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
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.
*****
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.
I started my week in DC for a White House AI summit. And of course did my Washington Monument photo ritual…
Back in Sacramento, the executive team had a two-day planning meeting, and we also celebrated Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales who is transitioning to lead the California Student Aid Commission:
***
It was also a time to honor Juneteenth, a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Good morning California. It is June 22, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coalinga College Advances to Community College Innovation Challenge Finals
Coalinga College was one of 12 finalist teams selected to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge. The Coalinga team’s project – “Got Calcium: The New Battery Innovation” – seeks to switch from lithium to calcium batteries to improve cost-effectiveness, safety, and battery performance offering an eco-friendly alternative for energy storage solutions.
Shasta College & Reach University Partner to Increase Local Bachelor’s Degree Attainment for Rural Working Adults
Shasta College and Reach University today announced a partnership to offer Shasta College graduates a fully transferable, job-embedded, and paid pathway to a bachelor’s degree in their local community. In the partnership’s “Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Pathway,” Shasta College graduates from 70 programs can transfer 100% of their associate credits into Reach University’s liberal studies degree program.
Sacramento State Partners with Community Colleges to Create Guaranteed Pathway to Black Honors College
The California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) signed a deal with 15 California community colleges to guarantee the admission of all eligible transfer students to its first-in-the-nation Black Honors College (BHC).
Sacramento State signed the partnership agreement with the participating community colleges during a Juneteenth Symposium on June 13. Eligible students will be able to transfer smoothly into the BHC from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.
The colleges include:
American River College Butte College Cosumnes River College Folsom Lake College Fullerton College Merritt College Mission College Modesto Junior College
Moorpark College Palomar College Sacramento City College San Diego College of Continuing Education San Joaquin Delta College Sierra College Yuba College
Once an inmate in California’s state prison system, Monica Hicks graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
The Stanford Report published this great story about a student who graduated after completing a prison sentence and forging a new path by starting at a community college.
Cal Chamber: Local Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Have Extensive Community College Underpinnings
Through diverse and innovative workforce development programs and initiatives, California Community Colleges are directly shaping the future of the state’s workforce by addressing industry needs, bridging skill gaps and providing students with practical training and opportunities for economic advancement and career success.
From the Student Senate for California Community Colleges:
Thank you to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors for a wonderful year. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and continued success
*****
From Cañada College:
On Tuesday, June 18th, the Black Student Union (BSU), TRIO Student Support Services, and Promise Scholars Program (PSP) collaborated to help our campus celebrate Juneteenth. As a way to commemorate this day, we supported a Black owned business, Everett and Jones (located in Oakland), and participants enjoyed barbecue and soul food as they watched Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. The series explores the throughline of food, tradition and culture that survived the Transatlantic Slave Trade and became staples in American cuisine. The documentary series proved impactful as folks dried their eyes as the episode ended. Next, participants teamed up for a game of Kahoot! to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth not only celebrates the freedom of enslaved Africans but is a celebration of progress in our community. Thank you to the BSU, TRIO, and PSP for creating a moving event!
*****
From MiraCosta College:
Congrats to Kat Parra, MiraCosta alumna, on her Emmy Award win! She received the Emmy for her exceptional work as a Newscast Director at @fox5sandiego and @KUSINews. Her success is a testament to the strong foundation laid at MiraCosta College.
*****
From El Camino College:
CA State Senator @SteveBradford recognized the ECC Men’s soccer team for being named the 2023 Nat’l Champions by @UnitedCoaches for the Junior College D3 Men’s Soccer Rankings.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Theater Program To Present Something Rotten!
Bakersfield College’s Theater Program announced today the details of their annual summer musical, a traditional collaboration with the Choral and Instrumental Music programs. This year’s presentation will be Something Rotten, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed by Professor Brian J. Sivesind, with Vocal Direction by Professor Caley Mayhall and Music Direction by Dr. Scott Dirkse. The musical will play in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre on the Bakersfield College campus from July 12 through July 21; asdf
As we finish the Fall 2023 semester, I’ve been enjoying seeing the holiday greetings sent out from colleges across the state. Here are a few….
Antelope Valley College:
Cypress College:
Chabot Los-Positas Community College District:
San Jose-Evergreen CCD:
North Orange CCD:
Good morning California. It is December 16, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Los Angeles City College Student Recognized by LA Rams a Community PLAymaker
LA City College Associated Student Government Executive of Clubs Natalie Goodliffe was recognized by the LA Rams as their 12th pLAymaker honoree of 2023. Earlier this year, LACC’s student government opened Cubby’s Closet, a free, on-campus clothing store aimed at helping students obtain clothes for interviews and fancier events, as well as books, toys and accessories.
Riverside City College Bridges the Transition for Adult School Students
In a dedicated effort to support nontraditional, first-generation, and older adult students, Riverside City College hosted a series of campus tours in collaboration with local adult schools. These tours aimed to bridge the gap between adult education and community college, providing valuable insights and resources for students pursuing diverse educational paths.
Cosumnes River College Cybersecurity Program Ranked Seventh in Nation, Top Cyber Program in California
Cosumnes River College‘s Cybersecurity program was ranked number seven in the nation (out of 150 schools) and the top cyber program in the state of California.
San Bernardino Valley College Foundation Awarded $25,000 SoCal Climate Champions Grant
SoCalGas awarded a $25,000 grant to San Bernardino Valley College’s (SBVC) Clean Energy/EV Tech Program. he grant will aid in the purchase of additional training modules and classroom tools for a second lab section, supporting the growing interest and enrollment in the college’s CNG/Clean Energy Training Expansion program.
LA Times: The Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility Forum 2023
LA Southwest College President Anthony Culpepper is featured in this year’s Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Accessibility Forum.
Increasingly, corporations are recognizing the importance and need for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in the workplace. Listed alphabetically below are some of the area’s most influential and innovative thought leaders who are driving change, holding companies accountable and helping employees feel more valued.
Inside HigherEd: Painting a Picture of More Student-Centric Career Services
Getting students to engage with campus career centers—and, more specifically, to engage early in their college careers with services and events provided by these centers—has been a nearly universal challenge within higher education. Being available to assist students in various stages of career exploration and development as well as having a presence across campus, including in classrooms, are aims that can help. Strategic data collection and use can help drive planning and prioritizing.
This history is why the newest Fresno City College location was thoughtfully chosen to be constructed within a 1- to 2-mile radius of more than 10 K-12 schools.
West Hills College Coalinga‘s holiday staff photo:
*****
From Monterey Peninsula College:
Our Stress Buster event was an absolute blast! From pony cuddles to therapy dog hugs, we had it all! Plus, nachos, hot cocoa, and more treats to keep you going this finals season! Can’t wait for the next one!
*****
From East Los Angeles College:
#ELAC Music Department students merrily perform Jose Feliciano’s holiday season favorite “Feliz Navidad” as the final number of the Jazz Ensemble and Popular Music Workshop Concert on Wednesday. The concert was directed by Professor and jazz guitarist John Storie #CalCommColleges
*****
Check out this video from Los Medanos College about their Early College Credit program:
Blast from the Past
This 9:16-min video is from the ACCJC Learning Seminar in 2021. Check it out.
And From the Home of the Renegades
From Bakersfield to Monterey: The Math Club’s Journey to Success
The Math Club at Bakersfield College excelled at the recent CMC3 Fall Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel in Monterey, CA. Dominating the event, the team secured 1st and 2nd place with their research projects, namely “NLP Essay Grader” (NLP referring to Natural Language Processor) and “Covid-19 Research.” The conference showcased innovative projects from four research groups within the Math Club, including studies on “Flying Spiders Biomimicry” and “Foundational Math.”
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.
