Sonya Christian's Blog

One year ago, February 23, 2023, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors announced the 11th chancellor and I started my new position 5 months later.

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On Tuesday, I was at Cerritos College, sharing the roadmap of Vision 2030. Thank you President Jose Fierro for the invitation. And thank you to the members of the Board of Governors, Adrienne Brown and Paul Medina, who joined me.

I also joined President Jose Fierro for a President’s Hour where every month he spends time hanging out with students and the campus community.

On Wednesday, I presented at the Assembly Subcommittee on Education Finance hearing, along with CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia and UC President Michael Drake.

Chanelle Win, Diablo Valley College and UC San Diego student and Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, also spoke on student perspectives. She was joined by San Jose State student Dominic Quan Treseler and UCLA student David Ramirez.

I shared with the subcommittee that enrollments were on the rise at the California Community Colleges. We have bounced back to serving over 2 million students for the first time since 2019, after a steep enrollment decline. We increased over 100,000 students from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. 

To put this growth in perspective nationally and statewide –

National picture – from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, CA CCs accounted for 50% of the student headcount growth for all community colleges in the country.
In California – from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, CA CCs accounted for 89% of the growth in undergraduate student headcount.

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I always enjoy this view overlooking the river.

And a beautiful walk to the Capitol …. early spring already in California in February.

Also this week, the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships, Career Ladders Project, and The Education Trust–West presented the 2nd Annual California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference at the Westin Long Beach.

Here’s Aisha Lowe at the summit along with Ben Chida, and Mike Munoz. The panel was moderated by Lange Luntao from Ed Trust West.

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I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing pictures and videos from across our California Community College system as we celebrate Black History Month.

Check out these highlights from Monterey Peninsula College’s Symposium – African Americans in the Arts: Supporting our Black & African American Scholars.

From San Diego City College‘s Cultures Day – African Diaspora Celebration:

Don’t forget – Black Student Success Week is scheduled for April 22-26, 2024. This year’s theme is Building a Better Future Together: the Urgency is Now. The 2024 Black Student Success Week will focus on innovative approaches to ensure Black and African American students succeed in community colleges.

» Learn more and register for webinars here!

Good morning California.
It is February 24, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

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From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

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Southwestern Community College District and CETYS University System
Forge Cross-Border Educational Alliance

In a groundbreaking partnership aimed at enhancing educational opportunities in the cross-border region, the Southwestern Community College District (SWC) and Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS) University System have officially joined forces. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the diverse educational needs of the community on both sides of the border. As a part of this collaboration, SWC students can attend CETYS at the same rate as Mexican citizens.

» Read more!

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Cuesta College RN Students Achieve 100% Exam Pass Rate,
#1 National Ranking

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FRC & Sierra Pacific Industries Partner Up
With New Commercial Driver’s License Program

In an effort to meet local labor market demand, Feather River College is now offering a Commercial Driver’s License program. Through a valuable collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries, Feather River College will have access to one of SPI’s manual semi-truck and trailers to utilize as a training tool for students interested in a career in transportation and trucking. 

» Read more!

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In Case You Missed It

Cal Matters: Community college bachelor’s degrees have been a win-win. California should offer more

Two years ago, a UC Davis research center devoted to community college issues published a study indicating that having even limited authority for Community College Baccalaureates, or CCBs, has been hugely beneficial to students in terms of both availability and cost.

» Read more!

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EdSource: Enrollment at California’s community colleges surpasses 2 million

Enrollment across California’s 116 community colleges was up more than 8% this past fall, surpassing 2 million students for the first time since before the pandemic.

» Read more!

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Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Paul Medina:

Alongside great staff from Los Angeles Valley College Dual Enrollment program @lavcdualenrollment. Thank you for the great work you all do in advancing opportunities for students in the SFV area from the Burbank Unified School District and my alma matter the Los Angeles Unified School District. I’m glad to have run into you all. #GoLACCD #GoLAVC

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From Hartnell College:

Hartnell was at today’s College and Career Fair at the King City High School ! Here are some action shots of todays event!

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From Fresno City College:

Women in Engineering 2024 for female high school students designed to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers. Thank you Chevron for the gift of $75,000 to the college. We’ll use this to support STEM education.

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Blast from the Past

Check out this video highlighting everyone who worked so hard to get Measure J passed for the Kern Community College District in 2016:

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And From the Home of the Renegades

Transfer Pathways and International Student Services Host Open House

The Office of Transfer Pathways and International Student Services welcomed students, faculty, and the campus community to its open house on Tuesday, February 20th. University representatives from CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, and the University of LaVerne were also present. The new Transfer Pathways and International Student Services Center is located in the east wing of the 2nd floor of the Center for Student Success (CSS) building on BC’s main campus.

» 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