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
This week, representatives from the Chancellor’s Office headed to Sierra College for the grand opening of their new student housing complex.
On the far right is Ronnie Slimp who leads our facilities work, including student housing. He has done a remarkable job shepherding this work.
The facility has 358 beds, with the majority being offered at below market rents. Students will begin moving in next semester!
I wanted to share this bit from Sierra College’s news article –
Each year, several students with the greatest financial need will be eligible to receive free room and board as a result of the “Endow-A-Bed” program spearheaded by the Sierra College Foundation. The program aims to raise $250,000 to endow one bed in perpetuity for students in need – with a goal of endowing 10 beds in total, including one reserved for a military veteran.
BOG member Pam Hynes and I were able to snap a pic with Sierra College President Willy Duncan:
Good morning California. It is December 13, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
This week, I’ll continue my annual tradition of closing the year reviewing past blog posts. Today we’ll look at posts from 2013-2017.
Take a little time out of your weekend, relaxing with a cup of coffee (or tea or hot chocolate) to browse through previous posts…
2013
May 2013: Red and White Wine and Jazz Festival
Friday April 12th capped a week of travel: the Sloan emerging technology conference in Vegas, then back to host the Board meeting at the College on Thursday, to Harris Ranch for a two-day conference with the Central Valley CEOs and trustees. It’s been almost a month, but there’s a major event that I wanted to be sure to blog about. I left the conference at Harris Ranch early that Friday to be present for the Red and White Wine and Jazz festival. This a major annual fundraiser that the Foundation has organized since 2008 in support student scholarships, and I didn’t want to miss it for anything.
I was impressed from the start with the level of attention to detail and organization – everything from the parking shuttles to the staff at the entrance, to the layout of booths and food. The Culinary program did an outstanding job of providing a tasty and creative variety of food to complement the wine, and the students were great at serving the guests and creating a festive atmosphere. There was an abundant selection – far more than was possible to have more than a sampling. My personal favorite was the pastas rellenas… The students, Chef Coyle and Chef Gomez were all in fine form.
September 2013: Summer Bridge Helps Incoming Freshmen Transition
Do you remember what those first weeks of college were like? Fresh out of high school, the size and scope of a college campus, along with the sheer number of students walking the halls, was daunting. Then, there’s the switching from building to building, locating classes and services, and having to do everything yourself.
Helping students transition to college life is the goal of a program here at Bakersfield College called Summer Bridge. This past August, many people on campus came together to help 35 incoming freshmen learn the ropes and ready themselves for college. Over four days, these students spent 18 hours on campus taking care of business. Many, many more wanted in, but time and space limited how many we could serve.
November 2013 – Learning in Community: Meeting the Needs of our Students with Disabilities
On Friday, November 15th many faculty, staff and administrators attended a workshop on instructional technology issues and accessibility for students with disabilities presented by Gaeir Dietrich, the Director of the CCCCO’s High Tech Center Training Unit. To complement the training, the DSPS faculty and staff also put together a terrific display of technology typically used by students with a variety of disabilities.
Gaeir Dietrich taught us many interesting things—most importantly that “campus accessibility is a campus-wide responsibility” and that “digital does not necessarily mean accessible.” “It’s a matter of equal rights, campus diversity, and better pedagogy by acknowledging learning differences that benefits all students.”
March 2014: Bakersfield College Students Chosen for Leadership Conference
A select group of Bakersfield College students recently honed their leadership skills at a special invitation-only conference in San Diego for math-based majors. The event was sponsored by the California Utilities Diversity Council. The 10th annual Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Student Leadership Conference offered extensive professional and leadership development through direct interaction with industry mentors and speakers. The hand-picked MESA students, all science, engineering, or math majors, represented over 30 universities and community colleges from across the state, including Bakersfield College.
May 2014: Project Atlantis Opens International Doors for BC Students
For the past three years, Bakersfield College has been participating in “Project Atlantis,” an International Exchange Program for students in humanities careers. This year, Bakersfield College has three students from Spain and one student from Italy currently attending classes, and sent two of our students to Spain and one to Italy. All the students who have participated have been academically successful and have gained a new cultural understanding.The International Exchange Program is a dynamic program enabling eight students to have an international experience. All students who participate in the exchange program receive the international exchange certificate. The exchange program is a one year commitment. One semester will be spent in either Italy or Spain taking a full load of classes at the University in the language of the country.
This was a fun blog – I shared a day in my life, from 5:30 am reading to a 6:30 pm call with my daughter.
5:30 am –Started off my day reading Degrees of Inequality: How the Politics of Higher Education Sabotaged the American Dream and thinking that we should probably have Civic Literacy as one of our Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).
9:00 am – After that I went to my Saturday exercise class which launched a new routine last week.
10:00 am – I then headed out to BC to see what Steve Watkin and the BC gang were up to with the It’s Possible event. Many counselors, advisors, staff and students were there helping new students assess, complete their orientation, their education plan and then register for classes. We registered approximately 125 students today. Yes!!!!
September 2014: A Circle of Friends – Milt and Betty Younger and Jim Young
On Thursday May 1st, 2014, Bakersfield College had the honor of hosting a very special event– a Betty younger sculpture dedication honoring Dr. Jim Young. “Circle of Friends” is an outdoor sculpture located atop a small hill Northeast of the GET Bus terminal on Panorama Drive. The sculpture, which consists of four red upright figures standing together in a circle, was created by Betty Younger to honor her friend JimYoung, who served as Kern Community College District’s chancellor from 1978 to 1999.
The evening started at 4 P.M. with a brief dedication ceremony at the foot of the hill where the sculpture is mounted. Many members of Bakersfield College’s faculty and staff were in attendance, as well as many family members and students of James Young. Betty Younger and her husband, Milt, introduced the sculpture and each spoke on how their friend has impacted their lives and the lives of others. Mrs. Younger shared that the inspiration for “Circle of Friends” was what James Young has done with and for his students, fellow educators, and friends throughout the years. “He is truly a mentor to all he meets”, remarked Mrs. Younger.
March 2015: Design Challenge Gathers Local Students to Test Engineering Smarts
Each Spring semester, the Engineers Club invites middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students and professionals of all ages to participate in their Design ChallenOge in honor of National Engineers’ Week. During the Fall, the Engineers Club members come up with the specific “design challenge” they want to hold in the Spring. They create a set of parameters that the entrants should follow in designing their machine, and send them off to the various schools and businesses by December. Contestants build their machines and bring them on the day of the event.
This year, the Design Challenge was held on Saturday, February 28th in Bakersfield College’s Gymnasium. The objective was to design a Spring-powered model car that could carry a load of sand between 0 and 250 grams a distance between 10 and 20 meters. The contestants were not given the weight or distance until right before the competition began. As one can see, keeping the specific details vague until the day-of forces the engineers to be as creative and thorough as possible with their designs— they must be able to be adjusted to satisfy the wide range of possibilities within the parameters.
May 2015: Regional Occupational Center (ROC): Making a Difference
There was so much to discuss in my last post from the phenomenal President’s Breakfast event that I wanted to stop and revisit one of the highlights from the morning worthy of its own separate recognition.
Among the stellar speakers at the Breakfast, Salvador Gochez from the Kern High School District Regional Occupational Center delivered a remarkable speech about the amazing work going on at the center as well as their partnership with BC.
August 2015: Thank You, Frank Gifford. A star Renegade and a Driller
Photo courtesy Rick Van Horne, Haley Street Heroes
The world lost a legend Sunday when NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford passed away at the age of 84.
But Bakersfield lost a pioneer.
Before Buck Owens and Merle Haggard used their golden voices to add color to our city, and long before racers Rick, Roger and Casey Mears made sure Bakersfield was a fixture on the national sporting map, there was Frank Gifford.
Gifford came to Bakersfield in the 1940s when his father came to work in the oil fields. But for the younger Gifford, paydirt was struck on the athletic fields, where his talents made him a star quarterback at Bakersfield High School.
Despite his success, Gifford found himself at a turning point familiar to many young graduates: he didn’t have the grades to accept an athletic scholarship, in his case, to the University of Southern California. Rather than give up, Gifford pushed forward, enrolling at Bakersfield College instead, where he made to make his mark as a Renegade both on the playing field and in the classroom.
October 2015: Another usual weekend enjoying the Bakersfield Community
I stopped by Wendy’s last evening to pick up a spicy chicken sandwich for dinner and the young woman serving me spontaneously commented that she was a student at BC, psychology major, and that her teachers in all of her classes were the very best. This encounter is not unusual for me or for any of you. BC has stood for excellence and leadership for over a century and this community has steadfastly supported its college for all that time.
My Saturday morning started with welcoming over 100 students from BC and CSUB who were attending a Leadership conference at the indoor theater. Bakersfield Strong: Our city, our organizations, our student leaders was the theme of the conference. I was proud of our SGA President Clayton Fowler and Director of Student Life, Nicky Damania, who planned this event in collaboration with CSUB.
It was a treat having two members of the Board of Governors, Arnoldo Avalos and Connie Conway, visit BC on Tuesday, April 26th. Rather than doing a special series of presentations, we decided to fit their itinerary into what was happening at BC. The morning started with them attending an annual event where we connect with leaders from high school and share with them the advances made on the goals set the previous year. After that, they toured the campus and connected with faculty and students in the sciences, music, CTE etc. Thank you Joe Saldivar, Jen Garrett, Liz Rozell, Manny Gonzales, Clayton Fowler, Nicky Damania and others who helped. And the fabulous Jennifer Marden who pulled all this together.
It was a wonderful surprise to have Trustee Romeo Agbalog join us. He was able to rearrange his schedule and connect with both Avalos and Conway.
I enjoyed meeting Vince Stewart, Vice Chancellor of External Affairs from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and hear about the great things being undertaken statewide.
August 2016: Extraordinary stories: Our students, community, and faculty
Many of us on campus are familiar with TED talks… so much so, that we have our own RENEGADE talks (thank you Andrea Thorson and Todd Coston) as a mini campus-wide tribute, each year in April. Our staff, faculty, even some students come together to prepare a set of talks that are (1.) short (2.) concise and (3.) pack one powerful punch in a small amount of time. TED Talks are known for Ideas worth spreading and the library of 10-20 minute videos is nothing short of astounding. Topics range from almost anything you can think of and they’re educational, powerful, and motivational. One could even argue, if you watch one a day, it just might be… the best 13 minutes of your 24-hour day!
As a mini-series to these TED-like talks, Communications Faculty, Helen Acosta, hosted a spin off on Wednesday afternoon featuring her summer COMM B4 students. It was appropriately titled RENx – just as TEDx is a smaller scale of TED talks. I had the joy of sitting quietly in the back of the theater when lights dimmed and the first student took the stage. He was poised and enthusiastic as he conveyed a perfectly crafted message, not only with words. He artistically included body language as a reinforcement to the strong words spoken. His voice was a tool filled with passion and emotion and he swayed towards the audience, engaging us to not miss a single word. Interestingly, his topic was the transformative power of critical listening – and I don’t think this was a coincidence.
October 2016: Our BC family gives to the community!
Every year, the volunteer coordinator for the CA State Parks invites BC students to a one-day volunteer event at Allensworth State Historic Park. Not only is this a great way to give back, but students also learn about the amazing Colonel Allensworth State Park, tour of the park, and a chance to talk to park Rangers.
This year, they had two groups since so many students wanted to attend. One group dusted the insides of historic homes and the other painted a historic house. Pictured above are BC students Andrea Moreno, Salvador Murillo, Krista Nolan, Payton Brandon, and Mitchell Switalki with the park ranger.
What a busy second week of the term! For much of the time I was on the road….to Newport to do a workshop with Kay McClenney and Rob Johnstone and then to Costa Mesa for the IEPI 2-day workshop on Guided Pathways where over 250 individuals from 39 colleges and organizations came together to understand this integrated and powerful approach to enhance student success. The Guided Pathways System (GPS) acts like the GPS (Geographic Positioning System) that we have all grown to rely on.
July 2017 – Scholars, Artists, Sports and Summer Camps
In August 2012, Bakersfield College was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide scholarships of $3,000 per year to Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) students. This grant was called the STEM A-PLUS (Action + Persistence + Leadership + Understanding = Success) Scholars grant. The scholarships were dedicated towards helping academically talented students who demonstrated a financial need complete their STEM degrees and transfer to Baccalaureate programs by July 2017.
The College has met and exceeded the goal with students completing and transferring with an average GPA of 3.45. Students from this program have transferred to CSUB and many University of California schools, to Cal Poly campuses, and to other prestigious universities such as Harvard University. Kudos to our STEM faculty and staff!
I was exhausted last night after a hectic fast paced week at BC. For example, just on one day we had the Vice President of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, Tom Epstein, visit in the Levan Center; Senator Jean Fuller talking to our students in the Fireside Room with several dignitaries attending including Trustee Romeo Agbalog; the California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) community partners meeting in the SGA Board Room; and Trustee Bill Thomas moving Measure J implementation along with individuals from AEComm. And as Jennifer Marden would say….That’s how we roll at BC!
November 2017 – Bakersfield College in Arvin, Shafter, …..
I often say it’s an exciting time to be at BC and it’s true. I mentioned in last weekend’s blog that Bakersfield College is bringing higher education to Shafter and at our Express Enrollment event this week, it was great to see the excitement and activity in the Shafter area. Over the past three years, BC has remained focused on the strategic goal of bringing higher education into the communities of Delano, Shafter, Wasco, McFarland, Lamont, and Arvin. We look forward to expanding courses offered in Shafter so that students can complete all or a significant part of their degree locally and I know this will directly benefit our students.
I was back in San Diego this week for a Vision 2030 Regional Workshop.
As I always say … what is there not to love about San Diego!
The Chancellor’s Office team showed up strong. Here are a few photos.
James Todd, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Cheri Fortan, Terrence Willett, Chris Ferguson, Sonya Christian
Here we are with the amazing West Ed team.
On My November 29th blog I mentioned that I was in Toronto and we were expecting snow the next day. Here are a few photos from the window of my bedroom in my daughter’s place.
Most folks love watching planes in action. I remember when I was a little girl, my brother Roy routinely driving me to the airport so we could watch planes land and take off.
So here is a 17-sec video of Air Canada pulling up to the gate at LAX.
Good morning California. It is December 6, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
L.A. Pierce College Becomes First U.S. Community College to Launch AI-Powered Biomedical Research Program
Students at Los Angeles Pierce College took a historic step recently as they convened their first research team meeting for the newly launched L.A. Pierce AI Campus, an initiative that officially makes Pierce the first community college in the United States to launch an AI-powered biomedical research program through a groundbreaking partnership with National AI Campus.
Golden West College Receives Major Investment to Expand Nursing Program, Strengthen Local Workforce Pipeline
Golden West College has been awarded $3.5 million over three years from the Samueli Foundation to expand its highly successful School of Nursing and increase access to high-demand healthcare careers across Orange County. The multi-year funding will support program growth, new faculty positions, expanded partnerships with local high schools, and upgrades to clinical training technology.
Los Medanos College Rolls Out Hi-Tech Type 1 Fire Engine
Los Medanos College Fire Academy students this year will benefit from training on a fully-loaded 2009 Hi-Tec Type I Fire Engine. LMC used California Strong Workforce Program grant funding to purchase the $114,000 engine from the Cordelia Fire Protection District. The engine includes equipment for urban and wildland firefighting, and represents significant cost savings to the college. A new engine of this type would have cost about $800,000 with no equipment on board.
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Wins Prestigious Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College has received the Animal Exhibit Award of Excellence from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), a national honor recognizing Annual Awards Banquet, recognizing the zoo’s excellence in new and unique live animal display, exhibit design and construction. This year’s award honors the zoo’s creation of “Rajah’s Retreat,” a state-of-the-art natural habitat for tigers.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Sierra College:
Yesterday we held our annual EMT Trauma Day and SWAT training on campus. This event gives Sierra College EMT and paramedics students a chance to gain valuable, real-world experience in their field and provides an opportunity for them to practice hands on skills with several local industry partners. Our annual Public Safety Career Fair was held yesterday as well. This event gives students in related fields the opportunity to connect and network with representatives and recruiters in related fields
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From Palomar College:
Last month, the ESL Department hosted an inspiring event titled Multicultural Voices: An ESL Celebration. Students united to honor the rich tapestry of languages, cultures, food, and stories that define their home countries.
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From Allan Hancock College:
Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex welcomed the Santa Barbara County, Ventura County and Fresno fire departments for joint disaster response training this week. Crews practiced shoring damaged structures and ran search and rescue drills on the rubble pile.
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From Foothill College:
Big congrats to Nava Call for their incredible win! Presenting at Google HQ? Talk about next-level opportunities
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And check out this video from Las Positas College:
Big congrats to LPC music student Joshua Glatt for winning 1st Place in the statewide MACCC Composition Competition! His piece “Yearning for More” premiered last Spring with the Friction Quartet
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Students ‘Destress’ with Miracle Mutts
On Monday, December 1st, BC welcomed Miracle Mutts to their Panorama Campus to give students a chance to take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy some down time with their therapy dogs.
Several therapy dogs and their owners congregated in the lobby of the BC Library and students, staff and community members were able to pet and interact with the furry, friendly companions. Each therapy dog was eager to share affection with participants, while showcasing their own unique personalities. The event was part of De-Stress Week – a series of activities intended to help students get a mental health break from end of the semester exams, presentations, and projects.
Started my week in Santa Barbara for the Vision 2030 Workshop. Woke up to this …..
As always, the Chancellor’s Office team found time to have some fun!
Flowers for you from my morning walk.
Back at home to my boy Neo …. the morning ritual …. after our walk Neo greets the pool dragon with a “woof”.
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Ms Rosamma Babu, my high school history teacher, passed away. She taught Indian history and was an amazing teacher.
Good morning California. It is May 31, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Cerritos College Team Wins National Award for Transformative High School Partnership
Cerritos College’s commitment to meeting students where they are at once again earned national recognition from the League for Innovation in the Community College. The 2024-25 Innovation of the Year Award was presented to Assistant Director of Admissions and Records Laura Estrada, Interim Director of Educational Partnerships and Programs Sasha Leonardo, Assistant Director of Financial Aid Jamie Quiroz, and Counselor Dr. Clara Ross-Jones for their work launching the College Bound Buccaneers. In collaboration with Bellflower High School, this pilot program provides a direct pathway into Cerritos Complete, the college’s award-winning Promise Program.
American River College Professor Jesus Valle Honored with 2025 Wilma Mankiller Memorial Award
American River College is proud to celebrate one of its own, Professor Jesus Valle, as the distinguished recipient of the 2025 Wilma Mankiller Memorial Award for Human and Civil Rights from the National Education Association. This national honor, named after the legendary Cherokee Nation leader and fearless advocate for American Indian children, recognizes individuals who have profoundly impacted education and the achievement of equal opportunity for American Indians/Alaska Natives. Professor Valle’s dedication spans 28 years of advocacy, mentorship, and an unwavering belief in the potential of tribal youth.
Orange Coast College Partners with MM-SEAS to Enhance Maritime Professional Licensing Support for Students
Orange Coast College is proud to announce a new partnership with MM-SEAS, a leading provider of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) licensing software. This collaboration aims to enhance professional licensing support and tools for students enrolled in programs at the OCC Waterfront Campus, further demonstrating the College’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the maritime industry.
Sierra College Receives CAL FIRE Partnership Award
Sierra College and Superintendent/President Willy Duncan were honored by the CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit with its 2024 “Partnership Award” for the college’s commitment to public safety and community service, its longstanding Fire Academy program, and recent efforts to bring a Regional Public Safety Training Center to Placer County.
5 creative ways California colleges are feeding students beyond food pantries
To improve CalFresh outreach and enrollment, California started setting aside annual funds in 2021 for public colleges and universities to establish and operate basic needs centers with food pantries, where students obtain free food staples. The California State University and University of California systems each receive $15 million and California Community Colleges receives $30 million annually. As of 2023, every public higher education campus in the state has a basic needs center and food pantry.
However, for many campuses, these solutions still aren’t enough. To fill the gaps, some have created their own innovative solutions. From free meals to food lockers, staff and students at five campuses – including CCCs Compton College, Contra Costa College, Antelope Valley College, and Cerro Coso Community College – around California offer creative alternatives.
We’re incredibly proud of the creativity, drive, and business acumen our students demonstrated at the Entrepreneurship Center’s Business Pitch Competition. Their ideas are not just future-ready, some are already making an impact.
Leading up to the event, students participated in pre-sessions with mentors and industry experts to shape and strengthen their ideas. Each team delivered an 8–10 minute pitch to a panel of esteemed judges and the results were nothing short of impressive.
Congratulations to all the winning teams, each awarded a $5,000 startup grant to help launch their businesses. We are deeply grateful to Howard Gore and Kimberly Hawkins-Gore for generously sponsoring these grants and serving as judges during the event.
Special thanks to all the mentors, panel of judges, volunteers, E-Center Director Teresa Thompson, and our Dean of Professional Studies Eric Grabiel for bringing student innovation and entrepreneurship to center stage.
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From Coastline College:
To wrap up #AAPIHeritageMonth students and employees joined a peaceful Ikebana workshop last week. Led by Ayako Ariga and Miyako Arao, 35 participants created beautiful flower arrangements while learning the art and symbolism of this Japanese tradition.
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From Copper Mountain College:
We’re thrilled to announce that the Criminal Justice Club at Copper Mountain College is officially up and running — and growing fast! Our April launch event, “Anatomy of a Murder,” was a huge success, bringing students, staff, and local law enforcement together for an engaging evening of insight and discussion. We’re proud to share that the club already has 17 active members!
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From Chaffey College:
So much pride celebrating the accomplishments of our Black/African American students at our Rites of Passage graduation celebration.
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Celebrates 2025 Transfer Students
Bakersfield College proudly hosted the 2025 Transfer Celebration late last month, honoring students who will be continuing their academic journeys at four-year universities across California and beyond.
Representatives from the CSU Office of the Chancellor and UC Merced, speaking on behalf of the UC Office of the President, offered welcoming remarks and words of encouragement as students prepare for the next step in their educational journey.
Just wrapped up Board week…. Since March is Women’s History Month we have started wearing white at the March meeting….
Here is a fun photo from last year’s March Board of Governors.
At the meeting, we honored three faculty with the prestigious 2024-25 Gerald C. HAyward awards for Excellence in Education
History Instructor Stacey Marie Svilich of Feather River College, Math Professor Leila Safaralian of MiraCosta College, and Business Professor Denise Bushnell of Sierra College were honored at the March 25 Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento.
Stacey Marie SvilichLeila SafaralianDenise Bushnell
The Hayward Award for Excellence in Education program, established in 1989 and named in honor of former California Community College Chancellor Gerald C. Hayward, are presented annually to celebrate outstanding community college faculty members for their commitment to their students, college and profession.
It is so nice to be able to celebrate our amazing faculty.
After the BOG meeting, I headed to UCLA to present at the Blue Economy Intersegmental conference. Our community colleges are doing great work in this space. 15 community colleges are collaborating with AltaSea to develop the Blue Economy Climate Action Pathways (BECAP) certification program, with new curriculum and programs to fill the next generation of jobs focused on the ocean. The curriculum includes Regenerative Aquaculture, Ocean Renewable Energy & Clean Air, Blue Tech & Underwater Robotics, and Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration.
The picture below is with three of the five climate fellows – from left top right: Holly Bailey-Hoffman, myself, Carla Grandy, Tonya Huff, and our Vice Chancellor for Workforce Anthony Cordova.
It is always great to see Dr. Ellen Morris at climate events.
Headed back home towards the end of the week to my boy Neo.
We also had feathered visitors in the backyard. Check out the 19-sec video below.
Spring is the best time in Bakersfield.
Snapped pictures of beautiful flowers in the neighborhoods and parks on my walks with Neo –
A talented gardener must live in this house…
Good morning California. It is March 29, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Merced College’s Innovative Ag Program Gains National Attention
Merced College’s new Agricultural Systems certificate program has received national attention, recently being featured in a national CBS News segment highlighting its innovative approach to career education. The program, which uses a competency-based education (CBE) model, allows students to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery in specific skills, preparing them for in-demand jobs in the agricultural industry.
West Valley-Mission District Launches First-in-Nation Universal Free Meals Program
West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) has approved the first universal free meal program at a U.S. community college—a historic initiative that will guarantee every in-person student at West Valley College and Mission College at least one free, nutritious meal each school day. Launching in Fall 2025, the program will also offer expanded support for high-need students. By investing $2.5 million annually, the District is making a long-term commitment to eradicating student hunger and ensuring that no learner has to choose between paying for textbooks or affording lunch.
Sierra College President Receives Statewide Award for Distinguished Community College Leadership
Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan has been honored with the Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) for transformational community college leadership and significant contributions to the local community, economy, workforce, and equitable access to higher education.
Orange Coast College Culinary Team Wins Western Regional Competition
Orange Coast College culinary arts students won the 2025 American Culinary Federation’s Western Regional Student Team Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 15. By earning the highest point value, OCC’s Hot Food Team will represent the western region in the national championship. For the competition, the Hot Food Team was tasked with creating a four-course menu showcasing regional flavors and ingredients. They worked closely with OCC’s Horticulture Department and Marine Science Department to harvest tilapia and aquaponic lettuces used in their competition dishes.
EdSource: At community colleges, online classes remain popular years after pandemic
More than 40% of community college classes remain online statewide as of this year, about double what it was before the pandemic, and a much higher rate of remote education than exists at the state’s four-year universities. That includes hybrid classes, which mix online and some required in-person instruction. Some colleges also offer HyFlex courses, which give students the option of attending online or in person. The vast majority of the system’s online classes, however, are taught fully online and asynchronously.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the 25th Bach to Blues Concert! We had an incredible time celebrating 25 years of music. Your energy and support made the event truly special. All proceeds from the event went to support the Gavilan College Music Program, helping us to continue to foster the next generation of musicians!
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From Citrus College:
Thank you to everyone who attended our 110th Anniversary Gala, “The Magic of Citrus,” on Saturday, March 22! Hosted by the Citrus College Foundation, the event raised funds to increase scholarship opportunities, enhance academic programs and enrich the learning environment.
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From Modesto Junior College:
Let’s get social! Each semester Associated Students of Modesto Junior College hosts Club Rush, an event for students to learn about and join campus clubs of all kinds. This semester brought outside games, music, food, face paintings and 17 club booths ranging in interests from the arts to the sciences. Club Rush is the perfect event for incoming MJC students looking to make friends and explore their academic interests.
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And check out this video from San Diego City College about their recent Professional Learning Center Grand Opening:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Women in Leadership Discussion Panel
This week, the Bakersfield College Student Government Association (BCSGA) hosted Campus Stories: Voices of Female Unconventional Leaders, an inspiring event held at the Renegade Event Center. As part of a series of events celebrating Women’s History Month, the discussion panel featured six BC faculty, staff, and students and was moderated by Olivia Garcia, Professor of History at BC.
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.
