Hello DC
This week I was at Jobs for the Future’s Horizons 2026 Conference in DC.
I was on a panel with Diya Wynn from Amazon Web Services, Shad Ahmed from Anthropic, and Alex Swartsel from Jobs for the Future, to discuss AI’s transformation of jobs, skills and systems. It turned out to be a fun presentation and the energy of the panel was real great.
Presenting at JFF:
A large team from the Chancellor’s Office attended the conference.
Although I had heard about Horizons for years, this was my first time participating. It quickly became clear why Horizons has become one of the nation’s premier gatherings on the future of learning and work. The conference brings together leaders from higher education, business, philanthropy, workforce development, technology, and public policy.
Here is a photo with some of our team members at JFF in DC.
Then from DC to San Francisco…
Then to Sunnyvale to join the Future U. podcast, hosted by Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn, two of the nation’s leading voices on the future of higher education. Through their podcast, writing, and research, Jeff and Michael have created thoughtful forums for exploring the forces reshaping colleges and universities. Our discussion took place at the Google campus. The panel represented the UCs, CSUs, and the California Community Colleges.
Blast from the past …. 6 years ago on this day …. July 18, 2020 – BC faculty & staff always engaged in “good trouble”
Good morning California.
It is July 18, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Mission College Partners with Samuel Merritt Expanding Nursing Pathways
Mission College and Samuel Merritt University (SMU) have announced a new Concurrent Enrollment Pathway (CEP) that will allow eligible Mission College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and LVN-to-RN students to begin Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) coursework through Samuel Merritt University while completing their associate degree requirements at Mission College.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Secures Funding for Peralta FabLabs
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon returned to her roots with a message of perseverance and possibility during a visit to the digital fabrication laboratories at Laney College and College of Alameda. While visiting, she announced a combined $250,000 investment to support innovation, student success, and workforce development across the two campuses.
Fresno City College Architecture Students
Sweep AIA San Joaquin Student Design Awards
The annual student design competition challenged local aspiring architects to design a “Community Hub” in Fresno’s historic Chinatown, focusing heavily on urban revitalization. The rigorous competition drew 46 total entries from standout regional architecture programs, including California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), College of the Sequoias (COS), and Fresno City College, which submitted 13 student entries.
In Case You Missed It
California opens AI-Ready micro-credential pilot with AWS and public colleges
California is launching AI-Ready California this month, a free micro-credential pilot that will give 500 students and jobseekers in the San Diego area foundational training in AI literacy, responsible use and workforce readiness.
The program was announced by the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency and developed with the Governor’s Innovation Council, California Community Colleges, the California State University system, Amazon Web Services, Instructure and support from the James Irvine Foundation.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Long Beach City College:
Mike Muñoz hosted our Long Beach College Promise Summer Retreat today. As academic partners in the Promise, our CEOs came together to set our shared vision for serving students this year—our first official meeting with LBUSD Superintendent David Zaid and CSULB President Loren J. Blanchard together.
*****
From Feather River College:
Love seeing FRC graduates making immediate impacts in the local community.
Plumas Underburn Cooperative welcomes new manager
*****
From Evergreen Valley College:
EVC Nursing hit a streak of 7-in-a-row of perfect NCLEX pass rates on their first attempt at becoming registered nurses. The latest group of graduates, 12 in total, give EVC Nursing 72 perfect scores over the past year.
Another 25 Spring graduates are preparing to take the test over the next two months. Over the past seven quarters, 107 EVC graduates have passed on their first attempt.
Over the two years, the rate is 99.2 percent, with 127 of 128 passing on the first attempt.
*****
From Clovis Community College:
President Armstrong at the Golden Charter Academy ribbon cutting where she will proudly serve as a new board member.
*****
From Southwestern College:
Congratulations to The SWC Sun for being named Best College Media Newspaper by the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists!
Shout out to our student journalists, faculty, and alumni for continuing to tell stories that inform, inspire, and make an impact!
And From the Home of the Renegades
Celebrating Bridge to BC
Check out this video from KGET – “Look Who’s Talking BC: Bridge to BC Helps Students Start Strong and Prepares Future Teachers.”
Dr. Kimberly Bligh, Professor and Faculty Chair of BC’s Department of Education, started the Bridge to BC program back in 2014 with just 140 students. Over the past 12 years, it has grown to more than 18,000 students. I remember all the planning that went into this “start up” operation the second year I was president. The slogan was “make it happen.” Kimberly did just that!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
