Woke up this morning to the news that Maggie Smith had passed. A legend.
One of my very favorite Maggie Smith roles is in the move Sister Act. Check out this 2-min video.
And the NY Times has a long piece on her – https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/arts/maggie-smith-dead.html
Started this week with the BOG meeting at San Bernardino Valley College. What a phenomenal visit to the campus. Here are some photos.
Here are the BOG members who were able to join the meeting in person.
We did a great tour of the STEM-MESA center. Here is a selfie that Board Member Joseph Williams snapped. See if you can spot Board Members Tom Epstein and Bill Rawlings
We had dinner at the KVCR studio. What a treat! Former senator Connie Leyva is now the Executive Director of the PBS station. We also met Assembly member Eloise Reyes – I sat next to her at dinner and thoroughly enjoyed her warmth and care for our students and community.
Snapped this photo of John Stanskas when he presented to the BOG.
After the BOG meeting, I headed to Irvine for the 10-year anniversary of the Rising Scholars Network.
So many great speakers, including Le Barron Woodyard who stepped in for Tonya Williams, Martha Garcia, Keith Curry, Chelsea Esquibias, Anthony Cordova, Bryan Hirayama – and Rising Scholar graduates Serafin Leon, Isaiah Posey and Marquis Jiles.
We were joined by BOG members Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Bill Rawlings.
Did you know – one academic year of graduates saved over $27 MILLION in incarceration costs?
Serafin was in the first graduating class in 2019 at the Kern Valley State Prison – I was president of BC at that time. Check out this 37-sec video.
And now, here I am with Serafin 5 years later at the 10-year anniversary celebration of the statewide Rising Scholars program legislated in 2024 with the passage of AB 1391.
Was wonderful reuniting with he BC team who made this program happen.
And Vicki Coffee snapped this selfie.
Forever grateful to Bryan Hirayama for doing the first fully in-person course in the state of California in Spring 2015.
Following the Rising Scholars 10-year celebration was the DEIA Institute which opened with Tom Heasley’s BC Drumline. Just fantastic ….
Here is a panel with Gina Brown, Tony Cordova, and John Stanskas who joined us via zoom. Clearly Stanskas said something witty…
and here is John…
Good morning California.
It is September 28, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates Grand Opening
of New STEM Building at the San Jacinto Campus
Mt. San Jacinto College proudly announces the grand opening of its state-of-the-art STEM Building at the San Jacinto Campus. A ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by college officials, local leaders, and community members celebrated the completion of this transformative facility designed to enhance educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Santa Rosa Junior College Awarded $3 million HSI Grant
From U.S. Department of Education
Santa Rosa Junior College has been awarded a $3 million grant, to be received over 5 years, from the U.S. Department of Education under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program. This grant will fund the college’s latest initiative, Transformando, aimed at enhancing SRJC’s ability to serve its growing Latinx and underrepresented student populations.
New Ballot Drop Box Unveiled at Woodland Community College and Voter Registration Drive Announced
In a significant step toward expanding voter accessibility, Woodland Community College (WCC), in partnership with Yolo County Elections and the League of Women Voters, is proud to announce the unveiling of a new permanent ballot drop box at the Woodland campus. This initiative is aimed at providing easier and more convenient access for students, staff, and the community to securely submit their vote-by-mail ballots during local, state, and national elections.
In Case You Missed It
Undocumented Student Action Week: Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible
Register today for the Eighth Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on Oct. 14 – 18, 2024. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the Community College League of California and our statewide partners for a week of collaboration and supporting students, faculty and those involved in advocating for undocumented students.
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2024 System Webinar: Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible
Join California Community Colleges on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for the System Webinar “Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible.”
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Board of Governors Member & Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg shared this photo from the BOG visit to San Bernardino Valley College:
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From Fresno City College:
Thank you,@senatortoniatkins for letting us showcase the @fccwestfresnocenter We continue to empower our students with hands-on skills & opportunities for the future. We appreciate your dedication to advancing education & workforce development!
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From Santiago Canyon College:
Santiago Canyon College is continuing its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The college’s First Year Support Center, SCC TRiO and TRiO Future Teachers sponsored a workshop on Tuesday afternoon, titled Breaking Barriers: Latino Men in Education.
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From Evergreen Valley College:
Our latest graduates from our Tesla START program finished a 16-week intensive program as employees of the automotive company. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
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From Saddleback College:
Happy Birthday to us! Today we celebrate 56 years since we first welcomed students to our interim campus (where Mission Hospital sits today). Students finally took their first classes on the campus we occupy today in 1970.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Writing Centers Offer Renegades Valuable Support and Resources
The Bakersfield College Writing Center proudly offers its services to all BC students, allowing Renegades to hone the craft of writing throughout all areas – from structural elements and stylistic improvements to public speaking and academic reading. More than that, BC’s specialized Writing Consultants are determined to help students gain independence and confidence in their academic reading, writing, and English language speaking, while also equipping them to take those life-long skills into their careers.
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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
