Sonya Christian's Blog

Woke up this morning to Scott Simon’s 2-min remarks on the Minnesota shooting incident that took the lives of Harper Moyski (10) and Fletcher Merkel (8). What a profound tragedy.

You can find the audio and the script in the link below.

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/30/nx-s1-5513925/opinion-its-time-to-move-our-feet

Let us pray

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Somehow, we’ve already reached the end of August – the golden hour of summer. It’s that bittersweet stretch where we cling to lingering sunlight while secretly welcoming the promise of cooler nights and fresh beginnings in the new school year.

I hope you are all able to to have some quiet time this Labor Day weekend as we close out summer and get ready for the busy months ahead.

A beautiful dusk for you –

I spent much of the week in Sacramento. On Wednesday I spoke at a Noncredit summit hosted by Woodland Community College.

Noncredit-to-credit pathways are a priority in Vision 2030; they expand access to higher education leading to economic mobility. These pathways provide adult learners, working professionals, and underserved populations with low-cost, flexible entry points into career and academic programs. They serve as onramps for students to gain confidence, build skills, and ultimately transition into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs that lead to family-sustaining wages. A shining example of leadership is North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE), which has been a trusted technical assistance provider for the Chancellor’s Office.

The picture below is the team that planned the conference. Thank you Gary Adams and Mayra Diaz on Tony Cordova’s team.

Also thank you to Chancellor Byron Breland, President Valentina Purtell, and President Lizette Navarette.

Good morning California.
It is August 30, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Coalinga College Expands Dual Enrollment,
Brings High School Seniors to College Campus

Coalinga College is expanding its dual enrollment program to give more high school students in the Central Valley the opportunity to earn college credit — and experience life on a college campus — before graduating. This fall, the College’s Firebaugh Center is hosting 45 Mendota High School seniors enrolled in three agriculture pathway courses, with additional classes planned for next spring.

» Read more!

 Ribbon-Cutting for Innovative, $140M Student Success Center at
City College of San Francisco Marks New Era of Access and Opportunity

City College of San Francisco (CCSF) will celebrated the Grand Opening of the Student Success Center on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. This outstanding building consolidates over 30 student development programs, including academic counseling, tutoring, career center, and transfer center, all under one roof.

» Read more!

Rising Scholars Comes to LA Harbor College

At LAHC, the program will officially be launched in Fall 2025. In this first year, initial initial goals include building strong infrastructure, recruiting students, and creating an early support network while continuing to grow the program’s long-term vision.

» Read more!

Crafton Hills College Recognized Statewide for Adult Education Innovation

Crafton Hills College was recently named an Advancing California Adult Education Model Program by the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) for its Crafton Leadership Academy for Student Success (CLASS). It honors the CLASS summer bridge program as one of the top initiatives in the state for helping adult learners transition to higher education.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

A life reclaimed: From incarceration to UC Berkeley

The message that Santiago Canyon College grad Charlie Nguyen has tattooed on his left wrist serves as a daily reminder of how far he’s come after bottoming out at age 16: “No one is unworthy of redemption.”

Imprisoned for nearly eight years after committing what he calls “a violent gang-related crime,” Nguyen found his own redemption through persistence, hard work and whip-smart intelligence, along with crucial assistance from Rising Scholars, an empowering SCC program that serves incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted students facing similar challenges.

» Read more!

*****

Commentary: Working Students Face New Challenges
in a Shifting Policy Landscape

Most undergraduates today are juggling academics with paid work, many logging 40 or more hours a week. That load leaves little margin: more non-academic responsibilities, less time for coursework, and fewer opportunities to engage on campus mean these students often feel the effects of federal policy changes first.

The budget reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4 threatens to make those challenges worse, reshaping student loans and public benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid in ways that risk cutting off critical financial lifelines. On Pell Grants, the news is mixed: the bill restores a revised Workforce Pell program that could open doors to short-term training, but makes other changes that may reduce access for some students.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Citrus College:

ICYMI: The Citrus College Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) program completed its first cohort of Orthodontic Assistant Permit (OAP) students! This is a new state certification course offered as an extension to the RDA program. Students who complete the course are eligible to sit for the California Orthodontic Assistant Permit examination. Obtaining an OAP allows an orthodontic assistant to perform more advanced duties, such as placing and removing orthodontic appliances. The OAP also increases job opportunities, resulting in potentially earning a higher salary!

*****

From San Diego City College’s 2025 Opening Day and Student Resource Fair:

*****

From Cañada College:

Earlier this month, Fashion Design Professor, Jaleh Naasz, was invited to speak on sustainability in fashion at the Earth Gala in San Francisco. Students from Cañada’s Fashion program joined her in presenting a stunning runway showcase, highlighting their creativity and commitment to sustainable design.

*****

From Fullerton College:

Fullerton College’s Fall 2025 Convocation provided an amazing opportunity for faculty and staff to ring in a new academic year in community, solidarity and hope. Our theme, “Hornet Hope,” inspired a series of insightful presentations and updates that left the audience feeling empowered, seen and optimistic. From unveiling our exciting partnership with CSUF to celebrating the work of our Student Success Advocates, we thank everyone who attended and worked to make this event possible.

*****

And check this out from Monterey Peninsula College:

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Hosts Annual New Student Convocation

There was buzz and excitement on the Panorama Campus of Bakersfield College as they recently hosted the annual New Student Convocation. Incoming freshman, first-time students, and their families were all invited to join the festivities to officially welcome them to the Renegade community and showcase BC’s various services and resources.

» Read more!

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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