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
Monday, January 5th arrived quickly after the holiday break, and just like that, we were back in motion. The quiet rhythm of the holidays gave way to full calendars and early mornings.
For me, it meant heading back to Sacramento, returning to the Capitol as the new year’s work began in earnest, with budgets to review, conversations to start, and the pace of 2026 already well underway.
Flight starting the descent into the Sacramento Valley.
One more –
Good morning California. It is January 10, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Joaquin Delta College Group Earns Prestigious ‘Freedom Fighter’ Award From NAACP Branch
In a powerful recognition of its work to support underrepresented students, Delta College’s Black Alliance for Student Empowerment (BASE) was presented with the 2025 Freedom Fighter award on Saturday by the Stockton branch of the NAACP. BASE, formerly known as the Black Faculty Task Force, received the award for its work bringing the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caravan to Delta.
Modesto Junior College Receives $400,000 National Science Foundation Grant
Modesto Junior College has been awarded $400,000 from the National Science Foundation Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation grant program. The NSF EPIIC program is designed to strengthen the ability of two-year colleges, minority-serving institutions, and emerging research institutions to participate in the national innovation ecosystem. MJC’s award is part of a multi-institutional collaborative proposal titled A-SPARK: Agriculture and Science Practice and Access for Research-Driven Knowledge.
Monterey Peninsula College Launches Adult Learner Bridge Programs with Monterey Adult School
Monterey Peninsula College has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding with Monterey Adult School to develop and implement bridge courses and programs that support the successful transition of adult learners from the adult school to college. This proactive partnership brings college coursework directly into the community, serving adult learners in the Seaside area where they are.
Copper Mountain College Stories: Notes from the fire line
Note from Cody Almanza, graduate of Copper Mountain College Wildland Fire Academy:
After earning my S-130, S-190, L-180, and ICS-100/200 certifications, I was deployed to the Sunset Fire in Idaho, where I spent several days digging nearly three miles of handline with my crew. Much of our work took place at night, cutting hot line and staying constantly vigilant for snags—dead, burned-out trees that threatened to fall without warning.
After years of volatility, Newsom previews a stable budget year for California schools
Governor Newsom’s proposed budget is $42.5 billion more than was forecast, a “windfall” that does not include nearly $3 billion from December projections. The budget projects $248.3 billion in total revenue for the general fund. Proposition 98, a constitutional amendment four decades ago, guarantees that about 40% of that total must go to TK-12 schools and community colleges.
As job market tightens, more Californians are heading back to college
If you want to gauge the health of California’s economy, start with its community colleges.
“When the economy is doing well, our enrollments are down, and when the economy is in a tough stretch or in a recession, we see our enrollments go up,” said Chris Ferguson, an executive vice chancellor with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, which oversees all of the state’s 116 community colleges.
Ferguson said the state has yet to release authoritative data on fall enrollment, but early data shows upward trends. In interviews with CalMatters, some college presidents said they’re seeing over 10% more students compared to last fall. But they say the state hasn’t provided enough funding to keep up with their growth.
CRAFT Apprenticeship recently hosted a Student Skills Showcase featuring Shasta College’s Heavy Equipment Logging Operations Fall 2025 students. This event builds opportunities by giving industry partners a direct look at student skills through live equipment demonstrations and resume-based evaluation, in collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries.
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From MiraCosta College:
We have a feeling these grads are going to have the best bedside manner. Celebrating the 29th graduating class of Registered Nurses. Thirty-three students graduated this past December 2025 after completing either one or two years of nursing coursework through the program.
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From Gavilan College:
Huge congratulations to our EMT graduates. These graduates are prepared to respond in critical moments and make a real difference in our communities. We cannot wait to see the impact they will have.
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And check out this video from Citrus College:
ICYMI: Night Shift, our acclaimed group of student musicians, performed on New Year’s Day at Floatfest, a showcase of Rose Parade floats following their appearance along the parade route. Way to go, Night Shift!
And From the Home of the Renegades
Industrial Automation Students Showcase Senior Projects
Each year, the Industrial Automation Department at Bakersfield College hosts their Senior Projects Open House which allows students in the program to present the innovative projects they have been working on throughout the year. The event is open to the public, and attendees have the opportunity to preview the students’ automation creations and interact with the people who developed them. This year’s open house took place during the first week of December and was hosted in the Robotics Lab of the Science & Engineering Building.
There were a variety of projects that covered multiple industrial practices including agriculture, human-machine interface, industrial processes, and more. One of the participating projects was titled ‘Aerophonics with Weather Machine’ and was conceived and created by a student team. RJames Viloria, Juan Manriquez, and Amy Huerta have been working together on the agriculture-based project for nearly two semesters. The ambitious endeavor focuses on optimizing a controlled environmental system for more efficient farming.
Good morning California. It is August 2, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Diego College of Continuing Education Awarded $169k Grant to Launch First-Ever Rising Scholars Program for Justice-Impacted Students
San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) has been awarded a $169,387 three-year grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to launch its first-ever Rising Scholars Program at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC), a milestone achievement to advancing restorative education and reentry support.
Coastline College Makes History with Launch of Pace+ Competency-Based Education Program
On July 14, 2025, Coastline College officially launched Pace+, the first direct assessment Competency-Based Education (CBE) program in the California Community College system—marking a transformative milestone in higher education. Designed to expand access, flexibility, and equity, Pace+ empowers students to earn college credit by demonstrating mastery of skills rather than adhering to traditional semester timelines. Unlike traditional models based on classroom hours and academic calendars, Pace+ measures learning by what students know and can do, not by how long they sit in class. Students advance by mastering real-world competencies, allowing them to move faster, study flexibly, and save money.
MiraCosta Grant Targets 46 Percent RN Shortage with Apprenticeships and CSU Partnerships
To combat a critical 46 percent shortfall of registered nurses in the San Diego region, MiraCosta College has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure state grant to significantly expand its nursing program. The funding will allow the college to increase student enrollment by 26 percent, enhance clinical training through new simulation technologies, establish CSU transfer partnerships, and create an innovative LVN-to-RN apprenticeship model.
Glendale Community College Professional Development Center Partners with City of Glendale to Strengthen Workforce Development
The Professional Development Center (PDC) of Glendale Community College recently announced it partnered with the city to provide more than 300 Glendale employees with training on standard operating processes, customer service, leadership development and project management through a California Community Colleges Fund grant from the state’s Employment Training Panel (ETP).
Community College Daily: Nudging for success: How behavioral science can support smarter student decisions at community colleges
Community college students face a maze of high-stakes decisions — applying for aid, selecting courses, managing work schedules, and taking on loans. Yet many of these choices are made quickly, emotionally, and sometimes without fully understanding the long-term consequences.
Commentary: Let’s ensure every California student can fearlessly apply for financial aid
We are witnessing in real time the fears and worries of students from immigrant families become reality under the Trump administration. Worry that if they apply for federal financial aid, they could jeopardize the safety of their parents. Fear that working towards their educational goals could result in Immigration and Customs Enforcement showing up at their families’ homes and detaining them.
Now the college dreams of many California students are in jeopardy as they contemplate how to pursue an affordable higher education because accessing financial aid for college — including the state’s Cal Grants — requires filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a federal form managed by the US Department of Education.
It’s been an exciting month for Career Technical Education at Shasta College! Students from TRIO Upward Bound Summer Program got hands-on experience in CTE programs: Welding, Auto, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Agriculture, GIS, Water Treatment Technology, and Digital Arts.
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From Gavilan College:
Gavilan College showed up strong at the Gilroy Garlic Festival! We joined the opening ceremony, lit the Giant Garlic, and spent the weekend connecting with our community. Shoutout to our team who made it happen. Yes, we had garlic stress balls.
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From DeAnza College:
We were pleased to welcome the Hwaseong City Talent Development Foundation, their student delegates and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce to campus today! Thank you to President Omar Torres and Kat Filley, CEO of the @SVChamb, for speaking at the event.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Performing Arts Hosting Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion Concert
Bakersfield College’s Performing Arts Department has announced details for a special concert presented by students and musicians in the Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion summer class. The concert will present traditional Afrocuban music telling the stories of Yoruba folklore. This unique opportunity will take place Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 PM in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre. Admission is free and open to the public.
Just wrapped up Board week…. Since March is Women’s History Month we have started wearing white at the March meeting….
Here is a fun photo from last year’s March Board of Governors.
At the meeting, we honored three faculty with the prestigious 2024-25 Gerald C. HAyward awards for Excellence in Education
History Instructor Stacey Marie Svilich of Feather River College, Math Professor Leila Safaralian of MiraCosta College, and Business Professor Denise Bushnell of Sierra College were honored at the March 25 Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento.
Stacey Marie SvilichLeila SafaralianDenise Bushnell
The Hayward Award for Excellence in Education program, established in 1989 and named in honor of former California Community College Chancellor Gerald C. Hayward, are presented annually to celebrate outstanding community college faculty members for their commitment to their students, college and profession.
It is so nice to be able to celebrate our amazing faculty.
After the BOG meeting, I headed to UCLA to present at the Blue Economy Intersegmental conference. Our community colleges are doing great work in this space. 15 community colleges are collaborating with AltaSea to develop the Blue Economy Climate Action Pathways (BECAP) certification program, with new curriculum and programs to fill the next generation of jobs focused on the ocean. The curriculum includes Regenerative Aquaculture, Ocean Renewable Energy & Clean Air, Blue Tech & Underwater Robotics, and Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration.
The picture below is with three of the five climate fellows – from left top right: Holly Bailey-Hoffman, myself, Carla Grandy, Tonya Huff, and our Vice Chancellor for Workforce Anthony Cordova.
It is always great to see Dr. Ellen Morris at climate events.
Headed back home towards the end of the week to my boy Neo.
We also had feathered visitors in the backyard. Check out the 19-sec video below.
Spring is the best time in Bakersfield.
Snapped pictures of beautiful flowers in the neighborhoods and parks on my walks with Neo –
A talented gardener must live in this house…
Good morning California. It is March 29, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Merced College’s Innovative Ag Program Gains National Attention
Merced College’s new Agricultural Systems certificate program has received national attention, recently being featured in a national CBS News segment highlighting its innovative approach to career education. The program, which uses a competency-based education (CBE) model, allows students to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery in specific skills, preparing them for in-demand jobs in the agricultural industry.
West Valley-Mission District Launches First-in-Nation Universal Free Meals Program
West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) has approved the first universal free meal program at a U.S. community college—a historic initiative that will guarantee every in-person student at West Valley College and Mission College at least one free, nutritious meal each school day. Launching in Fall 2025, the program will also offer expanded support for high-need students. By investing $2.5 million annually, the District is making a long-term commitment to eradicating student hunger and ensuring that no learner has to choose between paying for textbooks or affording lunch.
Sierra College President Receives Statewide Award for Distinguished Community College Leadership
Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan has been honored with the Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) for transformational community college leadership and significant contributions to the local community, economy, workforce, and equitable access to higher education.
Orange Coast College Culinary Team Wins Western Regional Competition
Orange Coast College culinary arts students won the 2025 American Culinary Federation’s Western Regional Student Team Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 15. By earning the highest point value, OCC’s Hot Food Team will represent the western region in the national championship. For the competition, the Hot Food Team was tasked with creating a four-course menu showcasing regional flavors and ingredients. They worked closely with OCC’s Horticulture Department and Marine Science Department to harvest tilapia and aquaponic lettuces used in their competition dishes.
EdSource: At community colleges, online classes remain popular years after pandemic
More than 40% of community college classes remain online statewide as of this year, about double what it was before the pandemic, and a much higher rate of remote education than exists at the state’s four-year universities. That includes hybrid classes, which mix online and some required in-person instruction. Some colleges also offer HyFlex courses, which give students the option of attending online or in person. The vast majority of the system’s online classes, however, are taught fully online and asynchronously.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the 25th Bach to Blues Concert! We had an incredible time celebrating 25 years of music. Your energy and support made the event truly special. All proceeds from the event went to support the Gavilan College Music Program, helping us to continue to foster the next generation of musicians!
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From Citrus College:
Thank you to everyone who attended our 110th Anniversary Gala, “The Magic of Citrus,” on Saturday, March 22! Hosted by the Citrus College Foundation, the event raised funds to increase scholarship opportunities, enhance academic programs and enrich the learning environment.
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From Modesto Junior College:
Let’s get social! Each semester Associated Students of Modesto Junior College hosts Club Rush, an event for students to learn about and join campus clubs of all kinds. This semester brought outside games, music, food, face paintings and 17 club booths ranging in interests from the arts to the sciences. Club Rush is the perfect event for incoming MJC students looking to make friends and explore their academic interests.
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And check out this video from San Diego City College about their recent Professional Learning Center Grand Opening:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Women in Leadership Discussion Panel
This week, the Bakersfield College Student Government Association (BCSGA) hosted Campus Stories: Voices of Female Unconventional Leaders, an inspiring event held at the Renegade Event Center. As part of a series of events celebrating Women’s History Month, the discussion panel featured six BC faculty, staff, and students and was moderated by Olivia Garcia, Professor of History at BC.
I hope you are enjoying some rest and relaxation over the long weekend as we honor Presidents Day. The holiday is officially known as “Washington’s Birthday” and was first implemented in 1879.
Good morning California. It is February 15, 2o25. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
PC and ZeroNox launch ground-breaking program & EV Tech Center.
This week, Porterville College’s Career Education Division celebrated the grand opening of the new and cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Center. This innovative classroom space supports a new training program designed to meet the growing demand for skilled EV technicians. Developed in partnership with industry leader Zero Nox, the program offers non-credit, tuition-free instruction, ranging from basic EV fundamentals to advanced maintenance.
Allan Hancock College, SMJUHSD Offer Classes in Guadalupe
Allan Hancock College and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have partnered to bring college-level courses directly to students in Guadalupe, expanding access to higher education opportunities within the community. The new classes allow high school students in Guadalupe to enroll in general education courses for college credit. The classes include Communication Studies 101: Introduction to Public Speaking and Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology and are held at the Guadalupe Senior Center.
MiraCosta College Awarded $116,500 Grant for Student Wellness
MiraCosta College has received a grant from The Prebys Foundation to set up a project to enhance the mental health and wellness of formerly incarcerated and marginalized students through hands-on outdoor experiences. The $116,500 grant to MiraCosta College was among the $5.2 million that The Prebys Foundation awarded 59 nonprofits across San Diego for its Healing Through the Arts and Nature initiative to offer proactive ways to enhance the quality of life in a post-pandemic world.
Reducing Food Insecurity on California Community College Campuses
CalFresh Outreach Week will be held February 24-28, 2025, at college campuses statewide. This bi-annual event provides an opportunity to educate students about the program and encourage them to apply to reduce food insecurity and remove the stigma of applying among qualifying students. These efforts help reduce hunger and poverty and improve health by providing nutrition assistance to millions of low-income households through various vital services.
2025-2026 SEM Program: Supporting the Student Journey
If your college is looking for ways to strengthen its SEM efforts, this program is for you! With Vision 2030, recent legislative changes, Guided Pathways, equity planning, and the Student Centered Funding Formula, our approach to serving students throughout their journey continues to evolve presenting both challenges and exciting opportunities.
Today,@SenAdamSchiff and I met with California community colleges here in DC. Our community colleges are a cornerstone of California’s higher education system, and we won’t stop fighting to ensure they receive the federal funding they need.
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From Ohlone College:
This week, our Umoja students celebrated #BlackHistoryMonth with a kickoff featuring BBQ, games, and community! Don’t miss out on Umoja’s upcoming Poetry Reading by Karla Brundage and their movie event. See you there!
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From Palomar College:
Last Wednesday, the Black History Month Kickoff event was a wonderful celebration of culture, history, and community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event!
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And check out this video from Laney College about their bistro:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Jones Art Gallery Hosts 2025 Panorama Invitational, Featuring Art of Kern County High School Students
The Bakersfield College Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is hosting the 2025 Panorama Invitational, a special exhibition dedicated to showcasing the art pieces of Kern County high school students. The exhibit features more than twenty artistic creations, each composed of a different medium, including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and multimedia formats.
The Workforce & Economic Mobility Blog blog shares approaches to workforce and economic development, with a goal of supporting economic mobility for our community while staying committed to the health of our people and the health of our environment.
In the Bhambi & Christian blog, Dr. Brijesh Bhambi join together joined together with the goal of facilitating healing and conversation in our community.
