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 hope you are all enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend surrounded by family and friends.
I am in Toronto right now… spent Thanksgiving with my daughter. We are expecting the first snow of the season to roll in late Saturday. I’m already imagining what it will be like to wake up to a blanket of white outside the window … instantly puts you in the Christmas spirit.
I am so blessed with incredible people in my life – family, friends, colleagues.
And eternally thankful for our entire California Community Colleges family, and for all of the amazing students we are privileged to support in our mission of access, equity, and opportunity.
Here are a few fun photos from the last few weeks:
The famous Linda Vasquez selfie
Larry Galizio and the League team put on an inspiring convention.
Linda Vasquez, Sonya Christian, Larry Galizio, Rowena Tomaneng, Chris Ferguson
Good morning California. It is November 29, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
College of the Siskiyous Holds Groundbreaking Event for New Student Housing Facility
College of the Siskiyous is proud to announce a new student housing development aimed at addressing critical housing shortages in the Weed community. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the City of Weed, represents a major step toward supporting both student success and community recovery.
LYLA Conference Inspires Launch of College of the Redwood’s Indigenous Language Institute
This year’s Live Your Language Alliance (LYLA) gathered at College of the Redwoods from August 11–14, alongside CR’s Indigenous Language Institute (CR ILI). Speakers, learners, and cultural leaders from across the United States gathered for a week dedicated to language preservation, education, and community connection. Participants engaged in hands-on learning around grammar, digital teaching tools, and online language resources, while “language time” encouraged attendees to speak in their languages, not just speak about them.
Nissan Donates Two All-Electric Vehicles to El Camino College’s Automotive Program
El Camino College is proud to announce a generous donation from Nissan North America, which has provided two all-electric Nissan vehicles to the school’s automotive program. This contribution will offer students invaluable, hands-on experience with cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) technology—preparing them for the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Vibrant Villages Barstow Partners with Barstow Community College and High Desert Second Chance to Restore Food Distribution in Barstow
Barstow Community College’s Basic Needs Center, led by Magaly Rojas, has partnered with Vibrant Villages Barstow, led by Executive Director Juan Rivera, and High Desert Second Chance to bring back and expand food distribution services for local nonprofits. Supported by IEHP Foundation, the program provides a steady supply of fresh food every Monday from 8 to 10 a.m., now reaching Fort Irwin’s military families as well.
Come as you are: Noncredit coursework is the hidden engine of California’s workforce
Adult education is one of California’s best avenues for helping our communities move forward, yet it doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves. These free courses allow adult learners to build skills and earn credentials without the roadblocks that can make higher education feel out of reach.
Adult education practitioners must actively reach out to individuals facing barriers such as low digital literacy, limited English, employment gaps, mental health challenges, poverty or incarceration, and draw them into our programs.
MPC’s International Student Program (ISP) recently celebrated our F-1 students in honor of International Education Week! International education expands horizons, promotes cultural exchange, and enriches our campus here at MPC. Thank you to all of our ISP students who picked MPC!
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From Chaffey College:
Chaffey celebrated its 22nd annual International Education Week through a vibrant celebration of culture and conversation! We kicked off the week with a panel discussion featuring Chaffey’s international students, faculty, and staff as they shared their educational experiences from around the world. Yesterday, we continued the celebration with live performances, cultural tables, international cuisine, and more!
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From Antelope Valley College:
Umoja’s Grateful Gathering brought students, staff, and mentors together for an afternoon of connection, culture, and delicious food Thank you to @avcumoja for continuing to create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered.
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From American River College:
American River College’s Renewable Energy Program recently received a significant visit from Heidi Sanborn, SMUD’s elected Board Member representing Ward 7 in which ARC is located, at the ARC Solar Lab on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Scheduled a month in advance, Ms. Sanborn’s visit offered invaluable insights to our students. During her time with the class, she delivered an inspiring speech and engaged with students by answering their questions about the vital future of renewable energies, particularly solar, and the job opportunities within the sector. Students described her address as highly motivating and found her perspective on the industry’s future to be extremely helpful.
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From Gavilan College:
Thank you to ASGC for a thoughtful, generous thrift event this week. The care put into collecting and sharing clothing made a real difference for students and gave hundreds of items a second life. Grateful for the heart behind this work.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Fall Holiday Season with Friendsgiving and Turkey Giveaway
In celebration of the Fall Holiday Season, Bakersfield College hosted two events to bring community together, play games, provide aid, and eat delicious food.
On Monday, BC’s Renegade Nexus, in partnership with the Bakersfield College Foundation, hosted a Holiday Harvest Giveaway in which they distributed more than 250 turkeys to enrolled students. Students were invited to the Renegade Pantry, showed their student IDs, and received a free turkey to share with friends and family during the holidays.
September 24 plan: McDonald’s fries for Mom’s birthday. Reality: work hijacked the day, so I honored mom with bonus potato chips. Happy birthday mom. Miss you everyday.
It was back to Orange County this week as we kicked off the California Adult Education Summit in Anaheim.
This annual event is presented by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the California Department of Education in partnership with the CAEP Technical Assistance Providers, North Orange Continuing Education, the Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
Good morning California. It is September 27, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Diego City College Celebrates Grand Opening of AANHPI Connections Center
San Diego City College proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Connections Center on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The event, held at the Business and Technology Quad, marked the official launch of the college’s newest identity space dedicated to fostering belonging, cultural pride, and student success.
Solano Community College Unveils Solar-Powered Soofa Signs, Ushering in a New Era of Smart, Sustainable Campus Communication
Solano Community College (SCC) proudly announces the installation of solar-powered Soofa Signs across its Fairfield campus, marking a significant stride toward sustainable innovation and enhanced community engagement. These state-of-the-art digital kiosks, powered entirely by solar energy, provide real-time information on campus events, transit updates, and community news, aligning seamlessly with SCC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and modern communication.
College of the Siskiyous Partners with NACCE to Launch Everyday Entrepreneur Program
College of the Siskiyous (COS) is proud to announce its participation in the Everyday Entrepreneur (EE) Program, a national initiative led by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to start and grow small businesses in their local communities. The program is designed to serve both students and community members with the ambition and passion to create or expand a small business.
Citrus College is significantly expanding its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to prepare more graduates for successful health care careers. This growth is in response to increased student demand and will help address the region’s critical shortage of skilled medical professionals. For more than a year, Citrus College has collaborated closely with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to grow the scope of the program. Last month, the BRN granted the college its official approval to increase enrollment from 30 to 120 students each year, opening the door for more aspiring nurses to begin their careers.
OPINION: Rural community colleges are uniquely positioned to tackle complex regional challenges and drive community transformation. Here’s how
Every person deserves a place close to home where they can learn, grow and build a better future. In rural areas, that place is often a community college.
But in today’s environment, community colleges are under threat. Enrollment has been declining for most of the past 15 years as increasing numbers of Americans question the value of higher education. Recent reductions in federal support for college programs and for low-income Americans will almost certainly create additional pressure on community colleges to deliver education more effectively and efficiently.
But improving delivery alone will not be enough to regain trust, enrollment and government investment. Rural community colleges must become rural development hubs, delivering value by bridging economic, social and civic sectors to address regional challenges.
» Read more!
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Santiago Canyon College/UC Irvine Partnership Streamlines Master’s Degree in Accounting
Students who earn an associate degree in accounting at Santiago Canyon College are well-prepared for a variety of entry-level positions, as well as promotional opportunities, in such areas as accounts receivable/payable, income tax preparation, payroll and more.
However, those seeking to aim higher are encouraged to enter a unique program that will fast-track them toward an eventual master’s degree in this in-demand field.
Created through a partnership between SCC and UC Irvine, the SCC and UCI 2+2+1 Masters of Accountancy Pathway Program closes the gap between a community college and a graduate degree. Students spend two years completing prerequisite courses at SCC, earn a bachelor’s degree at UCI (or another accredited four-year university) over the next two years and complete UCI’s Master of Professional Accountancy Program the final year: hence the term “2+2+1.”
California Native American Day – A celebration with drummers, dancers, cultural practitioners, artists & poets
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From Cañada College:
Womxn of Color Collaborative kicked off Fall 2025 with a powerful Community Circle! Students, faculty, and staff shared reflections on today’s social and political climate, found affirmation, and wrapped up with food & fellowship.
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From Ventura College:
La Batalla Esta Aquí We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a multimedia presentation explaining the Chicano/a Movement. Thank you Dr. Elias Serna for this great discussion about ethnic studies.
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From College of Marin:
Club Fest 2025 is in the books! Thanks to everyone who joined us, here’s to an exciting year ahead!
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From De Anza College:
Welcome Day was a blast! Thank you to everyone who made this day possible. We were so glad to see so many of you back on campus today for the start of fall quarter!
And From the Home of the Renegades
VP of Student Services César Jiménez Named to 20 Under 40
Bakersfield College is proud to celebrate Vice President of Student Services César Jiménez, who has been recognized as one of Bakersfield’s 20 Under 40.
At 39, César has already built a career defined by service and community impact. Born and raised in Chicago, he came to Bakersfield in 2023 and quickly found a home here, embracing the city’s mix of opportunity and small-town connection. “I have been loving every single moment living in this great city,” he says.
Nothing beats jasmine in full bloom. The fragrance…
I had the trellis for the jasmine installed during the COVID lockdown.
And the second trellis –
I wanted to share a few events I was at recently.
The Orange County AI and Gen Z Summit was a great event. Here’s a short excerpt from my remarks:
What was the first piece of technology that changed your world?
For Boomers, it might have been the moon landing broadcast on a black-and- white TV.
For Gen X, maybe it was the Walkman. I witnessed the dawn of the internet.
For Millennials, it was probably Napster.
And for Gen Z? It may be when ChatGPT answered a question better than a textbook.
These stories help us anchor rapid change in shared human experience. And right now, artificial intelligence is shaping a new chapter in how we live, learn, work, and relate.
I also participated in a fireside chat with Cheryl Aschenbach at the ASCCC Plenary.
It was a great conversation and I was astonished at the quantify of work we have advanced in the last two years with the Academic Senate.
After my travels it is always good to be home.
Neo, the 100-pound gentle giant has a surprising hobby—gardening. Not the dig-up-the-yard kind, but the delicate, blade-by-blade grass selection from overgrown flower beds. You’d think a mouth that big would bulldoze everything in its path, but Neo approaches his grassy buffet as a delicacy—sniff, inspect, nibble…. avoiding every geranium petal.
Good morning California. It is May 3, 2025 A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Hard Hats & High Tech: Exploring Career Education at Santa Rosa Junior College
KCRB’s “The 707” radio show recently featured career education at Santa Rosa Junior College. They toured the Construction Training Center to see hands-on building skills in development and exploring the technological advancements fostered in their STEM education labs.
Los Angeles Valley College Speech & Debate Team earns National Medals at Phi Rho Pi Forensic Tournament
Students on the LAVC Speech & Debate Team brought home with four prestigious awards at the 2025 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Competition that was held in Norfolk, Virginia last month. LAVC’s Speech and Debate Team has participated in the competition since the 1970s, and many of its team members have earned top awards over the years, including the team being the tournament champions in 1999, 2008 and 2009.
More Than a Place to Stay: How Saddleback College Supports Students Facing Housing Insecurity
Rising rents, unstable family dynamics, and economic pressures have made housing insecurity an increasingly common occurrence, even in a traditionally affluent area like Orange County. Thanks to a growing network of support services, Saddleback College is working hard to ensure that no student is left behind simply because they don’t have a permanent address.
Riverside City College Hosts Inaugural AAPI Arts & Culture Event
On Friday, April 11, Riverside City College proudly hosted its first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Arts & Culture event, a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and scholarship. The event was organized by RCC’s Asian Pacific Student Union (APSU) and the Office of the Vice President of Student Services, with support from ASRCC and the RCC Art & Art History Department.
Four Female Inmates from FCC Victorville Make History by Attending College Outside Prison
In January 2025, four female inmates housed at the Satellite Camp of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Victorville became the first federal inmates in the country to attend community college outside of a correctional facility.
California Community Colleges Closing in on 100,000 Registered Apprenticeships this National Apprenticeship Day
Momentum is carrying the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce development and training provider, toward a key milestone — 100,000 registered apprenticeships. This comes as the system’s 116 colleges, along with their partners across the state, celebrate National Apprenticeship Day today.
Apprenticeship programs offer cutting-edge, hands-on career training and classroom learning, paving the way for higher-wage, high-growth careers. The California Community Colleges is playing a crucial role in Gov. Newsom’s goal of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029 and in the newly released Master Plan for Career Education. To date, there are more than 96,000 registered apprentices in the system. This is about 20% of the goal, with four years still to go.
An amazing conversation with the legendary Civil Rights Activist Delores Huerta
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From San Joaquin Delta College:
PUENTE Celebration Recap. Congratulations to our grads!
Puente, Spanish for “bridge”, is a national award-winning program that has helped thousands of students reach their dreams of college success — and yesterday, we honored another step in that journey.
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From College of the Redwoods:
The Career fair was a hit! Thank you to everyone who came out for this event!
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And check out this video from College of the Siskiyous:
You may have seen some smoke coming from the Fire Academy last week?
Our cadets got the opportunity to do some live wildland fire training in our own backyard. With the help of Siskiyous CalFire, and the Weed City Fire Department, they were able to provide real live fire training in a safe controlled environment.
Great job to our cadets for working successfully throughout each scenario, and thank you again to Siskiyous CalFire and Weed City Fire Department for your support.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Garden Fest 2025 Blooms with Community Spirit Despite Rainy Weather
Bakersfield College and the Horticulture Department proudly hosted the much-anticipated Garden Fest 2025 this past weekend, and this year’s festival delivered a truly unforgettable experience! Despite the unexpected downpour of rain, the turnout remained strong, with enthusiastic guests exploring a diverse array of booths, activities, and entertainment.
With more than 100 local businesses and organizations participating, Garden Fest offered something for everyone, creating an engaging and memorable experience that highlighted the college’s deep-rooted commitment to community and education.
It has been heartbreaking with the fires in southern California being fanned by the Santa Ana winds. We have all watched our fire fighters run towards the danger to save people, animals, and homes. Let’s take a moment to honor them – their skill, dedication, and selflessness keeps us safe and uplifts our communities.
California Community Colleges train large numbers of our first responders. I am so proud of our colleges.
In that spirit, let me share this post from College of the Siskiyous celebrating heroic, lifesaving efforts by 4 of their students:
“Last nights monthly Board of Trustees Meeting recognized some of our Paramedic and Fire Academy Students for their lifesaving skills during a recent call.
“On December 9th 2024 Lake Shastina Fire was dispatched to a medical 911 call for a 74 year old male with chest pain. 4 responding Lake Shastina student firefighters arrived, and the patient answered the door to let the firefighters in. He was walking around the living room, talking and completely coherent and responsive. While the students were doing a patient assessment and taking vitals, he suddenly collapsed in his chair. They tried to wake him and attempted a sternum rub with no response. The firefighters then checked for a pulse and did not find one.
“They quickly pulled him out of the chair to lay him on the floor and begin life saving measures. One of the firefighters ran out to the engine to grab the AED while the other 3 performed CPR. Once the AED was applied the patient was shocked twice during multiple rounds of CPR. At this point the patient was stable enough to load him into the ambulance to transport to the hospital. He started to gain consciousness while in route to Mercy Medical Center. Once arrived, he was flown to Redding for emergency heart surgery due to a heart attack.
The patient has recovered and wrote the following letter:
On 12/9/24, while visiting my daughter, I suffered a heart attack. At the time of the event four of your members were on site. Because of their quick reaction and skill, I’m able to write this Thank You Note! My Gratitude isn’t just to the gentlemen on scene, but to all of YOU.
Again, thank you for what you did and what you do! I’m on the mend, feeling well and extremely grateful for the way things turned out. God Bless!
The 4 firefighters were recognized by The American Heart Association and received the Heartsaver Hero Award.
Pictured from left to right: Jase Rothenberger, Tobias Medina, Matt Maben (patient), Christian Cerezo, and Nathan Ade.”
On a more personal note, last weekend, I watched a 2018 movie that was on one of my streaming services – The Samuel Project. A wonderful heartwarming drama where a teen artist, Eli, connects with his grandfather Samuel through a school project. As Eli uncovers Samuel’s Holocaust survival story, their bond deepens. It is a beautiful family story. Check out the trailer.
Good morning California. It is January 25, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Santa Monica College Holds Disaster Support Distribution Event
For just over a week, the Santa Monica College Foundation worked to gather essential items for community members who’ve been impacted by the recent wildfires. Now all those items have to find the people who need them. The college’s gym now resembles a department store of free goods, with dozens of tables teeming with neatly folded clothes for babies, children, and adults. As shoppers enter, they’re handed a large, blue shopping bag. Once inside, they’re greeted by upbeat music and a sea of mylar balloons.
Compton College Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Student Housing Facility
Last Friday, the Compton Community College District held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for its new Student Housing facility on campus! The new Student housing is targeted for completion in summer 2027 and will accommodate 250 students.
College of the Redwoods Announces Fire Instruction Partnership
College of the Redwoods is proud to announce a new partnership through an Instructional Services Agreement (ISA) with the Humboldt County Fire Instructors Association (HCFIA) and the CAL FIRE Humboldt Del Norte Unit. Once the curriculum is shared and implemented, HCFIA students will go through College of the Redwoods, allowing CR to grow its cohort and train more students. Teaching will initially occur at CR, HCFIA, and CAL FIRE facilities, ensuring greater access to training across the region.
Cerritos College Student Team Develops Tools for NASA’s Moon Exploration
Cerritos College’s student team, known as Team Falcons, was selected to advance to phase II of NASA’s 2025 Micro-g NExT challenge, making it the only community college team in the nation to reach the final stage of the highly competitive event. This is the third time Cerritos College’s student team has advanced to phase II, following successes in 2021 and 2022.
25-year CSU and Community College Partnership Helps Prepare More Teachers for California’s Workforce
Since Cal State Long Beach and Cerritos College partnered in 1999 to develop the first formal California Community College-California State University (CSU) educator preparation pathway, thousands of students have transferred seamlessly to CSU teacher preparation programs, completed their bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials and joined the workforce as educators in California’s P-12 schools.
Today’s moment of reflection and joy — the Bay Miwok Mural Blessing Ceremony. The mural is a commissioned project by artist Drew Valencia, created in partnership with LMC students, art faculty, office of Student Life and grant funding from @4cd_live . The ceremony featured remarks by Rosa Armendariz, LMC senior dean of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, Land Acknowledgement by ethnic studies assistant professor Max Trujillo, Red Line by Cara Little, outreach coordinator for the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health’s Calhope Redline Warmline, and Honor Song by Sylvia Rodriguez, founder of “medicine for My Sisters” Native women’s drum group.
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From Santiago Canyon College:
The Santiago Canyon College Outreach team recently visited El Dorado High School to support the school’s FASFA Night. More than 90 students and families attended the event, seeking information and assistance with their FASFA and Dream Act. The SCC team offered a Financial Aid 101 presentation, reviewed all the aspects of financial aid and explained the process of how to apply.
And check out this video from Cosumnes River College about the Promise to Career scholarship for construction management and apprenticeship students:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Spring 2025 Sports Media Day
Recently, Bakersfield College hosted Spring 2025 Sports Media Day which brought together BC athletes, coaches, and key figures for an exciting event where fans and media had the opportunity to get a first look at the upcoming athletic season through interviews, insights, and a glimpse behind the scenes. The event took place in the Renegade Events Center on BC’s Panorama Campus.
Sports Media Day gave attendees a unique opportunity to engage with our student-athletes and seasoned coaches through exclusive interviews, in-depth discussions, and spirited introductions. Some of the sports that highlighted were Women’s Beach Volleyball, Golf, both Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Women’s Wrestling, Track and Field, Softball, and Baseball.
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.
