Tag Archives: Long Beach City College

Wrapping up June 2026

Uncategorized June 28, 2026 Leave a comment

As the World Cup continues, I’ve loved seeing the displays of sportsmanship and unity.

Take this video from before the Colombia-Congo match. A Congolese fan was alone among a group of Colombia fans – during the Congo’s national anthem, they listened respectfully and then cheered with him when it was finished:

Scotland’s supporters had a great time making friends in Boston – even the Red Sox mascot got in on the fun:

Japanese fans have been going viral for cleaning the stands after the matches:

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As for me, I was back in San Diego this week for a Dual Enrollment event:

You know what I am about to say ….. what is there not to love about San Diego.

Then back home to my boy Neo

Blast from the past….last year today, I was in San Diego.

Check out my blog post from June 18, 2025.

Closing out June 2025

Good morning California.
It is June 27, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Riverside City College Hosts 4th Annual Supporting Successful Reentry Conference

Riverside City College (RCC), in partnership with colleges across the Inland Empire and Desert Region, hosted the 4th Annual Supporting Successful Reentry Conference in April. The event brought together students, educators, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders committed to supporting justice-impacted individuals and advancing equitable reentry pathways. The conference featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops focused on education, mental health, and career pathways.

» Read more!

Taft College Places at Least 35 Students in Paid Summer Internships

Taft College has launched its fourth consecutive summer of paid healthcare internships, continuing a successful and growing partnership with Kern County healthcare providers to prepare the region’s future workforce. Through collaboration with education leaders at Adventist Health, Mercy Hospitals, and new partner Kern Health Systems, Taft College has placed more than 35 students in competitive, six-week paid internships this summer.

» Read more!

Sunny Futures Campaign Raises Nearly $500,000
to Support Future MiraCosta College Students

More than 300 students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, donors, and community leaders gathered on June 13 at MiraCosta College’s Oceanside Campus to celebrate the extraordinary career and lasting impact of retiring Superintendent/President Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke. The celebration concluded with a fund-the-need event benefiting the Sunny Futures Fund, inviting attendees to continue Dr. Cooke’s legacy by investing in the next generation of students. Guests also participated in opportunity drawings and special fundraising activities, including a donation from Southwest Airlines of four round-trip tickets to any destination served by the airline. By the end of the evening, almost $500,000 had been raised to support future MiraCosta students.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

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California gave every student in prison a laptop.
How community colleges are using them

Across California, every incarcerated individual taking a college course now has a tool those of us on the outside take for granted: a laptop. 

In the past three years, the prison system spent $23.2 million to distribute 30,000 laptops to all incarcerated students. Almost half of those went to the 13,000 inmates enrolled in community college, who are increasingly doing their coursework online. 

The growth of online learning marks a shift away from correspondence courses, where inmates receive assignments in physical packets, fill them out, and mail them back to colleges, with limited feedback. While some community colleges still offer those types of courses, the laptops are starting to replace the packets.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles Mission College:

On Wednesday, May 13, Los Angeles Mission College celebrated the opening of its new Student-Parent Hub with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by campus and District leadership, community partners, student-parents, and faculty & staff.

The Student-Parent Hub was created to support parenting students by providing a welcoming space where they can study, access resources, and spend time with their children while on campus. The space connects student-parents with support services and information designed to help them balance their academic and family responsibilities.

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From Long Beach City College:

New LBCC students are setting sail with Viking Summer Voyage!

This 8-day summer bridge program helps students start their first year with confidence through campus connections, first-year guidance, and resources designed to support their success.

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From Fullerton College:

Fullerton College students in the fashion department and Baile Folklorico club recently hosted an impactful fashion show paying homage to traditional regional Mexican dance, music and fashion.

A successful turnout, students walked the runway to highlight Mexican American diaspora fashion, social movements and culture. We love to see our students’ visions come to life!

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From Irvine Valley College:

Lasers! The future is rising at IVC!

Today, we celebrated the topping out of our future Student Union by signing the final steel beam before it was lifted into place, a long-standing construction tradition symbolizing progress and an exciting milestone for our campus.

The Student Union will become a new hub for students, featuring a spacious cafeteria, modern bookstore, multipurpose spaces, ASIVC, Student Life & Equity, and more.

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And check out this video from San Diego City College’s Juneteenth flag raising ceremony:

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

May 2026 is a wrap

Uncategorized May 31, 2026 Leave a comment

The funnest part of my week was coming across this duck sitting with her eggs in the InShape parking lot.

Two days later the duck and the set up were gone. But this note was remaining.

Over the long weekend, I saw The Devil Wears Prada 2. So fun…

And of course, my favorite was Lady Gaga’s performance:

Wanna check out my blog post from May 31, 2025…. Click here: https://sonyachristianblog.com/2025/05/31/wrapping-up-may-2025-strong/

Good morning California.
It is May 30, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Early College Program Helps OAHS Students Graduate
with College Degrees from Allan Hancock College

This spring, a group of Orcutt Academy High School (OAHS) seniors will achieve something few high school students can claim: graduating with associate degrees from Allan Hancock College while completing high school.  The students are part of the first cohort in Orcutt Academy’s Early College Cadre (ECC) program, which allows students to complete college-level coursework while earning high school diplomas. This year, 26 students from the program are expected to participate in Hancock’s commencement ceremony on May 22, marking the culmination of four years of rigorous academic work. 

» Read more!

Removing Barriers, Expanding Access: Southwestern College
Advances Zero Textbook Cost Initiative

Through its Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Initiative, Southwestern College is working to ensure that all students have free, immediate access to instructional materials on the first day of class, eliminating one of the most common financial barriers to success. WC is expanding ZTC pathways across disciplines. Programs in development include Sociology, Economics, Geology, Math, Chemistry, Social Work & Human Services, Asian American Studies, and more.

» Read more!

Folsom Lake College and Sutter Health Celebrate New Instructional Healthcare Hub
at Rancho Cordova Center

Folsom Lake College and Sutter Health recently celebrated the completion of a new, state-of-the-art Instructional Healthcare Hub at the college’s Rancho Cordova Center. Made possible by a generous $2.5 million investment from Sutter Health, the newly upgraded facility features four modernized career education classrooms equipped with advanced medical technology.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Silicon Valley to get its first two-year degree focused on AI

As artificial intelligence continues to make waves in higher education, changing the way students are learning and forcing educators to rethink traditional assessments amid cheating concerns, Silicon Valley is about to get its first two-year degree in AI.

De Anza College’s new Associate in Science degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence will be available this fall, along with six new AI-focused credentials and more than 20 additional new degree and certificate programs, the school announced this week.

» Read more!

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The Chronicle of Higher Education: Nonwhite Students Now Represent
the Largest Share of U.S. College Enrollment

Nonwhite students now make up the largest share of American universities’ enrollment — though the diversity on campuses varies widely by institution, according to The Chronicle‘s updated database with the latest enrollment figures (from the fall of 2024). Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral institutions have grown more diverse over time, but associate institutions are still the only group to be majority nonwhite.

For the first time since The Chronicle started its database in 2018, the share of nonwhite students is slightly greater than the share of white students (49.7 percent). Minority students represent 50.3 percent of enrollment and nearly 8.9 million students. These percentages are calculated from the total enrollment where a student’s race is known, which does not include students who did not report their race or nonresident students.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Long Beach City College:

LBCC was honored to have U.S. Senator Adam Schiff on campus today to meet with our students and take their questions on a wide range of subjects. Our students stepped up, shared their views, and engaged in meaningful dialogue.

Thank you, Senator Schiff, for showing up for our students and our community.

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From American River College:

Co-hosted by the Electronics Technologies and Welding departments, the Solar Contest on May 9 challenged student teams to race head-to-head constructing professional ground-mount solar systems. This electrifying event showcased a powerful blend of grit, technical gear, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.

Following an intensive morning of building and a celebratory community lunch, the student “heroes” received awards for their precision and technical skill. The students’ tireless energy made the day a success.

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From Los Angeles Southwest College:

Congratulations to all of our Cougars and their families who were recognized as Dean’s and Presidential Scholars! We loved celebrating you and your incredible accomplishments on May 7th. Your hard work, dedication, and achievements make us proud, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do next. Go Cougars!

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From Victor Valley College:

Some of our favorite highlights from FAME (Fine Arts, Animation & Music Experience) this past month at VVC!

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From Las Positas College:

Over 30 employers and tons of students joined us for last month’s Spring Job and Internship Fair here on campus. exploring internships, and taking steps toward future careers!

The fair brought students together with opportunities for paid internships and full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles. Thank you to everyone who came out to network and make those connections.

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Announces New Administrative Appointees

Recently, Bakersfield College announced new appointees to three key administrative positions – Vice President of Instruction, Athletic Director, and President. Each candidate was selected after an extensive nationwide search, interview process, and public forum where staff and community members could ask questions and provide feedback. BC is proud to welcome each new addition to its leadership team and look forward to the future they will help build.

Dr. Stacey Pfluger, President of Bakersfield College

Dr. Jessica Wojtysiak, Vice President of Instruction

Lynn Kennedy, Athletic Director and Dean of Instruction for Kinesiology and Athletics

» 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

2026 Sterling Silver on March 14th

Uncategorized March 22, 2026 Leave a comment

But before I jump into my week, let me start with Sterling Silver, last Saturday, March 14th. It was wonderful seeing friends and colleagues.

With Kate Pluta, Nick Strobel and Janet Tarjan:

It was great connecting with Ravi and Naina Patel. I got to know the two of them very well when we worked on the Peace Gardens at BC and the Regenerative Farm project. The won the philanthropist of the year award at this year’s Sterling Silver.

Talking about the Patels, here is a blast from the past….

In 2020 the Pease Garden was established. Here is a 10-min video where the committee introduced this project to the campus. The speakers in this video include — Sonya Christian, Krista Moreland, Emma McNellis, Naina Patel, Lisa Elzy Watson, Hansa Patel, and Neeraj Rama.

And Corny Rodriguez was recognized with the Sterling Silver Service award. A

Always happy to see Mayor Karen Goh.

Talking about Corny, here is a blast from the past…..

Check out this video celebrating Corny on his retirement:

Back to Sterling Silver. Here is a photo with Romeo Agbalog, Kay Meek & Jean Fuller:

Was so happy that Jean Fuller was able to make it. Here is throwback to when Jean was recognized with the Service award.

Here is the video of Kylie introducing Jean Fuller and her work with Early College.

And another selfie with Kate, Nick & Janet –

Thankful that Janet snapped these pictures.

Here is one with Rudy Salas.

Rudy Salas brought significant resources to Bakersfield College when he was in the Assembly. He received the 2020 Sterling Silver Service Award. Check out this blast from the past. A 3-min video.

And with Yovani Jimenez

And with Norma Rojas-Mora and Gabby Gonzalez

Now, let’s move to this week…. started in Sacramento…

Spring has sprung in Sacramento. Snapped photos of azalea on my walk back with a friend from Zocalos.

More flowers –

And calla lilies –

And dogwood in bloom –

Closed out my week in San Diego.

What’s not to love about San Diego

And at night –

And the icing on the cake – when I met up with Daisy Gonzales and we did our usual walk by the waterfront.

Then it was off to the CEO symposium. Here’s a pic with Anthony Culpepper and Rowena Tomaneng:

This week was also the Rising Scholars Program Convening.

Rising Scholars now spans 104 colleges, supports students in 147 correctional facilities, and connects them to 90 on campus programs that help them continue their education after release.

Chelsea Esquibias, senior advisor at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, started the event with a welcome and network address.

Board of Governors Member and Former President Pamela Haynes held a fireside chat moderated by Assistant Vice Chancellor Erin Larson, with panelists Tyee Griffith, program coordinator at the Prison Education Project and Matthew Caddell, Student Government President/Student Trustee at Chaffey College.

Michael Redding, deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor for public safety at the Office of the Governor, gave the keynote address on ‘Public Safety and Higher Education.’

Good morning California.
It is March 21, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cloverlane Foundation Funds New “Jaws of Life”
for Allan Hancock College Fire Academy

 A generous donation is helping Allan Hancock College strengthen hands-on training for the next generation of firefighters.   The Allan Hancock College Foundation received a $25,000 donation from Cloverlane Foundation to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art “Jaws of Life” extrication system for use in the college’s fire academy, along with other essential equipment for fire academy students.

» Read more!

Rep. Juan Vargas secures additional $500K in funding
for San Diego College of Continuing Education

U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) has secured $500,000 in federal funding for critical utility and water infrastructure improvements at San Diego College of Continuing Education.  The investment will upgrade critical campus infrastructure, strengthening SDCCE’s ability to provide hands-on workforce training to approximately 30,000 adult learners each year.

» Read more!

Long Beach City College Opens New Building MM to Help Students Build the Future

Long Beach City College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus to celebrate the grand opening of the new Building MM complex. The facility supports the city’s growing Space Beach sector and serves as the new home for the Architecture, Anthropology, Carpentry, Horticulture, HVAC, and Plant Science programs, preparing students for careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and construction industries expanding across the region.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

He was an undocumented immigrant. Now he runs LA’s community colleges

When Alberto Román was a boy growing up in the Mexican state of Durango, his father was often far from home. Most times, he’d be gone for months.

Román’s father, Javier, had a third-grade education. And when work was scarce in Mexico, he’d venture north to the United Sates and take whatever job he could find.

Román missed his father terribly, and he relished the time alone with him. When his father would return to Mexico, they’d hike to a majestic statue of the revolutionary Pancho Villa, where Román and his father could also look out at their city.

Román did not know it then but, soon, that view would become a memory. When he was eight, his father returned; but, this time, Javier took his son, his daughter, and his wife with him back to the U.S. The family settled in Rialto, in California’s Inland Empire. Suddenly, Román had a new home and new challenges to contend with.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Mission College:

Mission College’s Rising Scholars program is partnering with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office on an initiative to revitalize the Elmwood Men’s Library, supporting education, personal growth, and second chances for incarcerated students. Last week marked a major milestone as decades-old furniture was replaced and new furniture donated by Mission College was installed.

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From Ventura College:

From galaxies to black holes, Ventura College welcomed a full crowd for an inspiring two-day astronomy experience.

We honored 100 years of science at VC with stargazing, interactive space simulations, and a vibrant evening of discovery for all ages

Dr. Cameron Hummels from CalTech lectured on black holes as part of the American Astronomical Society’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectures Program, a nationally recognized initiative that brings leading astronomers to colleges across the country.

Thank you to the Ventura County Astronomical Society for setting up the all the telescopes for the star watching party.

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From Ohlone College:

This year’s #WomenInSTEM Dinner was one for the books! Thank you to Ohlone College MESA and our Society of Women Engineers student club for connecting women leaders in #STEM with our Renegades. Cheers to bright futures and #WomensHistoryMonth

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From Mt. San Jacinto College:

Enjoying pizza slices and conversations with the president!

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Beach Volleyball Makes History with First-Ever Home Matches

Bakersfield College’s beach volleyball program made history on Friday, March 6, hosting its first-ever home matches on the college’s newly constructed beach volleyball courts. The Renegades rose to the occasion, defeating Cuesta College 3-2 and Glendale 4-1 to sweep the day.

The milestone marked a significant moment for BC athletics, with the new courts giving the program a permanent home to compete and grow. The wins extended what has been a strong start to the season. BC has now won five straight and sits at 8-4 overall on the season.

All home events this season are free and open to the public.

» Follow results and see upcoming schedules!

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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

A Love Letter to the California Community Colleges on Valentine’s Day 2026

Uncategorized February 14, 2026 Comments: 12

Dear California Community Colleges:

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

Grammys, Winter Olympics – life is good

Uncategorized February 7, 2026 Leave a comment

Moments that take our breath away

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 Super Bowl 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.

» Read more!

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. 

» Read more!

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.

» Read more!

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.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

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.

» Read more!

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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.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Fresno City College:

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.

» 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

Sonya Christian's Blog