Happy Thanksgiving from the marina!
Here is a copy and paste of the email I sent to the Presidents and Chancellors of the California Community Colleges:
As I am winding down my workday and getting into Thanksgiving mode, I thought I would drop you a quick note. I am at Marina Del Rey today where my daughter lives, enjoying the warmer temperatures, sailing boats and the other sights and sounds of the marina.
My first Thanksgiving was the fall semester, many decades ago, as a foreign student in grad school. Since then, I have wholeheartedly embraced this American holiday full of blessings and gratitude symbolizing harmony and unity. For me it has been an annual ritual … where permission is given to take a moment to pause, experience the richness of life, and appreciate how connected we are to each other and to this planet.
Last week we were at the League convention decompressing, catching up, and supporting each other in this cherished California Community College work. As is the tradition with the fall League gathering, the state Chancellor gives the State of the System address, during which time, I enjoyed being able to share the message that the state of California Community Colleges is strong. Our people have been focused on outreach, engagement and re-engagement work, coupled with retention initiatives and customized student support. We see the positive impacts of these efforts on our students:
Alyssa Hernandez’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of dual enrollment, as she took general education classes in high school, saving both time and money on her path to a bachelor’s degree.
For justice-involved individuals like Maurice “Mo” Faulkner, education became a powerful tool for rehabilitation and a journey from a correctional facility to earning an Associate Degree for Transfer a 4.0 GPA and reduced sentence.
Adrienne Navarro’s story echoes the resilience of student veterans, as she pursues her doctorate in nursing at Duke University after starting her journey at a California Community College.
Together, we are shaping the future of higher education in California, and I am excited to continue this journey with you.
A quote from President John F. Kennedy that Barstow Community College shared:
Good morning California.
It is November 25, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Diablo Valley College Student & Team
Secure 1st Place at UC Berkeley’s Cal Hacks Competition
Saurabh (Sunny) Jayaram, a computer science student at Diablo Valley College and his teammates recently won 1st Place at UC Berkeley’s Cal Hacks 10.0, under the InterSystems Challenge, at the Metreon in San Francisco.
Foothill College Welcomes NASA Astronaut
for STEM Equity Seminar Event
Earlier this month, NASA Astronaut Dr. Yvonne Darlene Cagle went to Foothill College for a “fireside chat” to discuss her academic journey, career path, and what has propelled her in her research.
» Read more!
Check out the video below:
Sacramento City College
Names Library for Author Joan Didion
Sacramento City College will be renaming the college’s library in honor of renowned author Joan Didion. The building will now be known as the Joan Didion Learning Resource Center, in recognition of a generous $500,000 gift from Didion family and the Sacramento Historical Society (SHS).
Pasadena City College students explore, commit to HBCUs at college fair
More than 110 students from Pasadena City College and local high schools were admitted to historically black colleges and universities during a traveling college fair, which featured live DJ performances, food, and remarks from actor and producer Yara Shahidi.
In Case You Missed It
PPIC: A Conversation with California’s Public Higher Education Leaders
How can California’s higher education system efficiently and effectively prepare a broad range of students to meet the challenges of the future? Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with the leaders of California’s public systems—Sonya Christian, Chancellor, California Community Colleges; Michael V. Drake, President, University of California; and Mildred García, Chancellor, California State University.
» Find out more and register at https://www.ppic.org/event/a-conversation-with-californias-public-higher-education-leaders-2023/.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
East Los Angeles College Music Professor Jesus “Chuy” Martinez played the sousaphone in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. He was among 400 band directors and music educators selected to march in the parade.
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From Cerritos College:
Congrats to our accounting instructor Charles Osaki! He was honored as one of L.A.’s top 100 accountants by @LABJnews Charles founded the Pathway to Success Program at Cerritos College, which supports first-generation and underrepresented college students. https://bit.ly/3SSWY2O
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From Shasta College:
We hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving! Our International students celebrated a special “International” Thanksgiving! Many thanks go to our amazing Food Services and Physical Plant teams as well as the generosity of all the staff who helped. Happy Thanksgiving, Knights!
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From Yovani Jimenez – thank you for sharing this photo of Kern CCD colleagues (including Anthony Culpepper, who is now President of LA Southwest College!)
The @ccleague annual convention was an incredible experience! Witnessing community college leaders from every corner of the state come together to support #Vision2030 and exchange ideas on innovative approaches to enhance our local educational institutions was truly inspiring.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Hosts Vet Fest 2023
Bakersfield College hosted their annual VetFest celebration in honor of veterans on November 15th, 2023 at BC’s Panorama Campus. This event is dedicated to continuing a tradition of showing honor and gratitude to all current and past members of the Armed Forces who have given their time and risked their lives in defense of our country’s freedoms.
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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
This a great place to gather your thoughts and to end a busy week. 
