Tag Archives: Santa Ana College

Wrapping up October 2023

Another week of travel promoting the Vision 2030 plan for California Community Colleges. Started in Santa Ana, then San Diego, on to Chicago and traveling back home today as I blog on my flight.

Chancellor Marvin Martinez of the Rancho Santiago Community College District hosted Vision 2030: A Focus on Workforce and Economic Development, a wonderful one-day summit focusing on various priorities in Vision 2030 – Apprenticeship Programs, the community college baccalaureate, industry partnerships and partnerships with trade unions.

Three Board of Governors members were in attendance- Amy Costa, Bill Rawlings, and Adrienne Brown.

With Academic Senate for California Community Colleges President Cheryl Aschenbach and Community College League of California Trustees President Andra Hoffman

On Thursday, I spoke at the Chief Instruction Officers conference in San Diego. Here is a photo with the CIO Board after my talk.

The Executive team also took the opportunity for a mini planning meeting at the Southwestern Aquatic Center. A beautiful location to work through our next steps.

After San Diego, I headed out to Chicago to present at the HACU conference. Ran into a large group of our very own California Community College students from El Camino.

Caught Hamilton at the Nederlander Theater. Amazing! Enjoy this opening number.

This coming week, California Community Colleges will host a system webinar – “Vision 2030: A Focus on Equity in Support.” Please join us at 9 am on Wednesday – register at https://t.co/iiWEeNJt72!

Good morning California.
It is October 28, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Contra Costa Compass Center Wins Outstanding New Project/Program Award

The Contra Costa Council on Homelessness has awarded Contra Costa College’s Compass Center the “Outstanding New Project/Program” accolade. The Compass Center is designed to provide students with comprehensive support and vital referrals, ensuring they can focus on their academic goals while having their basic needs met.

» Read More!


West Valley College Student Awarded Patti Grace Smith Fellowship


West Valley College student Elizabeth Antoine-Hands has been named one of only two community college students in the country to be awarded a Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, following a rigorous four-round selection process. This year, the fellowship was awarded to thirty-nine exceptional Black students seeking experience in the aerospace industry. The fellowship consists of a summer internship, a scholarship, and a pair of personalized mentors to guide fellows in their career aspirations.  

» Read More!


Sierra College Student Leads Team to Grand Prize at Brembo Hackathon

Sierra College computer science major Serhii Demchuk and his team tied for first place in the 2023 Brembo Hackathon held this month in Sunnyvale, Calif. Brembo is a world leader in manufacturing braking systems for most motorsports and high-performance cars, and according to Demchuk, “The event combined both my passions of cars and coding, so it was a no brainer [to participate].”  

» Read More!


Chaffey College Hosts 700 High School Students for Manufacturing Day

Chaffey College hosted 700 students for National Manufacturing Day, which takes place every October to showcase manufacturing careers to the next generation of workers and positively shift perceptions about the industry. Students toured the center’s industrial electrical and robotics laboratories, participated in welding demonstrations and more.

» Read More!



In Case You Missed It

Vision 2030: Pathways to Equity and Economic Mobility in Healthcare

On November 7, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office will host state leaders, legislators, community college peers, and representatives from labor and industry in a day-long summit exploring how innovation in the healthcare industry will transform the earning power of those entering critical careers.

The event is co-hosted by the El Camino Community College District and will be held at El Camino College in Torrance.

Registration deadline is October 31.

» Find out more and register!

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Reimagining Online Education in California:
A Roadmap for Advancing Access and Quality

California Competes has released the Reimagining Online Education in California: A Roadmap for Advancing Access and Quality report that examines online education at universities and colleges in California.

» Read the Report


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles City College:
Mesrobian School High School Students Explore Exciting Opportunities at LACC! On October 6, talented high school students embarked on an inspiring journey to Los Angeles City College (LACC), where they got an exclusive taste of the endless possibilities that await them!

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From Santiago Canyon College:

SCC hosted the 20th USA National Folklorico Competition on Sunday. The organization is the longest-running Folklorico Dance Competition in the United States.

More than 500 Folklorico enthusiasts from across California watched 13 teams – featuring 250 dancers – exhibit their skills in friendly competition.

SCC is excited about the partnership with event co-producers, International Folklorico Institute, as our Dance Department is developing a Folklorico specialty.

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From Citrus College:

On Aug. 10, Citrus College held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the upgraded Educational Development (ED) Center, which reopened with new classrooms and state-of-the-art science laboratories. Check out this brief video recapping the morning’s festivities!

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From Laney College:

The tiny house @laneycarpentry built for @shelterwood_collective got delivered to its home today! So grateful for the collaboration and feels so good to see in its forested surroundings

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And check out these pics from Porterville College President Claudia Habib:

Great discussion at The Central Valley CEO Policy Summit and Legislator Convening sponsored by Central Valley Colleges CEO Caucus and @CVHEC_ Addressing issues concerning our ability to better serve students in effective and equitable way @AsmSoria @AsmArambula @JuanAlanisCA


And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Brings Back the BC Alumni BBQ

Bakersfield College was filled with Renegade pride this past Saturday, October 21, at the 63rd BC Alumni BBQ. The event, hosted by the Bakersfield College Alumni Association and the Bakersfield College Foundation, was held in conjunction with Renegade Promenade. The day started with a festival that included community vendors, Bakersfield College exhibits, and live music and performances by talented BC students and alumni. The crowd was in awe of some of these performances by the BC Jazz, BC Choir, BC Drumline, and the BC Ballet Folklorico Ritmo y Sabor.

» 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

CA CCs – Imagining and Dreaming big for our students

Starting off with music ….

First check out this fun 4:25-min video production by BC Stem.

Thank you Travis Steele for organizing the BC Halfway There video!

And a stream of celebrities …. vocal talents: John Menzies, Timothy Plett, Tatevik Broutian.  actors: Nicholas Ramirez (student), Destiny Mitchell (student), Harlan Philips (student), and Donna Starr.  Lyrics were by Travis Steele and Megan McCullah-Boozer (MESA), editing  was by Isabella Ozuna (MESA), and special recognition to AUM Studios.

Also check out the 3:14-min video I captured of the opening song, Day 2 of the conference organized by Dr. Tina King of San Diego Continuing Education. Watch John Lennon’s Imagine performed by Bulki Domingo ..

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

California’s community colleges play a critical role in developing innovative approaches to bolster socio-economic mobility. This summit provided an opportunity to explore emerging strategies that will help us eliminate systemic barriers for our adult learners – both non-credit and credit, coming together.

Thank you Tina King and Valentina Purtell
and the planning team!

Good morning California.
It is October 7, 2023.
A good day to be a

Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Ventura College Recognized as Bright Spot for Eliminating Remedial Math & Improving Student Success

EdTrust West recently identified Ventura College (VC) as a “bright spot,” standout performer, in the implementation of Assembly Bill 705, particularly for Latinx students.  Ventura College’s efforts have eliminated all remedial math courses at VC by Fall 2022. All introductory math courses at Ventura College are transfer-level courses. This monumental shift has not only contributed to the success of VC’s students but has also promoted equity among them. Ventura College’s success has involved a multi-faceted approach, including administrative leadership, professional development, and communities of practice for faculty.

» Learn more!


$1.875 Million Grant Awarded to Santa Ana College to Impact Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Students and Community

Santa Ana College was recently recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), awarded a $1.875 million grant to be distributed over five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s AANAPISI Program, and will soon launch an Asian Pacific Student Programs (APSP) Center on campus.

» Read more!


Norco College Graduates 36 Scholars from
Inside the California Rehabilitation Center

Norco College, a member of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD), held a graduation ceremony on August 8 to celebrate 36 Rising Scholar graduates. It marked the return of hope and progress after a challenging period without commencement ceremonies for those on the inside since 2019.

» Read more!


Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program Welcomes 26 New Students

Political Science professor Christina Gabler, Ph.D., counselor Vicenta Arrizon, Ed.D., Business professor Nathan Khalil, J.D., and Interim Dean of Special Programs Debra Locke make up Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program team.

The Law Pathway Program at Santa Monica College (SMC)—which supports traditionally underrepresented students on their path to law school and is designed to diversify the legal profession—has entered the seventh year with 26 newly admitted students and 25 continuing students. The program has seen a 100% graduation and transfer rate since its inception. The most recent batch of 16 graduates transferred this fall—all of them headed to UCLA, with the exception of one student headed to UC Berkeley, bringing the total number of graduates over the program’s existence to 107.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

2023 Undocumented Student Action Week

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual California Community Colleges’ Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on October 16 – 20, 2023. Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Community College League of California, and our statewide partners on Monday, October 16 for an in-person event at Fresno City College and daily webinars throughout the week.

» Learn more about the events and register!

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Vera: For Incarcerated Women and their Families,
Equal Access to Education Transforms Lives

Although they are the fastest-growing correctional population in the United States, women remain marginalized in discourse and action around criminal legal issues. Despite men largely being the face of legal system injustice, women—whose incarceration numbers rose an astonishing 525 percent between 1980 and 2021—have, too, been swept up into the scourge of mass incarceration.

» Read more!

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Diverse Issues in Higher Education: What We’re Learning
About the Dual Enrollment Student Experiences

When the fall 2023 term begins, close to 20% of community college students will also be high school students who are dually enrolled. Students in dual enrollment programs enjoy many benefits — participation provides them a jump-start on gaining college credit, and it can save them money. 

» Read more!

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Community College Daily: Community colleges can fuel
America’s economic reinvention – if we let them

States that want to compete in the clean-energy economy should do all they can to position community colleges as the engines of talent development for this new workforce. And it’s not just about providing more money; it also means spending it wisely, and making strategic investments that maximize finite resources to meet the needs of today’s students and economy.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Cerritos College:

Our Advanced Transportation and Logistics Sector Navigator Jannet Malig was inducted to the Clean Cities coalitions’ Hall of Fame AND received the Benjamin Watson Inspirational Award! She leads the state renewable energy & advanced transportation training! https://bit.ly/3LOYVZQ

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Stephanie Ricks-Albert, Program Specialist in the Educational Services and Support Division, Equitable Student Learning, Experience, and Impact Office at the CCCCO, shared this with me:

Just wanted to share a moment captured in time of the Chancellor’s Office MESA program leaders in our system dedicated to serving our students. This moment was captured at the MESA Leadership Institute held in Sacramento last week. Chancellor’s Office administrator support at the event included VC Educational Services & Support John Stanskas, Dean of Academic Affairs LaTonya Williams and Director of MIS Todd Hoig.

MESA has grown from 34 colleges to now serving students at 91 colleges (Note: 85 are new MESA Program Directors as of FY 2022-23 to date).

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From the Foundation for California Community’s CollegesSaddleback College student Anna shares her story:

Part 1:

Part 2:

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From Foothill College:

Foothill College students and faculty have arrived in London. They will be taking their college classes in London with their Foothill professors while enjoying the amazing cultural life of this great city. Find out more about our Global Experiential Learning program at https://foothill.edu/global/index.html

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Check out this video from KCAL’s Look at This! segment, featuring Glendale Community College:


And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Paves the Way for Accessibility

Bakersfield College hosted the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center (CCCAC) on Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29 in the Renegade Event Center on the Panorama Campus. The CCCAC presented the Accessibility Capability Maturity Model (ACMM) and the goals associated with it in multiple workshops throughout the two-day visit. The workshops kicked off with an introduction from Acting President Steve Watkin reviewing the purpose of the workshops and introducing CCCAC Director Dawn Okinaka. Deputy Chancellor Zav Dadabhoy also shared his thanks to those involved in the accessibility growth process of the campus and district.

» 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