The student media teleconference took place on Oct. 1, featuring California Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian.
She spoke on many important topics such as transfer deadlines, Undocumented Student Action Week, late start enrollment, the baccalaureate degree program and career education. At the end of the presentation media guests were able to submit a question for the chancellor and questions were prioritized by order of submission.
Transferring is often difficult for newcomers to understand, but Christian went through the necessary information, which is also located here. Before transferring, students must graduate. Students must submit their academics for authorization to graduate. A common mistake is some students do not know that they must apply in advance. For instance, if projected graduation is in Spring 2025, then students should apply for graduation directly after enrolling in classes for the semester.
Christian stated “1 in 100,000 community college students transfer to a four-year education. The number is not to intimidate you rather motivate you to work diligently. Also, the number takes into consideration every student enrolled despite not every student taking that route. Some students may choose to stay in community college to earn their bachelors, which is a possibility or some choose to enter the workforce after their associates.”
Christian then spoke on the resources California Community Colleges offer all students, including those who are undocumented. Any students that are undocumented or are in the immigration process can visit here. The undocumented student action week is between Oct. 14–18. This Page shares all the on-campus resources available to undocumented students. The resources include undocumented liaisons, undocumented student services centers, free immigration legal services, and year-round financial aid through the California Dream Act Application. It is excellent to see progression and have opportunities for more individuals who may face obstacles in their path.
Community colleges are offering plenty of opportunities with different types of enrollments, such as dual enrollment. Christian advocates for middle schoolers and high schoolers to visit the campus and get a fraction of the campus experience prior to dual enrollment. She elaborates by stating “an agreement and consistent communication must be met between their school and a community college to determine dual enrollment.” Chancellor Director of Communication and Marketing Paige Marlatt Dorr contributed with “Sacramento Community Colleges and potentially other community colleges send a consent form to the student or parent depending on age.”
Christian’s closing topic was the baccalaureate degree program and career education. The chancellor states “California Community Colleges system is the largest workforce training provider in the nation.” The California Community College system educates 2 million students a year. Opportunities for community colleges to provide a baccalaureate degree nursing pilot program were recently presented through State Senate Bill 895 and Assembly Bill 2104, though they were not successfully passed. The chancellor spoke on the unfortunate news stating “I am very sad to hear the bills were vetoed because they would have created opportunities for the workforce.” She followed up by saying “this is a big problem in California and we will continue to find a way to contribute in helping the needed workforce.”
