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
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.
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.
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.
#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.”
I was back in San Diego this week for a Vision 2030 Regional Workshop.
As I always say … what is there not to love about San Diego!
The Chancellor’s Office team showed up strong. Here are a few photos.
James Todd, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Cheri Fortan, Terrence Willett, Chris Ferguson, Sonya Christian
Here we are with the amazing West Ed team.
On My November 29th blog I mentioned that I was in Toronto and we were expecting snow the next day. Here are a few photos from the window of my bedroom in my daughter’s place.
Most folks love watching planes in action. I remember when I was a little girl, my brother Roy routinely driving me to the airport so we could watch planes land and take off.
So here is a 17-sec video of Air Canada pulling up to the gate at LAX.
Good morning California. It is December 6, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
L.A. Pierce College Becomes First U.S. Community College to Launch AI-Powered Biomedical Research Program
Students at Los Angeles Pierce College took a historic step recently as they convened their first research team meeting for the newly launched L.A. Pierce AI Campus, an initiative that officially makes Pierce the first community college in the United States to launch an AI-powered biomedical research program through a groundbreaking partnership with National AI Campus.
Golden West College Receives Major Investment to Expand Nursing Program, Strengthen Local Workforce Pipeline
Golden West College has been awarded $3.5 million over three years from the Samueli Foundation to expand its highly successful School of Nursing and increase access to high-demand healthcare careers across Orange County. The multi-year funding will support program growth, new faculty positions, expanded partnerships with local high schools, and upgrades to clinical training technology.
Los Medanos College Rolls Out Hi-Tech Type 1 Fire Engine
Los Medanos College Fire Academy students this year will benefit from training on a fully-loaded 2009 Hi-Tec Type I Fire Engine. LMC used California Strong Workforce Program grant funding to purchase the $114,000 engine from the Cordelia Fire Protection District. The engine includes equipment for urban and wildland firefighting, and represents significant cost savings to the college. A new engine of this type would have cost about $800,000 with no equipment on board.
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Wins Prestigious Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College has received the Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), a national honor recognizing Annual Awards Banquet, recognizing the zoo’s excellence in new and unique live animal display, exhibit design and construction. This year’s award honors the zoo’s creation of “Rajah’s Retreat,” a state-of-the-art natural habitat for tigers.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Sierra College:
Yesterday we held our annual EMT Trauma Day and SWAT training on campus. This event gives Sierra College EMT and paramedics students a chance to gain valuable, real-world experience in their field and provides an opportunity for them to practice hands on skills with several local industry partners. Our annual Public Safety Career Fair was held yesterday as well. This event gives students in related fields the opportunity to connect and network with representatives and recruiters in related fields
*****
From Palomar College:
Last month, the ESL Department hosted an inspiring event titled Multicultural Voices: An ESL Celebration. Students united to honor the rich tapestry of languages, cultures, food, and stories that define their home countries.
*****
From Allan Hancock College:
Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex welcomed the Santa Barbara County, Ventura County and Fresno fire departments for joint disaster response training this week. Crews practiced shoring damaged structures and ran search and rescue drills on the rubble pile.
*****
From Foothill College:
Big congrats to Nava Call for their incredible win! Presenting at Google HQ? Talk about next-level opportunities
*****
And check out this video from Las Positas College:
Big congrats to LPC music student Joshua Glatt for winning 1st Place in the statewide MACCC Composition Competition! His piece “Yearning for More” premiered last Spring with the Friction Quartet
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Students ‘Destress’ with Miracle Mutts
On Monday, December 1st, BC welcomed Miracle Mutts to their Panorama Campus to give students a chance to take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy some down time with their therapy dogs.
Several therapy dogs and their owners congregated in the lobby of the BC Library and students, staff and community members were able to pet and interact with the furry, friendly companions. Each therapy dog was eager to share affection with participants, while showcasing their own unique personalities. The event was part of De-Stress Week – a series of activities intended to help students get a mental health break from end of the semester exams, presentations, and projects.
This Thursday marked the 4th year that the United States recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Check out this short video from The New York Times about it:
As for me ….
One of the best moments this week was attending the prison graduation at the California Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday.
Board Members Jennifer Perry and Bill Rawlings with our students graduating from the CRC.
Good morning California. It is June 21, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Mt. San Jacinto College Stem Cell Internships Launch Future Scientists into Elite Research Labs
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) continues to transform students through life-changing internship opportunities in cutting-edge biomedical research labs, thanks to the college’s participation in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges to Stem Cell Research Internship Program. Under the guidance of Dr. Nick Reeves, Associate Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences, this prestigious internship prepares MSJC biology students for advanced degrees and impactful careers in science and medicine.
Barstow Community College Partners with 160 Driving Academy to Expand Access to Commercial Driver’s License Training
Barstow Community College is pleased to announce a new partnership with 160 Driving Academy to bring their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program to Barstow Community College. This collaboration will make truck driver training more accessible to local students and community members interested in joining the transportation industry.
Palomar College Professor Selected as U.S. Deaf Olympics Head Coach
Palomar College students might just know David Hamilton as an American Sign Language Assistant Professor, but he also has a lifelong love of basketball that led to five gold medals in the Deaflympics and a recent selection as the head coach of the U.S. Deaflympics basketball team.
Berkeley City College celebrated a milestone achievement in the construction of its new Berkeley City College West campus. One year after breaking ground on the project, the superstructure of the six-story, 60,000 square foot academic and administration building reached its highest point. To mark the occasion, Berkeley City College and Peralta Community College District leaders, students, faculty, and staff joined its construction partners Kitchell, XL Construction, and Ratcliff, and city leaders and community partners in signing a ceremonial beam.
First-of-Its-Kind Partnership will Support Older Adults in Higher Education and Workforce Development
The California Community Colleges, the California Department of Aging, and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency have launched a new statewide effort to support adult learners. This collaboration ensures older adults have access to higher education, job training, and opportunities to build new skills.
The agencies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides guidelines on how to work together with regional partners to establish career pathways for older adults. Whether going back to work or starting a new career, learners will have access to education and hands-on job training that opens new doors and builds a stronger workforce. Through this partnership, agencies are also expanding opportunities for caregivers by connecting them to health care career pathways and creating more job opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities, a key priority within the California Community College’s strategic plan, Vision 2030.
We’re so excited to share that FLC’s Oak Hall Science Building is being recognized by @Sacbiz as one of the “Best Real Estate Projects of the Year”!
*****
From Gavilan College:
Gurleen Khajuria, a STEM tutor and aspiring materials scientist, has been honored with the $20,000 2025 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Scholarship. This prestigious award supports community college students transferring to UC Santa Cruz who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to service.
*****
And check out this episode of Victor Valley College’s RAMPLIFI:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Theatre Students Attend Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Recently, Professor Cody Ganger and 18 Bakersfield College Theatre students traveled to Ashland, Oregon, to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). This unique educational opportunity was made possible through the support of the Renegade Innovation Fund. Nestled in the tiny town near the California/Oregon border, the OSF is in its 91st year of operation, making it one of the oldest and largest professional non-profit theaters in the nation.
The festival is home to the oldest existing full-scale Elizabethan stage in the Western Hemisphere, and in 1983, it received the Tony Award for Outstanding Achievement in Regional Theatre.
Since my high school readings included Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the Ides of March got defined with an ominous tone….. Every year, on March 15th, I feel a shudder. And then promptly proceed to redefine the day as a fabulous spring day.
The geraniums this morning did it for me!
The term “Ides of March” as I understand it, had a neutral meaning in the Roman calendar, referring to March 15, which was simply a standard way of marking the middle of the month (the “Ides” typically fell on the 15th in March, May, July, and October, and on the 13th in other months). It was traditionally associated with religious observances and debt payments in ancient Rome.
However, its meaning dramatically changed after the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15th. Caesar had been warned by a soothsayer to Beware the Ides of March, as famously dramatized in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Over time, the phrase has taken on a more general meaning, often used to suggest looming disaster.
On another note ….. Did you catch the lunar eclipse this week? It was the first total lunar eclipse in 2 years.
The Griffith Observatory live streamed the entire event –
As for me …..
This week was a whirlwind of meetings – I spent time with team members preparing for the upcoming budget hearings, working on the LA Rebuild project, and other key priorities.
A team of us from the Chancellor’s Office did visit Pasadena City College where the president gave a moving presentation about how the college brought together the community to help with the LA Fires and now with the recovery. I am so proud of Pasadena City College. Unfortunately, I did not snap any photos for you.
The California Community Colleges continue doing great work for our students, our communities, and our planet.
Good morning California. It is March 15, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Newly Expanded Veterans Resource Center Opens at San Diego Miramar College
Over a hundred people took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at San Diego Miramar College. The ceremony featured guest speakers, the Mira Mesa High School Junior Air Force ROTC color guard, and a performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Band from Miramar Corp Air Station Miramar.
TRIO Day at Moreno Valley College Celebrates Access, Opportunity, and Success
Moreno Valley College hosted its sixth annual National TRIO Day on Feb. 22, celebrating opportunity, empowerment, and access to higher education. The event, which drew hundreds of students, families, and community partners, highlighted MVC’s commitment to ensuring underserved students are not only given access but also supported in achieving their goals. Hands-on STEM activities, workshops, and a resource fair provided students with inspiration and tangible pathways to success.
Palomar College Expands Offerings to Include Incarcerated Military Students
Palomar College offers a wide range of academic courses at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Recently, the schedule of courses was expanded to include coursework for those incarcerated in the brig at Camp Pendleton. Trusting its 53 year relationship with Palomar College, the Camp Pendleton brig leadership initiated a proposal designed to align with their rehabilitation program for the incarcerated population on base. This initiated the planning for increased educational opportunities and the first classes.
Community Colleges Reimagine Their Role to Transform Whole Communities
Community colleges have always been the open door of higher education—focusing on students and employers who might not otherwise get served. In recent years, as the accountability push in higher education evolved, that’s translated to an increasing focus not just on getting students to the finish line but beyond it into good jobs. Now, the leading community college reform organization, Achieving the Dream, is taking that a step further—focusing on how community colleges can not only be an engine for success for students, but for entire communities.
Registration Open for 2025 Blue Economy and Climate Action Pathways (BECAP) Summit
Register now for the 2025 Blue Economy and Climate Action Pathways (BECAP) Summit, on Wednesday, March 26 at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center.
This groundbreaking event offers a unique platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, to address the pressing environmental challenges and opportunities ahead, while shaping the future of the Blue Economy and its workforce.
Color, joy, and celebration! Our International Student Club hosted its third annual HOLI event today, bringing the campus together for a vibrant festival of color
“As Cardoza focuses on building a campus culture ‘where every student can see themselves succeed,’ she offers those students who were once like her specific advice for a strong future: ‘Find your community. Find those who are going to be your biggest cheerleaders, those who believe in you.‘”
*****
From Antelope Valley College:
Antelope Valley College, in partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), held a graduation ceremony recently on Yard A at the California State Prison, Los Angeles County, hosted through the New Horizon Adult School program.
Fifteen students earned associate degrees from AVC, while an additional nine students received associate degrees from other California community colleges. High school diploma and GED recipients, along with those who completed vocational certificates, were also celebrated during the ceremony.
*****
And check out this video from Copper Mountain College:
Copper Mountain College Auto Club students participated in the 2025 King of the Hammers event, gaining valuable hands-on experience working on off-road vehicles during the event.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Hidden Figures Author Margot Lee Shetterly Inspires Bakersfield College Community
Bakersfield College recently welcomed Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures, to its Panorama campus in honor of Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The event drew an overwhelming turnout, with the Renegade Event Center filled to near capacity. Students, faculty, and community members were all present, eager to hear Shetterly’s insights, inspirations, and current projects.
Shetterly started the conversation by discussing the three “no longer hidden figures” of her novel: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson. A central theme of Shetterly’s talk was the idea that ordinary people are capable of achieving extraordinary things. She emphasized that the women of Hidden Figures were not household names, nor were they widely recognized as pioneers in their time, but it was because of their dedication, intellect, and perseverance that they were able to make history. She encouraged BC students to recognize their own potential, reminding them that greatness is achieved through hard work, passion, and the willingness to challenge barriers.
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.
