Tag Archives: Santa Barbara City College

CA Community Colleges – Serious work with a light touch

Last Saturday, I saw Oppenheimer … an excellent movie… I believe one of Christopher Nolan’s very best. I have a low tolerance for long movies. This one is 3 hours… and I was immersed in each and every moment.

Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer.

Christopher Nolan is a highly acclaimed filmmaker known for his unique storytelling style, intricate narratives, and visually stunning films. The phrase “non-linear storytelling” is ofter used by film critics to describe his work. Nolan’s films often delve into complex philosophical themes and human psychology. Existential questions, the nature of reality, time, and identity are recurring motifs in his work.

He was born on July 30, 1970, in London, England. Nolan’s work has left a significant impact on the film industry, and his films have achieved both critical and commercial success.

Watch the trailer… very powerful. The movie, even more so. Definitely a must see.

Btw, did you recognize the high profile star cast? Were you able to pick out Robert Downey Jr?

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On Sunday, I caught Bakersfield College’s performance of The Addams Family Musical. It was spectacular. Brian Sivesind, this was truly a remarkable feat. Thank you!

I loved these photos that Brian shared on Facebook:

The orchestra was fantastic. Thank you Scott Dirkse! We have a remarkable lineup of talent in our Performing Arts program at Bakersfield College

And check out this photo from Yovani Jimenez of some of the KCCD trustees and supporters attending the show:

Dr. Bill and Sharon Baker, Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller and Russell Fuller, Trustee Christina Scrivner and her two daughters, Trustee Yovani Jimenez. Not in the photo, but in attendance was President of the Board, Trustee Romeo Agbalog.

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This week I spent time in Sacramento, with an apprenticeship meeting co-hosted by the Labor Agency and the Chancellor’s Office. Together we are hoping to convert our California Community College apprenticeship experiences into Apprenticeship Pathways. And thank you Secretary Stewart Knox for your partnership. Stay tuned for more to come.

Talking about apprenticeships, check out this blog post from March 2023. It is only a 6-minute read. https://workforceandeconomicmobility.com/2023/03/10/earn-and-learn-expanding-work-based-learning-opportunities/

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On Wednesday, we had a well-attended – 1200 attendees! – webinar to roll out Vision 2030. I was joined by some amazing presenters:

Cassandra Flandre-Nguyen, President SSCCC. Our student was absolutely fantastic. After her presentation, and when I came back on, the only word that I kept repeating was “wow.”

Andra Hoffman, President, CCCT

Julianna Barnes, President, CEO Board and Chair, League Board

Manuel Payan, CSEA

Manuel Velez, Vice President, ASCCC

Lizette Navarette, Executive Vice Chancellor

Good morning California.
It is August 5, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Calbright College Granted Accreditation Through
Distance Education Accrediting Commission

On Friday, July 28, Calbright College was granted initial accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), more than a year ahead of the April 1, 2025 deadline outlined in the College’s founding legislation. 

» Learn more about Calbright’s accreditation!


RCCD Celebrates Closing Celebration for Inaugural Cohort 1 of Californians for All, College Corps Program

The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) marked a momentous occasion as it celebrated the closing celebration for the inaugural Cohort 1 of the Californians For All, College Corps Program. The program was initiated with an inspiring introduction from Director Darci Manzo Piron, who highlighted the significance of College Corps as a pioneering state-sponsored service and career development program.

» Read more about the program!


Santa Barbara Summer Bridge Programs Offer Jumpstart to College

This summer two of Santa Barbara City College’s innovative programs welcomed local students to experience college-level coursework and gain confidence and motivation to seek higher education in their lives.

» Read more about SBCC Summer Bridge!


College of Marin hosts 10,000 Degrees summits

10,000 Degrees, a San Rafael-based organization dedicated to empowering students to enter and graduate college in Marin and seven other Bay Area counties, held its annual ‘College Opportunities Summit’ on August 1, and the ‘High School Readiness Summit’ on August 3 at College of Marin, Kentfield Campus.

» Learn more!



In Case You Missed It

Community College League: Sierra College Student Trustee
to Attend Yale University

The Community College League of California did a feature on SierraCollege’s 22-23 student trustee Maya Moseley to chat about her experience as a student trustee and her acceptance into Yale.

Sierra College student Maya Moseley had no idea that her community college journey would end with a Yale acceptance. But let’s rewind— how did she end up there?

» Read the feature!

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EdSource: What to know about bachelor’s degrees at California Community Colleges | Quick Guide

EdSource’s Michael Burke wrote this quick guide to bachelor’s degrees at California Community Colleges.

The relatively low price tag of a community college baccalaureate degree is also attractive to many students. (Specific details about the costs can be found later in this guide.) When the Legislative Analyst’s Office conducted an analysis of existing community college baccalaureate programs, “the most common benefit” they heard from students was the low cost of the programs. “Many had considered enrolling in private programs offering the same degree, but were hesitant to do so because of the cost,” the LAO wrote.

» Read the article!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Rowena Tomaneng posted this from the AACC Board Retreat in Washington, DC:

Day 2 #AACC Board Retreat, DC– great dialogue w/#NasserPaydar, Asst. Secretary for Postsecondary Education @usedgov, on Impact of SCOTUS decision on Affirmative Action on #CommunityColleges! Honored to rep @CalCommColleges at the national level w/#SunnyCooke #MichaelGuitterez

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From Dr. Julius Sokenu at Moorkpark College:

“We are incredibly grateful for Assemblywoman @jacquiirwin for a $500,000 donation to the construction of The @Moorpark College Amphitheater. Thank you for supporting our shared vision to bring greater opportunities for culture and the arts to our community.”

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From Evergreen College:

Did you catch us on @liveinthebaytv this week??
Thank you @kron4news for the feature and for spotlighting our amazing school and staff, Professor Dr. Peter Miskin!

Check it out at https://www.kron4.com/live-in-the-bay/sponsored-enroll-in-evergreen-valley-college/.


And From the Home of the Renegades

Exciting things await at BC this fall; celebrating 110 years of excellence

Bakersfield College is buzzing with excitement for the start of a new academic year. This year, however, is extra special as we celebrate a momentous milestone — BC’s 110th anniversary of serving the community since our founding in 1913.

» Read more about this week at Bakersfield College!

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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

Quietly sitting with In-yun

Last weekend, I saw the movie Past Lives, a beautiful haunting immigrant story of romance, love lost and gained and in-yun which basically means ” you can’t control who walks into your life…and who stays in your life.”

Take a moment to watch Quiet Eyes from the Past Lives playlist with scenes from the movie.

The movie is also a series of hellos and goodbyes… which is very much my story…. many of them at the Tom Bradley International Airport in LA.

July Fourth

Enjoyed being at home on July fourth and not traveling. This year America celebrated 247 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. I was looking through some of my past writings – check out my July 8, 2017, blog:

And here’s a video of the United States Air Force Band performing “America the Beautiful” as fireworks light up the sky over Washington, D.C.:

Good morning California.
It is July 8, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Fresno City College AB540 Students Eligible for Scholarship Opportunity

Councilmember Miguel Arias and the State Community College Center Foundation are excited to announce donations totaling $46,000 from the Consulate of Mexico and CalViva Health for Fresno City College AB540 students.

» Read more about the scholarships!


Crafton Hills Students Win State Respiratory Care Competition

Two teams of Crafton Hills Respiratory Care students placed 1st and 2nd in the CSRC (California Society for Respiratory Care) State Sputum Bowl Competition. They now will head to that national competition in November.

» Read more about the teams!


Merced College Earns National Award for Fundraising Effort

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has recognized Merced College with a 2023 CASE Circle of Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in educational advancement. Merced College earned a Silver award in the category of “Micro-sites (Fundraising)” for the holiday card and 3-D printed ornament created by Foundation staff late last year.

» Read more about the award!


Citrus College Students Build Portable Showers

Citrus College Architecture Club students collaborated with Hillside LA, a church in Los Angeles, to convert a trailer into a small building capable of providing showers for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

» Read more about this project!



In Case You Missed It

Inside HigherEd: Online Learning Still in High Demand
at Community Colleges

Data from the California Community College system over all show significant student interest in online courses, even as colleges sought to transition back to in-person learning. A 2021 system survey of 400 prospective students found that more than half of respondents favored hybrid courses, 27 percent wanted all-online instruction and 18 percent preferred in-person classes, according to a report from the system chancellor’s office.

» Read the article at Inside HigherEd!

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California Competes: Harnessing the Power of Data
to Address California’s Equity Gaps

California Competes is hosting a webinar July 10 at 11 am on the current state of uneven opportunity in California and ways we can leverage data to address it.

» Find out more and register!

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EdSource: Community college bachelor’s degrees –
A growing option for students

An increasing number of California’s community colleges now offer bachelor’s degrees. EdSource will host a panel of experts for a webinar on July 19th to discuss the importance California community colleges’ baccalaureate programs.

» Find out more and register!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Vice President of the Board of Governors Hildy Aguinaldo came to visit with her adorable family. Here they in the Board Chambers, with Jacob sitting on the chair that Hildy usually sits for Board meetings and Hazel watches over her brother and he makes announcements.

College of the Redwoods shared this post about community work their construction students have been doing:

After two semesters (and then some) of hard work – in the rain, the sleet, and, yes, even the snow, CR’s Construction Tech program was happy to be invited to be there when Eureka Rotary handed over the “key” to the new ADA bathrooms at Carson Park to the city of Eureka. They are now “Open for Business”

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State Center Community College District Trustee Rob Fuentes shared these pictures from his recent visit to Madera Community College – California’s newest community college:

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I loved the beautiful photos in this post from Santa Barbara City College:

Always an educational and social highlight, this year’s SBCC Geology/Earth 133-Geologic Field Seminar of the Colorado Plateau in May/June was no exception! “Classrooms” visited included The Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, Natural Bridges & Monument Valley. J. Zhan photos.

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And a happy belated birthday to CCC Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales, who shared this post:

Spending my 38th birthday doing what I love. @LakeTahoeCC@CalCommColleges celebrating the future of California!!!Congratulations class of 2023!!!We are so proud of you. #blessed#thisis38#LTCCgrad


And From the Home of the Renegades

Project HireUp Summer Cohort Graduation

Images of hope, celebration and pride were seen this past Friday, June 30th at The Summit located across from Canyon Hills Church, as Summer 2023 BC Project HireUp Graduates walked across the stage. This makes the 9th cohort graduation which kicked off in Spring 2020 in response to the homeless crisis in the community.

» Read more from this week at Bakersfield College!

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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

Sonya Christian's Blog