Yesterday, September 25, was National Daughters’ Day.
Here’s to my beautiful, smart daughter, who does extraordinary work caring for children and their loved ones during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
So proud of the person she is, the work she does, and the heart she brings to it every day.
I got my Covid vaccine yesterday. Ninth vaccine so far since 2020. I encourage everyone to keep up on their boosters.
Here’s a throwback to my first Covid shot back in 2020:
Sunrise photo – I haven’t done one of these for awhile:
Another one:
This week was the Collective Equity Institute
Hildy got this video of the recognition of – “Warrior Lady for the California Community Colleges”
Good morning California. It is September 26, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
$900,000 Philanthropic Investment will Kickstart New Air Traffic Control Program for Orange Coast College Students
An Orange Coast College Foundation donor has made a strategic philanthropic investment of $900,000 in Orange County’s workforce to kickstart a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) program. The program will create a direct, local educational pathway into one of the nation’s most critical and in-demand aviation professions. The generous gift will fund specialized facilities, state-of-the-art air traffic control simulation equipment, classroom renovations, curriculum development, and instructional technology needed to launch the program. Introductory ATC courses will begin this fall, with the full curriculum available in Fall 2027.
Berkeley City College and LBNL Partner to Expand Quantum Workforce Readiness
Berkeley City College and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have launched the Boosting Employment Readiness in Quantum (BERQ) program, a three-week summer initiative that introduces community college students to the rapidly advancing fields of quantum information science and technology while preparing them for careers in the emerging workforce.
Measuring – and Proving – the Effectiveness Of Non-Degree Programs at Calbright College
Certificates and other non-degree credentials are the fastest growing sector in higher education, for very good reasons. They’re faster, cheaper, and often more career focused than traditional college degrees. This makes these types of certificate programs particularly ideal for working-age adults looking to upskill, reskill, and pivot careers.
Ruby already spoke two languages when she arrived in the United States. Now she speaks three.
A mother and Syrian war survivor, Ruby became acclimated to her new country by taking free, noncredit English language classes at Citrus College.
So can you.
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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:
SDCCE celebrated Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at Harbor View Campus with an afternoon recognizing the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities!
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From Ohlone College:
Happy #DeafAwarenessMonth and #InternationalDayofSignLanguages! Today, our Ohlone College Deaf Center hosted our Deaf Awareness Month and Welcome Back event with our ASL club to celebrate the achievements of our Deaf community.
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From Norco College:
The Trailblazers Scholars Program kicked off the students’ Trailblazers experience!
First up, we had a warm welcome from Anita Bailey, one of our dedicated counselors.
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And check out this video from Santa Rosa Junior College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Kern CCD Board of Trustee member Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg shared this from Loteria night at BC:
Lotería night at BC was a blast! Huge congrats to our big winner from last week’s BC Padrinos Lotería Fundraiser. Thank you for supporting the cause!
Tuesday’s Board of Governors meeting was held at College of Marin, in beautiful Marin County, just north of San Francisco, with campuses in Kentfield and Novato. Founded in 1926, the college is celebrating its centennial this year. It serves about 9,000 students and offers everything from transfer and career programs to ESL and lifelong learning.
College of Marin also takes full advantage of its extraordinary natural surroundings. Its Natural History program turns Marin itself into a classroom, with students studying local ecosystems, plants, insects, birds and marine life through hands-on fieldwork. The college even has a monarch butterfly habitat and a field station in Bolinas …wonderful examples of learning grounded in place.
Linda Vasquez snapped a selfie with Siria, Yanna, Board Member Adrienne Brown and me when we were at the Monarch butterfly habitat.
College of Marin has designed space around belonging. Its learning communities and affinity spaces come together around a large, open common area filled with natural light, with offices and gathering spaces opening directly into it. Students can study, connect with friends, find their community or simply hang out, and support is right there. It is a physical space designed around the idea that belonging and learning go together.
Here is a photo with a student leader Isa… check out the view from the learning space.
On Wednesday, I headed to San Francisco.
I spoke at Dreamforce, Salesforce’s flagship annual conference that brings together the global Salesforce community for learning, connection, philanthropy, and entertainment. It has grown into one of the largest technology and cloud innovation events in the world.
I joined will.i.am and Ron Smith from Salesforce to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the classroom experience.
Here is 1 minute of Usher performing my favorite song Yeah at Dreamfest later that same evening
Good morning California. It is September 19, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
SIRENS Lights the Way: Summer Immersion in Research and Experimentation for Next-Gen Scientists at Skyline College
This summer, a new cohort of 24 student scientists spent three intensive weeks living the life of a researcher through the Summer Immersion in Research and Experimentation for Next-gen Scientists (SIRENS) Program supported by Skyline College’s STEM Division and MESA program. Running from May 26 through June 12, the program gave students hands-on experiences across biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, data science, and physics, culminating in a full day of team research presentations.
The program opened with team-building activities before students rotated through skill-building workshops designed to get them comfortable in various STEM labs. In the Fab Lab, students learned basic and advanced soldering techniques, while in the Biotech lab they practiced micropipetting, a foundational skill for any bench scientist.
Fullerton College Dual Enrollment Program Launches Urban Agriculture Pathway
The Dual Enrollment and Horticulture programs at Fullerton College celebrate the success of their urban agricultural pathway with Magnolia High School. A unique opportunity for high school students, the program combines the traditional classroom experience with a paid internship – paving the way for future horticulture professionals. The internship offers participating students 20 hours of service per week for a rate of $18 an hour. Designed to cultivate professional skills and independence, MACC farm duties address pertinent issues, including food deserts, food insecurity, urban agriculture, environmental sustainability and more.
Reedley College Awarded Grant From Governor’s Office for FAME Program
As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, Reedley College’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing (FAME) program was awarded over $1.3 million dollars to expand our existing earn and learn training program for advanced manufacturing technicians (AMT’s). The FAME program helps strengthen sector innovation and supply chains by investing in infrastructure and workforce development.
A state program now puts $3,000 in the pockets of foster, Covid-bereaved youth entering adulthood
In May, four years after the program was first created by the state Legislature, California launched the Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance and Empowerment, or HOPE, for Children program. More than 56,000 young Californians are eligible for $3,000 in a trust account to use however they choose. The program was created to provide a safety net for two groups of young people who may enter adulthood without parental support.
Claremont High School student completes two college degrees through Citrus College dual enrollment before her senior year
Zaira Amara recently began her senior year at Claremont High School with something most people don’t earn until years later: two college degrees. At 17, she is an outstanding example of how high school students can access free Citrus College classes and earn associate degrees while still making the most of their high school years.
KernCCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg shared this photo from groundbreaking day at Cerro Coso’s new Tehachapi campus, set to open in 2027:
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From Oxnard College:
On Constitution Day, we reflect on the impact this document has had on our democracy over the past 250 years.
Like our nation, the Constitution’s power lies in its enduring promise of a more perfect union. Through the Constitution and its amendments, and through generations of civic engagement, Americans have worked to narrow the gap between the document’s ideals and the realities faced by those too often excluded from its promise.
We honor those who have served and sacrificed to defend our Constitution, as well as those who have worked to help our nation live up to its highest ideals and extend its liberties to all.
That work is part of the American story, and each of us has a role to play in carrying it forward. We can participate in our democracy by being informed, exercising our rights, engaging in our communities, and working together toward that more perfect union.
Thanks to our Associated Student Government for helping bring Constitution Day to life here on campus today by sharing copies of the Constitution and encouraging students to learn more about this important document and our democracy.
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From Saddleback College:
The quad came alive yesterday during the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff event with the vibrant energy of Ballet Folklórico, live music from Tabu, and meaningful memories shared on our community heritage board. Bobcats also spent the afternoon connecting with Success Coaches and the counseling department to explore campus resources, lock in academic goals, and enjoy yummy tacos and aguas frescas together.
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From Crafton Hills College:
This summer, Crafton’s classroom CNTL 238 became the meeting ground for a group of eight determined students to prepare themselves to excel in the upcoming year. From July 27th to August 6th, the Mesa Program and the Mathematics department teamed up to launch Kickstart to Calculus—an eight-day summer bridge pilot program designed to help STEM students jump straight into Calculus I with confidence.
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From Madera College:
Yesterday, our campus came together to celebrate Central American and Mexican Independence! We appreciate all of the faculty, staff, and student organizations who helped plan and host this great celebration!
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College launches 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
The Bakersfield College (BC) Hispanic Heritage Month Committee hosted the college’s 2026 celebration kickoff Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Panorama campus. The Student Equity and Achievement Program sponsored the event.
The celebration honored Latino cultures, traditions and contributions. Guests enjoyed food inspired by several Latin American countries, participated in cultural activities and listened to live music. Bakersfield band Velorio performed a mix of cumbia and Latin rock.
“This celebration is especially meaningful to me as the son of Mexican immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of the American dream,” said Dr. César Jiménez, BC’s vice president of student affairs. “It is an opportunity to showcase the richness of Latino culture, our traditions, music and food.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
The season of roses has started as we wrap up March.
And beautiful sunrises –
I also wanted to share the Educate Elevate podcast episode on the Blue Economy. I’m very proud of this work being led by the California Community Colleges.
Check out this 30-minute video:
Good morning California. It is March 28, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez Secures $1.03 Million in Federal Funding for Río Hondo College’s Public Safety Scenario Training Unit
Federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez will allow Río Hondo College to advance the development of its Public Safety Scenario Training Unit (PSSTU), a facility designed to expand training for Police Academy cadets and public safety professionals. The $1.03 million in Community Project Funding will support the purchase of technology, equipment and modular furniture to create immersive training environments for cadets. The federal investment marks the second time Congresswoman Sánchez has secured funding for the project following a $963,000 Community Project Funding award in fiscal year 2024.
Irvine Valley College Foundation Receives $50,000 Gift from Irvine Company to Strengthen Teacher Preparation Pathway
The Irvine Valley College Foundation has received a $50,000 gift from Irvine Company in support of the college’s Teacher Preparation Pathway (TPP), a collaborative initiative designed to create a clear, supportive route from community college to the teaching profession. The gift directly supports students pursuing careers in education by removing financial barriers, expanding hands-on learning opportunities, and strengthening program infrastructure. Notably, $10,000 of the donation establishes a new Teacher Preparation Funding Program, creating a sustainable source of support for future generations of IVC teaching students.
Citrus College Construction Program Leads State with Accreditation
The Citrus College Construction Management program has become the first community college in California to earn accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), marking a significant milestone for construction education statewide. ACCE serves as the premier accrediting body for construction-related academic programs in the United States. It evaluates curriculum, faculty, facilities and student outcomes to ensure graduates are prepared for leadership and professional excellence in the construction industry.
2025 Energy and Sustainability Award Winners Honored by California Community Colleges Board of Governors
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors this week honored leading innovators and standout programs with the 2025 Energy and Sustainability Awards for their ongoing efforts of to achieve environmental sustainability while advancing the goals of the system’s strategic plan, Vision 2030.
Six awards were handed out at the Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, March 24 in Sacramento. The honorees, recognized for outstanding achievements in energy and sustainability, include Riverside Community, Sonoma County Junior, and Kern Community College Districts; Shasta College; and leaders from Contra Costa Community College District and Mt. San Antonio College.
Day one of 2026 Weld Camp is a wrap! High school students from across the area joined us for hands-on activities showcasing what our Yuba College Manufacturing and Welding program offers. Plus, they took home a cool souvenir!
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From El Camino College:
As we close out every Women’s History Month, our campus community came together for the 29th Annual Distinguished Women Awards & Reception.
We recognize and honor the contributions these individuals have made for El Camino College and the surrounding community.
The 2026 recipients include: Cynthia Cervantes, Mia Dobbs, Dr. Edith Gutierrez, Germany Kent, Dr. Brandi Odom Lucas, Dr. Lesley Meza, Mauren Barbara O’Donnell (In Memoriam)
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From Fullerton College:
The Business and CIS Division recently hosted a successful Entrepreneurship Week, inviting students to explore how to build their own opportunities under the mentorship of entrepreneur experts. An annual event, attendees explored different activities, including workshops, networking opportunities and insightful competitions.
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From Chabot College:
Last Thursday was ROCK DA MIC! A panel and open mic event that celebrated culture and community while promoting mental wellness for all. Shoutout to the event organizers and coordinators who put together an event where students could connect and express themselves through performing arts.
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From Victor Valley College:
We want to extend a RAMFAM shoutout to the “mayor” of Victor Valley College! The one and only Robert Sewell has received a lifetime achievement award in Washington DC for his 30 years of dedicated service to student leadership at Victor Valley College! Robert serves as the long-time ASB Advisor/Public Information Officer/Marketing Director for all things in the VVC universe! Congratulations Robert!
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And check out this video promoting Cañada College’s Middle College Program:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC’s Marketing & Public Relations Earns National Recognition
Bakersfield College’s Marketing and Public Relations (MPR) team earned national recognition at the 2025 NCMPR (National Council for Marketing and Public Relations) Paragon Awards in Washington D.C., receiving Gold in the Social Media Post/Story (Still) category. The Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at two-year community and technical colleges and are the only competition of their kind focused exclusively on marketing and public relations professionals in this sector.
The award-winning piece, ‘Caps Off, Renegades,’ offered a deeply personal glimpse into the pride, identity, and meaning students carried with them at the 2025 commencement ceremony.
My introduction to you happened in the late 1990s.
I arrived in Los Angeles, a foreign graduate student, trying to understand America through textbooks and LA’s RTD routes.
And then I met you.
An institution built on virtues I could not quite comprehend.
Infinite hope. Untiring patience. Radical non-judgment. You met people where they were.
Not where they should have been. Not where someone thought they ought to be. But where they were.
You were born long before I met you in the Central Valley, where community colleges first took root in California soil. Practical. Accessible. Close to home. Built for possibility.
And then you spread.
From the Central Valley – Fresno, Bakersfield, Merced you reached into the Inland Empire – Riverside, San Bernardino out to the eastern edge of our state – the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert, Indio up the North State – Chico, Redding across the Bay – Oakland, Hayward, San José down the Central Coast – Monterey, San Luis Obispo into Los Angeles – every corner, every neighborhood in LA and all the way to the borderlands – San Diego, Imperial Valley.
Across the Sierra foothills. Along Highway 99. Down the 5 and the 101.
Into farmworker towns. Into port cities. Into rural mountain communities. Into urban corridors. Where opportunity needed a doorway you became that doorway.
You evolved.
You empowered people. You improved constantly You innovated for students. You added programs. Added pathways. Added chances.
And over three decades, I have watched you love Californians by taking action in real tangible ways.
I have seen the foster youth who carried everything they owned in a backpack walk across a commencement stage because someone at a community college refused to give up on them.
I have seen the formerly incarcerated Californian who found purpose through education, completed a certificate, earned a degree, and now gives back to their community.
I have seen the veteran, resilient, carrying both visible and invisible weight, find a Veterans Resource Center and a faculty member who said, “You belong here.”
I have seen the student with a disability navigate hallways that were once barriers and find accommodations, allies, and a future not defined by limitation but by capacity.
You do not ask for perfection. You ask for effort. You do not require pedigree. You require courage.
Over two million students a year.
Two million stories of trying again. Starting over. Leveling up.
You are accessible. You are practical. You are relentless in your belief that Californians deserve more.
On this Valentine’s Day, I say it plainly:
I love you, California Community Colleges, – for your open doors. – for your stubborn optimism. – for believing in people before they believe in themselves.
You are California at its best.
And after three decades of watching you in motion … through reform, recession, innovation, and renewal,
I am convinced of this:
If there is an institution built on hope in America,
It is you!
With gratitude, admiration, and love Your chancellor, sonya
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.
