Friday evening was all about the World Cup….A perfect way to ease into the weekend.
The US won its first match vs Paraguay, 4-1.
Check out this video highlighting the US’ first goal:
Earlier this week, I went to Los Angeles Southwest College’s graduation. It was great to see Dr. Anthony Culpepper:
Then it was off to Seattle. The California Community Colleges visited AWS:
And another one –
I loved the chance to see The Spheres and the Amazon campus. The spheres are a conservatory that’s home to more than 40,000 plant species from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries.
More …
And from the outside:
Goodbye Seattle … listening to a musician on the airport…. Moments that take your breath away.
Good morning California.
It is June 13, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!
Crafton Hills College Health and Wellness Center Reaches
More Than 2,400 Students Through Expanded Services and Outreach
»The Health and Wellness Center at Crafton Hills College is making a positive impact on students’ lives this year, connecting more than 2,400 individuals with mental health support, wellness education, and community resources through health appointments, workshops, events and outreach initiatives. The center staff provided 1,272 individual health and mental health appointments and reached another 1,225 students through workshops, events, classroom presentations, tabling and support groups, indicating that the center’s work extends well beyond its office walls.
Rep. Josh Harder Delivers $850,000 for
San Joaquin Delta College Cybersecurity Hub
Calling community colleges “the ladder to the middle class,” U.S. Rep. Josh Harder this week formally presented Delta College with $850,000 in federal funding to support the creation of a new cybersecurity hub at the College’s South Campus at Mountain House. The investment will build upon Delta’s existing Cisco networking program and help expand training opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most in-demand fields.
$2.5 Million Gift from Howard and Kimberly Gore to Expand Student Success and Career Opportunities at West Valley College
West Valley College proudly announces a transformational $2.5 million philanthropic commitment from Silicon Valley leaders Howard Gore and Kimberly Hawkins-Gore to support student success and expand career-connected learning opportunities at West Valley College. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity, the Student Services Building at West Valley College will be named the Howard and Kimberly Gore Student Services Center, honoring the Gore family’s belief in expanding opportunity and strengthening pathways to meaningful careers.
In Case You Missed It
In this California community, older adults are going back to school
Merced College instructor Ofelia Cruz is 73 years old. But whenever her students in her “Injury and Fall Prevention” class figure out her age, they’re shocked.
“When they find out that I’m older than them, they’re going, ‘What?’ And I said ‘The secret is movement and consistency. You have to do it all the time,’” she said.
That’s why Cruz is teaching the class at an assisted living home called Park Merced. Two days a week, Cruz lays out a speaker with 80’s dance music, some chairs, and a variety of small black and purple weights.
*****
Housing Has Become An Imperative for Student Success,
Argues Lake Tahoe Community College President Jeff DeFranco
Student housing, according to Lake Tahoe Community College President Jeff DeFranco, has often been treated as an auxiliary service in higher education, one that’s important but separate from the academic mission itself. This assumption, he believes, is no longer indicative of the reality students face today.
Across the United States, a surge in housing costs is increasingly determining whether students can enroll in college or remain until graduation. Within communities shaped by short-term rentals and limited housing inventory, DeFranco suggests that the issue has intensified rapidly.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Madera Community College:
On Friday, April 17, “Our Story” History Club, Art Department, and the Associated Student Government at Madera Community College led by MCC History faculty and club advisor Dr. Hagop Ohanessian, Art instructors Kamy Martinez and Cristina Velasquez took a field trip to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Forty-one students had that opportunity to learn about the Hearst family by participating in the grand room’s tour. It consisted of the main building called Casa Grande (Big House): the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. The tour began outdoors up several stairs to the terraces with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Students and faculty also witnessed the outdoor Neptune and indoor Roman pools.
*****
From San Diego College of Continuing Education:
Take a look at some special moments captured during our Commencement VIP Reception! From joyful reunions to heartfelt celebrations, it was an unforgettable evening.
*****
From El Camino College:
Last month at the Scholarship Awards, we celebrated the Sharer Foundation on its distinction as the 2025 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year. Thanks to the amazing support of philanthropic contributions like the Sharers, El Camino awarded over $1 million in scholarships to students in 2025.
L-R: Sharer Foundation President Laura Steffen, ECC President Dr. Brenda Thames, ECC Foundation Executive Director Andrea Sala, Sharer Foundation Founders Carol and Kevin Sharer, Foundation for California Community Colleges President and CEO Keetha Mills, and Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges CEO Sally Cox.
*****
From Lake Tahoe Community College:
The grills were hot, the competition was fierce, and the community showed up.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2nd Annual Coyote Country Steak Cookoff a success. From our competitors and volunteers to everyone who came out to enjoy the event, we appreciate you being part of another great Coyote Country tradition.
Until next year!
*****
And check out this video from CBS LA about Orange Coast College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Child Development Center Provides Valuable Learning Experiences
for Children of BC Students
The Child Development Center (CDC) is a unique and valuable resource for Bakersfield College students and the community. Located on the north side of the Panorama campus, the CDC helps BC student parents achieve their academic goals by providing childcare services while they attend classes, study for exams, work on final projects, etc. However, the services they offer go beyond providing just a safe space for kids to play, the CDC staff incorporate intentional educational opportunities into their daily activities – so children are learning while having fun.
Sandra Harrington, or Miss Sandy as she is known to the kids, is one of the teachers at the CDC. She was excited to talk about what the teachers do each day to help the children learn and grow. “We try to help the children integrate and learn in a hands-on way,” she said, “the teachers use their creativity to help the kids ‘learn as they play’ – that is our philosophy.” The teachers get ideas from the students for themes that they rotate every several weeks. The current theme is outer space, and the teachers collaborate together to incorporate the theme into the lesson plans. “We brainstorm with the kids and ask them, ‘What do you want to learn about?’ and that’s where we get the ideas for our themes,” says Miss Sandy, “we believe in collaboration, communication and teamwork.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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
