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
Toronto got slammed by a full-on blizzard, with thick snow and sharp winds messing up flight schedules. My flight to Toronto from LAX got cancelled and the one coming back spent over an hour on the tarmac being deiced.
Coming into Toronto after a blizzard had shut down Pearson –
And a lower altitude photo from the plane –
And a short video of the plane taxiing in Toronto –
Then back to California for a busy work week. Headed to Long Beach and then to Twentynine Palms to visit Copper Mountain College. Though small in size, the college has a wide reach and an outsized impact. In a geographically isolated area, Copper Mountain serves as both an educational anchor and a community hub.
Check out this fun selfie taken by our SSCCC student Valerie Pamphile – you can see Bill Rawlings and President Daren Otten at the back. And further back, Adrienne Brown.
And another great pic, this one with Julie Adams and Chris Ferguson added to the group:
Copper Mountain College has a tortoise preserve right on campus. The desert tortoise is an iconic species known for its long lifespan and remarkable ability to survive in harsh, arid conditions. It is endangered primarily because of habitat loss from development, roads, and energy projects, as well as disease and human disruption that threaten its fragile ecosystem.
The preserve at Copper Mountain protects this habitat, supports conservation efforts, and helps educate students and the community about caring for the desert they live in. It is pretty amazing that a California community college is literally helping safeguard an endangered species right on its campus.
Check out this 30-sec video of Professor Paul Delaney talking about the tortoise preserve being a natural laboratory for students.
Just a few miles away from the college is one of the most significant military installations in the country, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. As the largest Marine Corps base in the world, it prepares service members for complex, large-scale combat operations and plays a critical role in national defense. The installation is also a major economic engine for the region, shaping both the workforce and the broader community.
Here we are with Colonel Ron Storer who was a wonderful story teller about the Marine Corps and the training provided at the installation. He praised the partnership with Copper Mountain College.
Good morning California. It is January 24, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Calbright Partners With Barstow Community College, Los Angeles Trade Technical College For Research Supporting Students
Calbright has entered into partnerships with two sister California community colleges to test new research that improves support for students’ basic needs, including access to food and health care. Pilot programs developed through that research showed promising results: Significantly more students in the pilot programs disclosed that they needed support and scheduled meetings with Calbright staff who can guide them through the California programs designed to offer support to qualifying adults. This includes programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs, that help millions of eligible Californians receive support for themselves and their families. Now Calbright will work with Barstow Community College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) to further test, develop, and expand that research.
Santa Rosa Junior College Receives STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements
Santa Rosa Junior College has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), recognizing SRJC’s leadership and ongoing progress in advancing sustainability across academics, operations, and community engagement. STARS—the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System—is a transparent, self-reporting framework used by colleges and universities worldwide to measure their sustainability performance. Santa Rosa Junior College’s full STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.
PBS SoCal Recognizes East Los Angeles College Child Development Center with Bryson Transformative Leader Award
PBS SoCal recently announced that the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Child Development Center has been selected as the recipient of the John and Louise Bryson Transformative Leader in Early Childhood Award. The award recognizes the Center’s unwavering commitment to creating learning environments that value and empower every child and family in East Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles Community College District.
Middle College Students Explore Emerging Technologies in Eight-Week Cohort at Moreno Valley College
Through an eight-week Experiential Technology and Engineering Cohort hosted by the iMAKE Innovation Center, 68 Middle College students from Wendy Sharkey’s fifth and sixth period classes engaged in hands-on instruction in emerging technologies this fall. The cohort was designed as an immersive, project-based learning experience that introduced students to artificial intelligence, microcontrollers, mechanical systems, sustainability concepts, and app development.
OC Register: Santiago Canyon College hopes to lead the way in AI for educators
Jason Parks is staring at a problem with a moving target of a solution. A problem that not only promises to get worse but comes with the chaser of potentially taking a wrecking ball to his institution’s purpose, mission and reason for being.
Scott James is trying to be the solution to that problem. It’s a job with a moving target of answers that is the academic whack-a-mole of the 2020s. And James finds himself holding the mallet and wondering where and what he’s going to smack next.
The problem is artificial intelligence, or AI, which is turning the world upside down. And as AI flips industry after industry on its head, few industries find themselves dealing with the falling debris and attack on purpose more than academia. This is why Parks, the vice president of academic affairs at Santiago Canyon College, and James, a professor and distance education coordinator at SCC, are trying to get ahead of the AI craze and turn the debris field into an intellectual garden.
Mic check. Yogi has something to say…Did you know you can check out snowshoes, podcasting kits, and more from the LTCC Library? It’s all part of the Library of Things (yes, that’s what we like to call it), thoughtfully curated by our library staff to support student success and made possible by our recent LTCC Foundation Student Success Grant.
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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:
Spring Institution Day was an inspiring reminder of the shared purpose that drives our work at SDCCE. From campus safety and student support services to academic excellence and innovation, the “heart work” our colleagues bring every day is creating progress for student success.
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From Ventura College:
We’re celebrating our centennial all year long! Last night our Learning, Equity, Achievement, and Persistence Division (LEAP) honored tutors and staff who have made exceptional contributions to Ventura College over the years Congratulations to the honorees!
Dr. Vandana Gavaskar Sandy Hajas Pedro Gaxiola Ouiall Ghazi David Oros Sara Sevilla
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From De Anza College:
Check out these photos from the @SVReads kickoff last week! Thank you to @profjohnapowell (The Power of Bridging), @KeeonnaHarris (Mainline Mama), Annie Hartnett (Unlikely Animals) and Sal Pizarro for making this an amazing event!
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And check out the first episode of San Bernardino Valley College’s Centennial Podcast:
Blast From the Past
I had to hop on the “back to 2016” trend I’ve seen going around social media. Here’s a pic from 2016 after Mayor Harvey Hall endorsed Measure J for Kern CCD:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Renegade Rally of Belonging to Promote Connection and Community
Bakersfield College was excited to welcome back students for the Spring 2026 semester. On the first day of classes, the BC Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life hosted the first ever Renegade Rally of Belonging. The event gave attendees a chance to learn more about various BC student resources, enjoy some delicious food, connect with fellow Renegades, and have fun!
The event included lively music, donuts, Ronnie Renegade, and a series of information tables for a variety of campus resources. The lively atmosphere provided the perfect environment for students to connect and take a quick break between their classes.
At the ACCT Leadership Congress this week. My first visit to New Orleans. Absolutely fell in love with the city.
Here we are at the famous Cafe du Monde
Yovani Jimenez, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Sonya Christian
Cafe du Monde is known for its cafe au lait and beignets. It’s the oldest coffee shop in New Orleans, first opening in 1862!
The shop has a simple menu, largely unchanged since it first opened – dark-roasted coffee with chicory, beignets, milk and chocolate milk, hot chocolate, fresh-squeezed orange juice. In more recent times, soda and iced coffee have been added.
Beautiful sunrise over the Mississippi –
With student Board Member Maria Blaze – an amazing young woman.
On Thursday night, wandered through the French Quarter. The energy was palpable… sound of live jazz spilling into the streets, the light of gas lamps, balconies draped in ironwork, and people all around having a great time.
Then there was St. Louis Cathedral facing Jackson Square. Way more beautiful in person than all the pictures you may have seen. Supposedly, it is the oldest continuously active Catholic church in the United States, with its first church on the site dating to 1718.
Growing up, mom always told us: “Whenever you enter a church for the first time, close your eyes and make three wishes.” It was a quiet ritual, passed down like a family secret. I remember doing it as a child, standing next to her and it has become a habit that traveled with me across time. So even though the church was closed, I sank into the familiar ritual.
St. Louis Cathedral, is a must see if you visit New Orleans.
Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away
Wrapped up the evening sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River watching the river boats.
And back home to Neo and our walks.
Good morning California. It is October 25, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
East Los Angeles College Students’ Lives Transformed Through Campus Essentials Donation
Thanks to the kindness of a recent donor, students at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) received a tremendous boost to their well-being and academic success. On Friday, September 12, the ELAC Foundation, Basic Needs Center, Athletic Department, and Associated Student Union (ASU) teamed up for a shopping trip to Costco. With the generous donation, they were able to stock up on food, snacks, and basic needs items that will make a real difference for our students on campus.
Mt. San Jacinto College’s Erik Ozolins Receives National Award for Excellence in Honors Education
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) proudly announces that Erik Ozolins, Co-Director of the Honors Enrichment Program and Professor and Chair of the Anthropology Department, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Ron Brandolini Award for Excellence at a Two-Year Institution from the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). This prestigious national honor recognizes exceptional faculty and administrators at two-year colleges who demonstrate outstanding leadership, teaching, and innovation in honors education.
First Ohlone College AA Degree Awarded at Elmwood Correctional Facility
Ohlone College’s Rising Scholars Program reached a historic milestone on September 18, 2025, when a student at Elmwood Correctional Facility became the first to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Communication Studies. The degree, awarded with the highest honors and a perfect 4.0 GPA, reflects both academic excellence and the transformative power of education behind bars.
Making Gains in Gateway English and ESL through Dual Enrollment
In California and across the country, interest has surged in expanding access to dual enrollment (DE)—the opportunity to take college courses while in high school. Informed by abundant evidence of associated stronger high school and college outcomes, the state has enacted legislation to remove logistical hurdles and include historically underserved student populations. In the past few years, California has invested nearly $700 million to support K–12 and community college districts in these efforts. Moreover, system-level agreements and initiatives—including the Master Plan for Career Education, the CCC Roadmap, the UC and CSU Compacts, and the Golden State Pathways Program—increasingly promote increased access to DE and the completion of at least 12 college credits during high school.
Los Angeles Southwest College proudly spent the past month honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant lineup of events dedicated to celebrating the histories, cultures, and lasting contributions of our Hispanic and Latinx communities. Guided by an enthusiastic Planning Committee and embraced by students, faculty, staff, and neighbors, the celebration brought learning, joy, and cultural pride to every corner of campus.
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From Chabot College:
Tuesday we celebrated the groundbreaking for our new football stadium and track renovation! We are very excited for the transformation thanks to the Measure A bond program. It will feature a new turf field, a reconfigured regulation track, upgraded bleachers, accessible pathways ad more!
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From College of the Desert:
COD Cares… And It Shows! Students in our Culinary Catering class prepared a delicious breakfast buffet to thank our hardworking Maintenance and Operations team. Our M&O team keeps our campuses looking beautiful and running smoothly. Thank you to our M&O team for all that they do and shoutout to our culinary students for serving a delicious meal!
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From Irvine Valley College:
Today, we marked IVC’s official 40th birthday with sweet treats, orange soda, and a special plaque dedication honoring the legacy of the orange trees that once surrounded our campus. While the original trees are no longer standing, their spirit continues to inspire us—a proud reminder of the roots that shaped our earliest days. Here’s to our heritage that planted the seeds—and the bold possibilities ahead!
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Theater Program Celebrates Record-Breaking Success at 41st Annual Kern Shakespeare Festival
The Bakersfield College Theater Program hosted the 41st Annual Kern Shakespeare Festival in the Edward Simonsen Performing Arts Center throughout the first two weeks of October. This year’s festival featured two Shakespearean productions – the beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Professor Brian Sivesind and his wife Ellie Sivesind; and the romantic comedy All’s Well That Ends Well, directed by Professor Cody Ganger.
The Shakespeare Festival has always been a well-attended event, but the 2025 offering was truly a box office smash! By the festival’s conclusion, it achieved record-breaking attendance and sales, making it the most successful event in the last five years. Much Ado About Nothing was the single best-selling production in that time period. It is the first performance to sell more than 600 tickets, with a total of 667 sold.
Trivia for you …. the Statue of Liberty was officially presented to the United States on July 4, 1884.
There are numerous replicas throughout the world….. including Paris.
My first visit to Paris. Sunset on the Seine – so beautiful.
Bon Jour California. It is July 5, 2025. C’est un grand jour pour être un champion du collège communautaire
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Moorpark College Joins Forces with Lifetech Resources to Support Student Well-being
Moorpark College is proud to announce a new partnership with Lifetech Resources to provide essential hygiene products to students in need. A reception was hosted at the college’s Raider Central Basic Needs Center on June 11 at 3 p.m. where Lifetech Resources presented a donation of 1009 bottles of 3-in-1 cleansers.
East Los Angeles College, Vincent Price Art Museum Showcase Innovative STEAM Project “We Place Life at the Center” at 2025 AAMG Conference
– East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and the Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) are pleased to announce its selection to present the innovative exhibition and educational platform “We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro” at the 2025 Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) Conference. Curator Joseph Valencia and Anthropology Professor Christine Sepulveda served as featured panelists, sharing insights from their interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges art, science, and environmental justice.
KTLA: Cured Diabetes Patient Graduates from El Camino College
Janine Roberson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 7.
Now, however, after years of dialysis treatment and the aforementioned surgery, Janine, now 37, has a quality of life that is “better than ever,” Cedars-Sinai said in a media release.
On June 13, she graduated with an associate degree from El Camino College in Torrance, making a significant step in her pursuit of getting a double major in child development and psychology to become a child life specialist, helping children with chronic illnesses and serving as a mentor for their parents.
Thanks to everyone who came out to Hancock’s 2025 West Coast College & University Wine Festival. This year’s guests had the opportunity to taste a variety of wines produced by winemaking programs at Hancock, Cal Poly, and other colleges and universities.
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From Citrus College:
Here are some snapshots from the spring 2025 study abroad experience in Seville, Spain, which also included excursions to nearby places like Morocco.
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From Ventura College:
Summer ceramics class at Ventura College!
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From San Joaquin Delta College:
Congrats POST Academy Grads! Your hard work, discipline, and dedication have paid off. You’re ready to serve with honor — and we couldn’t be prouder!
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Choir Students Perform on International and Regional Stages
Bakersfield College’s voice students had the opportunity to participate in two major performances this summer, both locally and abroad.
Several Voice Majors joined the 92-year-old Bakersfield Master Chorale on a performance tour of Ireland, singing in historic cathedrals and participating in a workshop with members of Anuna, Ireland’s leading professional choir. BC student Krystal Grant performed multiple solos and worked directly with a Gaelic language specialist—an experience that was both personally and musically transformative.
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.
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 RomanPalo 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.“
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.
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.
