Tag Archives: Imperial Valley College

California Community College Students on the move – March in March

Spring is in bloom! A friend shared this pic with me, with a text –

“Flowering Plum Trees are in bloom. When there’s a slight breeze the flower petals  sometimes fall off as if there are snow flakes.”

I started my week in San Francisco, presenting at the CISOA conference on Monday – the annual conference for the Chief Technology Officers of the California Community Colleges.

Monday afternoon, I dropped by for the student March in March event. Here are some photos.

The fabulous Linda Vasquez selfie.

With Board of Governors Member Cirian Villavicencio

With Ivan Hernandez – SSCCC President

On Thursday, I spoke at the A2MEND Conference with Board of Governors member Pam Haynes.

Chris Ferguson, Rowena Tomenang, Sonya Christian, Ebony Jeffries
Chris Ferguson, Rowena Tomenang, Sonya Christian, Don Daves-Rougeaux

And with a group of students from Southwestern College:

Good morning California.
It is March 8, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!


The Human Library® Returns to Cuesta College

Cuesta College, in collaboration with the Cuesta College Library, Cuesta College Student Health Services, and San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health, is proud to announce the return of The Human Library® to its San Luis Obispo campus on March 5.

Originating in Denmark over two decades ago, The Human Library® is a global movement designed to challenge stereotypes and biases through open and meaningful conversations. The event creates a safe and inclusive space where topics are discussed openly between the human books and their readers, providing an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and foster deeper understanding. 

» Read more!


Peralta CCD Hosts Event With House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

On February 21, 2025, the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in partnership with the Peralta Community College District hosted a forum dedicated to civic engagement, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, and citizens to discuss the vital importance of defending democratic principles in today’s challenging political climate. 

» Read more!


Mt. San Antonio College Turf Teams Sweep Contest

Mt. SAC Turf Teams recently mowed the competition at the annual Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) contest, taking first, second and third place and beating out major universities. Three teams of four competed in the Student Challenge, a two-hour exam testing knowledge of the sports turf industry, covered subjects as diverse as Turfgrass Identification, Selection and Morphology, Soil Management, Soil Fertility, Water Management, Drainage, Turfgrass Mathematics, Pest Identification and Management, and both turf and non-turf Sports Field Management. 

» Read more!


Mendocino College Announces the Purchase of Property
for Future Student Housing

Mendocino College is pleased to announce the purchase of a property at the corner of Perkins and Main Streets in downtown Ukiah, marking the first phase of a multi-year initiative to develop future student housing. This project aims to increase the availability of affordable housing for students and support the local community.

» Read more!



Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Victor Valley College:

Victor Valley College’s inaugural Community Education — Paint Night Experience in VVC Performing Arts Center Black Box Room was a sold-out success! It was incredible to watch our lead instructor, Theresa Shellcroft, guide and inspire participants as they brought their unique Desert Sunset masterpieces to life.

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

What an amazing afternoon we had celebrating Women’s History Month! We came together to share inspiring affirmations, create uplifting messages, and take home a beautiful flower. Thank you to everyone who joined us in spreading joy and empowerment!

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From Madera Community College:

On February 25, we held another CAMP Seminar for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) 2024-25 Cohort at Madera Community College! This event offered a valuable opportunity to engage with CAMP students. They received essential information regarding academic advising, CSU/UC transfer requirements, financial aid, health services, psychological services, and tutoring resources available on campus.

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From Imperial Valley College:

Step right up! We’re all set inside the Preble Building at the California Mid-Winter Fair, ready to hear your big ideas for Imperial Valley College’s future.

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From Rio Hondo College:

This weekend, we hosted the LA Regional Science Olympiad Tournament, where Division B & C teams from across LA County showcased their STEM skills! Congrats to those advancing to the State Tournament in April! Thanks to Ryan Wong & all the volunteers!

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And check out this video from Evergreen Valley College –

McTate Stroman, a staff member at Evergreen Valley College, whose hometown of Altadena was devastated by the Los Angeles Fires, wrote and recited this poem. McTate also curated an art exhibit in his hometown.



And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Students Travel to Arizona for Theatre Arts Festival

Recently, twenty-seven BC Theatre students traveled to Mesa, Arizona to participate in the Region 7/Region 8 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) at Mesa Community College. This Festival is a celebration of the work in Theatre Arts that college students in these regions have done throughout the year, as well as a place to audition and compete for scholarships, gain knowledge and skills through workshops, see plays, and network with students from other schools.

Three BC students – Riss Halbwachs, Savanna Lux, and Jesse Magdaleno – and their partners advanced to the Semi-Final Round of the Irene Ryan auditions, which is a huge accomplishment! Out of hundreds of preliminary participants, only sixty make it to the Semi-Final Round. Then, Jesse Magdaleno and his partner Nathan Armendariz made it to the Final Round of the audition– the top fifteen participants of the entire festival. This is the first time a BC student has made it to the Final Round of the Irene Ryans.

» Read more!

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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

Rolling into March 2024

I started my week in Austin presenting on a panel at SXSW – Higher Education’s Role in
Climate: The Missing Piece. Jeff Clary moderated the panel with Martin Keller, Director of
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Katy Launius from the Lumina
Foundation, and me.

The panel touched on the unique potential of community colleges to
accelerate climate action at scale. Serving millions of students, community colleges have
large operational footprints; a focus on technical education for essential careers in green
energy, transportation, and infrastructure; and close ties to their communities, where they
give voice to many who often go unheard.

I enjoyed seeing the Foundation there in full force.  Here is a photo that Bryan Miller snapped right before the session.

The very brief time I was in Austin, literally a one-day trip for the presentation, I checked out the Rainey Street that was bustling with music, musicians and DJs everywhere and walked the trail that ran along the river.  The trail is beautiful as you can see in the photos.  There is quite a lot of  recreational activity as well.

On Friday, I gave welcome remarks at Foothill College’s 2nd Annual Dual Enrollment Summit.

Here I am with Anthony Cordova and Dolores Davison:

And with Foothill College President Kristina Whalen and Student Trustee Nicole Nguyen – who also serves on the CCCT Board.

Good morning California.
It is March 9, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!


ELAC Theater Arts Students Shine at
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Theater Arts students showcased their talent and dedication at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for Region 8, garnering numerous awards and accolades. 25 total ELAC students participated in the festival with many of them winning awards. Among the standout winners, Krystyna Colocho emerged victorious, clinching the prestigious National KCACTF Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Scenic Design. Krystyna will be representing Region 8 at the Kennedy Center in the Spring, a testament to their outstanding creativity and skill.

» Read more!


Imperial Valley College Rolls Out Lithium Tech Certificate Program

Imperial Valley College has been working with the local Lithium companies to develop new programs to prepare Imperial Valley residents with the skills and abilities to obtain the anticipated Lithium jobs. Based on projected workforce needs, IVC rolled the first Lithium related program in Fall 2023 by starting a new Plant Operator certificate Program.

» Learn more!

» Read KQED’s story about the program!


Santiago Canyon College, Korean American Chamber of Commerce
of Orange County Sign MOU for Workplace Skills

Members of the Santiago Canyon College President’s Cabinet and SCC’s Division of Continuing Education participated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Ceremony with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. The MOU calls for collaboration with SCC providing Workplace Skills Enhancement Training to the more than 100 businesses that comprise the membership of the KACCOC and thousands of Korean American businesses in Orange County.


College of the Sequoias Resource Aims to Assist Unhoused Students

The Giant Marketplace at College of the Sequoias was open with the needs of unhoused students in mind. The facility provides canned food, microwaveable dishes, milk, and fruit. Students can also be referred to assistive programs pertaining to their situation. The facility also has its own case workers who can guide students through their search for secure housing.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

In California, NREL Helps Kern County Embrace Clean Energy
in Partnership With Community Colleges

For more than 100 years, Kern County, California, has relied on energy (oil and gas) and agricultural production to stimulate the economy. People in Kern County have a fierce sense of pride and a strong sense of identity as an energy producing community, and they are expanding that vision.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg with a group at the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus’ International Women’s Day event at Los Angeles Mission College:

Some more members of the CCCWC:

Tammy Silver, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Linda Wah,
Rowena Tomaneng, Andra Hoffman, Sharoni Little

*****

Bakersfield College and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a Latinas in Business and Leadership panel this week to kick off Women’s History Month at BC. Nicole also went on KGET to promote the panel and other college events.

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From El Camino College:

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! We commemorated the occasion with our Women’s Walk yesterday to celebrate women everywhere.

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From Cerro Coso Community College:

On Friday March 1st, Cerro Coso Access Programs went on a cultural field trip to Manzanar National Historic Site. Access Programs was able to bring 14 students from the IWV Cerro Coso Campus, and 4 students from the ESCC Bishop Campus. Students had the opportunity to network with fellow Access Students, travel along the Eastern Sierra Mountains, learn about WWII history, and have fun!

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And check out this video from Allan Hancock College – Hancock Conversations with ASB President Samantha Martinez, discussing student mental wellness:


Blast from the Past

Came across this 3:36 min photo roll of my time as Bakersfield College President. This was shared at BC’s Opening Day, Fall 2021. Wonderful memories ….


And From the Home of the Renegades

Introduce A Girl 2 Engineering 2024

Introduce a Girl 2 Engineering (IGE) is an event that occurs during National Engineers Week, where high school students from low-income families are invited to Bakersfield College to expose high school girls to engineering careers and recruit them to the Bakersfield College MESA Program.  The event also serves as a platform for BC-MESA students and young engineering professionals to develop leadership skills.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

Closing out June 2023 – work hard…play hard

Last weekend started with country music at Buck Owens Chrystal Place and wrapped up at the Pantages with Tina Turner the musical. This is what happens when you have a high school friend visiting.

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is one of my favorites – it’s breathtakingly beautiful and full of history. It had its grand opening on June 4, 1930, right down the block from Vine Street. From 1950-1959, it was even the home of the Academy Awards Presentation!

In 1963, it was home to the Hollywood Premiere of “Cleopatra,” with a ticket price of $250 per person (about $2,484 today!). The event raised $400,000 to help fund the construction of Los Angeles’ planned performing arts complex, The Music Center.

In 1977, the Pantages had its Broadway debut with the musical “Bubbling Brown Sugar.”

When the Walt Disney Company was seeking a home for its LA production of “The Lion King,” the Nederlander Organization agreed to a substantial renovation to restore the theatre to its former glory – including 84,027 square feet of gold, silver, copper and bronze leaf; 2,000 square feet of marble; 1,843 gallons of paint; and 7,260 square yards of new carpeting.

Today it is truly one of California’s many gems, and a treat for anyone lucky enough to visit.

The Tina Turner musical is a must see. And of course, my favorite has always been Proud Mary. Grabbed this 10-min video from youtube.

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This week has been a travel week as college campuses hosted events on key topics related to educational attainment and the future of work.

On Tuesday, I was at West Los Angeles College for California Community Colleges and Climate: Defining the Possible Summit. We discussed the role that community colleges have – and will continue to have – as we tackle climate change and what it means for our evolving economy. Thank you President Jim Limbaugh and Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez for hosting this statewide event. We had several dignitaries attend — Ben Chida, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to Governor Newsom, and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development.

President Jose Fiero, Trustee Andra Hoffman, BOG VP Hildy Aguinaldo, Dr. Larry Galizio, BOG member Tom Epstein, Governor’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ben Chida, Sonya Christian, BOG Member Jennifer Perry, Secretary Knox, Foundation President Keetha Mills, BOG President Amy Costa

I got a chance to see some of my old colleagues from Kern Community College District:

The inaugural CEO Climate Panel showed up in full force.

President Jose Fiero, President Lennor Johnson, President Jerry Buckley, President Martha Garcia, Sonya Christian, President Joe Wyse, Chancellor Tom Burke

Here is the foundation team with President Keetha Mills and Member of the Board of Directors Manuel Bacca

On Wednesday, I headed to Long Beach City College for the 9th Grade to Baccalaureate Intersegmental Collaboration. Thank you President Mike Munoz for hosting this statewide event.

We had many great speakers share their experiences, and ideas on how to move our Dual Enrollment work forward to ensure success with equity for all of our students.

Thank you to all our speakers – Mike Munoz, Ben Chida, Jolene Koester, Larry Galizio, Amy Costa, Andra Hoffman, Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Manuel Velez, Suman Mudunuri, Jerome Hunt. Thank you Kylie Campbell for organizing this event with the LBCC team.

What an incredible faculty panel.

Thank you to the five members of the Board of Governors who attended this event.

And thank you to everyone who joined to support and learn about how we can expand these opportunities for all our California students.

Appreciated the Chancellor’s Office showing up.

Marc LeForestier, Paul Feist, Lizette Navarette, Sonya Christian, Craig Hayward, David O’Brien

Good morning California.
It is July 1, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Imperial Valley College Awarded Aspen Prize

Imperial Valley College’s efforts to create a “college-going culture” have led to a 12% jump in graduation rates over the past four years. As a result, the college was recently awarded the Aspen Prize, one of the nation’s top awards for community colleges that are achieving growing and equitable student outcomes.

It is the first California Community College to be awarded the Aspen Prize since 2013.

» Read more on Imperial Valley College’s website!

» Check out the EdSource article about the award!


Mission College offers courses at Santa Clara County Main Jail

Mission College is the first college to offer courses at the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

As part of their commitment to serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, the dedicated Rising Scholars program team, led by Department Chair of Social & Behavioral Science, Jeff Cormier, and Program Specialist, Steve Duong, successfully launched the Main Jail’s first college program this summer.

» Read more about this program!


Chabot College holds Ribbon Cutting for Fire Academy

Last week, the City of Hayward and Chabot-Las Positas Community College District celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the long awaited Fire Station 6 and Training Center. This new campus will serve as the new home of the Chabot College Fire Academy.

» Read more about Fire Technology at Chabot College!



In Case You Missed It

EdSource: Sonya Christian on her ambitious goals as California’s new community colleges chief

I had the opportunity to sit down for a 1-on-1 interview with Michael Burke of EdSource. Did not realize it was going to be Q&A style reporting….. check it out to get a sense of the Vision 2030 emerging themes.

» Read the Q&A on EdSource’s website!

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Comstock: Graduating into a New Life

Comstock Magazine published a piece about Los Rios Community College District’s Prison and Reentry Education Program.

» Read the Article!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Frank Ramirez from Porterville College shared this post:

We had a great time learning about best practices in helping #firstgen @PCollegePirates students at the #SSHE2023 Conference. @FirstgenCenter @NASPAtweets#StudentSuccess#EdEquity#firstgen

Andra Hoffman shared this photo – BOG President Amy Costa and I had lunch with the CC League Board:

Tina Maria King shared these photos from the California Community Colleges Black CEO Summer Retreat at UC Davis Wheelhouse:


And From the Home of the Renegades

Summer Bridge to BC Program on Track to Support 3,000 Students

Through a successful collaboration of the Bridge to BC team and the Students Affairs Team, this year’s Bridge to BC program is on pace to support more than 3,000 first-year students. The one-day, in-person course helps new students get a jump start on their academic success.

» Read more about this week at BC!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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