Community College League of California

We're celebrating 40 years of the Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar! The professional development program was created in 1984 by leaders from the American Association of Women in Community Colleges and the Yosemite Community College District. Since then, over 2,600 competitively selected women have completed the Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar to gain skills and knowledge to expand their leadership responsibilities and develop lasting relationships with experienced and emerging community college leaders. Co-founder Pamila Fisher joined League President & CEO Larry Galizio, Ph.D. on his podcast recently to share the story about the program's origins and the impact it has had on leadership diversity in California Community Colleges. Listen to our latest Leading Community Colleges in California podcast episode: https://lnkd.in/gVUFaVhF The Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar is an intensive four-day experience that focuses on the issues facing women who have committed to community college leadership, either in their current position or as a future goal. Interested? Apply now! https://lnkd.in/gr9HKpQF Photo: Chancellor Sonya Christian (l) and former interim chancellor Diane Woodruff (r) celebrate the Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar at the League's 2024 Annual Convention.

What an honor to recognize a California Community Colleges alumna who has had such a far-reaching impact! Congratulations, Orange Coast College alumna Sylvia Mendez for the 2024 Alumni Equity Champion Award!

Congratulations to California Senator Mike McGuire, Santa Rosa Junior College alumnus, for your recognition as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree. Thank you for leading applause for those who serve California Community Colleges and recognition of your fellow honorees.

Congratulations to Moorpark College alumnus and GrassrootsLab principal Mike Madrid for your recognition as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree. Thank you for sharing your personal story about those who believed in 20-year-old you!

Marlin "Skip" Davies shared a heartfelt message about the impact of Yuba College in the late 1950s inspired his dedication to education and community. Congratulations for being named a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree!

When you're voting today (that is, if you haven't already submitted that important envelope!), don't skip over your California Community Colleges trustees. Trustees are essential roles for our colleges, helping them fulfill their missions, by setting policies, overseeing budgets, and ensuring that the colleges fulfill their educational mission.

If your weekend to-do list includes completing your ballot, please vote YES on Proposition 2. Here's why: Prop. 2 will make the most urgent repairs and upgrades in our local public schools by authorizing a $10 billion investment, including $1.5 billion for community colleges--without raising any taxes or fees. Prop 2 will: --Improve local community colleges to ensure students are learning in safe environments free of asbestos, mold, lead paint and leaking pipes. (Remember, some of our colleges are more than 100 years old!) --Upgrade career technical and vocational education classrooms. --Give student more opportunities to attend community colleges by expanding access to quality job training and professional development. --Provide returning veterans access to job training programs so they can secure a college degree or find stable, good-paying jobs. You'll see the League's endorsement of Prop 2 in your California voter guide! #YesonProp2

Decades-old funding laws, like California's Fifty Percent Law, restrict how California Community Colleges can spend their budgets. Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona has a proposition on the November ballot to provide more flexibility in community college spending. The League is watching this initiative...and here's why: "California community colleges are in a somewhat similar bind with the state’s?Fifty Percent Law, enacted in 1961, which requires community colleges in the state to spend half of their budgets on classroom instruction, limiting the funds available for other costs," explained Inside Higher Ed 's Sara Weissman. “I think at the end of the day, if you ask voters, citizens, people in any state, they want public institutions that are effective and produce the outcomes that are desired,” said Larry Galizio, Ph.D.. He believes California community college leaders need more “latitude” over their spending to make decisions that best serve their particular regional communities and students. “We need to be accountable. We need to be transparent. But we need to not have restrictions that hamper the ability for the professionals to actually follow the evidence,” Galizio said. https://lnkd.in/gWVeumKX

California Community Colleges leadership in action! The League is proud to be part of this year's Undocumented Student Action Week and we are especially honored that legislative advocate Kristal Padilla served as a panelist. Back in 2016, Undocumented Student Action Week emerged as a powerful response to challenges posed by the threat to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and the concerning sentiments towards immigrants, and now stands as a beacon of support. A permanent celebration, it advocates for policies empowering undocumented students. Join us in shaping a brighter future during #USAW2024! ???? Our students deserve unwavering support from day one. We're committed to streamlining campus navigation and breaking down barriers. Because integrating undocumented student success across the board is vital.? ? This commitment isn't just for a week -- it's year-round. Let's eliminate obstacles and empower our students to reach new heights. ??

Prop 2 is on the ballot, asking voters to pass a $10 billion investment to make our public schools safe and upgrade to current needs. California Community Colleges would receive $1.5 billion to make repairs and upgrade career technical and vocational education classrooms. Many thanks to Adam Echelman and CalMatters for reporting on this timely issue. The League supports Prop 2. Look for our endorsement in your voter ballot guide! #YesProp2CA https://lnkd.in/gEqYPZta