Tag Archives: Crafton Hills College

Happy Easter 2025

Uncategorized April 21, 2025 1 Comment

I hope you are having a restful and beautiful Easter weekend. A few years ago, I shared an Easter Message from Andrea Bocelli at his Easter Sunday performance on April 12th 2020 from the Duomo Cathedral, Milan.

Today, I’d like to share his rendition of Amazing Grace from that day:

Good morning California.
It is April 19, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Hartnell College Launches Climate and Environmental Resilience Ambassadors (CERA) Program with NOAA Grant Support

Hartnell College is proud to introduce the Climate and Environmental Resilience Ambassadors (CERA) Program, an innovative initiative designed to empower students as leaders in climate adaptation and environmental resilience. Funded through a $2 million subaward from California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the program will equip students with essential skills and hands-on experience to address pressing climate challenges. Hartnell’s work is part of a larger $71.1 million dollar project entitled Climate Resilient Monterey Bay, sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, and focused on bolstering climate adaptation efforts in the region.

» Read more!

El Camino Faculty Member Honored for Leadership,
Dedication to Student Success

The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) recently named El Camino College counselor and Transfer Center Coordinator Dr. René Lozano as the recipient of the 2025 John Vasconcellos Faculty of the Year Award. This award is presented each year to a faculty member whose leadership at the campus or district level significantly benefits faculty.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

10-year-old girl set to be Crafton Hills College’s youngest grad

Crafton Hills College is about to see its youngest scholar walk the graduation stage.

Alisa Perales is set to become the youngest graduate at the Yucaipa, California, college with two associate degrees at the age of 10.

The whiz kid from San Bernardino, who will take the title with degrees in multiple sciences and mathematics, is on track to receive her diplomas with a GPA “close” to 4.0, according to California Community Colleges.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Skyline College:

Celebrating Thingyan with singing, poetry, music, and fundraising to support earthquake relief in Myanmar, bringing together joy, community, and compassion.

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From Napa Valley College:

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year’s ¡Viva Mariachi! Festival an unforgettable celebration of culture, music, and community at Napa Valley College! From the matinee to the evening concert, your energy, support, and enthusiasm filled our Performing Arts Center with joy and celebration.

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From Ventura College:

New ASVC officers pose with the President!

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From Santiago Canyon College:

Big win for SCC! Our Model UN team earned its 6th straight Outstanding Delegation award at #NMUN2025 in NYC!
Shoutout to:
Jenna Darwish & Sabine Farhat – Outstanding Paper
Elyse Halbreich – Committee Chair + NMUN-DC Staff

And From the Home of the Renegades

Garden Fest 2025

Bakersfield College is excited to host Garden Fest 2025 on Saturday, April 26 on BC’s Panorama Campus. This annual gathering is one of the most anticipated community events of the year, and the 2025 iteration promises to be one of the best ones yet!

The BC Horticulture Department coordinates the event each year with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate agriculture and support the academic mission of the department. More than 100 vendors will participate, offering everything from crafts, home décor, fresh fruit and veggies, gardening products, plant sales, food, and much more. There will also be activities for the whole family throughout the day, including seminars and cooking demonstrations.

» 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

Welcome Spring 2025

Uncategorized March 22, 2025 Leave a comment

It was a sigh of relief as NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams successfully returned back to Earth after nine months in space. Their trip to space was initially expected to last a little more than a week.

The vehicle that launched them to the International Space Station back on June 5 experienced helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, and NASA determined the craft was not safe for their return trip.

As for me…..

Yesterday, I attended the celebration of life of John Stanskas. Here is a poem published by John.

The Physics of Absence, the Nature of Nothingness

I believe it is all light at the end,
these strained seconds defined by the slap-click
of clocks means nothing. An effort to bend
time, to exert control, force this habit.

of filling the space occupied by light.
The vacuum is not empty, nothingness
seethes with production, mind-flash of insight
destined to collapse. I pant to undress.

you, mirage in the dark, strain toward molecules
unclaimed, underground. I know you are here,
the crease in the mattress, a vestibule
where in absence, from nothing, you appear.

The secondhand stops in this crease of night;
matter collapses, you flash into light.

This week I visited the West Hills Prison Education Program at Pleasant Valley State Prison. President Hildy Aguinaldo and Board Member Cirian Villavicencio joined on on this college visit. 

Good morning California.
It is March 22, 2025
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!


Pasadena City College receives $1 million from Ballmer Group
to support wildfire community relief efforts

Pasadena City College has received a $1 million grant from Ballmer Group to support critical relief for students, faculty, staff, and community members recovering from the devastation of the recent wildfires. The grant from Ballmer Group is the largest single gift to the PCC Community Relief Fund.

» Read more!

Laney College Tiny House Ribbon Cutting

A spirit of pride and collaboration filled the air on January 28th as Laney College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the stunning Tiny House crafted by its talented Carpentry students. Under the expansive Construction Canopy, students, faculty, and community members gathered to witness the culmination of months of dedication and hard work.

» Read more!

Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Valley College
Co-Host 10th Annual ASL Educators Collaboration Conference

On March 1, Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College proudly co-hosted the 10th Annual ASL Educators Collaboration Conference at San Bernardino Valley College. This milestone event was the largest yet, with 120 registered participants and five dedicated student volunteers.

» Read more!

ITE Singapore Professors Visit LACC

On March 14, LACC welcomed professors from ITE College East in Singapore to meet and get a campus tour of facilities in the Department of Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering, and the Visual and Media Arts. Professors viewed classes in action and discussed how community colleges in the US deliver education and potential collaborative opportunities between LACC and ITE.

In Case You Missed It

EdSource Commentary: Why California must champion community college bachelor’s degrees

Cerritos College President/Superintendent Jose Fierro wrote a piece for EdSource about the importance of community college bachelor’s degrees.

California cannot rely on four-year universities alone to meet its growing workforce needs. Expanding community college bachelor’s degree programs will strengthen industries, create more opportunities and solidify California’s leadership in workforce innovation. It’s time for policymakers, industry leaders and educators to support these programs and invest in the future of our state.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Cerro Coso Community College:

What an honor it was to host the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, for an intimate and moving poetry reading at Cerro Coso! Ada’s words filled the room with inspiration, hope, and love, as she shared the stories behind her poems before delivering a truly engaging reading. As the first Latina U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada’s journey resonated deeply—especially with one audience member who felt truly seen by her words.

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From College of the Desert:

Students came together for an interactive anatomy and physiology study session, strengthening their knowledge with support from in-person tutoring. Thanks to a collaborative grant with OneFuture, College of the Desert is expanding tutoring opportunities to help students succeed!

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From Rio Hondo College:

Río Hondo Police Academy honored the achievements of 45 police cadets during the Basic Police Academy Class No. 217 graduation ceremony. The graduates represent 18 different law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, marking the culmination of six months of rigorous training.

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And check out this video about how Chevron’s donation to Taft College is helping MESA students:

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Foundation Partners
with Amazon and The Wonderful Company

The Bakersfield College Foundation has committed $1.37 million to expand workforce training through a powerful partnership with Amazon and The Wonderful Company. As one of just five institutions nationwide selected to offer Amazon’s Reliability and Maintenance Engineering (RME) program, Bakersfield College is set to strengthen career education and workforce development in Kern County.

The RME program will provide students with industry-recognized certifications and direct career pathways in advanced industrial maintenance, meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in Kern County’s expanding industrial sector.

» 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

Hello December 2024

Uncategorized December 7, 2024 Leave a comment

The Blue Marble. On this day in 1972, one of the most widely-reproduced photographs in history was taken aboard Apollo 17.

This was the last crewed lunar mission. No human since has ventured far enough away to be able to photograph a whole-Earth image. There have been photographs taken by uncrewed spacecraft missions.

The photo has long stood as a symbol of Earth’s vulnerability and the need for environmental protection.

In January 2012, NASA unveiled “Blue Marble 2012,” a composite image created from a series of photos taken on January 4, 2012.

You can explore an ultra-high def version here.

Good morning California.
It is December 7, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

 San Bernardino Valley College Recognized
as Global Leader in Water Stewardship

San Bernardino Valley College was honored on August 20, 2024, by GWF, a renowned Swiss technology company founded in 1899, as a global innovator and leader in water stewardship.  This prestigious recognition–the first of its kind awarded to a college campus anywhere in the world–underscores SBVC’s dedication to sustainable practices and its pioneering role in water resources education.

» Read more!

The National Council for Workforce Education Awards
Solano Community College’s Biotechnology Program its Top Award

The National Council for Workforce Education, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports education and training programs across the United States, awarded the Solano Community College Biotechnology program one of its top awards. The NCWE citing the program’s comprehensive education pathway, partnerships with industry leaders and other institutions, high job placement rate, contributions to local economic development, and overall impact.

» Read more!

West Valley College Students Win National Math Research Championship

For the second time in three years, West Valley College students coached by Math Instructor SerKuang Chen have captured first place in the national Student Research League competition.  The competition, organized by the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges, pits dozens of teams composed of two to three students against one another in applying their mathematical problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical skills, and creativity to a real-world scenario.  The 2024 challenge: Create a theoretical plan for transitioning a city of at least 50,000 residents to using 100% renewable energy. 

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Vision 2030 Demonstration Project Aimed at Creating a Template to Have California Community College Students Covered by Health Insurance

A groundbreaking partnership between 12 community colleges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties and one of the nation’s largest Medicaid health plans is creating a model for getting every uninsured California community college student enrolled in Medi-Cal or Covered California.

The initiative is among more than a dozen pilot projects emanating from Vision 2030: A Roadmap for California Community Colleges, an equity-based strategic plan to guide the state’s community colleges through the end of the decade. The Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is among the nation’s largest Medicaid health plans and currently serves more than 1.5 million Inland Empire residents through more than 8,600 healthcare providers.

» Read more!

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Inside HigherEd: A Guaranteed Income Program
for Community College Students

The Los Angeles Community College District is experimenting with a new program that gives $1,000 a month to students in health-related fields.

The district is promising to dole out $3 million in unrestricted monthly payments to a cohort of 250 students. The funds, along with support for the program, come from private donors: a little over $3 million from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and $867,500 from the California Community Foundation. Four of the district’s nine colleges will offer BOOST, including L.A. City College, East L.A. College, L.A. Trade-Technical College and L.A. Southwest College.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Orange Coast College:

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at yesterday’s grand opening for Travel OCC! Travel OCC is Orange Coast College’s on-campus, student-run travel agency.

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Recent highlights from our BIOL 10 field trip! Our Delta students had the chance to observe the Mokelumne River fall salmon run, which is hitting record levels this year! It’s not just a textbook experience—this is the real deal in action.

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From Santa Barbara City College:

The SBCC Ambassadors hosted a Friendsgiving event in collaboration with the Basic Needs Center, Dream Center, CESJ, Veterans Club, EOPS, and Rising Scholars last week in the campus center.

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And check out this video from Crafton Hills College:

Dr. Michael Sheahan, Crafton’s incredible Director of Respiratory Therapy, took the TEDxTemecula stage with his talk: “How Using Perspective Transformed My World.”  From shifting viewpoints to embracing resilience, empathy, and adaptability, Dr. Sheahan’s insights inspired the crowd and reminded us all of the power of reframing challenges. Crafton is beyond proud of his achievement and the inspiration he brings to our campus every day! 

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Agriculture Laboratory Provides Students a Unique Learning Environment

The Bakersfield College Agriculture Laboratory is home to much more than crops and farm animals – it is a bustling, hands-on learning environment where students can roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and discover the wonders of farming. Located on the northwest end of the Panorama campus, the Agriculture Farm is a cornerstone of the college’s agricultural program, offering students an invaluable learning experience.

Whether it is wrangling baby calves or solving unexpected water leaks, the program’s Animal Science instructor, Julie Beechinor, collaborates with other members of the Agriculture Department to guide students through these real-world challenges, offering valuable life lessons along the way.

» 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

July 27th and 28th, 2024 – a special weekend

Uncategorized July 27, 2024 1 Comment

The Opening Ceremony for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris was spectacular. An hours-long display featuring multiple genres of music and dance, athletes traveling down the Seine in boats, a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon Olympic cauldron, all culminating in a breathtaking comeback performance by Celine Dion.

If you missed the ceremony, check out NBC Sports’ YouTube page for clips – including this short section of Celine Dion’s song from the Eiffel Tower.

*****

This country hip-hop by Shaboozey has been stuck in my head – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”.

Listen to it three times, and trust me – it will be stuck in your head as well.

Spending the July 27th weekend at the beach and what a view as I work on my blog this morning

Blogging Saturday morning. Beach and Neo. #LoveLife

Good morning California.
It is July 27, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

California Community Colleges Recognize East Los Angeles and Palo Verde Colleges for Advancing Student Success through an Equity Lens

East Los Angeles College
Maria Villegas and Alberto Roman
Palo Verde College
Clint Cowden and Bruce Moses

East Los Angeles College and Palo Verde College have been honored with the 2024 Dr. John W. Rice Equity and Student Success Awards for their ceaseless efforts at creating successful and equitable pathways to greater student achievement in line with goals and benchmarks articulated in Vision 2030.

Woodland Community College earned an Honorable Mention in the Student Success Award category, and all three colleges were recognized during a July 22nd ceremony in Sacramento.

» Read more!

Barstow Community College Launches Groundbreaking
CodeBoxx Cadet Program

Barstow Community College is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and CodeBoxx to launch the groundbreaking CodeBoxx Cadet Program. This collaborative effort is aimed at meeting the specific needs of our community college workforce development audience by offering a unique and tailored coding program.

» Read more!

Crafton Hills College Receives $15,000 Grant From Bank of America
to Support Training First Responders Project

Crafton Hills College (CHC) has received a $15,000 grant from Bank of America to support its Training First Responders project and Crafton Roadrunners pursuing degrees or certificates in public safety and allied health programs. CHC’s Training First Responders project aims to provide financial support to students studying to become paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters and members of other emergency health professions.

» Read more!

Expanding Opportunities: San Bernardino Valley College’s
New Credit for Prior Learning Program

SBVC is proud to announce the launch of its new Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program, designed to acknowledge and validate the diverse experiences and skills students acquire outside of conventional academic environments. This program enables students to earn college credits through various assessments that recognize prior learning from work, military service, or other educational pursuits.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

CCRC Webinar – Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of Community Colleges in Preparing Students for the Green Economy


On August 1 at 9 am, I will join climate justice author and activist Bill McKibben for a webinar presented by the Community College Research Center.

What is the role of the nation’s community and technical colleges in responding to the pressures of climate change? Join the Community College Research Center to hear about the central role community colleges should play in preparing for the significant workforce transitions that are occurring as colleges, governments, and industries work to limit, adapt to, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Hear from California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian on how community colleges can address climate change and help their local communities prepare students for jobs in the green economy.

» Learn more & Register!

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Inside Philanthropy – Community Colleges: Making the Most of Philanthropic Dollars to Bring Equity to Higher Education

Keetha Mills, President and CEO of Foundation for California Community Colleges, wrote this piece for Inside Philanthropy:

“Supporting community colleges means opening doors to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds, offering opportunities to those who might otherwise be excluded. These institutions provide quality education, real-world work experience, and programs that empower individuals to pursue their academic and career goals regardless of their socioeconomic status.“

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Shasta College:

Have you seen our newest four-legged friends? This week we welcomed 600 goats to the Redding campus to perform fire mitigation maintenance by eating brush across 61 acres. Feel free to enjoy watching them from a few feet back, but don’t touch or feed them. They’re hard at work!

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From Ohlone College:

Summerfest 2024 was a hit! Let’s give a standing ovation to our students and Smith Center team for presenting Grease the Musical!

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

Thanks for bringing your vibrant energy, love, and support at the San Diego Pride Parade this weekend! A special shoutout to our amazing volunteers, sponsors, and local organizations who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Performing Arts Wrap Up Successful Production of ‘Something Rotten’

The Bakersfield College Theater Department has wrapped another successful summer production, with the final performance of ‘Something Rotten’ taking place over the weekend. The entertaining, musical comedy presents the story of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to reach the success they long for in the theatrical world as they compete with the renowned Renaissance writer, William Shakespeare.

» 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

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”:

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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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

Sonya Christian's Blog