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
I had a wonderful time at the C3CONVERGE: The Community College Climate Summit this week in Anaheim. It was a great discussion on climate leadership and workforce innovation with Josh Fryday, GO-Serve Director.
Check out these pictures from BOG member Dr. Cirian Villavicencio:
We also visited Feather River College this week.
We got a look at their student housing, as well as fire management and equine programs.
Thank you to BOG member Joseph Williams, who shared this video:
As Joseph said, “Feather River College is proof that rural colleges are anchors of opportunity — preparing students, protecting communities, and shaping California’s future.”
Good morning California. It is October 4, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Golden Globe Foundation Awards Grants to Santa Monica College Journalism & Film Programs
The Golden Globe Foundation has given the Santa Monica College Foundation two grant awards to support the award-winning Santa Monica College film production and journalism programs. The Foundation provided a renewed grant award of $17,000 for SMC journalism students who work for/intern on the award-winning student-run media outlet The Corsair and $43,000 to help fund the film production program’s capstone class, “Making the Short Film.”
College of the Canyons Faculty Member Honored with NEA Award
Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, chair of the College of the Canyons photography department, has been named a 2026 National Education Association (NEA) Foundation Global Learning Fellowship Traveler’s Award recipient for California, joining a distinguished cohort of just 48 educators nationwide. Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, chair of the College of the Canyons photography department, has been named a 2026 National Education Association (NEA) Foundation Global Learning Fellowship Traveler’s Award recipient for California, joining a distinguished cohort of just 48 educators nationwide.
Cerritos College Secures $1.25 Million Grant to Break Barriers for Women in Construction
Cerritos College is breaking new ground for women in construction. The college has secured a transformative $1.25 million Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grant from the California Department of Industrial Relations to expand pathways into one of the region’s highest-paying and fastest-growing industries. This funding will help women and underrepresented populations access stable, high-wage careers, uplifting families and communities across Southeast Los Angeles.
Riverside City College Donates Backpacks to Central Middle School Students
On Thursday, September 25, the Riverside City College (RCC) Black Faculty & Staff Association (BFSA), in partnership with Umoja, donated backpacks filled with school supplies to students at Central Middle School in the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD). The event highlighted RCC’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and community connection.
Contextualizing Completion Gaps for First-Generation Students
irst-generation students are twice as likely to leave college without completing a bachelor’s degree than their peers, even if they come from higher-income backgrounds and come to college academically prepared, according to a new report from the Common App. The findings suggest these factors do make a difference for student success outcomes but don’t erase other barriers first-generation students might face.
The report, released Thursday and the fourth in a series on first-generation students, used data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center to track enrollment, persistence and completion rates for 785,300 Common App applicants in the 2016–17 application cycle. (Students whose parents didn’t complete bachelor’s degrees made up 32 percent of the sample.) The report also took into account how a range of factors could affect student outcomes, including students’ incomes, their levels of academic preparation and how well-resourced their colleges are.
What a celebratory morning! Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz broke ground on their 624-bed, affordable student housing project! Special thanks to State Senator John Laird, UCSC Chancellor Cynthia Larive, and all of our project partners and members of the Cabrillo and UCSC housing teams! Leases will be available in Summer 2026 for move-in Summer 2027!
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From San Jose City College:
Yesterday, the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) hosted its Mid-Autumn Festival! The event featured music, tasty food, and even lantern decorating!
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From Cerro Coso Community College:
What a Night Under the Stars! A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and made the Cerro Coso Foundation’s Astronomical Star Party & Barbecue such a success!
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From Columbia College:
Columbia College is happy to welcome over 1,000 High School Juniors and Seniors from 26 different High Schools to Claim Jumper Day! This annual preview day gives prospective students a glimpse of everything Columbia College has to offer with special presentations and tour stops all over campus.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosting Series of Events to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Bakersfield College is hosting a series of exciting events and activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The festivities began on September 15th with the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off and will continue through October 15th. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are coming together to enjoy a variety of Hispanic-themed games, crafts, food, and more.
This week was the Board of Governors meeting followed by the Central Valley AI Forum at Modesto Junior College and the tracking the budget process in the legislature.
This photo was snapped to celebrate AAPI Heritage month
This photo was taken at the AI Forum at Modesto Junior College
Tony Cordova, Lena Tran, Sonya Christian, Emily Lawrence, Don Daves-Rougeaux
And check out the mobile welding classroom at Antelope Valley College with 6 bays for MIG and TIG ……also, the AVC Auto club built a Racecar.
Good morning California. It is May 24, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Santiago Canyon College’s Neon Nights Marks New Athletic Chapter
In a landmark moment for Santiago Canyon College (SCC), over 350 attendees gathered for Neon Nights, a dynamic and action-packed eSports Showcase, that marked a major milestone for the college’s growing competitive gaming program. Prior to the event, President Dr. Jeannie Kim officially announced that eSports will now be recognized as an official sport offering in the SCC athletic department.
Hundreds of eighth-grade girls attend STEM conference at Yuba College
On April 1, more than 700 eighth-grade girls attended the American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) annual STEM conference at Yuba College. The event aims to provide role models and STEM classes to young women, with the hopes of opening career opportunities currently occupied predominantly by male students.
Golden West College Hosts Fall of Saigon 50th Anniversary Commemoration
Golden West College hosted a commemorative event recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, inviting faculty, staff, students, and community members to reflect on a significant moment in Vietnamese and world history. Attendees were invited to explore informational displays detailing the Fall of Saigon, the journey of Vietnamese boat people, and the conditions of post-war re-education and labor camps.
Columbia College Creates Scholarship Honoring Fallen Firefighter
Columbia College has established the Thomas “TJ” Wennhold Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the life and service of a Calaveras County firefighter and student who died unexpectedly earlier this year.
The fund, launched with $18,000 in donations from family, friends and community members, will award annual scholarships to students pursuing careers in fire service and emergency medical response. Beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, the college will offer four scholarships each year — two for students in the Columbia College Fire Academy and two for students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. Wennhold, a Columbia College Promise Program student, was actively working toward an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science at the time of his death on Jan. 15, 2025. In recognition of his dedication, academic achievements, and service to the community, Columbia College will award him a posthumous degree.
CC Daily: CC baccalaureates spread as resistance wanes
Community college baccalaureate programs continue to become increasingly commonplace as more two-year schools overcome political resistance with a combination of strategic degree build-outs based on student and workforce demand, along with a respectful, partnership-oriented stance toward their university brethren.
As of mid-April — and the numbers change regularly — 24 states allowed community colleges to confer workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, and 205 community colleges in those states were offering 736 different options, according to Angela Kersenbrock, president of the Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA), which compiles data on such programs, much of it in conjunction with Bragg & Associates, Inc.
In honor of Foster Youth Awareness Month, SMC’s Foster Youth Services Support Programs hosted an art activity on May 17 at the SMC Student Equity Center. Students were invited to express themselves by pouring paint onto canvas.
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From Los Angeles Mission College:
Los Angeles Mission College wins the Culinary Cup! We swept all categories and brought home the coveted Golden Chef’s Hat Trophy — it’s ours until next year! A huge thank you to our fellow competitors from L.A. Trade-Tech and L.A. Harbor College for bringing the heat , to our amazing sponsors for their support, and to the 500+ attendees who came out to cheer us on. Go Eagles!
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From Foothill College:
The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce spent their Education Day at Foothill College today learning about the California Community College Mission.
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From Santa Barbara City College
The Sustainability Festival hosted by @sbcc_asg and @sbcchonors brought together like-minded students to celebrate keeping earth green and clean!
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And check out this video from San Joaquin Delta College:
Last week, 13 goats from our Manteca Farm arrived at South Campus at Mountain House to help students de-stress during finals. But on Tuesday morning, led by their ringleader ‘Birria’, they busted out of their pen and made a break for it! Thanks to the quick response from Tina Le-Tran (Admin III), student worker Alondra Torres, and a farm intern, the goats were quickly and calmly wrangled back in… All was fine—except for our trees, which lost about 20% of their leaves in just five minutes! The goats are back to the Manteca farm now, but spent the rest of the week at Mountain House in their pen with extra precautions to prevent another daring escape.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Jazz Students Receive Scholarships
Congratulations to all of the students who were awarded scholarships from the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop on Tuesday, May 13, including our BC jazz students and alumni: Robert Longmire (Dolores Huerta Award), Aidan Scully (Kerry Pierce Award), Mason Heath (Larry Totten Award), Pedro Lozano (Doctora Nora Award), Sean Balingit (Aubrey Stonelake Award), Alejandro Andrade (Laura Booker Award), Nate Wy and Enrique Orozco Carrillo (BJW Discretionary Awards).
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Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.
It has been heartbreaking with the fires in southern California being fanned by the Santa Ana winds. We have all watched our fire fighters run towards the danger to save people, animals, and homes. Let’s take a moment to honor them – their skill, dedication, and selflessness keeps us safe and uplifts our communities.
California Community Colleges train large numbers of our first responders. I am so proud of our colleges.
In that spirit, let me share this post from College of the Siskiyous celebrating heroic, lifesaving efforts by 4 of their students:
“Last nights monthly Board of Trustees Meeting recognized some of our Paramedic and Fire Academy Students for their lifesaving skills during a recent call.
“On December 9th 2024 Lake Shastina Fire was dispatched to a medical 911 call for a 74 year old male with chest pain. 4 responding Lake Shastina student firefighters arrived, and the patient answered the door to let the firefighters in. He was walking around the living room, talking and completely coherent and responsive. While the students were doing a patient assessment and taking vitals, he suddenly collapsed in his chair. They tried to wake him and attempted a sternum rub with no response. The firefighters then checked for a pulse and did not find one.
“They quickly pulled him out of the chair to lay him on the floor and begin life saving measures. One of the firefighters ran out to the engine to grab the AED while the other 3 performed CPR. Once the AED was applied the patient was shocked twice during multiple rounds of CPR. At this point the patient was stable enough to load him into the ambulance to transport to the hospital. He started to gain consciousness while in route to Mercy Medical Center. Once arrived, he was flown to Redding for emergency heart surgery due to a heart attack.
The patient has recovered and wrote the following letter:
On 12/9/24, while visiting my daughter, I suffered a heart attack. At the time of the event four of your members were on site. Because of their quick reaction and skill, I’m able to write this Thank You Note! My Gratitude isn’t just to the gentlemen on scene, but to all of YOU.
Again, thank you for what you did and what you do! I’m on the mend, feeling well and extremely grateful for the way things turned out. God Bless!
The 4 firefighters were recognized by The American Heart Association and received the Heartsaver Hero Award.
Pictured from left to right: Jase Rothenberger, Tobias Medina, Matt Maben (patient), Christian Cerezo, and Nathan Ade.”
On a more personal note, last weekend, I watched a 2018 movie that was on one of my streaming services – The Samuel Project. A wonderful heartwarming drama where a teen artist, Eli, connects with his grandfather Samuel through a school project. As Eli uncovers Samuel’s Holocaust survival story, their bond deepens. It is a beautiful family story. Check out the trailer.
Good morning California. It is January 25, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Santa Monica College Holds Disaster Support Distribution Event
For just over a week, the Santa Monica College Foundation worked to gather essential items for community members who’ve been impacted by the recent wildfires. Now all those items have to find the people who need them. The college’s gym now resembles a department store of free goods, with dozens of tables teeming with neatly folded clothes for babies, children, and adults. As shoppers enter, they’re handed a large, blue shopping bag. Once inside, they’re greeted by upbeat music and a sea of mylar balloons.
Compton College Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Student Housing Facility
Last Friday, the Compton Community College District held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for its new Student Housing facility on campus! The new Student housing is targeted for completion in summer 2027 and will accommodate 250 students.
College of the Redwoods Announces Fire Instruction Partnership
College of the Redwoods is proud to announce a new partnership through an Instructional Services Agreement (ISA) with the Humboldt County Fire Instructors Association (HCFIA) and the CAL FIRE Humboldt Del Norte Unit. Once the curriculum is shared and implemented, HCFIA students will go through College of the Redwoods, allowing CR to grow its cohort and train more students. Teaching will initially occur at CR, HCFIA, and CAL FIRE facilities, ensuring greater access to training across the region.
Cerritos College Student Team Develops Tools for NASA’s Moon Exploration
Cerritos College’s student team, known as Team Falcons, was selected to advance to phase II of NASA’s 2025 Micro-g NExT challenge, making it the only community college team in the nation to reach the final stage of the highly competitive event. This is the third time Cerritos College’s student team has advanced to phase II, following successes in 2021 and 2022.
25-year CSU and Community College Partnership Helps Prepare More Teachers for California’s Workforce
Since Cal State Long Beach and Cerritos College partnered in 1999 to develop the first formal California Community College-California State University (CSU) educator preparation pathway, thousands of students have transferred seamlessly to CSU teacher preparation programs, completed their bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials and joined the workforce as educators in California’s P-12 schools.
Today’s moment of reflection and joy — the Bay Miwok Mural Blessing Ceremony. The mural is a commissioned project by artist Drew Valencia, created in partnership with LMC students, art faculty, office of Student Life and grant funding from @4cd_live . The ceremony featured remarks by Rosa Armendariz, LMC senior dean of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, Land Acknowledgement by ethnic studies assistant professor Max Trujillo, Red Line by Cara Little, outreach coordinator for the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health’s Calhope Redline Warmline, and Honor Song by Sylvia Rodriguez, founder of “medicine for My Sisters” Native women’s drum group.
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From Santiago Canyon College:
The Santiago Canyon College Outreach team recently visited El Dorado High School to support the school’s FASFA Night. More than 90 students and families attended the event, seeking information and assistance with their FASFA and Dream Act. The SCC team offered a Financial Aid 101 presentation, reviewed all the aspects of financial aid and explained the process of how to apply.
And check out this video from Cosumnes River College about the Promise to Career scholarship for construction management and apprenticeship students:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Spring 2025 Sports Media Day
Recently, Bakersfield College hosted Spring 2025 Sports Media Day which brought together BC athletes, coaches, and key figures for an exciting event where fans and media had the opportunity to get a first look at the upcoming athletic season through interviews, insights, and a glimpse behind the scenes. The event took place in the Renegade Events Center on BC’s Panorama Campus.
Sports Media Day gave attendees a unique opportunity to engage with our student-athletes and seasoned coaches through exclusive interviews, in-depth discussions, and spirited introductions. Some of the sports that highlighted were Women’s Beach Volleyball, Golf, both Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Women’s Wrestling, Track and Field, Softball, and Baseball.
Yesterday I read a fun piece in the NY Times “Readers Told Us Their Favorite 1999 Movies. Here’s What Came Out on Top.” I could have told you that The Matrix would be #1. Also, if you were wondering why I picked the name Neo for my 8-week old puppy 7 years ago…. now you know.
Good morning California. It is September 7, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
MovieMaker Names Santa Monica College to Top 30 Best Film Schools List
MovieMaker magazine has once again named Santa Monica College one of the best film schools in North America. This year, SMC appears on the 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. & Canada list, alongside institutions such as AFI Conservatory, Columbia University School of the Arts, Northwestern University, New York University, UCLA, and USC, among others.
Oxnard College Receives $50,000 Grant Renewal from Metallica’s All Within My Hands’ Scholars Initiative
Oxnard College has received a $50,000 grant renewal from the Grammy Award-winning band Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH). The award follows an initial grant of $100,000 issued last year and will continue supporting students in the college’s Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene and Fire Academy programs as the band continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide.
Breaking New Ground in HIV Research: A Southwestern College Student’s Journey at Scripps Research Institute
Barbara Zazueta, a Southwestern College (SWC) student, has made significant strides in HIV research during her time in the Scripps Research Mentorship Program made possible through the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program at SWC. Over the course of 10 weeks, Zazueta worked on a cutting-edge project focusing on how a key component of the HIV-1 virus assembles, which could be crucial for future treatments.
New resources to support Guided Pathways implementation are now available on the Chancellor’s Office website. The Guided Pathways Playbookis a guide to actionable, student-centered and equity-focused strategies for college professionals to implement Guided Pathways and achieve the bold goals outlined in the Vision for Success (2017), the Governor’s Roadmap (2021) and Vision 2030 (2023).
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Monthly Accessibility Training Series
Please join the California Community Colleges Accessibility Center for an update on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and how services provided by the Accessibility Center support the upcoming changes.
Meet our College Connection class of 2025! These students from Chico, Pleasant Valley, Las Plumas and Oroville High Schools are getting a jump-start on their college education by completing their senior year at Butte College.
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From Los Angeles Valley College:
LAVC Opening Day 2024–We’re excited to welcome you to the start of our 75th new school year on Monday! Give a shout out to your favorite faculty & staff who made a difference in your educational journey.
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From Chabot College:
Way to cool off! Chabot’s Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) Honor Society brought a sweet treat to campus today by teaching students how to make homemade ice cream.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Fall 2024 Semester Begins with Series of Welcome Week Events
Bakersfield College faculty and staff were excited to welcome new and returning students to campus for the Fall 2024 semester. To create opportunities for student involvement and community building, Student Life hosted several Welcome Week events during the first two weeks of classes.
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.
