Tag Archives: Norco College

Happy Seventh Birthday Bessie!

Uncategorized June 14, 2025 Comments: 2

Here are a few glimpses from the ebb and flow of my week — shifting tide from lighthearted laughter to quiet reflection.

Happy Seventh Birthday Bessie

Watch this 1-minute reel of Bessie that I posted on instagram. I have created only two reels ever. The first one last year on her birthday. Now the second one… again on her birthday.

Bessie crossed the Rainbow Bridge on February 10, 2025. She was my daughter’s baby.

Last weekend was the finals for the French Open…. my mom’s favorite.

American Coco Gauff took the women’s singles title. Although she was down against world Number 1 Aryna Sabalenka, she claimed her second career grand slam singles title – becoming the youngest American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2002.

Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s singles title in an epic comeback over Jannik Sinner. It was a great match – a six hour instant classic.

Alcaraz, 22, defended his title by coming back from two sets down and saving three championship points to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2).

On June 6, 1944, photojournalist Robert Capa captured one of the most iconic images of World War II during the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach.

Amid chaos and gunfire, Capa took a series of photographs as American troops stormed the shore. One of the most famous, often referred to as “The Face in the Surf,” shows a lone soldier struggling through the water…. Despite technical issues that damaged most of his negatives, the surviving images became powerful symbols of war and human endurance.

Check out this YouTube video about it –

*****

As for me, this week I was able to make it to Los Angeles Trade-Tech College for their 100th anniversary celebration.

Fun selfie snapped by Chancellor Alberto Roman.

From Left to Right: Chancellor Alberto Roman, Former Senator Laphonza Butler, President Alfred McQuarters, Sonya Christian, Trustee Sara Hernandez

Good morning California.
It is June 14, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Santa Barbara Community College School of Extended Learning students
offer community comfort via aprons and quilts

The SBCC School of Extended Learning’s Home Economics programs are doing much more than sewing and quilting … they’re giving back to community members who are struggling with illness and other life challenges. After discovering that local clinics did not have aprons available for patients, SBCC sewing instructors Judi Brooks and Emily Adams asked for volunteers and got students to work making colorful aprons from leftover fabric and ribbon. Dozens have been donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of SB and Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and will be available to UCLA as well. 

» Read more!

Laney College Journalism Student Earns National Fellowship & Full Ride

Laney College is proud to celebrate a landmark achievement by The Citizen’s co-editor in chief, Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, who has been selected as one of only three national IRE/ProPublica fellows. The prestigious fellowship includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Conference this June in New Orleans, where Lylah will join a select group of journalists from across the country.

» Read more!

Oxnard College hosts the first Latina GDP report

Oxnard College hosted an event April 15 on the first Latina GDP report, with remarks by two of the authors: Matthew Fienup, the executive director of CLU’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting; and David Hayes-Bautista, the director of the Center for Latino Health and Culture at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

EdSource Commentary: Eliminating programs that improve
higher education access is a huge mistake

President Donald Trump’s “skinny budget” proposal aims to eliminate a group of eight federally funded programs known as TRIO that support higher education access and success for individuals from “disadvantaged backgrounds.” 

Eliminating these programs would be a huge mistake. 

How was I, a daughter of migrant farmworkers whose parents have limited formal education and live in poverty, able to beat the odds and land a faculty position at a selective university in the U.S.? TRIO.

» Read more from Mayra Puente’s commentary piece!

*****

Zora Elling, age 10, is Irvine Valley College’s youngest grad

Check out this recent article from The Orange County Register –

Ten-year-old Zora Elling is an avid reader who enjoys taking care of the family chickens, solving puzzles and convincing her family to join her in adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.

She’s also about to become an Irvine Valley College alumna — the youngest in school history, in fact. She’s slated to graduate from the community college on Thursday, May 22, with an associate’s degree in science for transfer in mathematics.

And she’s breaking the record set last year by an older sister, Athena. And Athena, who graduated at 11 years and five months, beat the record set by their oldest brother, Tycho, who was a few days shy of his 12th birthday when he graduated from IVC in 2023.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

*****

From Norco College:

The pre-demolition ceremony at the Corona Education Center marks the first step toward bringing more CTE and STEM education to our region. Thanks to our community’s support through Measure CC, Norco College is one step closer to opening new doors of opportunity.

*****

From El Camino College:

Last week, the ECC Fashion Department hosted its annual showcase of Warrior couture! Take a look at some of our favorite designs from Premiere Night.

*****

From Ventura College:

Congratulations to the Ventura College Chamber Singers on their performance in London’s iconic Cadogan Hall! Next up for this crew is Florence, Italy! This extraordinary concert brings together choirs from around the world in a celebration of music, art, and innovation.

*****

And check out this video highlighting Lassen College’s Early Childhood Education program:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Celebrates Grand Opening of Renegade Athletic Complex

On June 11, 2025, Bakersfield College (BC) celebrated a significant milestone with the official ribbon cutting of the new Renegade Athletic Complex, followed by the dedication of the weight room in honor of legendary coach Carl Bowser. The event, held on the Panorama Campus, showcased BC’s commitment to enhancing student-athlete experiences and honoring its rich athletic history.

The Renegade Athletic Complex, a 58,904-square-foot facility funded by Measure J, is designed to support BC’s growing athletic programs. The complex includes a full-size basketball court, locker rooms, a sports therapy wing, concessions, and more, providing state-of-the-art resources for student-athletes. This facility underscores BC’s dedication to fostering teamwork, competition, and growth among its students.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

Hope in not an illusion. Hope does not disappoint.

Uncategorized April 26, 2025 Leave a comment

Pope Francis passed away on April 21st (Easter Monday). He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires.

Pope Francis led with humility, focusing on big reforms, and embracing modern ways to connect with people. His social media posts felt more like personal messages from a caring pastor rather than an official declaration. He shared prayers, encouragement, and called for a caring society.

Pope Francis was not afraid to take bold stands. He made it clear that issues like climate change aren’t just political debates — they’re moral responsibilities. He called on everyone to care for the planet. He has been a strong voice for migrants and refugees and has shown more openness toward LGBTQ than past popes, stressing that the Church welcomes everyone.

At a time when so many institutions feel out of touch, Pope Francis stood out by showing that leadership grounded in humility, action, and real human connection still matters.

His last message was read out on April 20th, Easter Sunday.

Here are two excerpts:

The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5). That hope is not an evasion, but a challenge; it does not delude, but empowers us.

On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!

Read more: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/urbi/documents/20250420-urbi-et-orbi-pasqua.html

Good morning California.
It is April 26, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

College of the Desert hosts panel for students to
Connect with Hollywood professionals

COD’s Career and Workforce Solutions Center partnered up with Palm Springs Women in Film & Television to host a Careers in Art, Media & Entertainment Panel on April 2, featuring speakers from Hollywood. The panel gave students a sneak peek into a career in the industry. The panel featured an award-winning, producer, audio specialist and cinematographer. Some notable speakers included “Modern Family” production manager Sally Young and “Mission Impossible” cinematographer Alan Gitlin.

» Read more!

Santa Ana College Prepares Future Generation of College Students
at 31st Annual Kindercaminata

On March 28, 2025, Santa Ana College (SAC) hosted its 31st annual KinderCaminata, a college readiness and youth empowerment program that brings nearly 1,000 kindergartners from Santa Ana and Garden Grove Unified School Districts and several charter schools to visit the community college. The children, along with their teachers, experienced interactive activities, exhibits and other entertainment to learn about various career opportunities made possible through college education. 

» Read more!

Building a Bridge to Success: Southwestern College’s Men of Color Initiative

Southwestern College has taken another significant stride towards educational equity with the launch of its Men of Color Success and Excellence program. This initiative is not merely a program; it’s a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and empowering Black, Latino, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander male students to thrive in higher education.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

California Student Aid Commission and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Announce Partnership to Support Student Access to Aid

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is excited to announce a new collaboration with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office). This new partnership will bring financial aid opportunities to students enrolling at California’s 116 community colleges through expanded data sharing. Last week, the two organizations finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide CSAC with additional data to enhance opportunities for outreach to community college students that have not yet applied for aid, as well as supporting greater analysis of financial aid access across student groups and regions of our state.

» Read more!

*****

California community colleges receive Hearst Foundations grant
to enhance forestry and wildfire prevention

The Foundation for California Community Colleges in Sacramento has received a $150,000 grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and The Hearst Foundation Inc. to support and expand its Resilient Careers in Forestry program.

The program partners with colleges throughout California to develop the forestry workforce, including wildfire preparedness. The foundation plans to use the grant to expand resources to Southern California.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Clovis Community College:

We joined forces on Wednesday for Earth Day and the Black Student Success Week Spring Mixer .

*****

From Reedley College:

Thanks to everyone who came out to our cook-out for a fun day on the library lawn!

*****

From Cerro Coso Community College:

Black Student Success Week at Cerro Coso

*****

From Cuyamaca College:

CONGRATS to our men’s soccer team, state champions, and THANKS San Diego District 4 Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe for proclaiming April 25th as Cuyamaca College Men’s Soccer Team Day!

*****

From Norco College:

Hi Mustangs! A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Student Employees! We hope you enjoyed the Student Employee Appreciation Breakfast. Your hard work and dedication fosters community and continued success for all students at Norco College!

And From the Home of the Renegades

Shafter Library Adds Braille Books to Promote Inclusivity and Learning

The Shafter Library, a public library and satellite campus of Bakersfield College, recently acquired a collection of braille books, thanks to a Friends of the Shafter Library contribution. These books provide readers with the story written in English with clear braille lettering taped on each page. This makes the books inclusive to children who are blind or visually impaired, as well as to older family members reading to young children. It also provides a learning opportunity to those who are not visually impaired to learn more about braille.

Ariel Dyer, a BC Reference Librarian and Shafter Library Liaison, was excited about the new books. “The addition of this braille collection expands our reach to blind and visually impaired people and their families,” she said, “Additionally, it enriches the informal learning of sighted people and families through exposure to braille.”

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

February 8, 2025 – A good day to be a community college champion

Uncategorized February 8, 2025 Leave a comment

Good morning California.
It is February 8, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Susan Dodd Memorial Scholarship at Gavilan College Receives $50,000 Gift

The Gavilan College Foundation announces a $50,000 gift from the Hauer-Dodd Revocable Family Trust to support the Susan Dodd Memorial Scholarship Fund. This generous contribution will help ensure the long-term sustainability of two annual $2,000 scholarships for Gavilan College students pursuing degrees in Kinesiology or participating in athletics.

» Read more!

Norco College Kinesiology Students Gain Hands-On Experience
Through New Internship Program

Six kinesiology students at Norco College are getting real-world experience this fall thanks to a new partnership between the Kinesiology Department and Wonderland Pediatric Therapy. The internship, launched during the Fall 2024 semester, offers students a unique opportunity for hands-on learning in a clinical environment.

» Read more!

Compton College Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for Student Housing Facility

On January 17, 2025, the Compton Community College District (CCCD) celebrated a significant
milestone with a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony for an all-new, 86,000-square-foot student
housing facility. While there are several California community colleges with on-campus student housing in mostly rural areas within the state, Compton College will be the first community college with student housing in
Los Angeles County.

» Read more!

Calbright College Launches New Programs,
Announces 1,000th Certificate of Completion

Calbright College, an online community college in California dedicated to boosting economic mobility and access to skills-based training for underserved communities, announced it will offer four additional programs to current and prospective learners this year. Building on the success of its start-up phase, the expansion will allow the college to continue its tremendous growth in enrollment and certificate completions–a more than 400% increase within two years–and follows the milestone of its 1,000th awarded certificate at the end of 2024. The added programs, offered through a competency-based education model, support Calbright’s mission to provide access to higher education for California’s working-age adults with the flexibility, support, and resources necessary to reach their career goals.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

California Community Colleges Team up with the Port Of Los Angeles For Workforce Development

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Port of Los Angeles have signed an agreement to collaborate on initiatives to better prepare community college students for careers in the evolving goods movement industry. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) brings together the resources of the college system, which is the largest provider of workforce training in the nation, with America’s busiest container port.

The MOU focuses on critical issues facing the maritime industry, including zero-emission operations, decarbonization, environmental stewardship and changing technologies, and incorporates opportunities for communities across Southern California to receive training to obtain the skills necessary to fill the career needs in these areas.

» Read more!

*****

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Fresno City College:

Labor & Liberation is the theme of this year’s Black History Month celebration. Hosted by the African American Faculty and Staff Association. The month-long celebration began with an Opening Ceremony in the Old Administration Building Auditorium.

*****

From Coastline Community College:

Coastline’s Lunar New Year celebration at the Westminster Le-Jao Campus was a huge success! Trustees Mary Hornbuckle & Phu Nguyen joined the festivities, featuring delicious treats, lively music, and a thrilling Lion Dance. Trustee Nguyen even wowed the crowd with his drumming skills.

*****

From Lassen College:

We kicked off the Spring 2025 semester by celebrating the college’s 100th anniversary during Tuesday’s convocation!

*****

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Professor Receives Educator of the Year from
Kern County Music Educators Association

Bakersfield College Performing Arts is proud to celebrate Dr. John Gerhold, who was recently honored with the Kern County Music Educators Association’s (KCMEA) College Music Educator of the Year award. Dr. Gerhold received the award during the 2025 Grand Night for Music on January 28 at Mechanics Bank Arena. A stalwart of music education in California for over 30 years, Dr. Gerhold has had a career in education that has been both successful and widely impactful.

Originally from Fullerton, Dr. Gerhold has been teaching music theory and ear training at BC since 1994 and served as department chair for more than 20 years. Many of Kern County’s music educators, including several BC faculty members, have benefited from Dr. Gerhold’s deep musical knowledge and unparalleled educational excellence, shaping the landscape of music education in Kern County and beyond.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

Celebrating Student Successes: Grants and Awards in California

Uncategorized October 12, 2024 Leave a comment

Earlier this week, we all turned our eyes and thoughts toward Florida as Hurricane Milton battered the state, leaving millions without power – but sparing Tampa a direct hit. The storm reached as high as a Category 5 over the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall as a Category 3.

Check out the remarkable rescue of a man found clinging to an ice chest 30 miles off the Florida coast. The Coast Guard estimated that he survived a night with winds of 75-90 mph and waves up to 25 feet.

A miracle…..

This week of travels took me to Riverside for the Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) awards gala and then to Sacramento for the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) annual meeting in Sacramento. 

Ashish Vaidya, Exec Dir of GIA, Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent, and me

Good morning California.
It is October 12, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Sierra College Foundation Receives $100,000 Grant
from the Bosch Community Fund

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) received a $100,000 grant from the Bosch Community Fund to its Career Technical Education (CTE) Support Fund. The grant will support associated costs with certification fees, microcontroller kits, development material, software, protective gear, tools, entry and travel fees for STEM competitions, project supplies for STEM Clubs and more. 

» Read more!

Grossmont College Art Student’s Cosplay Catches Marvel’s Eye at Comic-Con 

When Diego Montalvan started a project in his Grossmont College sculpture class, he had no idea it would lead to him dawning it as full cosplay during San Diego Comic-Con and that it would lead to a feature and recognition from Marvel Entertainment.  Out of the many attendees vying for photos of Montalvan was Marvel Entertainment. The comics company asked to take photos and videos to share on their official social media accounts and website.

» Read more!

Woodland Community College Awarded $3 Million Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Grant to Launch Escalera STEM Initiative

Woodland Community College (WCC) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. With more than 50% of the student body identifying as Hispanic/Latinx, this grant holds special significance and reaffirms the college’s commitment to supporting the academic success of Hispanic/Latinx students. The $3 million, five-year grant will fund the Escalera Initiative, a campus-wide strategy designed to support Hispanic/Latinx students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Next stop on transfer students’ journey: UC Berkeley’s new, high-end dorm

Bakersfield College transfer student & TRIO/Bridge mentor Elizabeth Diaz is one of the students featured in an EdSource article about Anchor House, a brand-new residence hall specifically for transfer students on the university’s campus.

» Read more!

*****

Undocumented Student Action Week: October 14-18

This year’s USAW theme focuses on leveraging our collective power to create meaningful change. Join us for a week of events & webinars.

» Learn more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Medanos College:

Kat shows off her new glitter tattoo for world mental health day. Booths are setup near the student union building. A fun cool breezy day with food and kites and a little time to relax.

*****

From City College of San Francisco:

So thrilled to be back with my amazing Student Completion team after our fall Gear Up for Student Completion 2.0 retreat! We dove deep into team building, innovation, and equity, sparking our creativity and strategic thinking Can’t wait to see the incredible impact we’ll make aligning our efforts with our institution’s goals and working towards closing equity gaps!

*****

From Madera Community College:

Our new 2024-2025 College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) student cohort had an opportunity to go on a campus tour here at Madera Community College!

Throughout the tour, they familiarized themselves with the different campus resources, such as the Welcome Center, Food Pantry, second-year special programs, and the Learning Center, where they received information about the various in-person and online tutoring options available to them.

*****

And check out this video from Norco College:

Summer is a former foster youth student who is an alumni of Norco College. Hear her story about growing up in the foster care system, being involved in Phoenix Scholars, and what students need to succeed.

And From the Home of the Renegades

Renegade Nexus Offers Students Free Haircuts and Styling

Bakersfield College’s Renegade Nexus is dedicated to supporting the basic needs of students who are experiencing challenges while pursuing higher education. Through this unique program, students have access to additional resources, such as nutrition, transportation, health services, clothing, and much more.

The Renegade Nexus recently hosted “Styled for Success” an event that offered BC students professional haircuts and styling at no cost to them. Located in the Renegade Campus Store, BC’s Bookstore was transformed into a pop-up salon featuring salon chairs, mirrors, and local professional stylists. In partnership with ClipDart, a mobile hair care company, this exciting initiative presented students with the unique opportunity to receive haircare services on campus, accommodating the needs of each student and relieving any stressors of cost, transportation, and accessibility.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

First six months of Vision 2030

Uncategorized April 6, 2024 Comments: 2

Check out this photo collage (less than 5-min) video of the first 6 months of Vision 2030:

*****

This week started with a Monday holiday honoring Cesar Chavez. After that, it was another busy week of travel!

On Tuesday, I joined fellow members of the Governor’s Council for Career Education to visit Sierra College’s workforce programs. Before the Council meeting the First Partner swung by to do a tour of the mechatronics program.

*****

On Wednesday, we had a System Webinar, “Our Time is Now! Advancing California’s Economy Through Community Colleges.” This month, I was joined by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, who is the author of our sponsored bill, AB 1885, College Access for Students with Disabilities Act.

*****

On Thursday, I spent much of the day visiting San Bernardino Community College District.  Chancellor Diana Rodriguez is a rock star.  All the trustees came out in full force.

It was great to see BOG member Joseph Williams on his home turf!

*****

Back at home, I was able to enjoy Neo and the start of the rose season.

Good morning California.
It is April 6, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Norco College Receives RP Group Outstanding Project Award
for Faculty Impact on Black Student Success

Norco College announces its recognition as the recipient of the 2024 RP Group Outstanding Project of the Year Award for its groundbreaking initiative, “Faculty Impact on Black Student Success.” The project, led by Dr. Greg Aycock, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, and Caitlin Busso, Institutional Research Specialist, has been lauded for its significant contributions to student success and institutional effectiveness.

» Read more!

Santa Monica College Law Pathway Program
Receives Diversity Champion Award

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Law Pathway program has been honored with the Diversity Champion Award, established in 2016 by the California LAW Pathways Advisory Council to recognize outstanding organizations for their efforts in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the law field. The award was announced at the Annual Pathways to Law Summit held Feb. 23 – 24 at UC Davis School of Law. Past awardees include UC Berkeley School of Law, UCLA School of Law, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Rio Hondo College, and Saddleback College, among many others.

» Read more!

Fresno City College Celebrates
Social Justice Center Grand Opening

Last month, Fresno City College celebrated the grand opening of the Social Justice Center. The new center is designed to engage the campus and greater community in cultivating and promoting social justice and equity on campus, locally, nationally, and globally.

» Read more!

Laney College Eagle’s Nest Addresses 
Clothing Insecurity with Popup Event

On March 20, 2024, in the Laney College Student Center, the Laney College Eagle’s Nest, which is the College’s Basic Needs Center, hosted a “pop-up” style event focusing on giving away clothing to students in need. All items were free, gently worn items, including shoes, for women, men, and children. In addition to these much-needed resources for students, students were also offered hygiene kits and other basic needs resources.

» Read more about the Eagle’s Nest!

In Case You Missed It

Challenges for Higher Education: An Emerging Skills Shortage
and Inequity in the Workforce

George Boggs and I co-wrote this piece in Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.

American higher education is called upon to serve a variety of purposes: advancement of knowledge, expansion of cultural appreciation, extending understanding of societal benefits and obligations, and preparing a diversity of students with the skills they need for a successful and rewarding life. These missions are important to the well-being of our people and the strength of our country. Recently, it has become apparent that higher education must give increased attention to skill development and educational attainment.

» Read more!

*****

Black Student Success Week

The 2024 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. Administrators, faculty, staff & students from across the California Community Colleges are invited to join for a series of daily webinars.

» Learn more and register today!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Citrus College:

ICYMI: On 3/29, students in the Citrus College Cosmetology & Esthetician programs provided Whitcomb High School students with hairstyles, makeup & manicures for their prom! This was a free community service event & about 25 Citrus College students participated. Way to go, Owls!

*****

From Gavilan College:

GAV COLLABORATES WITH UC MASTER GARDENERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY ON CESAR CHAVEZ DAY! Thank you to Gav’s Dean of Counseling, Student Success and Equity, Diego Espinoza (pictured standing, second from left) for coordinating a Cesar Chavez Day of Service with the South County Teaching and Demo Garden in San Martin. Despite the cold and drizzle, students, and even President Avila, came out to honor the legacy of labor rights leader, Cesar Chavez, by volunteering, and led by Master Gardeners.

*****

And check out this video from San Diego College of Continuing Education, highlighting the 2024 surviveHEADSTRONG Walk and Health Fair:

Blast from the Past

Here are my video remarks from the Jean Fuller Women in Leadership Panel on March 4, 2021:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC And Wonderful Industrial Park Support Local Workforce

Bakersfield College was honored to gather with leaders from the Wonderful Industrial Park (WIP) to learn more about the exciting growth opportunities taking place in the WIP! Leaders from organizations such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, the City of Shafter, and others came together to provide updates on their operations. It was a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the dynamic ecosystem that drives economic development in the region.

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

Sonya Christian's Blog