It was a whirlwind of activity this week…. started in LA with the Vision 2030 Regional Workshop, then to Boston for a Workforce and AI convening at Harvard and wrapped up the week in Denver with a presentation at HACU and finally back home Saturday evening to watch the last game of the World Series… and what a phenomenal game and a phenomenal series.
The Chancellor’s Office team at the LA Vision 2030 Regional Workshop
Hello Boston!
And the view from my room. You can see the Charles River off in the distance.
It was cloudy and rainy for the two days I was in Boston with the sun coming out only when I was on my way back to the airport anticipating the long tunnel built under the Boston Harbor – quite the engineering feat.
Then onto Denver. The landing and take off from Denver airport is always bumpy and it was the case this time around.
This was an annual ritual that I did with Joe Castro. Here we are in 2023 and 2024. I miss Joe.
Good morning California.
It is November 1, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Mt. San Antonio College Launches Tuition-Free LVN Program
Mt. San Antonio College has launched the state’s only tuition-free Vocational Nursing program, offered through the School of Continuing Education. By removing tuition, the program opens doors for aspiring nurses to enter the profession without incurring the costs typically associated with similar programs. The full-time program is fully accredited by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, and spans three 18-week terms and blends classroom instruction with extensive clinical training.
West Valley College Honored with 2025–2028
FamilyU Seal for Commitment to Student Parents
West Valley College has been named one of only four higher education institutions nationwide to receive the 2025–2028 FamilyU Seal, a prestigious national certification from Generation Hope recognizing colleges and universities that are leading the way in supporting student parents. The FamilyU Seal celebrates institutions that go above and beyond to create family-inclusive campuses and foster cultures of belonging that empower parenting students to thrive.
Santa Barbara City College Partners with Mentavi Health
to Deliver Rapid, Clinically Validated ADHD Evaluations for Students
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is adopting Mentavi Health’s Diagnostic Evaluation to provide timely, rigorous ADHD assessments for students seeking academic accommodations. The partnership enables SBCC to reach accommodation decisions faster, when appropriate, and helps students stay on course during the term’s most demanding weeks.
Lake Tahoe Community College Dedicates First-Ever On-Campus Student Housing
History was made at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) as the college officially dedicated its first-ever on-campus student housing facility. This milestone moment had been more than a decade in the making. The new 100-bed residential community isn’t just a place to live; it’s a place to belong. Designed to support student success and well-being, the building features semi-suite units with both single- and double-occupancy options, shared lounges and study nooks, a community kitchen, and panoramic views of the Tahoe Basin that make “home” feel like inspiration.
In Case You Missed It
Eight-week courses have gotten traction at community colleges in states like Virginia, Indiana and Texas, and are gathering momentum in California. Researchers last year published a paper finding that shortened courses have spread in California as educators look for ways to improve enrollment and retention following pandemic-era downturns. Almost a quarter of California community college enrollments in 2021 were in courses lasting less than 10 weeks, researchers found, up from about 15% pre-pandemic.
Colleges like Bakersfield College, Orange Coast College and Long Beach City College are among those experimenting with shorter course lengths. Similar efforts around the state are getting a boost from a project seeking to launch more shortened academic programs at California community colleges in fall 2026 and assess how well they work for students.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Grossmont College:
When classical guitarist Fred Benedetti is not performing with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the American Ballet Company, the Old Globe Theatre, or across the world for the King & Queen of Malaysia, you can find him inside a Grossmont College music classroom. As a professor of music, Benedetti has been shaping the next great generation of musicians and guitar players at Grossmont College since 1986.
For his contributions and talents, Benedetti was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame in 2023 for music and education, a rare distinction honoring his role as a professor. The San Diego Music Hall of Fame called him “one of San Diego’s most influential music professors.”
*****
From Shasta College:
We had a great turn-out for our Spooky Spirit Day and Costume Contest! Everyone looked amazing! Way to go, Knights!
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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:
The Executive President’s Cabinet and Classified Senate came together for a fall luncheon filled with connection, gratitude, and great food! It was a wonderful time to celebrate the dedication and impact of our classified professionals who make SDCCE shine every day.
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From Norco College:
We are thrilled to celebrate the amazing awardees of the Dare to Dream Scholarship from MoC! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event, including our dedicated judges and inspiring awardees. Your hard work deserves recognition!
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And check out this video from Cypress College as their VAPA students gain real-world experience at Knott’s Scary Farm:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Launches Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway
to Expand Medical Career Opportunities
Bakersfield College has announced the launch of the Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway, a new initiative in collaboration with the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) and Morehouse School of Medicine that creates a streamlined, affordable path for students from Kern County to pursue careers in medicine.
Through this pathway, students will begin their journey at Bakersfield College, transfer into an AUCC institution in Atlanta, and continue on to medical school at Morehouse School of Medicine before ultimately returning home to Kern County to complete their residency.
Applications for the first cohort of Kern-AUCC Health Scholars open November 4, 2025, with the inaugural class to be announced in April 2026.
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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
