You may have been tracking the 4 Nations Face Off this week ….but it was 45 years ago today that the Miracle on Ice happened.
On February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, the US team defeated the Soviet Union 4-3. The Soviet Union had been dominating Olympics hockey – winning 5 of the previous 6 gold medals.
As for me …..
This past week was a hectic travel week. Starting in Sacramento with the Assembly Budget hearing, then Chabot College to present at the National EV Consortium Conference, then to El Centro to visit Imperial Valley College and check out their Lithium program, then to San Diego to present at the Academic Senate AI Academy, and wrapped up with a Digital Center meeting in Orange County. All of this travel, while taking zoom meetings in the airport, driving in the car, in a hotel lobby etc etc etc. In the meantime, the emails pile up and so do the texts. If I don’t respond to a text and it gets buried, go ahead and bump it up.
But honestly, it is all good. Such a privilege to put in time and energy supporting our California Community College students, faculty and staff.
California Community Colleges – we take care of our students, our communities, and our planet.
Here are a few photos from my week.
I love this photo that Linda Vasquez snapped – the three higher education system heads when we were testifying at the Assembly budget subcommittee. This is Michael Drake’s last presentation to this Assembly subcommittee since he is retiring at the end of the year.
California Higher Ed – Championing our students.
With the team from Kern CCD, Porterville College and their industry partner Zeronox
Photos from my visit to Imperial Valley College
Happy to come back home.
Missing Bessie
Click on this 7-sec video and enjoy her.
Good morning California.
It is February 22, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Saddleback College Receives $3 Million Grant from Samueli Foundation for Student Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Saddleback College was awarded a $3 million grant from the Samueli Foundation to increase work-based learning opportunities for students. The investment, which will be paid in $1 million installments over three years, will focus on paid internships for students in programs related to renewable energy and the electric grid.
Mt. San Jacinto College Students Challenge Filipino Beauty Standards
Through Research and Advocacy
Alicia Chloe Nicole Geronimo, a 20-year-old Pre-Nursing student, and Agnezze Ventura, a 21-year-old aspiring lawyer specializing in environmental or immigration law, met in Professor Torres’s Honors Cultural Anthropology class. Their mutual interest in cultural identity and social structures led them to collaborate on an ambitious, comprehensive study: “The Colorist and Capitalist Roots of Filipino Beauty Standards.”
Savoring Tradition: A Culinary Celebration
of Black History at College of Alameda
On February 19, 2025, the College of Alameda (COA) Student Center came alive with the rich aromas and deep history of Black cuisine. “Savoring Tradition: A Culinary Reflection on Black History” brought together students, faculty, and staff for a special cooking presentation that was as much about storytelling as it was about food. Created and managed by Jennifer Sanoh, J.D./MSW, this Black History Month gathering celebrated the cultural significance of Black culinary traditions through education, community, and of course, delicious food.
In Case You Missed It
Chancellor’s AI Fellows Program Recruitment
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in collaboration with the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity (Digital Center) is seeking five exceptional individuals to join our inaugural cohort of AI Fellows. This program aims to advance the thoughtful and equitable integration of AI across California’s community colleges by promoting innovation in teaching, learning, operational efficiency, and student support.
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California Community Colleges Celebrate Career Education Month
The California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce training provider, celebrates Career Education Month this February by highlighting the powerful role their programs play in shaping California’s workforce and boosting its economy. Serving more than 2 million students annually across 116 campuses, the system offers cutting-edge, hands-on career training, paving the way for high-wage, high-growth careers.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Clovis Community College:
Yesterday CCC was honored to celebrate Black History Month with its 7th Annual African American Read-In by faculty, staff and students of literature and poetry. Congratulations to student, Kasandra Tate, for winning the Sweet Potato Pie Contest that kicked off the day’s events.
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From Long Beach City College:
Today, we hosted an inspiring event at Long Beach City College, coming together with our partners at City of Long Beach, Cal State Long Beach and Long Beach Unified to advance the Long Beach College Promise!
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From Fresno City College:
Women in Engineering 2025 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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From El Camino College:
Back in January, the Architecture Department hosted the 2025 Transfer Summit. Panelists from around the industry helped drive the conversation to how community colleges can better prep students for an equitable transfer to universities to continue their design journey.
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And check out this video Annual Report from Mission College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Students Showcase Creativity During NASSSP Outdoor Art Event
The Native American Student Support and Success Program (NASSSP) recently organized a special Outdoor Art Event designed to celebrate and honor Indigenous cultural practices. This event provided participants a chance to relax and unleash their creativity, offering a peaceful break from their demanding academic schedules.
“Art plays a central role in Native culture, and this event is an integral part of the services we offer to NASSSP participants, specifically through our Cultural workshops,” said Angel Solis, one of the program’s Peer Mentors. “The objective of these workshops is to honor our heritage and preserve our cultural traditions.”
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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
