Was in San Francisco this week – and here’s a video from my first Waymo ride!
Good morning California. It is May 16, 2026 A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Cerro Coso Community College Celebrates First CDL Graduate
Cerro Coso Community College proudly celebrates Gavin Hopkins, the first student to complete the college’s new Commercial Driver License (CDL) program, earning his Class A Driver’s License on February 25, 2026. Hopkins successfully passed his licensure examination on his first attempt after completing the college’s two-course non-credit training series. The program is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the high-demand trucking industry through comprehensive instruction that combines classroom theory and hands-on driving experience.
College of the Redwoods to Launch Flexible 8-Week Course Pilot in Fall 2026
College of the Redwoods is rethinking the traditional college schedule with the launch of a new 8-week course pilot program set to begin in fall 2026. The initiative aims to increase flexibility, improve student success, and expand access to higher education. The pilot emerged from a grant-funded initiative supported by Achieving the Dream and the California Community College Foundation, with a directive to explore shorter course formats. From there, the college had the flexibility to design a model that best serves its students.
Coastline College’s ECHO Conference Unites California Educators Around Equity and Student Success
Coastline College’s ECHO Conference (Equity-Centered Holistic Outcomes in Education), formerly known as the Teaching for Equity Symposium, was a great success, bringing together educators, students, and community leaders from across California. The event focused on collaboration, dialogue, and advancing equity in education. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Hope, Growing in Kinship: Advancing Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging,” invited participants to explore how equity-minded practices can foster community, opportunity, and transformation.
As institutions nationwide navigate the enrollment cliff, new research from the University of Kansas and Florida International University suggests that older, working and commuting students may exhibit characteristics linked to stronger persistence and completion—suggesting ways that colleges can engage with adult learners.
The study examined institutional data from the 2023–24 academic year at a large, four-year Hispanic-serving research institution in the southeastern U.S., including for more than 7,000 undergraduates in the engineering and computing programs.
Researchers found that students older than 25, those working full-time, commuters and students with dependents demonstrated better academic outcomes, including retention, six-year graduation rates and cumulative GPA. The findings suggest that characteristics often viewed as barriers may not necessarily hinder student success.
9.9 Million Students Now Eligible for Pell Grants, According to New GAO Findings
A total of 9.9 million students were eligible for Pell Grants in 2024-25 – 6% more than the prior year, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office, or GAO. The report also found that 31% more students were eligible for the maximum award of $7,395 that year, and that much of the rise in eligibility rates took place for students with household incomes of $60,001-$125,000.
Spring Extravaganza hit different this year – music, food, games, and just good vibes all around. Everyone outside and actually enjoying campus life! Now this is what spring supposed to feel like.
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From Allan Hancock College:
A huge thank you to Chumash Casino Resort for donating more than 600 men’s and women’s suits to Hancock’s Career Closet. These gently used professional clothes will help students show up confidently for job interviews, internships, and new career opportunities.
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From Norco College:
Check out these moments from last week’s Yoga Health session! May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Remember, you are important. Your mental health is crucial. Let’s come together to prioritize our well-being!
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From Shasta College:
Really excited to attend the Scholarship Award Ceremony and celebrate the accomplishments of our Knights who were awarded scholarships to help their academic pursuits! Thanks to the Shasta College Foundation, we were able to give out $904,303 to deserving students. Congrats!
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From Ohlone College:
Hip-hip-hooray! Cheers to our Ohlone College MEChA and Puente graduates for walking the stage at this year’s MEChA/Puente Graduation. We celebrate our #Latinx students for reaching this important milestone and for their dedication to participating in MEChA and Puente.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Industrial Automation Students at BC Showcase Their Senior Projects
The Industrial Automation Department at Bakersfield College recently hosted their Senior Project Open House. The event took place in the robotics lab in the Science and Engineering building on BC’s Panorama Campus. The students proudly displayed their projects and were ready to answer questions while putting their projects into action. The senior projects are part of the requirements to receive a bachelor’s degree in the Industrial Automation program.
The public event attracted students, staff, and community members eager to see the senior projects. The projects focused on a wide variety of subject areas including agriculture, robotics, industrial processes, and more. There were more than a dozen projects on display and each one represented a culmination of an entire semester of planning, preparation, and work.
Started my week at ASU-GSV.. in San Diego. What is not to love about San Diego?
And at night –
And a short video during break from the conference:
The Chancellor’s Office showed up to ASU+GSV in full force back in 2024, when we were shaping the concept for the Digital Center, a concept that came before the Board in July 2024 and was adopted.
Now, two years later, in 2026, we returned again in full force, but this time, with a clearer sense of where this work needs to go next.
I also got a chance to present with will.i.am!
Michael Crow, Sonya Christian, will.i.am
Ran into President of National University, Mark Milliron. We have a great partnership with National.
Mark Milliron, Sonya Christian
Evening walk and talk with Lee Lambert planning for the Digital Center.
Later in the week, we visited College of the Desert, located in Palm Desert in the heart of the Coachella Valley, surrounded by one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing regions of inland Southern California. Founded in 1958, the college has now been serving students for nearly seven decades and first opened its doors in 1962 on a 160-acre campus. It was created through a local vote by residents who understood that higher education would be essential to the future of the desert communities.
What I appreciate about College of the Desert is how closely its story mirrors the region it serves … entrepreneurial, resilient, and always evolving. Over the years, the college has grown alongside the Coachella Valley, developing strong programs in nursing, agriculture, hospitality, public safety, and transfer education, all aligned with local workforce needs. It is also a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), reflecting the communities around it.
Andrea Reynolds, Tony Cordova, Student Jonathan Garcia (DJ Limon), Sonya Christian, Jesse Melgar, Val Garcia
Jonathan Garcia, who goes by DJ Limón appears to be a College of the Desert student based in Indio, active in student leadership, media, and the local creative scene. He is involved with Associated Students at College of the Desert, connected to COD Roadrunner Radio, and pursuing studies in film, television, and media.
Here we are with the culinary students who prepared an outstanding meal for us. The parfaits, beautifully layered and served in elegant slender tall cups, were as impressive visually as they were delicious. And the biscuits and gravy quickly became the talk of our team. Here’s to all our culinary students across the California Community College system.
The campus itself has a few unique touches. Its library was once a shared facility with both the City of Palm Desert and Riverside County, a reminder that community colleges often become true civic anchors. Today, under President Val Garcia’s leadership, College of the Desert continues to expand opportunity across the valley, including new campus development in Palm Springs and growing access for students throughout the region.
Board Chair Ronald Oden recited the poem “The Man in the Mirror” (also known as “The Guy in the Glass”) by Dale Wimbrow.
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon you must pass. The feller whose verdict counts most in your life Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest, For he’s with you clear up to the end, And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum, And think you’re a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.
After such a busy week, it was great to be enjoying the beautiful back yard. Happy to be back home.
Good morning California. It is April 18, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Cerritos College’s Innovative High School Credit Recovery Program Earns National Award, Transforming Students’ Futures
Cerritos College transformed the recovery process into an opportunity; the college’s credit recovery program was awarded the 2025-26 League for Innovation in Community Colleges Excellence Award. In collaboration with the Downey Unified School District, the college launched a program in Summer 2025 to help high school students recover credits for missed or failed classes.
San José City College Celebrates the Career Education Complex, Marking Largest Campus Investment in Decades
Students, faculty, classified professionals, elected officials, and community members gathered on the San José City College campus Tuesday evening to celebrate the completion of the Career Education Complex (CEC). This sprawling, four-story building represents the most significant investment in SJCC’s facilities since the college was founded more than a century ago. The new CEC building stands four stories tall and encompasses 91,000 square feet of classroom space, labs, and collaborative learning environments. Its design, led by Steinberg Hart Architects, was intentional from the ground up.
East Los Angeles College’s Sisterhood Expo Celebrates Women Who Lead, Build, and Inspire
On March 24th East Los Angeles College (ELAC) hosted the 2026 Sisterhood Expo, drawing community members to a vibrant marketplace celebrating women’s entrepreneurship. The event spotlighted women-owned businesses from across Los Angeles County, offering attendees the opportunity to shop, connect, and engage with the creative and entrepreneurial talent that defines the East LA community.
Barn Owls Take Flight on Moreno Valley College Campus
Moreno Valley College is advancing its approach to environmental stewardship by welcoming a new team of nocturnal specialists: barn owls. This innovative initiative marks a shift in the college’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, which is an ecosystem-based approach focused on long-term pest prevention through biological controls and habitat manipulation rather than traditional chemical pesticides. A single barn owl is capable of consuming approximately 1,500 rodents per year.
AI is remaking the workforce. How can colleges ensure students thrive?
Though the long-term effects of artificial intelligence on the job market remain to be seen, the rapidly developing technology has already begun changing how employers discuss work and hiring. Colleges now face the daunting task of preparing students for occupations that could look radically different in a relatively short timeframe.
A 2025 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that the rapid implementation of AI could simultaneously ease and worsen skills shortages, reducing the need for workers to complete some routine cognitive tasks but prompting demand for advanced technical and adaptive skills.
For the first time, students ages 18 to 20 made up the largest share of first-time associate degree earners, 32.6 percent, beating out older students ages 21 to 24. More broadly, the number of 18- to 20-year-olds who earned an associate degree was up 47.7 percent compared to a decade ago. A relatively small but fast-growing number of students under the age of 18—52,500—also earned their first undergraduate credentials. Students under 18 who completed their first associate degree tripled, while the number who finished their first certificates quadrupled. The report suggests that these trends reflect a surge in dual enrollment.
A simple conversation at Coastline College led to something extraordinary.
Meet Zekai Wu, a student veteran whose journey took him from the Veterans Resource Center to an acceptance at MIT in just 45 days.
See how the right support and a single moment can change everything. Read his story.
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From Reedley College:
Our Tiger Job Fair was a huge success!
A big thank you to all the employers and vendors who joined us to share valuable career opportunities and insights with our students and community. Your support made this event truly meaningful!
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From Modesto Junior College:
The 2026 Latinx Comic Arts Festival brought creativity, culture, and community together in a big way. Creatives from around the nation showcased their talents on MJC’s West Campus during the two day festival. Cartoonists, artists, writers, animators, and more displayed their work and shared their stories during speaker panels. Saturday guests were treated to an epic lowrider car show, where they could get a close-up of each unique ride and talk with the car builders. This festival is held every other year on MCC West Campus.
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From Santa Rosa Junior College:
An SRJC Culinary Arts student and an alumna just received $1,500 microgrants from the Sonoma Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage, and hospitality.
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Hien Pham (left photo) began as a cottage baker, working from her home kitchen to serve her Santa Rosa community. Today, she is the founder of Corner Bakehouse, a neighborhood microbakery grounded in whole grains, seasonal ingredients, and slow fermentation. Her work reflects a deep respect for traditional techniques and for the farmers who grow the ingredients she uses, many sourced here in Sonoma County and from her own garden. In addition to her bakery, Hien shares her knowledge through teaching and continues to refine her craft alongside some of the region’s most respected bakeries.
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Carlee Austin (photo on the right) has been building her culinary path from an early age, beginning with cooking classes as a child and continuing through her graduation from Santa Rosa Junior College’s Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management program. Carlee is focused on creating meaningful food experiences through cooking classes, private dinners, and other catered events, while working toward launching her own business through a micro-enterprise home kitchen operation (MEHKO) license.
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And Los Angeles Trade-Tech College shared pics from their 2026 Roots & Royalty Showcase.
On February 26, LATTC proudly celebrated Black History Month with “Roots & Royalty,” an inspiring showcase honoring the achievements, contributions, and rich history of the Black community. From a vibrant Fashion Showcase Extravaganza featuring District and LATTC students, faculty, and classified professional models, to stunning designs by U.S./Ghanaian brand UDefineU, the runway reflected the beauty, resilience, and elegance of African heritage. Guests also enjoyed standout contributions from our Culinary Arts, Fashion Design, and Cosmetology departments. A special highlight of the day was the jollof rice competition, where Culinary Arts students Donald Donaldson, Cherie Jones, and Shannon Jones presented their recipes—with congratulations to Cherie Jones for taking home the win! “Roots & Royalty” was a powerful reminder to honor the legacy of Black pioneers while uplifting the next generation of leaders, creatives, and changemakers.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Launches College Corps Career Development Program
This week, Bakersfield College announced an exciting partnership with College Corps which provides a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable professional development while earning money to help pay for college. BC has been awarded a $3.2 million dollar grant through the California Volunteers College Corps program to launch the initiative.
College Corps is a paid service and career training program at colleges and universities across the state. The goal is to connect students with local businesses and non-profit organizations to receive ongoing training, mentoring, and professional development while earning up to $10,000 for college. Participating students will have the opportunity to work in a variety of fields, including K-12 education, climate action, food security, and many others.
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
I watched the Grammy’s on Sunday. Apparently this is the last year on CBS – next year it will be on a streaming service ….. feels like a sign of the times …. a little bittersweet for those of us who made a night of it. I’ve always loved watching the Grammys. The anticipation, the surprise performances, the talent, the sense that for a few hours we were all tuned in together.
And since Superbowl is tomorrow I thought I would mention the hilarious scene with Trevor Noah and Bad Bunny.
You see, although Bad Bunny won big at the Grammys taking home major awards, he couldn’t officially perform on music’s biggest night because he’s contractually committed to headlining the SuperBowl LX halftime show which I will be watching tomorrow. Trevor Noah cheekily coaxed him into a spontaneous mini performance by singing Bad Bunny’s hit “DtMF” and bringing out a live band. Check it out….
I could not possibly list all my favorite parts….. but here is another – a tribute to Roberta Flack.
My favorite song:
Yesterday, after a loooong work week, I sank into the start of the Winter Olympics. Here are two of the many favorite moments from the Opening Ceremony.
One cool segment – Fantasia. In this surreal and joyful piece, dancers appeared with oversized heads representing the towering figures of Italian opera history, Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Loved the swirling colors, choreographed motion, and references to everything from opera to Renaissance aesthetics. Check it out. Check out the video on YouTube.
And a performance of Italy’s National Anthem by Laura Pausini. Before the national anthem, the stadium transformed into a runway in celebration of Giorgio Armani. Models moved across the field in silk suits the colors of the Italian flag, their silhouettes unmistakably Armani. Check out the video on YouTube.
Good morning California. It is February 7, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coastline College Launches First Dolphin Tank Pitch Competition to Support Former Foster Youth Entrepreneurs
Coastline College successfully hosted its first Dolphin Tank Pitch Competition, an innovative, Shark Tank–inspired capstone experience designed to support aspiring student entrepreneurs, with a special focus on students who are current or former foster youth. The event served as both a graduation celebration and a live pitch competition, giving students the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of experienced community leaders while receiving real-time feedback and mentorship.
Pending Sacramento City College Program Enhancement Will Address National Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Last month, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined leaders from the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento County, and the aviation industry at Mather Airport to celebrate Sacramento City College’s (SCC) progress toward becoming one of the nation’s only dual-certified Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs. Upon final approval, Sacramento City College would be the first Enhanced AT-CTI program on the West Coast, and one of only two institutions in the country with dual certification to train students for both tower and en route air traffic control careers.
A First Day, Reimagined: Inside San José City College’s New Career Education Complex
The Career Education Complex, now open for instruction, represents a significant shift in how San José City College imagines learning spaces. Over the course of the spring semester, 140 class sections will be taught inside the new facility, spanning career education programs and general education courses alike. English classes meet alongside high-tech labs. Students heading to their first lecture pass classmates gathering in open study areas and sunlit corridors.
Long Beach City College And Congressman Robert Garcia Announce $1.5 Million Community Project Funding
Thanks to the advocacy of Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Long Beach City College will receive $1.5 million in Community Project Funding to support the LBCC Child Development Center (CDC) at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TTC). The funding will be used to purchase and install new playground equipment at the TTC CDC. The funding will support a redesign of the center’s outdoor play area, replacing outdated equipment and creating a more functional space tailored specifically to early childhood use. The new playground equipment will serve children ages 3–5.
How Community Colleges Are Becoming America’s AI Talent Engine
In August 2024, while the technology world fixated on billion-dollar AI startups, something quieter but potentially more consequential was happening in American education. The National Science Foundation announced a $2.8 million grant to establish the National Applied AI Consortium—an initiative placing community colleges, not elite research universities, at the center of America’s AI workforce strategy.
The idea was deceptively simple: if artificial intelligence is going to reshape every industry from healthcare to manufacturing, then the technicians who implement, maintain, and work alongside these systems should come from the institutions that have always served as on-ramps to the American middle class.
Here are 5 reasons why 2026 is an exciting year for community colleges
Rising enrollment in short-term credential courses and community colleges is not a fluke.
Students—including young cohorts—are favoring affordable programs that lead directly to career opportunities, and community colleges are answering the call.
EAB, a higher education consulting firm, recently outlined five macro trends that help explain record-setting interest in the community colleges.
Giving tours = our favorite thing. Sharing the tech = even better. Thank you, @toyotausa community!
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From Napa Valley College:
Thank you, Congressman Mike Thompson, for taking the time to visit our campus and meet with our student leaders. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share the work happening at NVC and explore ways to further support student success. Your continued dedication to expanding educational opportunities makes a meaningful impact on our community.
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From Evergreen Valley College:
Retired judge LaDoris Cordell returned to EVC to speak to the campus as part of Black History Month.
Cordell was the first African American woman to serve on the bench in Northern California, serving on the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. Cordell graduated from Stanford Law School and became a respected jurist and advocate in the Bay Area, generations after her great-great-grandmother was a slave.
Cordell discussed being an “Upstander” and shared stories of those who caused good trouble. She ended with a quote from slave Araminta Ross, who said, Always remember, you have within you the strength, patience, and passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Ross changed her name to Harriet Tubman and became an American abolitionist, social activist, and upstander herself during the Civil War.
Cordell’s book, “Her Honor,” tells much of her story to readers.
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From Allan Hancock College:
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department donated one of its ambulances to AHC’s Public Safety Training Complex February 3.
The ambulance will be used by PSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program, and will help provide EMS students with realistic training.
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And Las Positas College shared some photos from their Winter Club & Resource Fair:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Recognition as a Black Serving Institution
Earlier this week, faculty, staff, students, and community members gathered on the CSS Lawn to kick off Black History Month and celebrate Bakersfield College’s recent recognition as a California designated Black-Serving Institution (BSI). The distinction is an important milestone highlighting BC’s commitment to advancing equity, access, and student success for Black students.
The event featured remarks from BC administrators, BC faculty, and community members, including BC President Dr. Stacey Pfluger, BC Faculty member Dr. Tommy Tunson, NAACP President of the Bakersfield Branch Patrick Jackson, and others. The event also included a special singing of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ by the Agapeland Christian Academy choir and concluded with food samples and a time for networking. It was an exciting way to kick off Black History Month at Bakersfield College.
Good morning California. It is August 2, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Diego College of Continuing Education Awarded $169k Grant to Launch First-Ever Rising Scholars Program for Justice-Impacted Students
San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) has been awarded a $169,387 three-year grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to launch its first-ever Rising Scholars Program at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC), a milestone achievement to advancing restorative education and reentry support.
Coastline College Makes History with Launch of Pace+ Competency-Based Education Program
On July 14, 2025, Coastline College officially launched Pace+, the first direct assessment Competency-Based Education (CBE) program in the California Community College system—marking a transformative milestone in higher education. Designed to expand access, flexibility, and equity, Pace+ empowers students to earn college credit by demonstrating mastery of skills rather than adhering to traditional semester timelines. Unlike traditional models based on classroom hours and academic calendars, Pace+ measures learning by what students know and can do, not by how long they sit in class. Students advance by mastering real-world competencies, allowing them to move faster, study flexibly, and save money.
MiraCosta Grant Targets 46 Percent RN Shortage with Apprenticeships and CSU Partnerships
To combat a critical 46 percent shortfall of registered nurses in the San Diego region, MiraCosta College has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure state grant to significantly expand its nursing program. The funding will allow the college to increase student enrollment by 26 percent, enhance clinical training through new simulation technologies, establish CSU transfer partnerships, and create an innovative LVN-to-RN apprenticeship model.
Glendale Community College Professional Development Center Partners with City of Glendale to Strengthen Workforce Development
The Professional Development Center (PDC) of Glendale Community College recently announced it partnered with the city to provide more than 300 Glendale employees with training on standard operating processes, customer service, leadership development and project management through a California Community Colleges Fund grant from the state’s Employment Training Panel (ETP).
Community College Daily: Nudging for success: How behavioral science can support smarter student decisions at community colleges
Community college students face a maze of high-stakes decisions — applying for aid, selecting courses, managing work schedules, and taking on loans. Yet many of these choices are made quickly, emotionally, and sometimes without fully understanding the long-term consequences.
Commentary: Let’s ensure every California student can fearlessly apply for financial aid
We are witnessing in real time the fears and worries of students from immigrant families become reality under the Trump administration. Worry that if they apply for federal financial aid, they could jeopardize the safety of their parents. Fear that working towards their educational goals could result in Immigration and Customs Enforcement showing up at their families’ homes and detaining them.
Now the college dreams of many California students are in jeopardy as they contemplate how to pursue an affordable higher education because accessing financial aid for college — including the state’s Cal Grants — requires filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a federal form managed by the US Department of Education.
It’s been an exciting month for Career Technical Education at Shasta College! Students from TRIO Upward Bound Summer Program got hands-on experience in CTE programs: Welding, Auto, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Agriculture, GIS, Water Treatment Technology, and Digital Arts.
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From Gavilan College:
Gavilan College showed up strong at the Gilroy Garlic Festival! We joined the opening ceremony, lit the Giant Garlic, and spent the weekend connecting with our community. Shoutout to our team who made it happen. Yes, we had garlic stress balls.
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From DeAnza College:
We were pleased to welcome the Hwaseong City Talent Development Foundation, their student delegates and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce to campus today! Thank you to President Omar Torres and Kat Filley, CEO of the @SVChamb, for speaking at the event.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Performing Arts Hosting Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion Concert
Bakersfield College’s Performing Arts Department has announced details for a special concert presented by students and musicians in the Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion summer class. The concert will present traditional Afrocuban music telling the stories of Yoruba folklore. This unique opportunity will take place Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 PM in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre. Admission is free and open to the public.
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.
