Russia’s recent wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine has struck not only residential areas and infrastructure but also sites of deep religious and cultural significance. Among the locations damaged was the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century monastery complex and one of the holiest sites in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
The attack damaged the complex’s iconic Dormition Cathedral and sparked a fire, prompting widespread condemnation from Ukrainian officials and international organizations.
The strike has renewed concerns about the broader toll of the war on Ukraine’s cultural heritage. According to UNESCO, more than 500 cultural sites have been damaged or destroyed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Here is a video from The New York Times as Dormiton Cathedral burned – https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010967495/russia-kyiv-attack-orthodox-cathedral.html
My daughter, Eisha Christian, was in Kyiv with a medical team from Sick Kids. Right now as I am writing this blog, she is on a flight from Warsaw to Toronto after finishing two weeks in Lviv and Kyiv in Ukraine.
There she is in the picture below … looking through a surgical microscope, her hands healing someone else’s world.
Here is a post from Pope Leo XIV urging for an end to this war:
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This week I traveled to Baltimore for the CCC HBCU pathway.
A view of Baltimore –
Another –
And at night –
Then back home to my boy Neo.
And what a treat! The ducklings have finally arrived… waited for so many days.
See if you can spot one of the ducklings trying to fly up to the mother from the pool.
Good morning California.
It is June 20, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Columbia College Participates in Regional “Every Drop Counts” Project Advancing Interdisciplinary Research on Impact of Microplastics in Water
Columbia College is participating in the collaborative initiative Every Drop Counts, a Central Valley–based project focused on investigating the impact of microplastics in water systems and their effects on biological processes. As part of the project, students studied macrophages—immune cells responsible for removing foreign particles—to better understand how microplastics interact with living systems in the Central Valley. Student teams from Columbia College, Modesto Junior College (MJC), the University of California, Merced (UC Merced), and California State University, Stanislaus (CSUS) presented their research findings at UC Merced on April 15, 2026, and at CSUS on April 18, 2026.
Napa Valley College Opens Hospitality Training Center
On June 2, Napa Valley College held a ribbon cutting for the Donna Altes Hospitality Training Center, the final part of the new Napa Valley College (NVC) Wine Education Complex. The newest building in the complex features a demonstration tasting bar, a space designed to simulate hospitality and tasting-room scenarios, as well as flexible event space for training, lectures and special events.
Foothill College Hosts Research and Service Leadership Symposium 2026
On May 21, students from Foothill and a variety of other schools filled the campus to showcase their research at the 9th annual Research and Service Leadership Symposium. This yearly event is meant to provide a space for students to create and showcase either individual or group research projects in any kind of field, from the creative arts to the sciences, with the ultimate goal of expanding learning beyond the classroom and celebrating student passion and curiosity.
In Case You Missed It
California’s Career Passport to connect qualified workers to employment, with or without a four-year degree
California is continuing its push to open more doors to good-paying jobs by building the California Career Passport – a digital tool designed to better connect workers with employers based on skills, not just degrees.
When implemented, this tool will help more Californians move into in-demand careers and strengthen a workforce that reflects the full range of talent across the state. The Career Passport pilot will involve real users as part of a structured evaluation phase. The four selected vendors will participate in testing that will generate direct user feedback and technical performance data to inform final vendor selection. This approach reflects a commitment to responsible procurement that evaluates solutions based on how they perform in real-world conditions, with real Californians. The pilot demonstration will run from June 17, 2026 to August 24, 2026.
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Building Momentum Towards Transfer: EdInsights’ Researchers Partner with Sacramento City College to Identify Supports for Student Success
EdInsights collaborated with Sacramento City College to design and conduct a study following the academic journeys of over 10,000 first-time students. Sacramento City College, a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, serves over 21,000 students, with nearly 30 percent being first-generation college students. The composition of Sacramento City College’s student body underpins the importance of understanding the experiences of students from various disproportionately impacted groups.
College and district leaders and EdInsights researchers worked together to identify research questions and connect the analysis to ongoing institutional priorities and strategic planning related to transfer and equitable student success. Together, we identified factors that we suspected could be linked to transfer momentum attainment, including demographic and educational characteristics.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Oxnard College:
This week, we welcomed proud Oxnard native and 11-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Julian Gooden to campus.
Students from the Global Empathy Training Academy gathered in our STEM Center to watch Julian’s Emmy Award-winning documentary, “Above the Tide,” followed by an engaging Q&A session where Julian shared insights about his career, creative process, and journey in the film industry. The event was also attended by OC Acting President Cynthia Herrera, MC President Julius Sokenu, other college and district leaders, and community partners from the Ventura County Office of Education.
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From Ohlone College:
Cheers to the Ohlone College Deaf Center for hosting our Student Recognition Celebration!
Our Deaf Center honored our graduates, recognized the #ASL Club officers, celebrated university transfers, acknowledged the Deaf-Centered Interpreting Preparation Program (DCIPP), and celebrated the accomplishments of our students. Cheers to bright futures for our Deaf Center students!
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From Copper Mountain College:
What an incredible day at the annual Judge Bert Swift Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the athletic programs at Copper Mountain College!
Because of the generosity of our players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, we raised significant funds to help support our student-athletes and the future of CMC athletics. Thank you to everyone who came together to make this event such a success.
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From Gavilan College:
Three MESA students represented the college at the Spring 2026 Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM in Atlanta, Georgia. Through this experience, they connected with researchers, universities, and industry professionals, while exploring opportunities in STEM fields.
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And check out this video highlighting Mt. San Antonio College’s aircraft maintenance program:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Recognized for Educational Excellence at Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
Bakersfield College received the Educational Excellence Award at this year’s Beautiful Bakersfield Awards ceremony. The annual event honors individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions in 2025. The Educational Excellence Award recognizes ‘educators, projects, or institutions advancing educational opportunities and achievement across all levels in the community’.*
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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
