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
I watched the Grammy’s on Sunday. Apparently this is the last year on CBS – next year it will be on a streaming service ….. feels like a sign of the times …. a little bittersweet for those of us who made a night of it. I’ve always loved watching the Grammys. The anticipation, the surprise performances, the talent, the sense that for a few hours we were all tuned in together.
And since Superbowl is tomorrow I thought I would mention the hilarious scene with Trevor Noah and Bad Bunny.
You see, although Bad Bunny won big at the Grammys taking home major awards, he couldn’t officially perform on music’s biggest night because he’s contractually committed to headlining the SuperBowl LX halftime show which I will be watching tomorrow. Trevor Noah cheekily coaxed him into a spontaneous mini performance by singing Bad Bunny’s hit “DtMF” and bringing out a live band. Check it out….
I could not possibly list all my favorite parts….. but here is another – a tribute to Roberta Flack.
My favorite song:
Yesterday, after a loooong work week, I sank into the start of the Winter Olympics. Here are two of the many favorite moments from the Opening Ceremony.
One cool segment – Fantasia. In this surreal and joyful piece, dancers appeared with oversized heads representing the towering figures of Italian opera history, Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Loved the swirling colors, choreographed motion, and references to everything from opera to Renaissance aesthetics. Check it out. Check out the video on YouTube.
And a performance of Italy’s National Anthem by Laura Pausini. Before the national anthem, the stadium transformed into a runway in celebration of Giorgio Armani. Models moved across the field in silk suits the colors of the Italian flag, their silhouettes unmistakably Armani. Check out the video on YouTube.
Good morning California. It is February 7, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coastline College Launches First Dolphin Tank Pitch Competition to Support Former Foster Youth Entrepreneurs
Coastline College successfully hosted its first Dolphin Tank Pitch Competition, an innovative, Shark Tank–inspired capstone experience designed to support aspiring student entrepreneurs, with a special focus on students who are current or former foster youth. The event served as both a graduation celebration and a live pitch competition, giving students the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of experienced community leaders while receiving real-time feedback and mentorship.
Pending Sacramento City College Program Enhancement Will Address National Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Last month, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined leaders from the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento County, and the aviation industry at Mather Airport to celebrate Sacramento City College’s (SCC) progress toward becoming one of the nation’s only dual-certified Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs. Upon final approval, Sacramento City College would be the first Enhanced AT-CTI program on the West Coast, and one of only two institutions in the country with dual certification to train students for both tower and en route air traffic control careers.
A First Day, Reimagined: Inside San José City College’s New Career Education Complex
The Career Education Complex, now open for instruction, represents a significant shift in how San José City College imagines learning spaces. Over the course of the spring semester, 140 class sections will be taught inside the new facility, spanning career education programs and general education courses alike. English classes meet alongside high-tech labs. Students heading to their first lecture pass classmates gathering in open study areas and sunlit corridors.
Long Beach City College And Congressman Robert Garcia Announce $1.5 Million Community Project Funding
Thanks to the advocacy of Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Long Beach City College will receive $1.5 million in Community Project Funding to support the LBCC Child Development Center (CDC) at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TTC). The funding will be used to purchase and install new playground equipment at the TTC CDC. The funding will support a redesign of the center’s outdoor play area, replacing outdated equipment and creating a more functional space tailored specifically to early childhood use. The new playground equipment will serve children ages 3–5.
How Community Colleges Are Becoming America’s AI Talent Engine
In August 2024, while the technology world fixated on billion-dollar AI startups, something quieter but potentially more consequential was happening in American education. The National Science Foundation announced a $2.8 million grant to establish the National Applied AI Consortium—an initiative placing community colleges, not elite research universities, at the center of America’s AI workforce strategy.
The idea was deceptively simple: if artificial intelligence is going to reshape every industry from healthcare to manufacturing, then the technicians who implement, maintain, and work alongside these systems should come from the institutions that have always served as on-ramps to the American middle class.
Here are 5 reasons why 2026 is an exciting year for community colleges
Rising enrollment in short-term credential courses and community colleges is not a fluke.
Students—including young cohorts—are favoring affordable programs that lead directly to career opportunities, and community colleges are answering the call.
EAB, a higher education consulting firm, recently outlined five macro trends that help explain record-setting interest in the community colleges.
Giving tours = our favorite thing. Sharing the tech = even better. Thank you, @toyotausa community!
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From Napa Valley College:
Thank you, Congressman Mike Thompson, for taking the time to visit our campus and meet with our student leaders. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share the work happening at NVC and explore ways to further support student success. Your continued dedication to expanding educational opportunities makes a meaningful impact on our community.
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From Evergreen Valley College:
Retired judge LaDoris Cordell returned to EVC to speak to the campus as part of Black History Month.
Cordell was the first African American woman to serve on the bench in Northern California, serving on the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. Cordell graduated from Stanford Law School and became a respected jurist and advocate in the Bay Area, generations after her great-great-grandmother was a slave.
Cordell discussed being an “Upstander” and shared stories of those who caused good trouble. She ended with a quote from slave Araminta Ross, who said, Always remember, you have within you the strength, patience, and passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Ross changed her name to Harriet Tubman and became an American abolitionist, social activist, and upstander herself during the Civil War.
Cordell’s book, “Her Honor,” tells much of her story to readers.
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From Allan Hancock College:
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department donated one of its ambulances to AHC’s Public Safety Training Complex February 3.
The ambulance will be used by PSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program, and will help provide EMS students with realistic training.
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And Las Positas College shared some photos from their Winter Club & Resource Fair:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Recognition as a Black Serving Institution
Earlier this week, faculty, staff, students, and community members gathered on the CSS Lawn to kick off Black History Month and celebrate Bakersfield College’s recent recognition as a California designated Black-Serving Institution (BSI). The distinction is an important milestone highlighting BC’s commitment to advancing equity, access, and student success for Black students.
The event featured remarks from BC administrators, BC faculty, and community members, including BC President Dr. Stacey Pfluger, BC Faculty member Dr. Tommy Tunson, NAACP President of the Bakersfield Branch Patrick Jackson, and others. The event also included a special singing of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ by the Agapeland Christian Academy choir and concluded with food samples and a time for networking. It was an exciting way to kick off Black History Month at Bakersfield College.
September 24 plan: McDonald’s fries for Mom’s birthday. Reality: work hijacked the day, so I honored mom with bonus potato chips. Happy birthday mom. Miss you everyday.
It was back to Orange County this week as we kicked off the California Adult Education Summit in Anaheim.
This annual event is presented by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the California Department of Education in partnership with the CAEP Technical Assistance Providers, North Orange Continuing Education, the Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
Good morning California. It is September 27, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Diego City College Celebrates Grand Opening of AANHPI Connections Center
San Diego City College proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Connections Center on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The event, held at the Business and Technology Quad, marked the official launch of the college’s newest identity space dedicated to fostering belonging, cultural pride, and student success.
Solano Community College Unveils Solar-Powered Soofa Signs, Ushering in a New Era of Smart, Sustainable Campus Communication
Solano Community College (SCC) proudly announces the installation of solar-powered Soofa Signs across its Fairfield campus, marking a significant stride toward sustainable innovation and enhanced community engagement. These state-of-the-art digital kiosks, powered entirely by solar energy, provide real-time information on campus events, transit updates, and community news, aligning seamlessly with SCC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and modern communication.
College of the Siskiyous Partners with NACCE to Launch Everyday Entrepreneur Program
College of the Siskiyous (COS) is proud to announce its participation in the Everyday Entrepreneur (EE) Program, a national initiative led by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to start and grow small businesses in their local communities. The program is designed to serve both students and community members with the ambition and passion to create or expand a small business.
Citrus College is significantly expanding its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to prepare more graduates for successful health care careers. This growth is in response to increased student demand and will help address the region’s critical shortage of skilled medical professionals. For more than a year, Citrus College has collaborated closely with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to grow the scope of the program. Last month, the BRN granted the college its official approval to increase enrollment from 30 to 120 students each year, opening the door for more aspiring nurses to begin their careers.
OPINION: Rural community colleges are uniquely positioned to tackle complex regional challenges and drive community transformation. Here’s how
Every person deserves a place close to home where they can learn, grow and build a better future. In rural areas, that place is often a community college.
But in today’s environment, community colleges are under threat. Enrollment has been declining for most of the past 15 years as increasing numbers of Americans question the value of higher education. Recent reductions in federal support for college programs and for low-income Americans will almost certainly create additional pressure on community colleges to deliver education more effectively and efficiently.
But improving delivery alone will not be enough to regain trust, enrollment and government investment. Rural community colleges must become rural development hubs, delivering value by bridging economic, social and civic sectors to address regional challenges.
» Read more!
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Santiago Canyon College/UC Irvine Partnership Streamlines Master’s Degree in Accounting
Students who earn an associate degree in accounting at Santiago Canyon College are well-prepared for a variety of entry-level positions, as well as promotional opportunities, in such areas as accounts receivable/payable, income tax preparation, payroll and more.
However, those seeking to aim higher are encouraged to enter a unique program that will fast-track them toward an eventual master’s degree in this in-demand field.
Created through a partnership between SCC and UC Irvine, the SCC and UCI 2+2+1 Masters of Accountancy Pathway Program closes the gap between a community college and a graduate degree. Students spend two years completing prerequisite courses at SCC, earn a bachelor’s degree at UCI (or another accredited four-year university) over the next two years and complete UCI’s Master of Professional Accountancy Program the final year: hence the term “2+2+1.”
California Native American Day – A celebration with drummers, dancers, cultural practitioners, artists & poets
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From Cañada College:
Womxn of Color Collaborative kicked off Fall 2025 with a powerful Community Circle! Students, faculty, and staff shared reflections on today’s social and political climate, found affirmation, and wrapped up with food & fellowship.
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From Ventura College:
La Batalla Esta Aquí We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a multimedia presentation explaining the Chicano/a Movement. Thank you Dr. Elias Serna for this great discussion about ethnic studies.
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From College of Marin:
Club Fest 2025 is in the books! Thanks to everyone who joined us, here’s to an exciting year ahead!
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From De Anza College:
Welcome Day was a blast! Thank you to everyone who made this day possible. We were so glad to see so many of you back on campus today for the start of fall quarter!
And From the Home of the Renegades
VP of Student Services César Jiménez Named to 20 Under 40
Bakersfield College is proud to celebrate Vice President of Student Services César Jiménez, who has been recognized as one of Bakersfield’s 20 Under 40.
At 39, César has already built a career defined by service and community impact. Born and raised in Chicago, he came to Bakersfield in 2023 and quickly found a home here, embracing the city’s mix of opportunity and small-town connection. “I have been loving every single moment living in this great city,” he says.
Happy Saturday from Manzanita, Oregon. I have to say it’s exactly what I needed after the hot days in the central valley.
The skies have been overcast – which is perfect. That soft gray light, the cool air, highs around 65, lows dipping into the mid-50s. it’s great sweatshirt weather.
Started the morning with a slice of marionberry coffee cake from Manzanita News and Espresso, a local café. Walked through the little shops in town…lots of handmade stuff, a couple of galleries, and of course, salt water taffy everywhere. That seems to be the universal language of every coastal town I have been to.
The drive on Highway 26 from PDX to the coast was beautiful. Huge trees, and everything is just green. Layers and layers of green.
Here is a photo that I snapped for you this morning.
Good morning California. It is July 19, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Hartnell College Students Perform Original Play at Prestigious BorderLight Theatre Festival in Cleveland
A group of nine Hartnell College students and two faculty members is heading to Cleveland, Ohio, to present their original production, Get with the Times, Jane! at the acclaimed BorderLight Theatre Festival, an international showcase known for celebrating boundary-pushing, socially engaged, and independent theatre.
Río Hondo College Awarded $20,000 Grant for LEGACIE+ Male Success Initiatives
California State University Dominguez Hills, on behalf of Toro Auxiliary Partners, has awarded Río Hondo College a $20,000 grant to support the college’s LEGACIE+ Male Success Initiatives program, aimed at improving the academic and social outcomes of men of color.
City College of San Francisco Engineering Club Races to Victory at Statewide Solar Regatta
The City College of San Francisco Engineering Club has once again shown remarkable ingenuity and team collaboration by winning the 2025 Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) California Solar Regatta, held on May 3, 2025, at the Rancho Seco Recreation Area. The CCSF Engineering Club has now won the SMUD Regatta Cup in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025, making the college one of the most decorated in the event’s history.
Mother, Daughter Overcame the Odds to Graduate from Merced College With Honors
We asked Karen Navarro-Estrada and Moriah Cortez what message they could send to people who, like them, weren’t great students growing up, or even to anyone reading about this mother-daughter team that defied expectations at Merced College.
They said the same thing: “If I can do this, anyone can.”
Navarro-Estrada, 52, is mother to Cortez, 27, and they both graduated with honors from Merced College on May 23.
Both Navarro-Estrada and Cortez started in the Merced College Online program. Mom chose to study Psychology, and daughter chose to study Administration of Justice.
They also, as Navarro-Estrada says, “broke generational curses.”
El Camino’s architecture students showcased their spring designs for their final presentations last month. The June event was host to dynamic environmental designs with low ecological impact for locations in and around the South Bay.
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From Fresno City College:
@scccd & @downtownfresno commemorated the opening of the newly installed downtown Mural thanks to the work of Fresno City College faculty & local artist, @love_danieldemeza & the contributions of Fresno City College student artists.
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From Compton College:
Spectrum News Los Angeles did a story on Compton College’s One Meal Per Day Program! Find out how this program is helping our students and staff for their daily needs:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Project HireUp’s Summer 2025 Graduation
Bakersfield College and the CityServe Educational Collaborative hosted a special graduation ceremony to celebrate the participants of Cohort #15 of Project HireUp
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. Project HireUp and CityServe Educational Collaborative will continue to host three cohorts a year – Spring, Summer, and Fall, with a capacity of thirty students per cohort.
Nothing beats jasmine in full bloom. The fragrance…
I had the trellis for the jasmine installed during the COVID lockdown.
And the second trellis –
I wanted to share a few events I was at recently.
The Orange County AI and Gen Z Summit was a great event. Here’s a short excerpt from my remarks:
What was the first piece of technology that changed your world?
For Boomers, it might have been the moon landing broadcast on a black-and- white TV.
For Gen X, maybe it was the Walkman. I witnessed the dawn of the internet.
For Millennials, it was probably Napster.
And for Gen Z? It may be when ChatGPT answered a question better than a textbook.
These stories help us anchor rapid change in shared human experience. And right now, artificial intelligence is shaping a new chapter in how we live, learn, work, and relate.
I also participated in a fireside chat with Cheryl Aschenbach at the ASCCC Plenary.
It was a great conversation and I was astonished at the quantify of work we have advanced in the last two years with the Academic Senate.
After my travels it is always good to be home.
Neo, the 100-pound gentle giant has a surprising hobby—gardening. Not the dig-up-the-yard kind, but the delicate, blade-by-blade grass selection from overgrown flower beds. You’d think a mouth that big would bulldoze everything in its path, but Neo approaches his grassy buffet as a delicacy—sniff, inspect, nibble…. avoiding every geranium petal.
Good morning California. It is May 3, 2025 A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Hard Hats & High Tech: Exploring Career Education at Santa Rosa Junior College
KCRB’s “The 707” radio show recently featured career education at Santa Rosa Junior College. They toured the Construction Training Center to see hands-on building skills in development and exploring the technological advancements fostered in their STEM education labs.
Los Angeles Valley College Speech & Debate Team earns National Medals at Phi Rho Pi Forensic Tournament
Students on the LAVC Speech & Debate Team brought home with four prestigious awards at the 2025 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Competition that was held in Norfolk, Virginia last month. LAVC’s Speech and Debate Team has participated in the competition since the 1970s, and many of its team members have earned top awards over the years, including the team being the tournament champions in 1999, 2008 and 2009.
More Than a Place to Stay: How Saddleback College Supports Students Facing Housing Insecurity
Rising rents, unstable family dynamics, and economic pressures have made housing insecurity an increasingly common occurrence, even in a traditionally affluent area like Orange County. Thanks to a growing network of support services, Saddleback College is working hard to ensure that no student is left behind simply because they don’t have a permanent address.
Riverside City College Hosts Inaugural AAPI Arts & Culture Event
On Friday, April 11, Riverside City College proudly hosted its first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Arts & Culture event, a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and scholarship. The event was organized by RCC’s Asian Pacific Student Union (APSU) and the Office of the Vice President of Student Services, with support from ASRCC and the RCC Art & Art History Department.
Four Female Inmates from FCC Victorville Make History by Attending College Outside Prison
In January 2025, four female inmates housed at the Satellite Camp of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Victorville became the first federal inmates in the country to attend community college outside of a correctional facility.
California Community Colleges Closing in on 100,000 Registered Apprenticeships this National Apprenticeship Day
Momentum is carrying the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce development and training provider, toward a key milestone — 100,000 registered apprenticeships. This comes as the system’s 116 colleges, along with their partners across the state, celebrate National Apprenticeship Day today.
Apprenticeship programs offer cutting-edge, hands-on career training and classroom learning, paving the way for higher-wage, high-growth careers. The California Community Colleges is playing a crucial role in Gov. Newsom’s goal of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029 and in the newly released Master Plan for Career Education. To date, there are more than 96,000 registered apprentices in the system. This is about 20% of the goal, with four years still to go.
An amazing conversation with the legendary Civil Rights Activist Delores Huerta
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From San Joaquin Delta College:
PUENTE Celebration Recap. Congratulations to our grads!
Puente, Spanish for “bridge”, is a national award-winning program that has helped thousands of students reach their dreams of college success — and yesterday, we honored another step in that journey.
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From College of the Redwoods:
The Career fair was a hit! Thank you to everyone who came out for this event!
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And check out this video from College of the Siskiyous:
You may have seen some smoke coming from the Fire Academy last week?
Our cadets got the opportunity to do some live wildland fire training in our own backyard. With the help of Siskiyous CalFire, and the Weed City Fire Department, they were able to provide real live fire training in a safe controlled environment.
Great job to our cadets for working successfully throughout each scenario, and thank you again to Siskiyous CalFire and Weed City Fire Department for your support.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Garden Fest 2025 Blooms with Community Spirit Despite Rainy Weather
Bakersfield College and the Horticulture Department proudly hosted the much-anticipated Garden Fest 2025 this past weekend, and this year’s festival delivered a truly unforgettable experience! Despite the unexpected downpour of rain, the turnout remained strong, with enthusiastic guests exploring a diverse array of booths, activities, and entertainment.
With more than 100 local businesses and organizations participating, Garden Fest offered something for everyone, creating an engaging and memorable experience that highlighted the college’s deep-rooted commitment to community and education.
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.
