Enjoyed connecting with the legendary George Boggs to write a piece titled Proactive Access.
Here is an excerpt:
Since their founding, our community colleges have been innovative and responsive in providing postsecondary education to millions of Californians, but in Spring 2020, they were faced with a serious challenge to their open access mission. Colleges were forced to close to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Colleges shifted almost overnight to classes and services online, but many students didn’t have access to computers or high-speed Internet. As colleges struggled to find ways to keep students enrolled, institutions distributed laptop computers to students and set up Internet hotspots in college parking lots. College leaders understood that access was more than just providing an open door. It meant finding ways to proactively support students.
Find the 1200-word essay here: https://workforceandeconomicmobility.com/2023/10/26/proactive-access/
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Had fun attending the Colegas Annual Conference themed, “Raices de Excelencia: La Cultura Cura” in Long Beach. Here is a selfie of the all of us who attended from the Chancellor’s Office Ebony Jeffries, Siria Martinez, Lizette Navarette.
Presented to the Cradle to Career Data System Board of Directors with Ben Chida.
Wrapped up my week at Cypress College for the North Orange County Community College District’s Focus on the Future event, where I presented on Vision 2030. Was happy to connect with State Senator Josh Newman who is a huge supporter of community colleges.
The NOCCCD’s Focus on the Future was designed to provide district employees and other educators with a high-level view of the future of education.
A fireside chat with NOCCCD Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland hosting a question-and-answer session with state Senator Newman on workforce development and partnership.
President Joanna Schilling along with Jolena Grande, member of the Board of Governors took Senator Newman and I on a tour of the college’s baccalaureate program in Funeral Service, and the new baccalaureate in Dental Hygiene.
Good morning California.
It is November 4, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Champions of Higher Education
This week the Campaign for College Opportunity revealed this year’s Champions of Higher Education – exemplary and committed California Community Colleges and California State University campuses that are leading the state in conferring the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), enrolling ADT earners on guaranteed pathways to a bachelor’s degree, and intentionally working to support Latinx and Black students on their path to a degree.
This year’s community college honorees include:
Champions of Higher Education
- Bakersfield College
- Berkeley City College
- Citrus College
- Clovis Community College
- East Los Angeles College
- Evergreen Valley College
- Grossmont College
- Madera College
- Mission College
- Moorpark College
- Mt. San Antonio College
- San Joaquin Delta College
2023 Equity Champions
- Bakersfield College
- Berkeley City College
- Citrus College
- College of San Mateo
- College of the Desert
- Crafton Hills College
- Evergreen Valley College
- Glendale Community College
- Long Beach City College
- West Valley College
Honorees will be celebrated on November 14th at 10 am on Zoom.
» Read more about this year’s honorees & register for Zoom event!
Rio Hondo College Partners with
Summer Research Program to Empower STEM Students
Approximately 20 Río Hondo College students recently dove into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – working in labs, conducting research projects and presenting their findings – through the College’s first-year partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program.
Fullerton, Cypress Colleges Join California Virtual Campus Exchange
Earlier this month, Fullerton College and Cypress College became the 49th & 50th colleges to join the California Virtual Campus Exchange as teaching colleges. The program provides access to online courses for students at community colleges across the state.
2023 California Community Colleges Distinguished Alumni
The Community College League of California announced honorees for this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Jimmy Panetta (Monterey Peninsula College), Advaith Thampi (Irvine Valley College) and Blas Villalobos (Long Beach City College) were selected this year. They will be honored at the League’s Annual Convention later this month.
In Case You Missed It
KQED: Chancellor Sonya Christian
Has Big Plans for California Community Colleges
This week, I was thrilled to speak with Mina Kim on KQED. We discussed plans to address declining enrollment, ease transfers from community college to the UC and Cal State systems and create more community college baccalaureate degree programs.
» Read more & listen to the interview
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PPIC: Making the Most of State Investments in Dual Enrollment
Daniel Payares-Montoya & Mary Severance spoke with Dr. Sandra Fuentes, Interim Dean of Early College at Reedley College, discussing how dual enrollment can help historically underserved students success in college.
I also think career exploration and internship opportunities are huge. We partner with community businesses to offer internships in aeronautics, agriculture, manufacturing, welding, and so on. Historically, many students would not look for internships until they were completing their junior or senior year in college. And many of our students have changed majors three to five times. We’re hoping that offering internships tied to dual enrollment will help students align their pathways a lot sooner.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Tina Maria King:
Thank you to @chaffeycollege for having me as one of the keynote panelist for the Black and Brown Minds & Mattering, 2nd Annual Conference. A Celebration of Black and Latino Culture. I am so proud of the work thats being done to uplift BIPOC students and employee voices. As an Afro-Latina my advocacy and leadership is predicated on the continuous growth and understanding of how to best engage and support our communities.
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From Madera Community College:
Please join us in wishing a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our President, Dr. Ángel Reyna!
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From Diablo Valley College:
Happy Friday! We would like to end the week with a couple of pictures of our beautiful campus. Next time you are on campus, stop by the lake between the Student Union and Music Building and just relax. 
This a great place to gather your thoughts and to end a busy week. #ourbeautifulcampus#pictureoftheday
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Receives First Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Provided by Grant Funded By Kern COG
Bakersfield College is thrilled to announce the installation of the first of four off-grid electric vehicle charging stations, known as the EVEN Recharge Hub, as part of a groundbreaking initiative funded by the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG). This delivery underscores Bakersfield College’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape for future Electric Vehicle Technicians in the State of California.
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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
