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
Good morning California. It is September 6, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Porterville College students win national video competition
Porterville College is celebrating a major win after our Advanced Digital Video Production students took home first place in the college category of the NASA HUNCH/CTE Month 2024–25 Student Video Challenge. This was a national competition that pitted our students against others from colleges across the country.
San Fernando Valley Colleges Awarded NASA Grant to Host MESA Robotics Competition
Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Mission College, and Los Angeles Valley College, and have been awarded a $50,000 planning prize from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) to develop a new robotics competition for community college students in the San Fernando Valley.
San Diego Mesa’s Leland Simpliciano Recognized for Outstanding Impact with NPIEN Award
San Diego Mesa College proudly congratulates Leland Simpliciano, AANAPISI Program Activities Manager and Grants Director, on being named a recipient of the National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) Educator Award.
How California community colleges are using AI to battle financial aid fraud
Community colleges in California for years have been fighting a losing battle with fraudsters who have stolen millions of dollars in federal and state financial aid. But now state officials believe they are finally turning a corner thanks to new tools.
The game-changer? Artificial intelligence.
About 80 of the state’s 115 community colleges are now or will soon be using an AI model that detects fake students by looking for information such as shared phone numbers, suspicious course-taking patterns, and even an applicant’s age. Officials say the AI catches twice as many scammers as the human staff, with some campuses estimating that they are now detecting more than 90% of fraudsters, who are a mix of bots and human criminals, sometimes even located in other countries.
California community colleges tackle workforce shortages post-wildfires
Disasters expose needs we often overlook — and clarify our responsibilities.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County — including the Eaton Fire that struck Pasadena and neighboring communities — damaged or destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The loss of lives and homes, and the disruption of normalcy and routines, was swift and severe.
California’s community colleges are a part of the communities they serve, giving them a deep understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities that emerge in moments of crisis. Pasadena City College has played this role over the last 100 years, stepping up again during the Eaton Fire and continuing to lead in the difficult work of recovery. The college is a hub for uniting partners, aligning resources and helping chart a path forward.
From Programs to Professions: New Partnership Opens Doors to Careers in State Government for California Community College Students
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has partnered with the California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) to launch a new initiative aimed at creating clear, seamless pathways to meaningful careers in state government for students and alumni.
The strategic collaboration, officially announced today, is designed to expand talent pipelines to address current needs while helping to build the state government workforce of the future. With more than 2.1 million students enrolled each year, California’s community colleges serve as a powerful stream of skilled, diverse, and motivated individuals ready to serve in public sector roles, across the state.
On August 28, Star Wars actor and proud LACC alumnus Mark Hamill spoke at our convocation for faculty and staff. “I don’t know where I would be without LACC,” he shared. His inspiring remarks about the power of education reminded us that the Force is strong at LACC.
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CalFresh Healthy Living shared this about Taft College:
The Taft College Cougar Support Center food pantry has achieved Gold certification! Yesterday, our team presented them with a glass award and a certificate to recognize their accomplishments. The Cougar Support Center is dedicated to promoting healthy and nutritious options and providing valuable information to their students. We are proud to partner with the pantry.
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From Representative Scott Peters, who visited San Diego MiraCosta College:
I visited @MiraCosta college and learned more about their nursing and biomanufacturing programs. MiraCosta works with local businesses to educate the top talent our workforce needs. I also stopped by their police Swearing-In and Pinning Ceremony and congratulated the new officers.
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From Santa Rosa Junior College:
First annual Disability Support Fair at #SRJC – plus a free Farmers Market. 25 SRJC departments and community organizations offered info about the ways they support disabled students and community members.
And From the Home of the Renegades
‘Styled For Success’ Offers BC Students Free Haircuts and Styling
Earlier this week, Bakersfield College’s Renegade Nexus hosted the first edition of ‘Styled for Success’ for the Fall 2025 semester. Through a special partnership with ClipDart, a mobile hair care company, this unique event enables BC students to receive free hair care services on campus while alleviating barriers such as transportation, accessibility, or cost.asdf
Hosted in the Panorama Campus bookstore, more than 50 students checked in throughout the day and left with their hair cut, trimmed, and styled, ready to embark on the Fall semester with a fresh look. The professional stylists were eager to provide their services, bringing energy and expertise to ensure the best results for each client.
I got to enjoy a few days in Toronto last weekend.
Here are a few pics:
Good morning California. It is June 7, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Cerritos College Engineering Technology Club Excels at VEX Robotics World Championship
The Cerritos College Engineering Technology Club broke new ground at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship as one of only three community colleges to compete among nearly 750 elite teams from around the world. In their debut appearance, the team placed 25th in the Technology Division, outscoring dozens of four-year universities and proving that community colleges can lead in innovation, talent, and technical excellence on a global stage.
Los Angeles Pierce College Faculty and Administrators Participate in NSF-Sponsored STEM Education Workshop
Three Los Angeles Pierce College faculty and staff members recently participated in the InnovATEBIO Undergraduate Research Strategic Planning Workshop, held in Dallas, Texas. The workshop, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, brought together community college representatives from across the country to discuss strategies for improving STEM education through undergraduate research.
The Radiologic Technology Program recently installed new equipment in its classrooms, modernizing the previous technology in place for more than 12 years. Now students have, according to Program Director Michael Frianeza, two fully energized X-ray rooms to practice technical skills and apply classroom learning before beginning clinical training.
EdSource: ‘Serving adult learners’ – California community colleges are expanding short-term career programs
Joanne Scott had been without full-time work for about two decades and was struggling to reenter the workforce. Then she learned this year about a short-term pharmacy technician program at Mt. San Antonio College in eastern Los Angeles County.
The program is one of 48 short-term vocational programs that Mt. San Antonio has added in the past five years as part of an effort to serve more adults and prepare them for the workforce. Most of the new programs are in health fields, but the college has also added programs in areas such as tax accounting, welding and appliance repair.
Staff, faculty, and administrators participated in NCORE in New York City last week, a five-day conference focused on access, opportunity, and success for our students, as well as ways to enhance their experience.
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From Gavilan College:
Rebekah Children’s Services and Gavilan College are launching a culinary career pathway for at-risk youth in South County. With support from Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, students will earn college credit and train at Kneaded Café. This is what opportunity looks like.
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From Porterville College:
Exceptional progress on the Fine Arts Mural is underway! It’s amazing what our student volunteers and Art professors have accomplished in only just one week. This is an excellent example of how far a bit of time, effort, and dedication can take you.
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From LA City College:
President Gebru hosted Cookies & Coffee on May 15 to celebrate Chocolate Chip Day with treats baked by dietetics students. Everyone, from kids to staff, enjoyed cookies and coffee under the Heritage Tree.
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And check out this video showing Life at Feather River College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Culinary Demonstration and Tasting
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month, BC Food Services and the Office of Student Life hosted a culinary demonstration and tasting that featured dishes highlighting the unique flavors and ingredients of AANHPI cuisine.
The event started with an introduction and demonstration by Fidel Cabuena, Director of Food Services at BC, as he cooked a traditional Chicken Pad Thai. He talked about the main ingredients he was using, how to cook them, and how to beautifully plate the finished product.
I hope you are enjoying some rest and relaxation over the long weekend as we honor Presidents Day. The holiday is officially known as “Washington’s Birthday” and was first implemented in 1879.
Good morning California. It is February 15, 2o25. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
PC and ZeroNox launch ground-breaking program & EV Tech Center.
This week, Porterville College’s Career Education Division celebrated the grand opening of the new and cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Center. This innovative classroom space supports a new training program designed to meet the growing demand for skilled EV technicians. Developed in partnership with industry leader Zero Nox, the program offers non-credit, tuition-free instruction, ranging from basic EV fundamentals to advanced maintenance.
Allan Hancock College, SMJUHSD Offer Classes in Guadalupe
Allan Hancock College and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District have partnered to bring college-level courses directly to students in Guadalupe, expanding access to higher education opportunities within the community. The new classes allow high school students in Guadalupe to enroll in general education courses for college credit. The classes include Communication Studies 101: Introduction to Public Speaking and Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology and are held at the Guadalupe Senior Center.
MiraCosta College Awarded $116,500 Grant for Student Wellness
MiraCosta College has received a grant from The Prebys Foundation to set up a project to enhance the mental health and wellness of formerly incarcerated and marginalized students through hands-on outdoor experiences. The $116,500 grant to MiraCosta College was among the $5.2 million that The Prebys Foundation awarded 59 nonprofits across San Diego for its Healing Through the Arts and Nature initiative to offer proactive ways to enhance the quality of life in a post-pandemic world.
Reducing Food Insecurity on California Community College Campuses
CalFresh Outreach Week will be held February 24-28, 2025, at college campuses statewide. This bi-annual event provides an opportunity to educate students about the program and encourage them to apply to reduce food insecurity and remove the stigma of applying among qualifying students. These efforts help reduce hunger and poverty and improve health by providing nutrition assistance to millions of low-income households through various vital services.
2025-2026 SEM Program: Supporting the Student Journey
If your college is looking for ways to strengthen its SEM efforts, this program is for you! With Vision 2030, recent legislative changes, Guided Pathways, equity planning, and the Student Centered Funding Formula, our approach to serving students throughout their journey continues to evolve presenting both challenges and exciting opportunities.
Today,@SenAdamSchiff and I met with California community colleges here in DC. Our community colleges are a cornerstone of California’s higher education system, and we won’t stop fighting to ensure they receive the federal funding they need.
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From Ohlone College:
This week, our Umoja students celebrated #BlackHistoryMonth with a kickoff featuring BBQ, games, and community! Don’t miss out on Umoja’s upcoming Poetry Reading by Karla Brundage and their movie event. See you there!
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From Palomar College:
Last Wednesday, the Black History Month Kickoff event was a wonderful celebration of culture, history, and community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event!
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And check out this video from Laney College about their bistro:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Jones Art Gallery Hosts 2025 Panorama Invitational, Featuring Art of Kern County High School Students
The Bakersfield College Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is hosting the 2025 Panorama Invitational, a special exhibition dedicated to showcasing the art pieces of Kern County high school students. The exhibit features more than twenty artistic creations, each composed of a different medium, including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and multimedia formats.
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke these words in a speech he gave as a student at Morehouse College.
On Monday, we will remember King’s legacy as the nation recognizes MLK Day for the 39th year. President Ronald Reagan signed MLK Day into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later, in 1986.
California Community Colleges developing intelligence plus character building both the power of concentration plus worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.
Yesterday evening (TGIF) I relaxed with dinner and a movie – A Real Pain. The movie follows American Jewish cousins David and Benji, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, as they journey to Poland to explore their late grandmother’s heritage and confront the lingering shadows of the Holocaust. Culkin won the Golden Globe for his portrayal of Benji a character who is both infuriating and endearing. Jesse Eisenberg acted, wrote and directed the movie … pretty remarkable. I have always enjoyed the way Eisenberg sees the nuances in every day life.
Good morning California. It is January 18, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Lake Tahoe Community College Secures $8.6M for Tahoe’s First Public Safety Training Complex
Lake Tahoe Community College has officially secured the final funding to build the Tahoe Basin’s first Public Safety Training Complex. An $8.6 million grant from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, approved on January 14, 2025, paves the way for this transformative project. This project marks a significant step forward in enhancing the region’s emergency response capabilities and workforce training in fire, forestry, and emergency medical services.
Coalinga, Diablo Valley Colleges Honored for Expanding Free, Open-Source Textbooks Programs
(From L to R: Chancellor Sonya Christian, ASCCC President Cheryl Aschenbach, Coalinga OER Librarian Heather M. Evans, Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo, Board Vice President Bill Rawlings, Deputy Chancellor Rowena M. Tomaneng)
(From L to R: Chancellor Sonya Christian, ASCCC President Cheryl Aschenbach, DVC Academic Senate President John Freytag, DVC Dean Anne Kingsley, DVC Dept. Chair Lindsey Shively, Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo, Deputy Chancellor Rowena M. Tomaneng)
Coalinga College and Diablo Valley College have been honored by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors with 2024-25 Exemplary Program Awards for their outstanding efforts in expanding free, open-source textbooks and instructional materials for students. The Exemplary Program Award was established in 1991 by the Board of Governors and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to recognize, support and embrace exceptional community college programs.
Riverside City College Rising Scholars Program Expands Funding to $600K to Support Justice-Impacted Youth
Riverside City College (RCC) is receiving a significant boost to its ongoing efforts to support justice-impacted youth, thanks to a $300,000 grant extension from the California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness). The amendment to the original 2021 grant brings the total funding to $600,000, allowing the college to expand its Rising Scholars program and continue its mission to assist young people involved in the juvenile justice system.
African Diaspora Educational Summit Transforms Fullerton College
Fullerton College recently sent a select few faculty and staff to attend the “Colonization to Sovereignty” African Diaspora Education Summit in Ghana, Africa. The summit highlighted the importance of African Centered Education (ACE) and planning between the North Orange County Community College District faculty, classified staff and students who identify as part of the African Diaspora.
California Community Colleges Board of Governors Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Action and Sustainability
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors has updated its Climate Action and Sustainability Goals as the system continues to work to empower institutions to act on bold climate commitments and to create innovative climate solutions.
The updated 2025 Climate Action and Sustainability Goals, presented at the Board of Governors meeting Tuesday in Sacramento, prioritizes measurable progress across critical areas such as greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, green building standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, food systems, sustainable procurement, and transportation. The goals build on the Climate Action and Sustainability Framework from 2021, that set ambitious energy reduction goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the 73 California community college districts. The new, enhanced targets align with California’s statewide climate initiatives and the California Community Colleges’ strategic plan, Vision 2030.
It’s FLEX day at PC! Time to get excited for our students to start Spring semester! Thank you to KernCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven Bloomberg for getting us off to a great start!
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From Cañada College:
This week on Upper Lawn was all about joy, connection, and support as we welcomed our Colts back to campus. The sunshine and good vibes made it the perfect start to the semester, and we loved seeing everyone connect with the people and resources they can trust. Let’s keep this momentum going—tackle this semester with confidence, stay connected, and remember, you’ve got a whole community here rooting for you. Let’s make it a great one!
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From Grossmont College:
Grossmont College art students spent the afternoon restoring a rainbow mural at La Mesa Dale Elementary. This 60-foot mural was first created by Grossmont College art students in 2021. In this class, students learn about the cultural history of mural painting and community impact of public art while applying hands-on skills.
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And check out these beautiful pics from Shasta College:
If you’re here early on campus sometime, take a moment to watch the sunrise. We promise it’s worth it
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Excited to Welcome Back Students for Spring 2025 Semester
The spring semester is starting, and Bakersfield College is excited to welcome students back to campus for the Spring 2025 Semester! The official first day of instruction is Saturday, January 18th, for weekend courses, and Tuesday, January 21st, for weekday courses. The first week of the semester will feature several “Welcome Week” events and activities that aim to provide new and returning students an opportunity to connect with fellow Renegades, explore different programs, and get acclimated to campus life.
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.
