I was supposed to be in DC this week …. but between the storm and a wave of flight cancellations, the trip just didn’t happen.
The good news…. got to see a lot more of my boy Neo
Good morning California.
It is January 31, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Cerritos College delivers for local communities
with new $850,000 workforce training grant
Cerritos College continues to deliver unmatched value to workers and employers across our local communities with a new $850,000 workforce training grant from the California Employment Training Panel (ETP). As one of the region’s strongest workforce partners, Cerritos College remains the top choice for employers seeking high-quality, industry-responsive training that drives real results. Cerritos College collaborates closely with local employers to design customized, results-driven programs that strengthen the regional economy.
Norco College Rising Scholars Program Celebrates Historic Final Graduation
at California Rehabilitation Center
Norco College’s Rising Scholars Program celebrated its final graduation ceremony inside the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, marking a profound moment of both achievement and legacy. The intimate ceremony honored 63 graduates—the largest cohort in the program’s history—and recognized students for their perseverance, academic success, and commitment to personal transformation. The ceremony carried special significance as the CRC is scheduled to close in August 2026, marking years of collaboration that expanded access to higher education within the institution. Norco College extends its sincere gratitude to CRC leadership and staff for their steadfast partnership in supporting educational opportunity and student success.
Palomar College Stadiums Win National Award
The new football and softball stadiums at Palomar College have been recognized with a national award from the American Sports Builders Association. The projects received a bronze award in the multi-field facility category, selected from submissions across the country that ranged from schools and universities to health centers and public recreation complexes.
The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges reaches
Promise Plus endowment goal of $4 million
At the December 16, 2025 Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board meeting, the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges announced successfully reaching the Promise Plus endowment campaign goal of $4 million. By achieving this goal, the Foundation will be able to distribute $200,000 in Promise Plus scholarships annually, in perpetuity, benefitting up to 400 East County students each year. Since its inception, the Promise Plus has provided nearly $500,000 to fund more than 900 scholarships for Grossmont and Cuyamaca college students.
In Case You Missed It
The EduLedger: Higher Ed Staff Embrace AI for Daily Work
Despite Policy Gaps, New Survey Finds
Nearly all higher education employees are using artificial intelligence tools for work tasks, but less than half know whether their institutions have policies governing such use—a disconnect that experts warn could pose significant risks to data security and privacy. According to a new report from EDUCAUSE released this week, 94% of survey respondents said they have used AI tools for work within the past six months, yet only 54% are aware of policies or guidelines meant to guide such use. The survey, conducted in partnership with AIR, NACUBO, and CUPA-HR, drew responses from 1,960 higher education professionals between late September and mid-October 2025.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From College of the Desert:
#Recap of College of the Desert students taking part in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program at our Indio Campus.
During the program students:
- Competed in robotics challenges
- Connected with STEM professionals
- Toured Collins Aerospace and UC Riverside
- Built teamwork and perseverance skills
- Learned what it takes to meet NASA’s expectations for space missions
Congratulations to our NCAS scholars, and thank you to Professor Pérez, Professor Burns, Professor Blanton, the Indio Campus staff, and all who made this experience possible.
*****
From Cañada College:
Last week, the Cañada College Art Gallery was buzzing as students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of Guy Diehl: A Retrospective. With Guy Diehl himself in attendance, the evening was filled with meaningful conversation, connection, and reflection as guests explored nearly seven decades of his masterful still life work.
*****
From Cabrillo College:
Welcome Seahawks! Cabrillo’s Week of Welcome continues with new Superintendent & President Dr. Jenn Capps working the welcome table in Watsonville!
Bienvenidos, Seahawks! La Semana de Bienvenida de Cabrillo continúa con la nueva superintendente y presidenta, la Dra. Jenn Capps, atendiendo la mesa de bienvenida en Watsonville.
*****
From Santiago Canyon College:
Thank you to Rep. Lou Correa’s staff for visiting SCC’s Veteran Resource Center!
Student veterans led a tour & hosted a powerful Q&A with the Veteran Advisory Council.
The visit ended with a meaningful challenge coin exchange.
*****
From Mission College:
Mission College Nursing and Counseling faculty earlier this month traveled to Vietnam for a weeklong cultural exchange focused on advancing global partnerships and student success.
While in Ho Chi Minh City, the team collaborated with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) to share best practices and support the development of a Certified Nursing Assistant program. This meaningful exchange highlights the power of international collaboration in strengthening workforce pathways and healthcare education.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC’s Renegade Jazz Combo Performs in New Orleans
Recently, the Bakersfield College Renegade Jazz Combo traveled to New Orleans to perform at the JENerations Jazz Festival at the 17th Annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference. The group performed a set of original songs to a panel that consisted of professional artists and educators and received critique and feedback. During the four-day conference, the students also participated in various clinics, concerts, jam sessions, networking opportunities, and more.
Kris Tiner, Music Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at BC, was instrumental in coordinating the trip and getting the musicians ready to perform. “The Renegade Jazz Combo is the top jazz group at BC,” said Tiner, “and each year we try to take the group to a festival. The (JEN Conference) is a four-day conference and they perform a set of their original music, and they get a clinic following the performance from two professional jazz artists.” The conference represented a large part of their trip, but the students also got to experience other aspects of New Orleans. “We got to visit the French Quarter to hear some local music a few times,” said Tiner, “I wanted to take the students to Preservation Hall, because that is where the local musicians present their music. We started off at the gumbo shop to eat some local food and then we visited Preservation Hall – it was amazing.”
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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
