I am a little sad that the Olympics are over …. until next time.
Here are a few highlights
The U.S. Women’s 4x100m relay team taking gold, with Sha’Carri Richardson’s phenomenal come-from-behind anchor leg:
United States women’s 4×100-meter relay final team pose for a photo after winning the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
For the NBA superstars representing Team USA in the Olympics, 1992 will always be the gold standard.
That was the year that American pro players were first allowed to compete in the Games—the year the Dream Team touched down in Barcelona. Jordan, Magic, Bird and Barkley were called the greatest basketball team ever assembled.
Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler during the 1992 medal ceremony. Photo: Mike Powell/Getty Images
The 2024 version of Team USA that beat France in the gold medal game Saturday night, 98-87, isn’t the Dream Team.
That’s because it just might be better.
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The Farm Boy Who Picked Up a Spear—and Became an Olympic Hero to 1.4 Billion People
In a country with 1.4 billion people, there is nobody quite like Neeraj Chopra.
He is the farm boy who became a national hero to the world’s most populous country by picking up a sport that no one else took seriously. He is the strapping Olympian who competes with his flowing dark hair tied back in a black bandanna. And he is the man who secured a breakthrough gold for India by launching a javelin the length of a football field.
That medal was just the start. The shower of real prizes began when Chopra returned home in 2021 as his country’s first ever track-and-field Olympic champion and found some 30,000 people in his village waiting to greet him in an open car. India’s defense minister gave him a stadium. India’s largest airline gave him a year’s worth of free tickets. India’s first individual gold medalist gave him a Golden Retriever named Tokyo.
Neeraj Chopra of India is the reigning gold medalist in javelin. ILLUSTRATION: Timmy Huynh, CHRISTIAN BRUNA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock, iStock
Very much looking forward to when the 2028 Olympics come back to Los Angeles!
Good morning California. It is August 17, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
College of Alameda Holds STEM Pilot Program
On July 24, 2024, College of Alameda hosted Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and his team, including Northern California Regional Liaison Abel Pineda. This visit highlighted the collaborative STEM pilot program with Oakland Natives Give Back, the East Oakland Youth Development Center, and the State Superintendent’s office.
College of San Mateo’s Active Minds Chapter Wins Top Honors
College of San Mateo (CSM) is proud to announce that its Active Minds Chapter has been awarded the Chapter of the Year Award at the 2024 Active Minds Conference in Washington, D.C. This significant recognition is a testament to the chapter’s dedication and innovative approach to mental health advocacy on campus.
Hartnell College Awarded $2 Million Subaward as Part of $71 Million NOAA Regional Climate Resilience Project
Hartnell College will play a crucial role by focusing on workforce development. The college plans to build and offer non-credit certificates and related internships to equip the local workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to address climate resilience effectively. These programs will prepare students and community members for careers in climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
The power of community was on full display earlier this month at Gavilan College’s second annual Scholarship Ceremony. This heartfelt event brought together generous donors and deserving scholarship recipients. This year, 133 awards were presented, totaling a remarkable $116,600 in scholarships.
In Case You Missed It
California Community Colleges Celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in California
Members of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, lawmakers and students were on hand at the state Capitol this week for a formal proclamation celebrating the fourth week of September as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in California.
I love this time of year! Welcome Day @palomarcomets! Go Comets!
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From Mission College:
STEM students gathered for a day of exploration and support today at STEMVeniDa 2024! The event featured guidance from Mission College team members who provided resources to help students thrive throughout their academic journey
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From College of the Siskiyous:
Happy 85th to Coach Ray! The first Head Football Coach at College of the Siskiyous!
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From Santa Barbara City College:
Check out the KSBY story, “‘Through our lived experiences, we can help someone else’: How one SBCC program is reducing recidivism” here:
And check out this video from Mendocino Peninsula College, showcasing their STEM LEGO Summer Camp:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Offering Free Media Literacy Certificate Program
Bakersfield College is excited to introduce a new three-course, Media Literacy Certification Program for participants to learn how to navigate online environments ethically and confidently. The program will also provide useful tips and instruction on how to effectively utilize mass media sources, artificial intelligence tools, and online safety and privacy techniques.
I started my week in DC for a White House AI summit. And of course did my Washington Monument photo ritual…
Back in Sacramento, the executive team had a two-day planning meeting, and we also celebrated Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales who is transitioning to lead the California Student Aid Commission:
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It was also a time to honor Juneteenth, a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Good morning California. It is June 22, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coalinga College Advances to Community College Innovation Challenge Finals
Coalinga College was one of 12 finalist teams selected to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge. The Coalinga team’s project – “Got Calcium: The New Battery Innovation” – seeks to switch from lithium to calcium batteries to improve cost-effectiveness, safety, and battery performance offering an eco-friendly alternative for energy storage solutions.
Shasta College & Reach University Partner to Increase Local Bachelor’s Degree Attainment for Rural Working Adults
Shasta College and Reach University today announced a partnership to offer Shasta College graduates a fully transferable, job-embedded, and paid pathway to a bachelor’s degree in their local community. In the partnership’s “Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Pathway,” Shasta College graduates from 70 programs can transfer 100% of their associate credits into Reach University’s liberal studies degree program.
Sacramento State Partners with Community Colleges to Create Guaranteed Pathway to Black Honors College
The California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) signed a deal with 15 California community colleges to guarantee the admission of all eligible transfer students to its first-in-the-nation Black Honors College (BHC).
Sacramento State signed the partnership agreement with the participating community colleges during a Juneteenth Symposium on June 13. Eligible students will be able to transfer smoothly into the BHC from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.
The colleges include:
American River College Butte College Cosumnes River College Folsom Lake College Fullerton College Merritt College Mission College Modesto Junior College
Moorpark College Palomar College Sacramento City College San Diego College of Continuing Education San Joaquin Delta College Sierra College Yuba College
Once an inmate in California’s state prison system, Monica Hicks graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
The Stanford Report published this great story about a student who graduated after completing a prison sentence and forging a new path by starting at a community college.
Cal Chamber: Local Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Have Extensive Community College Underpinnings
Through diverse and innovative workforce development programs and initiatives, California Community Colleges are directly shaping the future of the state’s workforce by addressing industry needs, bridging skill gaps and providing students with practical training and opportunities for economic advancement and career success.
From the Student Senate for California Community Colleges:
Thank you to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors for a wonderful year. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and continued success
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From Cañada College:
On Tuesday, June 18th, the Black Student Union (BSU), TRIO Student Support Services, and Promise Scholars Program (PSP) collaborated to help our campus celebrate Juneteenth. As a way to commemorate this day, we supported a Black owned business, Everett and Jones (located in Oakland), and participants enjoyed barbecue and soul food as they watched Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. The series explores the throughline of food, tradition and culture that survived the Transatlantic Slave Trade and became staples in American cuisine. The documentary series proved impactful as folks dried their eyes as the episode ended. Next, participants teamed up for a game of Kahoot! to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth not only celebrates the freedom of enslaved Africans but is a celebration of progress in our community. Thank you to the BSU, TRIO, and PSP for creating a moving event!
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From MiraCosta College:
Congrats to Kat Parra, MiraCosta alumna, on her Emmy Award win! She received the Emmy for her exceptional work as a Newscast Director at @fox5sandiego and @KUSINews. Her success is a testament to the strong foundation laid at MiraCosta College.
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From El Camino College:
CA State Senator @SteveBradford recognized the ECC Men’s soccer team for being named the 2023 Nat’l Champions by @UnitedCoaches for the Junior College D3 Men’s Soccer Rankings.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Theater Program To Present Something Rotten!
Bakersfield College’s Theater Program announced today the details of their annual summer musical, a traditional collaboration with the Choral and Instrumental Music programs. This year’s presentation will be Something Rotten, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed by Professor Brian J. Sivesind, with Vocal Direction by Professor Caley Mayhall and Music Direction by Dr. Scott Dirkse. The musical will play in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre on the Bakersfield College campus from July 12 through July 21; asdf
Did you know that it was 63 years ago today – May 25, 1961 – that President John F. Kennedy gave his famous speech before Congress that the US “should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”
That goal was realized on July 20, 1969, with Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
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I began my week in Sacramento with the Board of Governors meeting. I want to extend a very special thank you to Paul Medina, who is ending his time as our student BOG member.
Back at home, I had a fun visitor in my pool:
I so enjoy the visiting ducks.
Neo…not so much.
Good morning California. It is May 25, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Miramar College Earns Career Innovation Award
Miramar College is a proud recipient of the 2024 Career Innovation Award from The Career Leadership Collective. The team at The Career Leadership Collective was impressed by Miramar College’s innovative and equitable practices that the Career Education team is leading such as the Discover Series events which include Discover Your Passion, Discover Your Drive and Discover Your Superpower.
Ohlone Celebrates Junior Leadership Academy 2024 Graduation and Showcase
Ohlone College, held a graduation ceremony for its Junior Leadership Academy (JLA) students. This event marks a significant triumph for the students who have dedicated themselves to this transformative 15-week Spring semester series, emerging as equipped leaders ready to conquer challenges in the classroom, workplace, and community.
Sierra College Presents Dinosaur Day and Science Fest
Sierra College welcomed the community May 5 to the annual Dinosaur Day and Science Fest – a festival for all ages, focusing on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), education, and so much more. The event featured hands-on activities, demonstrations, dissections, live animals and educational games.
Cypress College Students Coach Junior Chef Academy
From April 22 to 26, 11 Hotel, Restaurant, Culinary Arts students and graduates volunteered as Culinary Coaches for the third annual Junior Chef Academy (former Maple Master Chef Competition) at Commonwealth Elementary School in Fullerton. This event was organized by teacher Melissa Zaucha, and is the third time that Cypress College has helped mentor the budding bakers and cooks.
California Community Colleges Honor Four With Classified Employee of the Year Award
Four classified professionals, committed to equitable student outcomes, have been honored with the Classified Employee of the Year Award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
The honorees, Yvette Garcia, Melissa Jauregui, Amanda Mellett and Anissa Mitchell were recognized at the Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento on May 20.
AP: Community colleges offer clean energy training as climate-related jobs expand across America
West Los Angeles College student Sarah Solis was featured in a recent AP piece about clean energy job training at community colleges.
“The 1,000-acre Inglewood Oil Field, near West Los Angeles College, where she first enrolled, was what pushed Solis to pursue environmental studies. She later switched to the school’s climate change degree, which was new at the time. Its climate offerings have grown since then; it now hosts the California Center for Climate Change Education.“
Spent the morning at David Weir Elementary School in Fairfield assisting Principal Guerney handing out K-2 Awards for attendance, academics and citizenship. Totally inspiring to see parents and students there. Then went Teacher Julie Bictor’s 2nd grade class and signed and handed out promotion certificates to her class. Her class has Cal as it’s adopted college. Thanks to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for providing the swag. Several second graders used the notebook to capture me and Ken Montgomery’s signatures to document the day.
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From Mission College:
What a wonderful time it was celebrating our international students at their Graduation Luncheon put on by the International Student Center on Wednesday, May 22! It was an inspiring event where we honored the incredible journeys and achievements of our students!
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From Compton College:
This past Sunday, our Head Baseball Coach, Shannon Williams, was the recipient of the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers Teacher Appreciation Award!
Former and current student athletes he mentors, along with some our athletic staff, joined to celebrate and watch the head coach throw the first pitch for the LA Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds game
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From Folsom Lake College:
Today we were excited to welcome a team from Mercy Hospital of Folsom including President/CEO Lisa Hausmann to discuss FLC’s Allied Health career education programs, bridging Mercy Folsom and FLC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts and improving access to healthcare for the Hispanic community, exploration of partnership opportunities, and touring the campus and the new science building.
Blast from the Past
Four years ago, I shared this video letter with my Bakersfield College colleagues following the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day 2020:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Campus Stories: Voices of AANHPI Scholars at Bakersfield College
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, BC’s Student Government Association recently hosted Campus Stories: Voices of AANHPI Scholars at Bakersfield College.
The event featured a panel of three BC faculty and staff members and two BC students and was moderated by Bryan Hirayama, Professor of Communications at BC, all of whom are of AANHPI heritage. Each panel member shared stories from their individual experiences and answered questions about their families, cultural backgrounds, and educational and career journeys. Their stories of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and personal achievements were truly inspirational and resonated strongly with those who gathered in the Renegade Events Center for the afternoon.
I started my week at Oracle Park, at the Giants-Dodgers game dedicated to California Community Colleges. CCCCO Vice Chancellor for Communications Paul Feist planned this event as part of the ICan campaign. It was so much fun!
We had Malia Venegas, San Jose City College student athlete throw the first pitch. Venegas is a 4.0 student and a softball team standout player who is transferring to San Jose State University. In the picture below you see Malia in action right before she executed a delightful overhand pitch to the catcher behind the plate. Her smile lit up the big screen over the center field, and the crowd loved her.
Five of us joined Malia on the field for the first pitch – President Rowena Tomenang, Debbie Huntze-Rooney (Malia’s coach), Paul Feist, BOG Member Tom Epstein, and me.
Malia and I got a chance to snap a pic with the Giants’ three World Series trophies as the San Francisco Giants. They won in 2010, 2012, and 2014. (The Giants also won 5 times as the New York Giants.)
Rowena Tomenang, Tom Epstein, Malia Venegas, Sonya Christian
Was it Muhammad Ali that said – Don’t count the days, make the days count….. Always making the day count!
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On Tuesday, I was at Mt. San Antonio College for our final climate event for the year.
Good morning California. It is May 18, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Fullerton College’s Applied Engineering Team Dominates at 2024 NASA MINDS Competition
The Applied Engineering Club at Fullerton College recently won first place at the 2024 NASA Minority Innovative New Designs for Space (MINDS) competition, beating California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), California State University, Fresno (FSU) and other four-year schools across the nation.
San Diego City College Partners with TBH to Provide Essential Basic Needs Services for Students
San Diego City College (SDCC) is thrilled to announce its new partnership with TBH, a leading provider of virtual basic needs support services for students. This dynamic collaboration will offer SDCC students complimentary access to virtual Resource Navigators, who will assist them in identifying and securing benefit programs and support services they are eligible for.
Foothill College Welcomes Community to Day On The Hill
Rainy weather didn’t stop hundreds of community members from visiting Foothill College for their Day On The Hill on May 4. The free, family-oriented open house gave people the opportunity to meets students, faculty and staff and learn about their academic and student resources programs.
Santa Clara Family Health Plan Donates $100K to Gavilan College
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP), a community-based health plan in Santa Clara County dedicated to creating opportunities for better health and wellness for all, has committed $100K to Gavilan College to support students pursuing careers in healthcare. The donation is part of their regional $500K investment over the next five years to support the future health care workforce in Santa Clara County.
Jeff Clary, senior director for climate strategies at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and Cameron Sublett, associate professor and director of The Education Research & Opportunity Center at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville wrote a commentary for Inside HigherEd about the importance of community colleges to climate work.
The federal government (and some states) have advanced aggressive climate targets. The Biden administration’s goals include reducing U.S. greenhouse emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030, reaching 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Guidelines to federal agencies also include a commitment to ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments in climate and clean energy.
These climate goals are ambitious, and without the involvement of the nation’s community and technical colleges, out of reach. Here’s why: community and technical colleges offer scale, speed, and community engagement.
Celebrating the journey of the Spring 2024 nursing class at our Nurse Pinning Ceremony. Family members proudly pinned these dedicated students at the iconic Greek Theater, marking a significant milestone in their nursing careers. Congratulations to all of our graduates!
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From Mission College:
Did you catch the spectacular APIDA Fashion Show that lit up the Central Plaza this past Tuesday? The runway was ablaze with colors, patterns, and styles from across the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American spectrum.
The 2024 Latinx Comic Arts Festival was incredible! Students and community members met with talented creators and artists who shared unique work and stories. Families and students alike walked the aisles of the Lowriders car show on Saturday. During the festival, artists lend their voices to speaker panels meant to inspire young illustrators, writers and families alike. The LatinX Festival brings culture to campus, learn more at the link https://ow.ly/2fWW50RFPQr
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And check out this video of students sharing their experiences at Moorpark College:
Blast from the Past
Check out this video of fireworks after the 2016 Bakersfield College commencement:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Hosts 110th Commencement Celebration
Bakersfield College celebrated its 110th Commencement on Friday, May 10th, 2024, with a remarkable milestone of 1,648 graduates. The event was streamed live on YouTube and attracted over 1,000 viewers from around the world. This year’s commencement was particularly significant as it marked the first for newly appointed BC President, Dr. Jerry E. Fliger, and newly appointed Chancellor of KernCCD, Dr. Steven Bloomberg.
On Wednesday, we held the final System Webinar for the year: Celebrating the Courageous Leadership of California Community Colleges.
As I wrap up 6 months in my role as state chancellor, I experience this attribute of courage everywhere and anywhere I go….
I see leaders who stand unwavering in commitment to equity in success, equity in access, and equity in support fearless in the face of adversity.
I see leaders with a extraordinary ability to listen, to adapt, to learn and to drive change.
I see leaders who ignite passion and purpose, foster trust and empathy while challenging norms with determination.
It has been an amazing experience working with everyone at the chancellor’s office. We have accomplished so much this year, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
Good morning California. It is December 9, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
CCC Faculty Selected for STEMSEAS Community College Oceanic Expedition
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Student Experiences Aboard Ships (STEMSEAS) is a multiyear project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grants 1701174 and 1701168) to provide students with inspirational opportunities to experience life on an oceanic research vessel.
A recent voyage from Seattle, Washington, to Honolulu, Hawaii, had a STEMSEAS team entirely comprised of community college science educators – including a few from California community colleges!
Dr. Tess Weathers, an Associate Professor in Engineering at Chabot College
Roman P. de Jesus, professor of oceanography and Earth science at Fullerton College
Waverly Ray, professor of geography at San Diego Mesa College
Ohlone College Receives $400K Grant from National Science Foundation to Boost Regional Innovation
Ohlone College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant of $400,000 from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) investment. This grant recognizes Ohlone College’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening regional partnerships.
Calbright Offers Student Leadership Training With Real Life Opportunities
While all students who come to Calbright learn key technical and career skills, their career aspirations vary widely. For students who want to move into management and leadership roles, Calbright has developed a set of optional leadership programs for them while they are completing their required coursework.
Gavilan College Awarded $1.5M to Create Juvenile Justice Program
Annette Gutierrez, Director of Basic Needs; Noah Lystrup, Dean of Student Learning, Equity, Success for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Susan Sweeney, Dean of Career Education Workforce and Educational Partnerships
Gavilan was awarded $1.5 million by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, over the next five years, to create the “Gavilan College Higher Aspirations Juvenile Justice Program,” a part of the Rising Scholars Network, beginning in January 2024.
Mission College’s celebration of Kwanzaa earlier this week was a vibrant occasion that provided all with an opportunity to come together and learn about the celebration of African heritage, unity, and community.
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From Allan Hancock College:
Hancock police officers responded to a call of an injured bird, which turned out to be a protected Killdeer Plover. The bird was rescued and turned over to our friends at the Santa Barbara County Animal Control.
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Check out these pictures from Cerro Coso Community College‘s Jingle Jog:
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Foreign Agriculture Service Administrator Daniel Whitley visited the College of the Desert to speak with faculty, staff and students about USDA internships and careers:
Blast from the Past
Check out this video from 2017, talking about student veterans at Bakersfield College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College and The Open Door Network Partner to Serve Vulnerable Populations
Bakersfield College Adult Education and celebrated its inaugural graduation ceremony for students of The Open Door Network on December 4th.
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.
