Tag Archives: #DaringMightyThings

Developing intelligence plus character

“We must remember that intelligence is not enough.
Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.
The complete education gives one not only power of concentration,
but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.”

Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke these words in a speech he gave as a student at Morehouse College.

On Monday, we will remember King’s legacy as the nation recognizes MLK Day for the 39th year. President Ronald Reagan signed MLK Day into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later, in 1986.

California Community Colleges developing intelligence plus character building both the power of concentration plus worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.

Yesterday evening (TGIF) I relaxed with dinner and a movie – A Real Pain. The movie follows American Jewish cousins David and Benji, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, as they journey to Poland to explore their late grandmother’s heritage and confront the lingering shadows of the Holocaust. Culkin won the Golden Globe for his portrayal of Benji a character who is both infuriating and endearing.
Jesse Eisenberg acted, wrote and directed the movie … pretty remarkable. I have always enjoyed the way Eisenberg sees the nuances in every day life.

Good morning California.
It is January 18, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

 Lake Tahoe Community College Secures $8.6M
for Tahoe’s First Public Safety Training Complex

Lake Tahoe Community College has officially secured the final funding to build the Tahoe Basin’s first Public Safety Training Complex. An $8.6 million grant from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, approved on January 14, 2025, paves the way for this transformative project. This project marks a significant step forward in enhancing the region’s emergency response capabilities and workforce training in fire, forestry, and emergency medical services.

» Read more!


Coalinga, Diablo Valley Colleges Honored for
Expanding Free, Open-Source Textbooks Programs

(From L to R: Chancellor Sonya Christian, ASCCC President Cheryl Aschenbach, Coalinga OER Librarian Heather M. Evans, Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo, Board Vice President Bill Rawlings, Deputy Chancellor Rowena M. Tomaneng)
(From L to R: Chancellor Sonya Christian, ASCCC President Cheryl Aschenbach, DVC Academic Senate President John Freytag, DVC Dean Anne Kingsley, DVC Dept. Chair Lindsey Shively, Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo, Deputy Chancellor Rowena M. Tomaneng)

Coalinga College and Diablo Valley College have been honored by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors with 2024-25 Exemplary Program Awards for their outstanding efforts in expanding free, open-source textbooks and instructional materials for students. The Exemplary Program Award was established in 1991 by the Board of Governors and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to recognize, support and embrace exceptional community college programs.

» Read more!


Riverside City College Rising Scholars Program Expands Funding to $600K to Support Justice-Impacted Youth

Riverside City College (RCC) is receiving a significant boost to its ongoing efforts to support justice-impacted youth, thanks to a $300,000 grant extension from the California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness). The amendment to the original 2021 grant brings the total funding to $600,000, allowing the college to expand its Rising Scholars program and continue its mission to assist young people involved in the juvenile justice system. 

» Read more!


African Diaspora Educational Summit Transforms Fullerton College

Fullerton College recently sent a select few faculty and staff to attend the “Colonization to Sovereignty” African Diaspora Education Summit in Ghana, Africa. The summit highlighted the importance of African Centered Education (ACE) and planning between the North Orange County Community College District faculty, classified staff and students who identify as part of the African Diaspora.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

California Community Colleges Board of Governors Reaffirms Commitment
to Climate Action and Sustainability

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors has updated its Climate Action and Sustainability Goals as the system continues to work to empower institutions to act on bold climate commitments and to create innovative climate solutions.

The updated 2025 Climate Action and Sustainability Goals, presented at the Board of Governors meeting Tuesday in Sacramento, prioritizes measurable progress across critical areas such as greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, green building standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, food systems, sustainable procurement, and transportation. The goals build on the Climate Action and Sustainability Framework from 2021, that set ambitious energy reduction goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the 73 California community college districts. The new, enhanced targets align with California’s statewide climate initiatives and the California Community Colleges’ strategic plan, Vision 2030.

» Read more!

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It’s FLEX day at PC! Time to get excited for our students to start Spring semester! Thank you to KernCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven Bloomberg for getting us off to a great start!

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From Cañada College:

This week on Upper Lawn was all about joy, connection, and support as we welcomed our Colts back to campus.
The sunshine and good vibes made it the perfect start to the semester, and we loved seeing everyone connect with the people and resources they can trust.
Let’s keep this momentum going—tackle this semester with confidence, stay connected, and remember, you’ve got a whole community here rooting for you.
Let’s make it a great one!

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From Grossmont College:

Grossmont College art students spent the afternoon restoring a rainbow mural at La Mesa Dale Elementary. This 60-foot mural was first created by Grossmont College art students in 2021. In this class, students learn about the cultural history of mural painting and community impact of public art while applying hands-on skills.

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And check out these beautiful pics from Shasta College:

If you’re here early on campus sometime, take a moment to watch the sunrise. We promise it’s worth it


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Excited to Welcome Back Students for Spring 2025 Semester

The spring semester is starting, and Bakersfield College is excited to welcome students back to campus for the Spring 2025 Semester! The official first day of instruction is Saturday, January 18th, for weekend courses, and Tuesday, January 21st, for weekday courses. The first week of the semester will feature several “Welcome Week” events and activities that aim to provide new and returning students an opportunity to connect with fellow Renegades, explore different programs, and get acclimated to campus life.

» 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

Closing out June 2023 – work hard…play hard

Last weekend started with country music at Buck Owens Chrystal Place and wrapped up at the Pantages with Tina Turner the musical. This is what happens when you have a high school friend visiting.

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is one of my favorites – it’s breathtakingly beautiful and full of history. It had its grand opening on June 4, 1930, right down the block from Vine Street. From 1950-1959, it was even the home of the Academy Awards Presentation!

In 1963, it was home to the Hollywood Premiere of “Cleopatra,” with a ticket price of $250 per person (about $2,484 today!). The event raised $400,000 to help fund the construction of Los Angeles’ planned performing arts complex, The Music Center.

In 1977, the Pantages had its Broadway debut with the musical “Bubbling Brown Sugar.”

When the Walt Disney Company was seeking a home for its LA production of “The Lion King,” the Nederlander Organization agreed to a substantial renovation to restore the theatre to its former glory – including 84,027 square feet of gold, silver, copper and bronze leaf; 2,000 square feet of marble; 1,843 gallons of paint; and 7,260 square yards of new carpeting.

Today it is truly one of California’s many gems, and a treat for anyone lucky enough to visit.

The Tina Turner musical is a must see. And of course, my favorite has always been Proud Mary. Grabbed this 10-min video from youtube.

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This week has been a travel week as college campuses hosted events on key topics related to educational attainment and the future of work.

On Tuesday, I was at West Los Angeles College for California Community Colleges and Climate: Defining the Possible Summit. We discussed the role that community colleges have – and will continue to have – as we tackle climate change and what it means for our evolving economy. Thank you President Jim Limbaugh and Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez for hosting this statewide event. We had several dignitaries attend — Ben Chida, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to Governor Newsom, and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development.

President Jose Fiero, Trustee Andra Hoffman, BOG VP Hildy Aguinaldo, Dr. Larry Galizio, BOG member Tom Epstein, Governor’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ben Chida, Sonya Christian, BOG Member Jennifer Perry, Secretary Knox, Foundation President Keetha Mills, BOG President Amy Costa

I got a chance to see some of my old colleagues from Kern Community College District:

The inaugural CEO Climate Panel showed up in full force.

President Jose Fiero, President Lennor Johnson, President Jerry Buckley, President Martha Garcia, Sonya Christian, President Joe Wyse, Chancellor Tom Burke

Here is the foundation team with President Keetha Mills and Member of the Board of Directors Manuel Bacca

On Wednesday, I headed to Long Beach City College for the 9th Grade to Baccalaureate Intersegmental Collaboration. Thank you President Mike Munoz for hosting this statewide event.

We had many great speakers share their experiences, and ideas on how to move our Dual Enrollment work forward to ensure success with equity for all of our students.

Thank you to all our speakers – Mike Munoz, Ben Chida, Jolene Koester, Larry Galizio, Amy Costa, Andra Hoffman, Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Manuel Velez, Suman Mudunuri, Jerome Hunt. Thank you Kylie Campbell for organizing this event with the LBCC team.

What an incredible faculty panel.

Thank you to the five members of the Board of Governors who attended this event.

And thank you to everyone who joined to support and learn about how we can expand these opportunities for all our California students.

Appreciated the Chancellor’s Office showing up.

Marc LeForestier, Paul Feist, Lizette Navarette, Sonya Christian, Craig Hayward, David O’Brien

Good morning California.
It is July 1, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Imperial Valley College Awarded Aspen Prize

Imperial Valley College’s efforts to create a “college-going culture” have led to a 12% jump in graduation rates over the past four years. As a result, the college was recently awarded the Aspen Prize, one of the nation’s top awards for community colleges that are achieving growing and equitable student outcomes.

It is the first California Community College to be awarded the Aspen Prize since 2013.

» Read more on Imperial Valley College’s website!

» Check out the EdSource article about the award!


Mission College offers courses at Santa Clara County Main Jail

Mission College is the first college to offer courses at the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

As part of their commitment to serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, the dedicated Rising Scholars program team, led by Department Chair of Social & Behavioral Science, Jeff Cormier, and Program Specialist, Steve Duong, successfully launched the Main Jail’s first college program this summer.

» Read more about this program!


Chabot College holds Ribbon Cutting for Fire Academy

Last week, the City of Hayward and Chabot-Las Positas Community College District celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the long awaited Fire Station 6 and Training Center. This new campus will serve as the new home of the Chabot College Fire Academy.

» Read more about Fire Technology at Chabot College!



In Case You Missed It

EdSource: Sonya Christian on her ambitious goals as California’s new community colleges chief

I had the opportunity to sit down for a 1-on-1 interview with Michael Burke of EdSource. Did not realize it was going to be Q&A style reporting….. check it out to get a sense of the Vision 2030 emerging themes.

» Read the Q&A on EdSource’s website!

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Comstock: Graduating into a New Life

Comstock Magazine published a piece about Los Rios Community College District’s Prison and Reentry Education Program.

» Read the Article!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Frank Ramirez from Porterville College shared this post:

We had a great time learning about best practices in helping #firstgen @PCollegePirates students at the #SSHE2023 Conference. @FirstgenCenter @NASPAtweets#StudentSuccess#EdEquity#firstgen

Andra Hoffman shared this photo – BOG President Amy Costa and I had lunch with the CC League Board:

Tina Maria King shared these photos from the California Community Colleges Black CEO Summer Retreat at UC Davis Wheelhouse:


And From the Home of the Renegades

Summer Bridge to BC Program on Track to Support 3,000 Students

Through a successful collaboration of the Bridge to BC team and the Students Affairs Team, this year’s Bridge to BC program is on pace to support more than 3,000 first-year students. The one-day, in-person course helps new students get a jump start on their academic success.

» Read more about this week at BC!

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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