Tag Archives: College of the Sequoias

2026 Labor Day weekend … let’s take the day off, fly low, be quiet as a feather, and not say a word

Uncategorized September 5, 2026 1 Comment

Happy Labor Day!

The opening weeks of an academic year bring a special kind of energy …. students returning to the fall semester, classrooms filling, new beginnings taking shape, and the thousand details that somehow need our attention all at once. We have been moving at quite a pace.

That makes this Labor Day weekend especially well timed …a moment to step away. 

Labor Day carries a meaning that is relevant to community colleges. It recognizes the dignity of work and the people whose labor built our communities and continues to sustain them.

That is very much our story.

Faculty preparing for a new semester. Classified professionals helping a bewildered student find the right office. Counselors untangling schedules. Custodians getting classrooms ready. Trustees serving their communities. Student leaders welcoming their peers. Administrators solving the 37 things that somehow became urgent before 9:00 a.m.

This weekend, let’s stop thinking about enrollment reports, budgets, legislation, AI, accreditation, facilities … or whatever else ….

The problems will still be there on Tuesday….. I checked.

Instead, let’s exhale and take a little inspiration from the American poet Mary Oliver, who captures the feeling beautifully in her poem Today:

          Today I’m flying low and I’m
          not saying a word

          …. I’m taking the day off.
          Quiet as a feather.

A friend sent me this sunset pic.

I hope you all have a wonderful and restful Labor Day Weekend.

Good morning California.
It is September 5, 2026
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Imperial Valley College Students Find a New Home at Calexico Commons 

Imperial Valley College students are settling into brand-new, affordable student housing following the grand opening of Calexico Commons, a housing community developed in partnership with SDSU Imperial Valley. Located on the SDSU Imperial Valley campus, the modern complex offers a convenient, supportive environment situated just a short five-minute walk from two Calexico-to-IVC Express bus stops.

» Read more!  

Construction Begins on College of the Sequoias University Center,
Expanding Local Higher Education Opportunities

Construction is underway at the College of the Sequoias Visalia campus as the new University Center is being built. The project is designed to expand access to four-year and graduate-level education for students in Tulare and Kings counties while creating new opportunities for local workforce development. The project broke ground April 23, 2026, and remains a work in progress. The center is expected to open for the fall 2028 semester.

» Read more!

Laney College Brings Together Global Perspectives on the Future of AI Education

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries around the world, Laney College is moving beyond conversations about AI literacy and leading the next step: building AI fluency through hands-on learning, ethical understanding, and real-world application. Following recent international conversations on the future of AI education, Laney College once again welcomed educators, industry leaders, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and global partners from 5 different countries to explore how AI is changing the way people learn, work, and solve problems.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Fresno Pacific University, SCCCD colleges create
guaranteed transfer pathway for students

Fresno Pacific University and the State Center Community College District have formally launched a new partnership designed to make the transfer process easier and more predictable for local students pursuing four-year degrees.

Dozens of educators and administrators gathered Monday morning at Fresno Pacific University to celebrate the signing of the Sunbird Flight Plan: Direct Route to Admission, an agreement that guarantees admission to Fresno Pacific University for eligible transfer students from State Center’s colleges.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Clovis Community College:

President Armstrong recently spoke about leadership, discipline, and fearlessness at the Mamba event sponsored by Bank of America. A great opportunity to connect with the community

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From Ohlone College:

What has our Renegades smiling ear to ear? The start of a new semester and new headshots and pictures! Congrats to our students for starting the fall semester with great goals and energy.

Cheers to the first of many successful weeks of fall!

*****

From San Diego Mesa College:

Amazing day at the Black Student Success Resource Fair!

From connecting with campus resources to building community, networking, enjoying food, and music, it was a day centered on connection, empowerment, and student success.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event so meaningful!

*****

From College of the Desert:

This #ThrowbackThursday we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Vocational Nursing Program at College of the Desert!

“For 60 years, College of the Desert’s Vocational Nursing Program has provided students with the education and hands-on training needed to enter a profession that is essential to the health and well-being of our community,” – Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia.

We are proud to celebrate the generations of students, faculty, staff and healthcare partners who have contributed to the program’s success and lasting impact on the Coachella Valley.

*****

And check out this piece from CBS LA about East Los Angeles College:

Low-income Community College students from @EastLACollege have moved into @CalStateLA dorms with the promise that they’ll eventually transfer here. It’s a program created thanks to the partnership of the 2 schools and @laccd.

» Watch the video

And From the Home of the Renegades

Industrial Automation Commemorates 10 Years of Bachelors Degree Program

Last week was an important milestone for the Industrial Automation (INDA) program at Bakersfield College as it marked the 10-year anniversary of offering Bachelor of Science degrees. The four-year program focuses on the use of computer technology, electronics, and control systems in industrial environments. The program has experienced substantial growth since its inception and graduates from the program have gone on to work for NASA, AERA Energy, The Wonderful Company, Tesla, and many more.

Carlos Medina, Program Manager for INDA, talked about the history and successes of the program. “This is our ten-year anniversary of the program,” he said, “we were approved to offer a bachelor’s degree in 2015, and we accepted our first students in 2016.” Since then, the program has had more than 150 students receive bachelor’s degrees, and the May 2026 graduating class featured 34 students who completed the program. The starting salary for students completing their AS degree is around $70,000 a year, and students earning their BS degree earning around $100,000 a year. “We have students working at NASA, Boeing, and local companies like Amazon, the Walmart distribution center, Bolthouse Farms, and others” said Carlos, “nearly all the big companies – we have students from our program working there.”

» Read more!

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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

Our students bring us joy

Uncategorized March 7, 2026 Leave a comment

Last Friday, I caught the redeye to Toronto to spend the weekend with my daughter. This winter has been quite something. Storms seem to be sweeping across North America one after another.  Snow, wind, delays, and travel plans constantly shifting.

My daughter wasn’t feeling well, and it was very cold outside, so we stayed in. The fireplace was on, blankets were out, and we ended up binge-watching Monarch: The Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV. If you enjoy a little sci-fi and adventure, it’s a fun show.  The story moves across three generations, shifting back and forth between scenes of the grandparents when they were young and their grandchildren in the present.

I always listen to CBC when I am in Canada. Last weekend while I was listening, they announced the nominees for the 2026 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

One of the nominations this year was Sade. 

Here is one of my favorites:

From Toronto, I headed to Washington, DC to join our Student Senate for their inaugural federal advocacy visit. The flight to DC was delayed three hours, which, looking back, was just the beginning of the travel adventures.

Once I arrived, though, the energy from our students made it all worthwhile. The room was alive with music, dancing, and an inspiring keynote speaker. Watching our students step forward to advocate for community college students across the country was truly food for the soul.

Here I am with the keynote speaker and the President of SSCCC

Eric Mayes, Jerry Reyes, Sonya Christian

Then came the trip home. Just as our plane in DC was about to leave, it started snowing. We had already boarded and ended up sitting on the tarmac for three hours waiting to be de-iced. After that came a five-hour flight to Phoenix. By the time we landed, I had missed my connecting flight, so I spent the night in Phoenix and took the next flight the following day. Delays are part of a heavy travel schedule. I try to just settle into it and not let my nervous system get into overdrive. Try is probably the key word.

From there, it was Long Beach at 72 degrees for the A2MEND conference.

A2MEND does extraordinary work supporting the success of African American men in higher education. Being in that space with educators and students who are so deeply committed to this mission is just fantastic.

Here is a picture of folks from my Office.

Keetha Mills, Sonya Christian, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Pam Haynes, Abdumalik Buul, Linda Vasquez, Rowena Tomenang, Elaine, Aiesha Lowe

Was so happy to see folks from Kern!

Here with Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and NaTesha Johnson

And then finally… back home to my boy Neo. Check out this quick little video of him engaging with the ducks that visit our pool in the spring. Neo is very interested. The duck, on the other hand, seems completely unbothered.

And spring has arrived with flower gardens popping up in houses. I snapped these for you.

After a week of snowstorms, flights, delays, and conferences, I have to say it feels really good to wake up at home this Saturday morning and share a little bit of the week with you.

Good morning California.
It is March 7, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Barstow Community College Awarded $750,000
to Expand Rural Mental Health Services

Barstow Community College has been awarded $750,000 in federal funding to expand its Rural Mental Health Services Program and increase access to unmet mental health care needs in Barstow and surrounding rural communities. This award also builds on Barstow Community College’s recent partnership with the Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation through the Vibrant Villages Barstow initiative.

» Read more!

Carbajal Visits Ventura Collegeto
Understand Student Cost-of-living Crisis

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal visited Ventura College on Feb. 19. Carbajal’s talk was part of a tour of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to learn more about the student affordability crisis and other issues affecting residents. Sudents who got to speak to Carbajal were recommended by different departments across campus.

» Read more!

New Health Products Vending Machine Now Available
in Los Angeles Pierce College Library Courtyard

Pierce College has installed a new Health Products Vending Machine in the Library courtyard area, expanding convenient access to essential wellness resources for students. The machine provides a range of items supporting sexual health, personal health, and general health, offering students discreet and easy access to important supplies throughout the day. 

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Expanding credit for prior learning

Turning prior learning, work experience, military service and other credentials into college credit can save students time and money. Despite that benefit, it’s been underutilized.

Only about 11% of adult learners, for example, have benefited from prior learning assessment (PLA) – also referred to as credit for prior learning (CPL) – according to a 2020 report from the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL) and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

There are a lot of different reasons for that, says Beth Doyle, CAEL’s chief of higher education strategy and impact: It’s not talked about or promoted broadly at the college level, and processes may be burdensome for students – and for colleges.

Though there are resources and guidance available, such as the American Council on Education’s (ACE) learner evaluations and the Competency-Based Education Network’s (CBEN) learning model, each college has to develop its own policies and processes – and get faculty and staff on board.

Doyle is seeing a positive shift, though, as colleges move toward more and better use of PLA. 

“Institutions are getting more sophisticated in how to assess,” she says.

» Read more!

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Coalinga College ‘Farm of the Future’ explores agave
as sustainable crop for West Side farmers

Water is a valuable resource for farmers across the Central Valley.

The Farm of the Future at Coalinga College is no exception.

“You know, the restrictions of water allocations are severe, and we’ve got to continue to look for ways to keep West Side farmers in agriculture, and whether that be through alternative or experimental crops,” Director of Coalinga College’s Farm of the Future Seth Yocum said.

Yocum says they are currently growing pistachios – a crop known to require a large amount of water. Because of that, many other acres of land have been left uncultivated to conserve water use.

But recently, thanks to a donation from Wolf Farms, a new crop has been added. It’s one that requires drastically less water to grow: agave.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

College of the Sequoias shared this pic of their students who attended A2MEND:

*****

From Woodland Community College:

Thank you to all the students who stopped by and made a sodalicious Italian sodas!

*****

From College of Marin:

What an unforgettable day for our campus community!

We were proud to celebrate the grand opening of the Dr. David Wain Coon Center for Student Success and it was amazing to see students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members come together for this special moment.

The CSS is a welcoming new hub that brings academic resources, student support services, wellness programs, and community spaces together in one place. Watching everyone explore the building, connect with services, and celebrate made the day truly meaningful.

A special thank you to Dr. David Wain Coon, former COM President and Superintendent, Jonathan Eldridge, current COM President and Superintendent, Dana Emerson, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Affairs, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California’s First Partner, for helping us mark this important milestone.

*****

And I loved these beautiful pictures of flowers on Chabot College’s campus –

Spring is slowly approaching at Chabot. The campus is blooming with fresh colors and that new-season energy we’ve all been waiting for. There’s something about walking through these flowers that makes everything feel like we’re entering the next chapter

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

Recently, Bakersfield College hosted the annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. This exciting event brings together young women from high schools from across Kern County to learn more about engineering and STEM career fields. The day is filled with a variety of activities, including engineering panels, professional development workshops, a keynote speaker, and more.

Sara Sullivan, Program Manager of the California Renewable Energy Lab at Kern CCD and one of the event coordinators, talked about the importance of the event, “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is important because it expands access and opportunity for young women who may not otherwise see engineering as an attainable career,” she said, “The event highlights the importance of diversity in STEM fields and aims to motivate young women to imagine themselves in technical careers.”

» 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

A Love Letter to the California Community Colleges on Valentine’s Day 2026

Uncategorized February 14, 2026 Comments: 12

Dear California Community Colleges:

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

California CCs advancing Vision 2030 Workforce Development

Uncategorized August 10, 2024 1 Comment

The Fastest Man in the World.

Last Sunday, The US’s Noah Lyles took gold in the men’s 100M final. It was a photo-finish; he beat the silver medalist, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, by only .005 seconds. It was another in a series of amazing finishes and great story lines that have been all over these Olympic Games.

A huge congratulations to Diablo Valley College student Amit Elor, who took gold in 68kg women’s wrestling. Her cumulative score during the Games? 31-2.

20-year-old Amit is the youngest American to ever win wrestling gold at the Olympics.

Former Giant Quincy Hall made College of the Sequoias proud with a comeback win to take the men’s 400M gold. College of the Sequoias hosted a watch party –

Check out the race video from NBC Sports.

And congratulations to MiraCosta College student Bryce Wettstein, who made the finals for Women’s Sktateboarding Park, ending up in 6th place.

*****

As for me …..

This week I signed a MOU with Jensen Huang of NVIDIA and Governor Gavin Newsom as we launched a new state initiative to expand AI tools and resources for students, educators and workers.

This initiative will help our more than 2 million students get prepared with industry aligned skills in AI, and will support our Vision 2030 work about Generative AI and the Future of Learning.

Next I made a stop in Orange County to attend the Credit for Prior Learning workshop. It was a great conversation of how we can scale this work and bring it from the margins to the mainstream.

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Erin Larson, Gar Adams, Sam Lee, Gina Browne, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Michelle Smith, David O’Brien, Sonya Christian, Billy Wagner, Ginni May

Then I headed south to San Diego to speak at the Hunt Institute. I try to always squeeze in a walk when I am in San Diego.

*****

Good morning California.
It is August 10, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

U.S. Department of Commerce Leader Alejandra Castillo
Tours Chaffey College’s InTech Center

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo visited the Industrial Technical Learning Center with Congresswoman Norma Torres on July 26 to learn how the federal government can support workforce development in the Inland Empire.

» Read more!

College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team
Receives $136,000 Grant from NASA

It’s all systems go for the College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team (AST), which has received a $136,000 grant from NASA to support its High-Altitude Student Platform (HASP), RockOn, and RockSat-X suborbital rocket programs.  To date, COC is the only community college that has successfully participated in HASP eight years in a row, as well as four RockSatX missions and two RockOn missions.

» Read more!

Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC
Achieves Unprecedented Success

In June 2024, 52 students graduated from Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC with Associate Degrees for Transfer. This milestone was marked by the first graduation ceremony since 2019 that allowed the presence of family and friends, making it a particularly special event for the graduates and their loved ones. According to the 2024 Rehabilitative Programming Report by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program at CRC has awarded more college degrees than any other CDCR institution.

» Read more!

MSJC’s Roger Schultz Elected as League Board Chair,
CEOCCC Board President

Roger Schultz, Ph.D., Mt. San Jacinto College’s President/Superintendent, has been elected as the President of the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board of the Community College League of California. Schultz will also serve as the Chair for the Community College League of California (League) Board of Directors.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

California Community Colleges Expanding Nursing Programs
to Meet State’s Regional Nursing Shortages

The California Community Colleges announced the launch of a new initiative to increase the number of nurses to meet the growing needs of California’s aging and diverse population.

Twelve community colleges convened in a virtual kick-off of the associate degree for nursing demonstration project led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The goal of the initiative, part of the community colleges’ Vision 2030 strategic framework, is to increase enrollment in associate degree nursing programs to address the shortage of registered nurses in rural and remote areas while ensuring equity in access to the profession.

The 12 colleges participating in the demonstration project are: Butte College, Cabrillo College, Monterey Peninsula College, Bakersfield College, Modesto Junior College, Cuesta College, Ventura College, Golden West College, Saddleback College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside City College, and College of the Desert.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angles Harbor College:

Harbor College celebrating DSPS pride month College President, Dr. Dorado and VP, Dr. Dorado welcoming students Go Seahawks!!

*****

From Bakersfield College’s Kimberly Bligh:

Love love love our Bridge to BC team. One week to go for Summer 24… 10 years and over 15,000 students served!

*****

From Allan Hancock College:

The Santa Maria Valley YMCA, in collaboration with Allan Hancock College, hosted a RiseUP Bridging Ceremony Aug. 2 celebrating the achievements of local youth as they transition to higher education and future careers.

*****

From Ventura College President Claudia Lourido-Habib:

I’m grateful for my admin team’s openness & contributions during a productive leadership retreat. Grounded in the student experience, we worked towards increasing team cohesion and collaboration so we can lead and support our colleagues

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC History Highlight: Memorial Stadium

The Bakersfield College Memorial Stadium was not an easy feat for those credited with its creation, but certainly a triumph! The stadium was the first structure completed on Bakersfield College’s Panorama campus, and the construction plans were meticulously assembled. It required intensive research and close attention to detail by Theron McCuen, then Superintendent of the Kern County Union High School and Junior College District and its Board of Trustees, and then BC President Ralph Prator, who contributed significantly to realizing Grace Bird’s vision of a college on a hill.

» 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

California Community Colleges Driving Positive Impact

Uncategorized July 13, 2024 1 Comment

39 years ago today, on July 13, 1985, the Live Aid concert was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. One of the most memorable performances was Queen. Check out this video of “Radio Ga Ga”:

***

On July 14th, eight years ago in 2016, the Kern CCD Board of Trustees voted to put Measure J on the November ballot.

***

Was in Clayton, Georgia last weekend for a family reunion. My first visit to this beautiful state… so green with majestic oaks, pines, rhododendrons…. Woke up in the morning to birds chirping away. Did not snap pictures for you like I usually do. Just close your eyes and imagine.

Good morning California.
It is July 13, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cabrillo, Clovis Take Top Honors at MATE ROV Competition

Cabrillo College Team
Clovis Community College Team

Each year, the MATE ROV Competition pushes students to the forefront of real-world
underwater technology. The 2024 competition is no exception, with innovative mission tasks
designed to address critical global issues under the theme of ‘CREATING SOLUTIONS.’

In preparation, participants have engaged in diverse and impactful projects, from expanding
the Global Ocean Observing System, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and developing
ocean-based climate solutions. This year’s tasks include deploying advanced ocean observing
assets for data collection, installing state-of-the-art submarine telecommunications cables,
administering probiotics to heal diseased coral, identifying healthy habitats for lake sturgeon,
and deploying autonomous robotic floats to monitor ocean health.

The Cabrillo College team won in the EXPLORER Class Category.

» Read more about Cabrillo College’s win!

The Clovis Community College team took first place in the PIONEER Class category.

» Read more about Clovis Community College’s win!

How Calbright College Connected With San Diego (And Camp Pendleton)

Calbright is statewide – right now they have students in 52 of California’s 58 counties – and they’re always looking to make new connections with new communities in every corner of the state. In May and June that meant a special emphasis on southern California, where Calbright attended three different events in Oceanside and San Diego.

» Read more!

Crafton Hills College and CONFIRE: Pioneering Partnership
for EMT Training and Employment

In a groundbreaking move, Crafton Hills College has forged a partnership with local employers to address a pressing need in the community: emergency medical technicians (EMTs). With a vision to bridge the gap between education and employment, the college has collaborated with CONFIRE’s Priority Ambulance to launch a program that not only trains aspiring EMTs but also guarantees them employment.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

CalMatters: California Boosts Spending to
Help Students Earn Math and Science Degrees

California allotted millions of dollars in 2022 to create MESA programs at community colleges across the state. Currently, 91 out of 115 campuses have programs established, with three more set to create one next year. The state hopes the expansion will reduce barriers to STEM jobs for “underserved and underrepresented” students. As the initiative rolls out statewide, questions remain about how long the funding will last, and how the programs can track how well they’re working.  

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Oxnard College:

This summer, our Trio Upward Bound Program welcomes over 50 students from Hueneme and Channel Islands High schools to participate in its Summer Program. This week, the students took a break from classes by having a field day!

*****

From San Bernardino Valley College:

SBVC collaborated with the San Bernardino Symphony for the third annual SummerFest last Saturday!

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From College of the Sequoias:

Former Giant Quincy Hall just ran a 43.8 in the 400m in a tune up race for the Olympics. He ran a 44.18 to win the USA trials just a few weeks ago. His 43.8 is the best time in the world this year in the 400m. Go Giants!

*****

And check out this video from American River College celebrating their Early College Academy graduates:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Project HireUp Summer 2024 Graduation

It was a day of celebration and optimism as Bakersfield College and CityServe Educational Collaborative celebrated the graduating participants of Cohort #12 of Project HireUp. This unique project provides education and training to adults seeking reentry into the workforce or higher education programs. Project HireUp aims to decrease homelessness in the community through a creative and innovative partnership that supports students currently experiencing housing insecurity or other setbacks.

» 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