Sonya Christian's Blog

This week was hectic with Thursday being even more so…

A team from the Chancellor’s Office (Chris Ferguson, Tony Cordova, and me) headed to Google San Francisco for a press conference with Governor Newsom on cultivating tech and higher education partnerships for workforce development.

You see us in the photo before hanging out with some of our favorite people — Amy Tong, Stewart Knox and a new addition to the Governor’s cabinet Randi Michel.

Clearly we are having a good time prior to the press annoucement.

We then rolled into a roundtable conversation with the Governor who was in high spirits, relaxed and fully engaged.

That was followed by the press event outdoors. checkout the breathtaking view in all the photos of beautiful San Francisco … even the sun came out to celebrate the day, to celebrate this partnership.

It is mind blowing to hear about the new developments in the tech world. I read about them, but to actually hear it from the company leaders directly is something else. We had four of the tech giants there – Google, Microsoft, Adobe and IBM.

In case you missed this blurb on the LAist website

To succeed in the workforce, it’s essential for students to become “AI-fluent,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.

Gov. Gavin Newsom noted that even careers that were recently very lucrative, like software engineering, have rapidly transformed, in part because AI can do the work that recent grads were traditionally hired to take on.

*****

I’d also like to take a moment to remember former BC President Rick Wright, who passed away this week at the age of 81.

Rick was the president who hired me as a math faculty at BC and later went on to sign all the papers required by INS to get me a green card. I was sorry to hear about his passing.

Here’s a wonderful picture from back in 2014, during BC’s centennial celebration kickoff at Opening Day. I was joined by former BC presidents Richard Wright, Sandra Serrano, and Greg Chamberlain as we cut the Centennial Cake.

And I’d like to extend my thoughts to colleagues at Santa Barbara City College, as their longest-serving president, Peter MacDougall, passed away at age 85. He served for 21 years before stepping down in 2002.

Cherish the good times and let go of the bad. Life goes on.

Good morning California.
It is August 9, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

---

---

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Contra Costa College Launches New Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Program

Contra Costa College is proud to launch the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway (CEDAP), a groundbreaking new program that offers students a supported, debt-free route into high-demand infrastructure careers. The program officially kicked off on July 7 with an on-campus celebration that welcomed the first 20-student cohort into the new five-year pathway. CEDAP is designed to open doors in civil and transportation engineering. Funded by a $5 million federal grant, this initiative is a partnership between CCC, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), Growth Sector, Caltrans, and other regional employers and universities.

» Read more!

---

Lemoore College Jump Start Internship Program Gives High School Students
a Head Start on College and Career Goals

---

Santa Ana College Introduces Innovative AI For Business Degree and Certificate

---

Cerro Coso Community College Honored with Beautification Award
at 79th Annual Ridgecrest Chamber Community Awards

---

---

In Case You Missed It

Press Release: Study Finds California Community Colleges Support
Nearly 1.7M Jobs and Deliver Major Returns for Students, Taxpayers, and State

Powering nearly 1.7 million jobs and contributing $173 billion last fiscal year, California’s community colleges account for approximately 5% of California’s total gross state product, a new study reveals. The data reinforces that California’s community colleges are an investment fueling the state’s economic engine and creating meaningful impact in the lives of millions, every single day.

The Economic Value of the California Community Colleges System report examined a wide range of factors such as payroll, job creation, and alumni’s improved standard of living. According to findings, for every $1 invested in the community colleges, students gain more than $13 in earnings, taxpayers gain just under $2 in added tax revenue, and society gains $14 in added income and social savings.

» Read more!

*****

LA Times: Undeterred by tough restaurant times, students are lining up for this college culinary program

It has been a brutal stretch for L.A. restaurants. Since 2023, hundreds of notable spots have shuttered amid escalating costs for food and labor, and a weakening economy.

More recently, the local scene has also been roiled by the January wildfires, which torched several restaurants, caused some to temporarily close and displaced workers. Then, this summer, federal immigration enforcement raids led many undocumented workers to leave their posts over fear of detainment.

It’s a dicey environment in which to launch a restaurant industry career. But Los Angeles Trade-Technical College’s culinary program tells a different story — enrollment grew by 13% last academic year, and it is up nearly 30% since 2019.

» Read more!

---

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Clovis Community College:

Happy Monday! President Kim Armstrong excited to pose with athletes for the NEW 10th anniversary new uniform reveal! Visit http://gocloviscrush.com to stay up-to-date with our athletic events. 

*****

From Modesto Junior College:

MJC’s CalWORKs program honored and recognized students at the 2025 end of year ceremony. This annual event celebrates the success of the students, who are also parents, that have participated in the MJC CalWORKs Program. This Program works collaboratively with Stanislaus County Community Services Agency (CSA) to provide support services, such as priority registration, ongoing career and academic counseling, and CSA Case Manager(s) on site.

*****

*****

From Napa Valley College:

Unveiled this past spring, Freedom to Love by Dina Angel Wing now sits in the McCarthy Library lobby as a lasting tribute to LGBTQ+ history and community. The bronze sculpture honors rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker alongside his patrons Tom Taylor and Jerome Goldstein, reflecting a legacy of visibility, generosity, and love. Special thanks to Donna Sachet, the “First Lady of the Castro,” for helping welcome this meaningful addition to Napa Valley College.

*****

From Mission College:

THANK YOU to all the incredible performers and everyone who joined us this year for Mission College’s 2025 Summer Concert Series! Your energy, passion, and love for live music have made every night unforgettable so far.

*****

And check out this video from Sacramento City College’s PACE/Umoja Fashion Show:

---

And From the Home of the Renegades

Academic Highlight: Commercial Music Program at BC

Bakersfield College is proud to offer a variety of academic programs and pathways that provide educational opportunities for students of all ages and career aspirations. Among its many offerings, BC features a focused Commercial Music Program, perfect for students looking to turn their love of music into a professional career.

The Commercial Music Program was first offered in 2017 with a focus on music used in advertising, film, television, video games, and other media. The program is still going strong, and each semester it equips students with training to build a career in the commercial music industry. Commercial music encompasses a diverse range of musical styles, including pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and others, and generally appeals to a broad audience.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

With much hope and joy,