirian Villavicencio joined on on this college visit.
Good morning California.
It is March 22, 2025
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Pasadena City College receives $1 million from Ballmer Group
to support wildfire community relief efforts
Pasadena City College has received a $1 million grant from Ballmer Group to support critical relief for students, faculty, staff, and community members recovering from the devastation of the recent wildfires. The grant from Ballmer Group is the largest single gift to the PCC Community Relief Fund.
Laney College Tiny House Ribbon Cutting
A spirit of pride and collaboration filled the air on January 28th as Laney College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the stunning Tiny House crafted by its talented Carpentry students. Under the expansive Construction Canopy, students, faculty, and community members gathered to witness the culmination of months of dedication and hard work.
Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Valley College
Co-Host 10th Annual ASL Educators Collaboration Conference
On March 1, Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College proudly co-hosted the 10th Annual ASL Educators Collaboration Conference at San Bernardino Valley College. This milestone event was the largest yet, with 120 registered participants and five dedicated student volunteers.
ITE Singapore Professors Visit LACC
On March 14, LACC welcomed professors from ITE College East in Singapore to meet and get a campus tour of facilities in the Department of Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering, and the Visual and Media Arts. Professors viewed classes in action and discussed how community colleges in the US deliver education and potential collaborative opportunities between LACC and ITE.
In Case You Missed It
EdSource Commentary: Why California must champion community college bachelor’s degrees
Cerritos College President/Superintendent Jose Fierro wrote a piece for EdSource about the importance of community college bachelor’s degrees.
California cannot rely on four-year universities alone to meet its growing workforce needs. Expanding community college bachelor’s degree programs will strengthen industries, create more opportunities and solidify California’s leadership in workforce innovation. It’s time for policymakers, industry leaders and educators to support these programs and invest in the future of our state.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Cerro Coso Community College:
What an honor it was to host the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, for an intimate and moving poetry reading at Cerro Coso! Ada’s words filled the room with inspiration, hope, and love, as she shared the stories behind her poems before delivering a truly engaging reading. As the first Latina U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada’s journey resonated deeply—especially with one audience member who felt truly seen by her words.
*****
From College of the Desert:
Students came together for an interactive anatomy and physiology study session, strengthening their knowledge with support from in-person tutoring. Thanks to a collaborative grant with OneFuture, College of the Desert is expanding tutoring opportunities to help students succeed!
*****
From Rio Hondo College:
Río Hondo Police Academy honored the achievements of 45 police cadets during the Basic Police Academy Class No. 217 graduation ceremony. The graduates represent 18 different law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, marking the culmination of six months of rigorous training.
*****
And check out this video about how Chevron’s donation to Taft College is helping MESA students:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Foundation Partners
with Amazon and The Wonderful Company
The Bakersfield College Foundation has committed $1.37 million to expand workforce training through a powerful partnership with Amazon and The Wonderful Company. As one of just five institutions nationwide selected to offer Amazon’s Reliability and Maintenance Engineering (RME) program, Bakersfield College is set to strengthen career education and workforce development in Kern County.
The RME program will provide students with industry-recognized certifications and direct career pathways in advanced industrial maintenance, meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in Kern County’s expanding industrial sector.
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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
