Tag Archives: Los Angeles Mission College

Measure J: 10-year anniversary. Thank you Kern County voters.

Uncategorized July 11, 2026 Comments: 2

At 1:45 pm, on July 14, 2016, the Kern Community College District Board decided to place a bond measure on the November ballot. The voters voted “yes on Measure J.” Thank you!

#DareMightyThings

I submitted a 550-word opinion piece which was published today in the Community Voices section of today’s Bakersfield Californian.

https://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community-voices/community-voices-celebrating-an-investment-in-the-community/article_4dcbd062-0ca6-4c3c-af04-1f5865322b83.html#:~:text=Sonya%20Christian%20is%20a%20fierce,and%20educate%20the%20future%20workforce.

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Did you see about the woman who rowed solo from California to Hawaii?

Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river rafting guide, made the 2,400 mile journey from Monterey to Honolulu in just 43 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes and 59 seconds – breaking both the previous women’s record (86 days) and men’s record (52 days) for the crossing.

Hundreds gathered in the harbor to cheer her on as she finally made it ashore, and many more followed along with her journey on social media.

Check out this piece from Hawaii News Now talking about her experience:

Good morning California.
It is July 11, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Barstow Community College Purchases Property
to Create New CTE Workforce Training Center

Barstow Community College (BCC) has completed the purchase of the former Rite Aid building at the corner of Barstow Road and Rimrock Road and plans to transform it into a new Career Technical Education (CTE) Workforce Training Center. The facility will serve as a training hub preparing local residents for high-wage careers. The new facility will house five hands-on Career Technical Education labs with capacity for up to 25 learners per lab, enabling hundreds of residents to train each year.

» Read more!

Porterville College Celebrates the Next Generation
of Women in STEM with Innovative Program

Porterville College, AAUW Porterville, and the Porterville Chamber of Commerce  officially celebrated the InnovateHER STEM Program, a collaborative initiative designed to inspire and empower the next generation of young women in science, technology, engineering, and math. On June 22, community members, local leaders, and families gathered at Porterville College (PC) for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the success of the 2nd Annual InnovateHER STEM Summer Camp. The day was filled with inspiration, featuring powerful words from sponsor organizations, local dignitaries, and a special awards ceremony honoring some of the wonderful students who have participated in the program.

» Read more!

California Volunteers wildfire recovery grant provides opportunities
for Pasadena City College students and the community

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor has awarded Pasadena City College more than a half a million dollars to create a new Wildfire Recovery College Corps chapter on its campus. The award from California Volunteers creates the state’s first College Corps chapters dedicated specifically to rebuilding communities ravaged by the Eaton and the Palisades fires in January of 2025.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Tuition to be permanently free at San Mateo County Community College District

The San Mateo County Community College District has made its free tuition program permanent following a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom, The Daily Journal reported. 

Senate Bill 968, signed into law by the governor, disregarded the 2028 sunset date for the Free College pilot program. The legislation enables the community college district to eliminate tuition by using property tax revenue, The Journal reported. 

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles Mission College:

On Tuesday, June 2, students, faculty, and staff from Los Angeles Mission College participated in the Student AI Showcase at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Pacific Design Center as part of the National AI Campus Project.

Los Angeles Mission College presented eight research posters demonstrating applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in biomedical sciences and astrophysics. Research topics included planetary debris disk identification, cancer cell segmentation and classification, optimization of deep learning models for biomedical imaging, AI-assisted analysis of urothelial cell images, and neural network hyperparameter optimization.

The showcase featured student research from Los Angeles Mission College and Pierce College and provided participants with an opportunity to present their work to faculty, researchers, industry partners, family members, and the community.

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From Modesto Junior College:

MJC Student Services employees were honored during the annual Student Services Celebration, an end‑of‑year gathering dedicated to recognizing the commitment of counselors, student workers, administrators, and classified professionals who support student success at Modesto Junior College.

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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:

More highlights from A Taste of the District!

Our Advanced Culinary Arts students showcased their talent with a seven-course tasting menu inspired by SDCCE’s seven campuses.

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From Woodland Community College:

Our Upward Bound students are making the most of their summer!

These 9th–12th grade scholars are taking college courses at the Colusa County Campus while participating in tutoring and academic enrichment to prepare for next year’s high school classes. With support from tutors and peer mentors, they’re building the skills and confidence to succeed in college and beyond!

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts First Ever Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway Pinning Ceremony

In October last year, Bakersfield College announced the launch of an exciting new initiative in collaboration with Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), Morehouse School of Medicine, Kern High School District, KCSOS, and More in Common Alliance that creates a streamlined pathway for students from Kern County to pursue careers in medicine.

Recently, BC hosted the first ever pinning ceremony welcoming the first cohort for the Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway. Eight scholars were welcomed into the program and received a ceremonial pin and certificate. Dr. Kevin Smith, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Affiliations, welcomed each student to the program. “Tonight’s pinning ceremony marks the official beginning of each scholar’s journey through the Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway,” he said, “The pin represents commitment, service, academic excellence, and a promise to use education to improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

» 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

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

Mother’s Day 2026

Uncategorized May 9, 2026 1 Comment

Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful and restful weekend.

I wanted to share this post form the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum about the history of Mother’s Day.

“After Ann Jarvis’ death, her daughter, Anna Jarvis (1864–1948), set out to honor her mother’s legacy by establishing a national Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday in May, the day her mother had died. Anna, who never married or had children of her own, did not focus the holiday on peace activism but on the idea of honoring one’s own mother. She chose white carnations as an emblem and urged people to write heartfelt letters of gratitude to their mothers (in Anna Jarvis’ eyes, sending a pre-printed card didn’t count). Anna succeeded in her quest for official recognition, and President Wilson issued a proclamation of the first national Mother’s Day just before the start of World War I in 1914. ”

Though the younger Anna Jarvis didn’t intend for the holiday to be a day of florists and greeting cards – I think however we show appreciation to those strong women in our lives is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday.

I love you mom.

Good morning California.
It is May 9, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Río Hondo College Earns Clean California Community Designation

Río Hondo College has been recognized with a Clean California Community Designation, becoming the first community college in California to earn this prestigious statewide honor. The Clean California Community Designation program is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion Clean California program, launched in 2021 by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces statewide. To qualify, the College met 10 of 15 criteria, including litter assessments, highway cleanups and community education efforts.

» Read more!

Los Angeles Mission College Breaks Ground on Net-Positive Plant Facilities Building

Los Angeles Mission College broke ground Friday, April 3, on a new Plant Facilities Warehouse and Shop, a 27,820-square-foot building that will serve as the central hub for the College’s maintenance and operations. As the District’s first net-positive facility, the building is designed to generate more energy than it consumes. A system of 574 solar PV panels will produce up to 252,560 kW of renewable power—more than 115% of the facility’s average daily energy use—and will be supported by a Battery Energy Storage System to enhance efficiency and resiliency.

» Read more!

Barbershop Talk Builds Community, Conversation & Connection at Laney College

Laney College recently hosted a powerful and energizing Barbershop Talk, bringing together more than 40 students for an evening centered on connection, conversation, and community. Held in the Cosmetology Building, the event featured free haircuts provided by professional barbers, adding to the welcoming, familiar atmosphere that helped spark open and honest conversations.

» Read more!

Chaffey College Rising Scholars Alum Emerges from Prison as a Celebrated Artist, Mentor

Kenneth Webb was just 19-years-old when a judge sentenced him to life in prison. Webb, now 35 and a New York Times-featured artist, survived the horrors of prison violence, and turned his dark fate into a light that shines on himself and others. He credits Chaffey College with giving him the confidence to envision a life beyond prison walls.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Mendocino College launches first-ever Native American language course

Mendocino College has reached a historic milestone with the launch of its first Native American language course, marking the first time in the college’s history that a Native language is being offered as a standalone, credit-bearing class.

The new Northern Pomo language course, taught by Lori Laiwa Thomas, Department Chair of Ethnic Studies, is currently the only opportunity in the region for adult learners to study Northern Pomo. Interest has been strong, with 41 students enrolled, including local tribal leaders, grandmothers, siblings, Mendocino College faculty, and community members of all ages. This intergenerational participation highlights the language’s vibrancy and its essential role in maintaining community continuity.

» Read more!

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Community College Daily: Creating bridges, not barriers

About 40% of all U.S. undergraduate students attend two-year colleges, according to the Community College Research Center at Columbia University. Most students come through the door with the intent to transfer, but find their path blocked by credit loss, financial obstacles, or an aggravating lack of reliable information.

Despite surveys indicating that nearly 80% of community college learners aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only about one-third transfer to a four-year institution. And less than half of students who do transfer earn a bachelor’s within six years of initial enrollment.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

I enjoyed Fresno City College’s nod to Star Wars Day this week:

“Do. Or do not. There is no try. But at Fresno City College, we show up, we learn & we grow stronger each semester.” Yoda Jedi Grand Master #maythe4th

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From Cabrillo College:

Yesterday marked a meaningful milestone for Cabrillo College! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of the new Watsonville Wellness Center & Food Pantry.

This space is now open to support students’ well-being and success. Connecting them with essential resources like food, housing, transportation, technology, and holistic wellness services.

Missed it? Stop by and check it out at the Watsonville Center, Building B!

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From Evergreen Valley College:

Our Evergreen community hosted its annual Wellness Fair, which included Hip-Hop artist Jeff Turner, community booths, pizza, paletas and of course, you can’t go wrong with puppies!!!

2026 Wellness Fair
2026 Wellness Fair

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From Gavilan College:

We were honored to welcome Luis Valdez to campus for a community meet and greet and screening of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez. It was an incredible opportunity for our students, employees, and community members to hear directly from one of the most influential voices in Chicano theater and film.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Luis Valdez for his generosity, presence, and lifelong contributions to storytelling, culture, and the arts. We are also deeply grateful to the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival and the Watsonville Film Festival for partnering with Gavilan College to make this event possible.

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And check out this video tour of Cypress College’s community garden:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Library Welcomes Miracle Mutts as Part of De-Stress Week

The Bakersfield College Library hosted a series of events as part of their De-Stress Week. The goal is to help students take a break from their busy schedules and finals preparation to enjoy some down time and reduce stress.

On Wednesday, the Library invited Miracle Mutts to the Panorama Campus for a time of playful interaction with their therapy dogs. Several students stopped by the peace garden outside the library to spend some quality time with the furry, friendly companions. Each dog was happy to share affection with all the participants, including giving hugs and playing. Overall, it was a fun time of connection with the Miracle Mutts, while disconnecting from the busyness of the week.

» 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

Happy Easter 2026

Uncategorized April 6, 2026 Comments: 2

This week we watched in awe as Artemis II made its historic journey to orbit the moon. This is NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years – the last mission, Apollo 17, launched December 7, 1972, and marked the last time humans set foot on the moon.

Orion, the spacecraft launched in the Artemis II mission, will orbit the moon on its 10-day journey, and is expected to reach a distance of 252,799 miles from Earth.

Here’s a short introduction to the 4 astronauts aboard Orion:

Reid Wiseman, Commander

Reid Wiseman, 50, is a 27-year Navy veteran and Baltimore native. He was selected as an astronaut in 2009.

In 2014, he flew to the International Space Station and spent 165 days in orbit. During that mission, he made two spacewalks.

Wiseman is also an aquanaut – he was a member of NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) program, living undersea in conditions similar to those on a spacecraft.

Victor Glover, Pilot

Victor Glover, 49, is a California native, born in Pomona. He was selected as an astronaut in 2013 while serving as a Legislative Fellow in the US Senate.

He piloted the first operational flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which flew to the International Space Station in November 2020. During that mission, he spent 168 days in space. He completed 4 spacewalks during that time.

Glover has accumulated 3,500 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft.

Christina Koch, Mission Specialist

Christina Koch, 47, was selected as an astronaut in 2013. She is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

On March 14, 2019, she launched to the International Space Station, returning on February 6, 2020. During that mission, she and Jessica Meir were the first women to participate in an all-female spacewalk. She also broke the record for longest continuous time in space by a women.

She conducted a total of six spacewalks, totaling 42 hours and 15 minutes.

She also made the first edit to Wikipedia from space.

Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist

Jeremy Hansen, 50, is from London, Ontario. As a Canadian, he’s an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency and is the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

In 2013, he participated in the European Space Agency’s CAVES program, living underground for six days.

In 2014, he was a crewmember of NEEMO, living and working on the ocean floor for seven days.

On Friday, NASA released this amazing image taken by the astronauts aboard the spacecraft:

NASA is also sharing a live feed from the Orion capsule:

And back on Earth, another beautiful sunrise.

And my boy Neo

In case you were wondering why my blog post is delayed ……

Spent Easter with my daughter in Toronto. It was a quick hectic and beautiful trip.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but the moments that take our breath away

Good morning California.

Happy Easter 2026


It is April 4, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Lake Tahoe Community College Chef Virat Vij Named Chef of the Year
by High Sierra Chefs Association

Chef Virat Vij of Lake Tahoe Community College has been named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation High Sierra Chefs Association, in recognition of his leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the regional culinary community. The annual award honors culinary professionals who demonstrate excellence in their field. Vij was selected by the association’s Board of Directors for his service on the board and his support for fundraising efforts benefiting aspiring chefs. At LTCC, Vij teaches in the college’s culinary arts program, where students gain hands-on experience in professional kitchens and develop skills for careers in the food and hospitality industry. The program focuses on real-world training, preparing students for jobs that are essential to the Lake Tahoe region’s tourism-based economy.

» Read more!

Solar Energy Coming to Mt. San Antonio Campus

Mt. San Antonio College, following approval from the Board of Trustees, is moving forward with plans to install a solar energy system that will generate clean electricity on campus, reduce long-term energy costs, and strengthen energy reliability for both the College and surrounding community. The planned system will produce 6.75 megawatts of electricity—enough to power thousands of campus operations—and will include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to store energy for use during peak demand or outages.

» Read more!

Riverside City College Alumna Sarah Ruyle’s
Animated Film Hungry Hollow Gains Global Recognition

Hungry Hollow, an animated short created by Riverside City College alumna Sarah Ruyle, has been selected for screening at both the Slamdance Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying festival, and the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival in Hokkaido, Japan. The selections mark an exciting milestone for the emerging animator whose creative journey includes time studying animation at Riverside City College during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

» Read more!

HCSB Honors San Bernardino Valley College
with 2026 Spheres of Sustainability Visionary Award

The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses (HCSB) has named San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) the recipient of the 2026 HCSB Spheres of Sustainability Visionary Award, recognizing the college’s leadership in preparing people and communities for a more sustainable future. SBVC will be honored at the 2026 HCSB Spheres of Sustainability Summit on April 22, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pomona.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Improving women’s experiences in internships

Community colleges are rightly being recognized as central to the nation’s skilled trades pipeline. They are nimble, workforce-focused and deeply connected to regional employers. In automotive technology, especially, that role matters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 70,000 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics each year over the next decade, and the occupation employed about 805,600 workers in 2024. 

But if we are serious about strengthening that pipeline, we need to be honest about a problem hiding in plain sight: women remain dramatically underrepresented in the field, and “access” alone is not the same thing as equity. According to recent BLS data, women make up just 4.2% of automotive service technicians and mechanics, placing the occupation among those with the smallest share of women workers. 

» Read more!

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2026 Student Leadership Award Winners Announced

Four student leaders, dedicated to equity and inclusion on campus and in their communities, have been honored with the California Community College’s annual Student Leadership Award.

Kristopher Evans of Cabrillo College, Ode Tso Kunthar from Contra Costa College, Valerie Pamphile from Barstow Community College, and John Paul Rosales from Moreno Valley College were recognized March 27 at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges 2026 General Assembly in San Francisco.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Río Hondo College :

Río Hondo College kicked off Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month with a special flag-raising ceremony in the Lower Quad today! Student, Brooklyn Decker, led the ceremony.

The Autism Awareness flag will fly proudly all month long, reminding us of our commitment to celebrating neurodiversity, promoting understanding and fostering inclusion across our campus community.

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Monterey Peninsula College’s recent Dress for Success event:

Thanks to generous community donations, MPC students were able to pick out free professional outfits to help them feel confident and prepared for interviews, internships, and career opportunities ahead.

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Last weekend’s #womeninSTEM celebration honored our students and alumni who are breaking barriers and shaping the future of STEM. Congratulations on your accomplishments! #MESA#sjdeltacollege

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From Los Angeles Mission College:

On Friday, March 20, Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) hosted a free Student Vision Care Clinic on campus, providing no-cost eye exams and glasses for students.

The clinic reached capacity early, with 150 students registered by 9:45 a.m., and students were seen throughout the day until 2 p.m. The event was presented in partnership with the Power of Sight to bring vision care services directly to students on campus.

Each participating student received a comprehensive eye exam from a licensed optometrist, had their prescription filled on-site, and left the same day with a new pair of glasses.

Funding and support for the clinic were provided by LAMC, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, the Pacoima Chamber of Commerce, Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC) and Champions in Service.

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And check out this video on Goat Yoga at San Diego City College:

Blast From the Past

Wanted to share this look back at the first 6 months of Vision 2030:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC and Partnering High Schools Receive
California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award

Recently, several of Bakersfield College’s high school partners were presented with the 2026 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award. The statewide honor highlights outstanding dual enrollment programs that provide opportunities to enroll in and earn college credits while still in high school – expanding college access while supporting student success.

The Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award recognizes programs that demonstrate strong collaboration between K–12 and community college partners, academic rigor, and meaningful pathways that support students in achieving their educational and career goals.

» 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

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

Sonya Christian's Blog