CVHEC SUMMIT 2025 WRAP: ’more timely and impactful than ever’

 [ART (Video) to come]

 175+ higher ed professionals, leaders and students

‘Navigating Higher Ed in New Era – the Central Valley Way’ 

 

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator

 

More than 175 higher education leaders who gathered at the Central Valley Higher Education Summit in Fresno on May 9 rallied to address sweeping federal changes reshaping the education landscape nationwide.

The summit, hosted by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) at the DoubleTree Inn and sponosored by College Futures Foundation, was marked by a powerful virtual address from California Attorney General Rob Bonta (see related story) and featured panels addressing national trends, equity, the state’s higher ed systems policies, student experiences and collaborative innovation.

Dr. Juan Muñoz, chancellor of UC Merced and chair of the CVHEC board, opened the summit following a breakfast with a welcome that set the tone for the five panels and Bonta’s remarks later in the afternoon.

“The focus of today’s summit is unique in that higher education across the nation is dealing with challenges created by a new administration in Washington and the ever-changing higher education landscape,” Chancellor Muñoz said.

The summit theme, “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way,” was delivered through five panels with members of the CVHEC board providing panelist introductions and moderating.

The keynote panel, “Stronger Together: Aligning Systems for Equitable Outcomes,” presented leaders of California’s higher education systems who shared their thoughts and perspectives on the current higher ed environment, both nationally and in California.

“Our goal is to spark a thoughtful, solutions-oriented conversation that highlights key challenges, shares successful strategies, and inspires collaboration” said CSU Stanislaus President Britt Rios-Ellis when she introduced the first panelists.

“We’re particularly interested in hearing about your systems’ approach to the current higher education landscape created by the administration in Washington D.C.,” she told the panelists

Moderated by Dr. Carole Goldsmith, State Center Community College District chancellor, the panel included Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, California Community Colleges deputy chancellor; Dr. Nathan Dietrich, assistant vice chancellor of University Relations and Advancement for California State University; Dr. Yvette Gullatt, chief diversity officer for the University of California System where she also serves as vice president for Graduate and Undergraduate Affairs and vice provost for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and Dr. Alex Graves, vice president for Government Relations for the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.

They addressed issues such as federal funding cuts affecting financial aid for students; staying grounded in equity and a commitment to serve all students amidst national policies shifts; and the status of undocumented and international students.

“Our institutions are all serving undocumented students and their families,” said AICCU Vice President Graves. “Our institutions are largely all enrolling and welcoming international students in both their undergraduate and graduate programs. I think we have to acknowledge that there is a war on higher education right now — its ideals, its principles and certainly its funding mechanisms.”

He said the federal government has “bigger weapons and more weapons to draw from and more ways to attack us than the other way around. So I think the ways in which our institutions are approaching this varies. We’re all navigating the space of ‘how do we maintain our steadfast commitments to not only our students, our faculty and staff?’”

The student panel, “In Their Words: Real Students Talking about Central Valley Strategies,” was moderated by Lemoore College President James Preston after Columbia College President Lena Tran introduced two college students: Aracelli Tilley, Merced College – UC Merced; and Zeidi Diaz, Fresno State; and three Dinuba High School students:  Abigail M. Soto Toscano, Izabella Cavazos and McKenzie Rosas.

The students discussed CVHEC strategies that have impacted their education such as the Central Valley Transfer Project, the Central Valley Math Bridge Program and dual enrollment.

“We are always inspired by the stories from our students and enjoy hearing directly from them,” said President Tran. “A big thank you to our student panelists for being brave and willing to join us on this stage so that we can learn from you and see what we need to do to help other students succeed.”

The third panel, “Data at Every Level: Sharing National, State and Local Insights,” featured education professionals sharing their thoughts on the current environment of higher education from those geographic perspectives.

“Our goal is to share data to inform decision-making and ultimately improve outcomes of the current state-of-the-higher-education landscape given the current administration in Washington D.C.,” said Coalinga College President Carla Tweed, who introduced moderator Chris Vitelli, president, of Merced College and the panelists.

Dr. Brandon Protas, assistant vice president for Alliance Engagement for Complete College America based in Indianapolis, shone a spotlight on national trends in higher education; Dr. Hans Johnson, senior fellow for the Public Policy Institute of California based in San Francisco, shared the state of higher education in California and how it relates to the rest of the country; and Dr. Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz, professor of Cognitive and Information Sciences at UC Merced, addressed locally-developed Central Valley data regarding college readiness in the region.

In addition to highlighting how national, state, and local data efforts can complement one another, the panel discussed the importance of data transparency, accessibility and trust — particularly when it comes to equity — and encouraged alignment across sectors so that data isn’t siloed, but shared and actionable.

Dr. Protas, whose national nonprofit organization Complete College America focuses on dramatically increasing the nation’s college completion rates, cited a report by the Lumina Foundation — which had  previously set a  goal of 60 percent completion by 2025 – with data showing that, as of 2023, “California, is just above  56.1 percent, a little bit higher than the national average of 54.9.”

But he noted that California has set a goal of 70 percent of adults achieving some form of post-secondary attainment by 2030.

“So although California is doing very well, there’s still a lot of work to do,” Protas said. CVHEC is one of 53 affiliates — states, systems and consortia — participating in the CCA Alliance nationwide.

The legislative update panel, “The Path Forward: Higher Ed Policy and the New Administration,” was moderated by Chancellor Muñoz after Porterville College Interim President Primavera Monarrez introduced the panelists: Congressmember Jim Costa (21st District – U.S. House of Representatives); and California State Assemblymember Esmeralda Zamudio Soria (District 27).

They discussed how higher education policy is evolving under the new administration and what that means for institutions, students and communities in the Central Valley.

“This conversation will offer both timely insight and long-term perspective as we look at the role of higher education in a changing national landscape,” President Monarrez said in her introductions.

Congressmember Adam Gray, 13th District – U.S House of Representatives, arrived later and delivered a few remarks as well.

The final panel of the day, “What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley,” was moderated by Durán after Fresno Pacific University President André Stephens introduced the panelists.

“In spite of all the uncertainty surrounding higher education around the country, the CVHEC member-institutions have continued to stay focused on projects and strategies designed to improve students success in the region,” President Stephens said. “Included in these are the Central Valley Transfer Project, the Math Bridge Program, and CVHEC’s dual enrollment efforts.

He introduced  Dr. James Zimmerman, special assistant to the Provost who serves on CVHEC’s Transfer Project team, discussing  transfer initiatives at UC Merced (see related story in this issue); Dr. Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of West Hills Community College District who is now CVHEC’s Dual Enrollment lead; and Dr. Lynn Cevallos, founder and president of College Bridge, the lead partner with CVHEC and the Rand Corp. in the Math Bridge Program.

 

Dr. Clark presented CVHEC’s latest initiative: development of a Central Valley Dual Enrollment Playbook that will help expand CVHEC’s Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity & Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force’s goals over the next five years most notably increasing DuE participation.

“In 2023-24, we had about 25 percent of high school students taking at least one dual enrollment course: 60,910 of 240,053,” Dr Clark said. “If we wanted to increase that number to 50 percent, we’d need around 11,800 more enrollments each year. Getting that many students between all our member colleges to take at least one dual enrollment is doable.”

The Dual Enrollment Playbook will be a digital tool that will include best practices from around the Central Valley with resources, links, definitions, acronyms, Dr. Clark said, with a first draft tentatively planned for late fall.

“It will be a living document that will be revised at least once per year after the annual dual enrollment convening or when major legislation changes warrant an immediate update,” she explained.

(Additional playbook information will be forthcoming in future CVHEC newsletters).

Attorney General Bonta’s remarks at 2 p.m. via Zoom provided the final session of the day before Dr. Durán, offered closing remarks and dismissed the summit participants.

“I was delighted by the turnout. It tells me the summit theme was timely and right for the occasion, Durán said after the close. “I thought the panels were informative, impactful and well received. I thought the attendees were engaged and participatory with their questions.”

Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC associate director who coordinates the summit, said every year the summit demonstrates its value and its potential for growth in in the coming years.

“This year’s summit felt more timely and impactful than ever,” said Ramírez who has been with CVHEC since 2014 when he started as a social media intern before graduating from Fresno State in 2015.  In April he was promoted to his current position.

“We had such a strong group of presenters, and most of the attendees stayed engaged until the very end. It’s clear that the summit participants help make this event better every year. I look forward to its growth and evolvement as a critical collaboration tool for higher education professionals in our region.”

Elaine Cash of CVHEC said the summit ranks with many statewide conferences especially bringing together the four systems of higher education.

“It was probably the best summit we’ve had I think in terms of the quality and flow with the    presidents and chancellors leading the panels that had a  balance of boots-on-the-ground folks and those operating at the 30,000 foot level for the four systems of higher education as well as the legislators who presented,” said Cash who served as a K-16 superintendent prior to her role as CVHEC grants lead.

Some of the attendants also expressed their satisfaction.

George Alvarado, interim dean of the Library and Student Learning Support Services at Fresno City College, said his first experience attending the CVHEC Summit was not only reinvigorating but also productive because it provided him possible leads for team recruitment as he connected with one of the student panelists who indicated her desire to work in the community college system.

“I loved the student panel, it’s been a highlight to listen to our future students and graduates who have went through our systems and are achieving success here in California,” Alvarado said. “They’re the fruits of our labor so, for me, listening to their aspirations and goals for the future, was powerful. It reinvigorates my passion for continuing to serve in higher education.”

Dr. Sandra Fuentes, dean of the Early College Program at Reedley College, said the summit was a great opportunity for her team to connect with other community college partners as well as from the CSU’s and UC’s about the work they are all doing for students and rural communities.

“Our team was able to gain a lot of information on the current updates from the current administration’s budget in terms of how will we continue to support our students with the current budget impacts and how our work in our Central Valley makes a difference.”

Participants were able to mingle the day before at the Summit Welcome Reception at the Fresno Convention Center’s Valdez Hall Breezeway with student music provided by Fresno State’s Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Ramírez said planning for the 2026 summit begins soon and CVHEC welcomes feedback from participants for improvement or topic/theme suggestions at CVHECinfo@mail.fresnostate.edu.

See: https://cvhec.org/spotlight-abc30-coverage-of-cvhec-summit-2025/

 

UPDATE: CVHEC Increases Transfers the Central Valley Way

[Art to come]

 

[Add Arraceli and James quote?]

 

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is renowned for its effectiveness in fostering regional collaboration among all of the Valley’s higher education institutions.

 

Most notable, as evidenced by the recent Central Valley Higher Education Summit, is the ability to bring intersegmental partners together from the University of California, California State University and California Community college systems as well as independent/private institutions for the purpose of increasing access and success of Central Valley students in their higher education experience.

 

At the summit, a more   recent and very powerful example of this was the presentation by James Zimmerman on the panel, “What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley,” where he discussed the success of the Central Valley Transfer Project initiated by CVHEC in partnership with UC Merced (UCM).

 

Determined to overcome the low number of community college transfers to UCM, this partnership set out to carve a new path in accelerating successful transfers.

 

Fully launched in 2020 the project focuses on streamlining and enhancing the process of transferring from community colleges to four-year institutions within California’s Central Valley. This project seeks to address challenges faced by students in navigating complex transfer pathways and aims to increase the number of students successfully earning bachelor’s degrees.

 

Historic firsts: faculty input/ CCC implementation statewide

 

It was an historic first when CVHEC brought UC faculty to the table alongside community college faculty in convenings structured to review and approve lower-division course patterns for successful transfer to UCM.

 

These protocols were so successful that State Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian adopted the Transfer Project as a statewide demonstration project in 2024. One year later the “demonstration” label has been lifted, and this process is now embedded in the Chancellor’s “Vision 2030” initiative.

 

Goals of the Project

 

The Central Valley Transfer Project is designed to:

 

  • Simplify the articulation agreements between community colleges and universities.
  • Enhance academic advising to guide students through seamless transfers.
  • Improve the equity and accessibility of higher education opportunities.
  • Reduce the time and cost associated with obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Key Features

 

The project incorporates several strategies to achieve its objectives:

 

  • Structured collaboration among faculty and staff from UC, CSU and community colleges.
  • Development of clear and comprehensive transfer pathways in high-demand disciplines.
  • Collaboration among multiple educational institutions to ensure alignment of curricula.
  • Use of technology software to provide up-to-date resources and tools for students.

 

Impact on the Region

 

At the CVHEC summit May 9, Zimmerman demonstrated how the Central Valley Transfer Project addresses educational disparities in the region by fostering increased access to higher education for students in the Central Valley. It is part of a broader effort to promote workforce development, improve the economic well-being, and elevate the economic and educational profile of the entire Central Valley region.

 

The project has now expanded beyond the Central Valley and is being embraced by higher education statewide.

 

 

 

 

Table 1 below shows the impact on successful transfers to UC Merced since the project began in 2020.

Table 2 below shows the change in percentage of successful completion of on-path courses to degree. The control factor among 5,000 incoming freshman to Bakersfield College is the use by students of the Transfer Project software platform, Program Pathways Mapper (PPM).

Table 3 below shows how the use of the PPM closes the equity gap among all students in the increased percentages of completing on-path courses to degree.

 

Table 4 below shows how participation in the Transfer Project keeps students on a clear pathway to completion and reduces the total number of units to degree.

Conclusion

 

The power of CVHEC’s longstanding expertise in promoting regional collaboration is paying huge dividends for Central Valley community college students through this latest effort to increase successful transfers to upper-division institutions. This strong tradition has been the catalyst for faculty and staff from the UC’s, CSU’s and CC’s to work together like never before, dispelling historical stereotypes of each other and building new collegial relationships focused on student success.

 

By creating smoother transfer pathways and reducing barriers to higher education, the Central Valley Transfer Project plays a crucial role in helping students achieve their academic and professional goals, contributing to the overall advancement of the Central Valley region.

CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (May 2025)

[TO FINALIZE -AR reviewing]

CVHEC board meeting and summit: ‘reaffirming

the power of regional unity in advancing student success’

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues … 

Greetings friends of CVHEC … welcome to our May newsletter as we close out another academic year in the Central Valley.  This year, especially the last five months under a new Administration in Washington D.C., has been a tumultuous and challenging year in higher education.

That is why it was appropriate for the consortium to wrap up the year with our annual The Central Valley Higher Education Summit May 9 under the theme, “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way.”

In keeping with that theme, the CVHEC Board of Directors met the day before the summit and hosted a virtual presentation on the current state of higher education in the nation delivered by Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of Governmental Relations at the American Council on Education (ACE).  His presentation and interaction with the presidents and chancellors of our region’s higher education institutions were well received and insightful.

On summit day, May 9, we continued the conversations hearing from our legislative partners: Congressmembers Jim Costa (21st District) and Adam Gray (13th District), both from the U.S House of Representatives; and California State Assemblymember Esmeralda Zamudio Soria (District 27).  The three legislators shared their perspectives on the current state of the nation and specific areas and initiatives they were involved in to improve the higher education landscape in the country.

The summit further showcased much of the work valley college and universities undertook this year to improve student access and success in the current environment.  Panels for the day, including representatives from the state’s four higher education systems, highlighted the great efforts of faculty and staff in the region to make the Central Valley a great place for higher education as well our students and their experiences in addition.

The event ended with a conversation between summit attendees and California State Attorney General Rob Bonta, who joined us virtually to share his thoughts and comments about California’s role with other states in combatting the challenges coming from the current Administration.  He was able and willing to answer some questions from the floor.

The board meeting and summit came at a pivotal time. Our region continues to navigate pressing challenges — from enrollment shifts to financial aid changes — while national policies are quickly evolving in ways that deeply affect our students.  As challenges in higher education continue to evolve — particularly for our rural and underserved areas — CVHEC remains a critical force in ensuring that the Central Valley’s colleges and universities not only adapt but thrive.

With continued collaboration and a shared vision, the consortium board meeting and summit reaffirmed the power of regional unity in advancing student success. Bringing our leadership together in one room to engage in this dialogue is essential for shaping a voice moving forward.

REVISE: “Bringing our leadership together in one room to engage in this dialogue is essential for shaping a voice for higher education the Central Way as we move forward.”

Now, with the completion of another commencement season, we hope you enjoy our blog this month featuring Class of 2025 graduate Elenor Oliva recounting the joys of walking for two degrees in less than one year.

Enjoy the summer break, we hope you all have an opportunity to find some time to rest and reflect on a great year as we prepare to meet new challenges ahead for the advancement of our students. Have a great Summer!

‘What the CV-HEC is Happening’ Blog (May 2025): Commencement Class of 2025 – Ellie Oliva

[CANDID TO COME]

Like many high school seniors, Ellie Oliva had big college dreams after graduating from high school. But, just like for numerous students, her plans changed and she “took a break” to earn some money and live life before eventually returning to her academic journey. For this commencement season“What the CV-HEC is Happening” blog, we recruited her to tell her story of not giving up on her dream and eventually experiencing the thrill of graduating from two CVHEC-member colleges in the past 365 days including walking in two commencement events this month. Right after her Fresno State graduation May 17, Ellie began her full-time professional career with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno as its social media coordinator.

(CVHEC blog submissions are welcome for consideration: Tom Uribes, cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu).

The commencement ‘walk’ – a joyous and validating experience

BY ELLIE OLIVA
Class of 2025 – Fresno State

Growing up, I always had a plan … vague, but a plan nonetheless.

I would graduate high school and go to college — University of Southern California — because staying in Fresno was not a part of that plan, no matter how unsteady that was. I would major in psychology and become a therapist, and that’s where my “plan” ended. Imagine my surprise when it didn’t play out the way I envisioned it.

I started off on-track, graduating from Clovis West High School in 2015. However, after missing several college application deadlines, I detoured from my plan and enrolled at Clovis Community College. I started with psychology, then changed it to liberal studies – thinking maybe I could become a teacher. Finally, I landed in communications. Looking back, these mishaps helped me figure out what I really wanted. By the time I decided to transfer over to Fresno City College, things started to feel right.

I enjoyed my time at Fresno City. Unfortunately, however, no matter how pleasant it was to be in a new environment and pursuing a major I finally liked, there was still something missing. I did not feel motivated or genuinely happy about where I was in my life. I had not been a full-time student since my first semester at Clovis Community, and yet, I still felt like it was too much to keep up with. When the pandemic hit, and everything went online, I took it as a sign to take a much-needed break.

My break ended in Spring 2023 when I re-enrolled and completed my AA degree at Fresno City College. I had a new plan, new motivation and fire that told me I was back on the right path. By spring 2024, I was a full-time student at Fresno State majoring in Media, Communications and Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations …

Finally at a four-year university, I was equally excited and intimidated – especially after not being a full-time student since my first semester at Clovis Community. The feeling of being at Fresno State and pursuing a major that I thoroughly enjoyed was indescribable. I could write and be creative while being surrounded by people with similar interests. I could work in a team and share interesting ideas that would be continuously bounced off one another. It all felt so right.

The journey wasn’t over, though. That same semester I made a grad plan with an advisor to map out the rest of my time at Fresno State. I asked if we could make it so I would graduate by spring 2025. It’s not that I was in a hurry, but I was just so excited and the most motivated I had ever been. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could do it. By fall 2024, my 16 units turned into 18 units and I found myself enrolled in seven classes as well as an internship with the Fresno Arts Council, and still working part-time at a local restaurant. It was a very busy year, but worth it, and I was still able to make the Dean’s List.

That brings us to the spring 2025 semester, the semester I finally graduated from Fresno State. It was my favorite semester by far. I made new friends and gained incredible experiences with my projects and internship at Fresnoland. I noticed the most growth this semester, personally and academically.

All my hard work was quickly coming to a head. Just the year before, I graduated from Fresno City, and now I was getting ready to walk in not one Fresno State commencement, but two – the College of Arts and Humanities Convocation and the Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration. The decision to walk in both commencement events was an easy one. I was originally planning to just do the one graduation for my major – Arts and Humanities. However, when my grandparents made me aware of the Chicano/Latino Commencement, I knew it would be important to them, so I agreed to walk in that one as well. I am the first in my family to graduate college, and being able to celebrate my heritage along with this milestone was thrilling.

Getting ready for the Arts and Humanities graduation on May 16 was by far the most surreal moment I had. My friends and I walked through the backstage halls of the Save Mart Center and into the arena where we could see everyone’s friends and families in the stands. Being surrounded by all of my peers, whom I had seen every day for the past year, was an incredible feeling.

The Chicano/Latino Commencement was the next day, May 17, and the high was still there. This commencement was bigger than the one before and much more lively. There were so many students thatm after the first section had walked, we took a break which ended up turning into a dance party on the arena floor. There was music, clapping and both crowds (students and attendees) started a wave that went around at least ten times! The shared excitement and joy was beautiful, infectious and unforgettable. It was a true celebration.

All of that leads to where I am now. My undergrad journey has ended, and a new chapter begins. About a month before I graduated, I sought and was offered a position at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno as communications and engagement coordinator. Here at the end of May, I have completed my third week, and it has been a marvelous experience so far. Graduating with a degree in advertising/public relations as opposed to a psychology degree is gratifying.

My higher education journey has been such a validating experience. I was able to prove to myself that I can do it and I am a hard worker. School was always something I wanted to resume. I am overjoyed that I made that decision because it has brought forth all these opportunities I do not believe I would have gotten otherwise.

Although my original “plan” did not go accordingly, I still am so proud of myself and am excited for what’s next. I am grateful for the higher education opportunities that are available to us today.

CVHEC SUMMIT 25: California attorney general, ACE VP assess the higher ed challenge

California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke to participants of the  Central Valley Higher Education Summit.

 

‘ …we’re here to represent California’s beautifully diverse communities and ensure everyone

can achieve their vision of the California dream. So we’re here for you.’

– Calif. AG Rob Bonta

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, earlier this month, delivered the voices of two key leaders at the head of the quick changing education landscape facing the nation amidst policy and funding changes by the current White House Administration.

Calif. Attorney General Rob Bonta

At the summit May 9, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told the leaders of higher education institutions in the Central Valley they are facing an “all-hands-on-deck moment” as changes under the Trump administration threaten educational equity and federal funding.

The day before at the quarterly meeting of the CVHEC Board of Directors – made up of the university and college chancellors, presidents and educational administrators of 28 institutions of higher education in the valley’s 10-county region – American Council on Education (ACE) Senior Vice President Jon Fansmith delivered a deeply informative and, at times, sobering virtual conversation including an alert about possible TRIO Programs funding cuts.

Both gatherings provided more than 175 participants the opportunity to review progress regarding ongoing strategies and initiatives in CVHEC’s quest to improve educational outcomes under the summit theme “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way.”

“We are navigating a landscape shaped by sweeping policy shifts, federal restructuring, and the lasting impact of a historic pandemic,” Dr. Benjamin Durán, CVHEC executive director, told the assembly.

Jon Fansmith, American Council on Education (ACE)

“At the same time, we are adapting to revolutionary changes in instructional delivery, integrating artificial intelligence into academic life and responding to the evolving demands of a dynamic workforce. These unprecedented challenges are not just obstacles—they are the defining forces of a new era in higher education. As the summit theme affirms, we are called to lead, adapt and innovate as we chart a course through this pivotal time.”

In addition to Bonta and Fansmith, the CVHEC summit, funded by the College Futures Foundation, included national and state lawmakers providing updates on the legislative front and representatives of the California’s four systems of higher ed sharing perspectives regarding White House policies on their respective landscapes statewide (see related story).

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, chancellor of UC Merced and chair of the CVHEC board, introduced Bonta in the 2 p.m. virtual forum after lunch.

“As you know, the attorney general has been at the forefront not just for California, but nationally leading legal response to some very concerning directives from the federal government related to educational funding,” said Chancellor Muñoz.

‘An all-hands-on-deck, all-tools-in-the-toolbox moment …’

Bonta recounted that he and 19 other attorneys general have filed 20 lawsuits nationwide to stop such actions as freezing $3 trillion in capital critical federal funding that would threaten hundreds of billions of dollars in California annually as well as affecting immigration and international students.

“We also issued guidance to higher education institutions and K-12 schools in response to the Department of Education’s threats to withdraw federal funding from institutions that retain DEI programs and policies,” the attorney general said.

“Bringing our diverse perspectives to campus benefits all students and everyone deserves equal access to public education. Educational institutions should be encouraged to continue to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.”

Bonta thanked the educators for protecting access to higher education and pledged his commitment to stand with them.

“The California Department of Justice is here to protect and defend, and enforce our state’s laws and protections,” Bonta told the summit participants. “And we’re here to represent all of California’s beautifully diverse communities and ensure everyone can achieve their vision of the California dream. So we’re here for you. And you can be sure that if Trump breaks the law or violates the Constitution, we will see him in court.”  

Bonta noted that the attorneys general have successfully challenged the Trump administration “for conducting an illegal mass firing of nearly half of all employees at the US Department of Education.

“I sued the Trump administration for conducting an illegal mass firing of federal probationary employees,” he said.  

Last week, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from firing thousands of workers at the Department of Education, ruling that the announced terminations were a thinly veiled effort to dismantle the entire department without congressional approval. The judge said that the thousands of terminations announced in March “had deeply disrupted services for students, families and states, making processes less efficient.”   [? check updates]

Also, another  federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from preventing Harvard from enrolling foreign students.  [? check updates]

Bonta also addressed concerns about the treatment of immigrants, an issue colleges are facing with their DACA students.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that we make sure all immigrants and their families know the rights and protections afforded to immigrants under the law — rights and protections that I’m here to defend and to enforce,” Bonta said.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck, all-tools-in-the-toolbox moment where everyone needs to rise up and push back against the attacks and make sure that we’re continuing our pathway to progress.”

One summit participant said she was glad to hear the attorney general make that declaration that day.

Dr. Iliana Perez, executive director of Immigrants Rising based in Long Beach which works with immigrant students across the state supporting their pursuit of access to higher education, career opportunities and entrepreneurship, said the attorney general’s perspective around immigration as expressed in the virtual forum “is so needed at this moment in time.”

An alumna of CVHEC member Fresno State who wrote a blog for the CVHEC newsletter in February, Dr. Perez said, “There’s a lot of fear in the community. To have an attorney general that is definitely taking a stance that is supportive of the rights of all individuals in California, including immigrants, I think delivers the kind of message we need to hear. We need to hear that California stands with its residents, regardless of immigration status.”

Once undocumented herself, Dr. Perez has been an advocate for Dreamer students for over a decade, especially in the area of entrepreneurship, and asserts it is in the best interest of the community at large to provide access to higher education support for them.

“The reality is that undocumented students, and all immigrants in the state, are contributing to the economy,” Dr. Perez said.

“These students are graduating, they’re pursuing careers in a variety of different fields, they are contributing to the workforce. It really is a disinvestment if we don’t protect their rights, if we don’t protect the freedoms of all students. So this is a time for higher education leaders to be able to come together to really be thinking about how important it is to stand in support of students.

That was accomplished in the day’s panels beginning with Dr. Benjamin Durán, CVHEC executive director, in the opening welcome session, echoing the Chancellor Muñoz’ assessment that higher education in California — and across the nation — “is facing a transformative moment” that beckoned the valley’s education leaders to the summit.

It was also carried out the day before when the higher ed CEOs sat as the CVHEC Board of Directors and heard Fansmith after Duran laid out the board’s charge.

“As challenges in higher education continue to evolve — particularly for rural and underserved areas — CVHEC remains a critical force in ensuring that the Central Valley’s colleges and universities not only adapt but thrive,” Durán said.

‘… a sense of the temperature and temperament in DC …’

This dynamic was underscored in ACE senior vice president Fansmith’s virtual presentation to the board about pressing national issues affecting higher education.

He was introduced by Chancellor Muñoz, a member of the ACE board who noted that Fansmith has a daily ongoing interaction with legislators in the halls of Congress.

“John is on the Hill almost every day, he’s in the entrails of all of these congressional offices both on the House and the Senate side and regularly provides updates to the ACE members,” said Muñoz who arranged for Fansmith to provide the CVHEC board “a sense of the temperature and the temperament of what he’s seeing in DC relative to higher education legislation.”

In the board session, Fansmith addressed the challenges campuses face surrounding immigrant student populations, an especially relevant issue in the Central Valley, which is home to a large immigrant and first-generation college student population.

He provided insights into the shifting landscape of federal education grants and how institutions can navigate these changes to continue supporting underserved students.

In particular, he discussed serious federal funding threats to higher education support programs such as TRIO.

Fansmith explained that the Trump administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes eliminating the TRIO program, along with other major cuts to educational support programs such as GEAR UP, work-study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and campus childcare.

While Congress is unlikely to approve these drastic cuts in full, even partial adoption could cause significant harm to institutions and students, he said.

Despite the proposed elimination, Fansmith expressed cautious optimism about TRIO’s future. He noted that TRIO enjoys strong bipartisan support, especially from influential lawmakers such as the Republican chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

He also emphasized the effectiveness of TRIO advocates within the Department of Education. However, recent political tensions have generated some pushback from outside education circles, he cautioned.

He summarized that, while TRIO faces real threats, its broad support in Congress gives it a better chance of survival than some other programs. Fansmith said he and his colleagues continue working in Washington to protect these critical resources for underserved students.

Duran said the two presentations underscored CVHEC’s mission and ideals.

“With continued collaboration and a shared vision, the consortium board meeting and summit reaffirmed the power of regional unity in advancing student success,” said Duran who is also president-emeritus of Merced College. “Bringing our leadership together in one room to engage in this dialogue is essential for shaping a voice for higher education the Central Way as we move forward.”

SPOTLIGHT: ABC30 coverage of CVHEC Summit 2025

CVHEC Executive Director Benjamín Durán was interviewed by ABC30 Fresno at the Central Valley Higher Education Summit May 9.

BOARD NEWS: UCSF-Fresno Vice Dean Barral Sánchez

New UCSF Fresno vice dean joins CVHEC board as regional campus eyes 50th anniversary

 

José M. Barral Sánchez, MD, PhD, was seated on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting May 8 in Fresno upon assuming the position of vice dean for the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus, effective May 1.

 

Dr. Barral Sanchez’ appointment was announced in February by UCSF School of Medicine Dean

Talmadge E. King, Jr., MD  as the regional campus prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

 

He said Dr. Barral Sánchez oversees medical education, faculty development and research growth, including an expanding partnership with UC Merced, also a CVHEC member.

 

“This newly established role supports UCSF Fresno’s expansion as a regional campus,” said Dean King at the time.

 

Founded in 1975, UCSF Fresno was established to address the physician shortage in the San Joaquin Valley and help meet the region’s health care needs.

 

“With a career dedicated to academic leadership, faculty mentorship and community-driven medical education, Dr. Barral Sánchez is well-positioned to advance the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus’s mission of improving health care in the San Joaquin Valley,” added Dean King.

 

Dr. Barral Sánchez joins UCSF from the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM), where he has served as the inaugural chair of Biomedical Science and founding co-director of the MD-PhD Program with Caltech since 2018. He previously held leadership roles at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, including senior associate dean for Academic Affairs and vice chair of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy.

 

“I am looking forward to immersing myself in UCSF Fresno and learning what the needs and aspirations are of the campus community, Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley,” said Dr. Barral Sánchez. “I want to become embedded in the environment and learn how I can become a catalyst for enhancing the overall educational and research culture — everything that comprises an academic medical center and to enhance attracting health care providers to train and remain in the region.”

 

See original UCSF-Fresno press release.

For media inquiries about UCSF Fresno: Brandy Ramos Nikaido brandy.nikaido@ucsf.edu 

For media inquiries about the CVHEC Board: Tom Uribes cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu

 

BOARD NEWS: Interim Superintendent/President at Taft College

Taft College Interim Superintendent/President

Leslie Minor  joins CVHEC Board  

 

Leslie Minor, Ph.D., Taft College interim superintendent/president, was seated on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting May 8 in Fresno. She was named to the Taft position effective Jan. 13.

Dr. Minor is an experienced and dedicated educational leader who joined Taft College initially as the vice president of Instruction in 2019. While at Taft College, Dr. Minor has collaborated on the development of the college’s Educational Master Plan and other strategic plans, accreditation self-studies, a baccalaureate degree and has worked to update processes and procedures at Taft College while promoting professional development programs for district employees.

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Minor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington, as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. Her prior administrative leadership experience spans both Oregon and California, and she brings many years of teaching experience in psychology, sociology, teacher preparation, and business human relations to her work. She was the regional representative to the Chief Instructional Officer Executive Board for the California Community College system and participates in statewide committees. She has received recognition for her work, including two international Fulbright travel awards.

Dr. Minor has also been an active member of her community, serving with organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Long Beach Farms, and the National Forest Service. She takes great pride in her role as a mentor and in supporting students, including her three adult children, all of whom attended community college.

Her passion for education, leadership, and service continues to inspire her work at Taft College, where she is committed to creating pathways for students to succeed academically and professionally.

Source:  https://www.taftcollege.edu/faculty-staff/employee-directory/profiles/LeslieMinor.phpd

BOARD MEETING MAY 2025: Taft College, UCSF welcomed to CVHEC Board

[ART to come]

CVHEC Board of Directors holds quarterly meeting prior to summit; key initiatives updated

 

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) Board of Directors welcomed two new members at its quarterly meeting May 8 in Fresno: Acting Superintendent/President Leslie Minor of Taft College and Vice Dean José M. Barral Sánchez from the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus.

The CVHEC board is made up of the university and college chancellors, presidents and educational administrators in the valley’s 10-county region.

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, chancellor of the University of California, Merced, who was recently installed as chair of the board’s executive committee, presided over the quarterly meeting held May 8, the day before the consortium’s Central Valley Higher Education Summit. (See summit recap story)

Chancellor Muñoz and CVHEC Executive Director Benjamín Durán welcomed them before opening self-introductions by the heads of the member institutions – 25 of the 28 were in attendance, 18 in person and 7 virtual.

Dr. Durán said Dr. Barral Sánchez’s appointment as vice dean for the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus became effective May 1. Dr. Minor was named to the Taft position effective Jan. 13.

Also at the board meeting, Durán provided a progress report on CVHEC’s key initiatives and priorities:

  • Math Education in the Central Valley: Updates were provided on the Central Valley Math Bridge program and the Math Task Force convening of math educators the past two years regarding Assembly Bill 1705 implementation. CVHEC Math Task Force members presented in Atlanta, where national educational leaders recently recognized the Consortium’s achievements. “These efforts aim to address math readiness across the region, improve equity in math education, and ease student transitions from high school to college.”
  • Dual Enrollment Initiatives: With expanded support and awareness at the state level, CVHEC’s dual enrollment programs were highlighted as models of success. In February CVHEC presented its Master’s Upskilling Program at the statewide California Dual Enrollment Conference in Sacramento.
  • Central Valley Transfer Project: A continued focal point for CVHEC, the project continues its successful collaboration drive with member instutions to streamline student pathways from community colleges to four-year institutions, improving completion rates and reducing time to degree. (See Project Update Story)

Durán also announced a board retreat set for Aug. to explore CVHEC’s strategic goals and the consortium’s growing regional influence and collaborative momentum fostered by both the board meeting and the summit the next day.

“As challenges in higher education continue to evolve — particularly for rural and underserved areas — CVHEC remains a critical force in ensuring that the Central Valley’s colleges and universities not only adapt but thrive,” Durán said.

“With continued collaboration and a shared vision, our board meetings reaffirm the power of regional unity in advancing student success. This CEO peer interaction is a cornerstone of the CVHEC model, fostering inter-campus collaboration and regional cohesion.”

This dynamic was underscored in a virtual presentation to the board about pressing national issues affecting higher education by Fansmith’s senior vice president for ACE’s Division of Government Relations and National Engagement (see summit speakers story).  

The board meeting concluded with roundtable updates from member CEOs, offering each leader a platform to share institutional updates, regional challenges and emerging opportunities before adjourning to the Summit Welcome Reception at the Fresno Convention Center’s Valdez Hall Breezeway with student music provided by Fresno State’s Latin Jazz Ensemble

“The reception served not only as a networking opportunity but as a celebration of the consortium’s shared mission to expand access, equity and student success throughout California’s Central Valley,” Durán said. “We especially enjoy being able to showcase the student talent of our member institutions in an atmosphere of unity and optimism.”  (-By Tom Uribes, CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator).

 

See:

Acting Superintendent/President Leslie Minor of Taft College

Vice Dean UCSF-Fresno Vice Dean José M. Barral Sánchez

[PHOTO GALLERY TO COME – ?]

CVHEC SUMMIT 2025 NEWS: California Attorney General Rob Bonta to update Valley’s college chancellors, presidents

SUMMIT UPDATES: •2025 CVHEC Summit Program FlipBook   •Summit 2025 panelist bios  •News release: CVHEC Summit 2025 panels

NOTE: Registration  is now closed.

Panelists announced for CVHEC Summit May 9;

Congress, State Legislature reps to address funding cuts

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator

(May 7, 2025 — FRESNO, CA) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta will address the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Summit 2025 Friday, May 9, in Fresno during a Zoom session, “Higher Education & Justice: A Virtual Forum,” where he will discuss with the heads of the valley’s university and colleges the litigation that he and a coalition of state attorneys general have initiated challenging Trump Administration executive orders affecting higher education.

Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, announced today that Attorney General Bonta will connect at 2 p.m. via Zoom with the chancellors, presidents and campus directors who make up the CVHEC Board of Directors and other participants at the summit which will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel  (2233 Cesar Chavez Blvd.).

Prior to Bonta’s talk, Congressmembers Jim Costa (21st District) and Adam Gray (13th District) and California State Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (District 27) will present in-person updates at 12:30 p.m. regarding the elected officials’ efforts to address such issues as federal funding cuts and student concerns amidst deportation and other immigration actions by the Administration that took office in January.

In the opening morning panel, top administrators representing California’s four systems of higher education: California Community Colleges, California State University, University of California and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, will discuss the current state of affairs and strategies within their respective systems at 9:15 a.m. to kick off the event’s five panel discussions.

Under the theme “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way,” the summit will convene 175 educators, legislators, policy makers, community members and higher education professionals from throughout the valley’s 10-county region as well as from throughout the state and nation.

Duran also announced that registration for the free event, supported by event sponsor College Futures Foundation, reached capacity and is now closed.

CVHEC also recently announced names of other panelists for the summit including valley higher education leaders that serve on the consortium board who will be panel moderators and provide introductions of the panelists.

Duran said the annual summit takes on special significance this year with major changes occurring and he expects critical deliberation between political, community and education leaders in attendance.

“With the dismantling of the Department of Education and wholesale severance of federal funds, higher education now faces perhaps its biggest challenge in the nation’s history,” said Durán.

“Now, as massive ongoing policy and program changes hit, we find it imperative that our region’s university and college leaders deliberate critically but thoughtfully with legislators, policy makers and other educators in general to share our perspectives in search of concrete solutions for the benefit of our student populations. We must act judiciously.”

He said the 2025 summit, with leaders from the state’s higher ed systems collaborating with the federal and state legislators sets the stage for this interaction.

Duran also is superintendent/president-emeritus of Merced College, serving that tenure from 1998-2012 before he became the consortium executive director in 2015. He also served on the CVHEC Board when he was Merced College president.

The Attorney General’s office said Bonta will update the valley’s college leaders on his latest efforts “to hold the Trump Administration accountable to the law and protect our students and higher education institutions.”

Since President Trump took office for a second term, the Attorney General has filed lawsuits “challenging the unlawful mass firing at the U.S. Department of Education, the unlawful termination of education grants, unlawful NIH funding cuts that impact universities and research institutions, and the unlawful attempt to freeze nearly $3 trillion in nationwide federal funding.”

He and a coalition of attorneys general filed an amicus brief last month “challenging the Trump Administration’s executive orders allowing for the ideologically-motivated revocation of visas for students and faculty who exercise their free speech and association rights.”

The Attorney General has also proactively published information on immigrant rights and protections in California, including the right to an education.

Attorney General Bonta, who became the state’s 34th Attorney General in 2021, has led statewide fights for racial, economic and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians. He previously worked as a deputy city attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, served as an Alameda Council Member and represented Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro in the California State Assembly. Bonta is the first person of Filipino descent to occupy the position.

“For so many, higher education is a key that opens doors to vibrant careers and unlocks access to the California Dream,” the Attorney General said about his address to the Central Valley’s higher education leaders and community.

“As the Trump Administration attacks colleges and universities that do not blindly fall in line with their demands, we must do all we can to defend, protect and invest in institutes of higher learning so they fulfill their role of inspiring future generations of leaders. From advancing scientific research to training school teachers to opening minds, encouraging freedom of speech and educating students, our colleges and universities play a critical role in our communities and our democracy.

“As Attorney General of California, I am proud to uplift and support the many colleges and universities that help make California great,” Bonta said.

The panelists

The summit will open at 9 a.m. with a board welcome by Dr. Juan Muñoz, UC Merced chancellor and chair of the CVHEC Board of Directors, followed by Durán reviewing the summit agenda.

The keynote panel, “Stronger Together: Aligning Systems for Equitable Outcomes,” from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., will be moderated by State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith after CSU Stanislaus President Britt Rios-Ellis introduces the panel:

  • Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, California Community Colleges deputy chancellor;
  • Nathan Dietrich, California State University assistant vice chancellor of University Relations and Advancement;
  • Yvette Gullatt, University of California vice president for Graduate and Undergraduate Affairs, vice provost for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and chief diversity officer;
  • Alex Graves, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities vice president for Government Relations.

A panel featuring student testimony, “In Their Words: Real Students Talking about Central Valley Strategies,” follows from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. facilitated by Lemoore College President James Preston. Columbia College President Lena Tran will introduce the student panelists.

The student panelists are two college students: Aracelli Tilley, Merced College and UC Merced, and Zeidi Diaz, Fresno State; and three Dinuba High School students: Abigail M. Soto Toscano, Izabella Cavazos and McKenzie Rosas.

The third panel, “Data at Every Level: Sharing National, State, and Local Insights,” will be moderated by Merced College President Chris Vitelli.  Coalinga College President Carla Tweed will introduce the panelists:

After lunch, the legislative update panel, “The Path Forward: Higher Ed Policy and the New Administration,” from 1 – 1:45 p.m. will be moderated by Chancellor Muñoz after Porterville College President Primavera Monarrez introduces the panelists serving in the United States Congress and the State Legislature.

The final panel before the closing session, “What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley,” from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. will be moderated by Durán after Fresno Pacific University President André Stephens introduces the panelists:

  • Dr. James Zimmerman, UC Merced, will discuss the Central Valley Transfer Project with an update since its designation as a California Community Colleges Demonstration Projectwas announced at the 2023 CVHEC Summit.
  • Dr. Kristin Clark, CVHEC Dual Enrollment lead, will discuss dual enrollment models; data showing how the Central Valley leads the state; and the CVHEC Master’s Upskilling Project’s collaboration with K-16 partners and how 250 high school teachers are projected by 2026 to earn the graduate degree required to teach dual enrollment courses at their respective campuses.
  • Dr. Lynn Cevallos, president/founder of College Bridge, will discuss the Central Valley Math Bridgeproject in partnership with CVHEC community college members and K-16 partners.

For the summit’s Closing Comments session, “Where Do We Go from Here?” from 2:30 to 3 p.m., Durán will discuss plans for a regional data project and a campaign to support former students seeking to complete degree requirements, the Central Valley Reconnect Project.

“The CVHEC summit will provide our panelists and participants alike the opportunity to share their thoughts on these tumultuous times and help lay foundation to unite for formidable action,” Duran said. “This year’s CVHEC summit attendees will leave with a good understanding of the work Central Valley higher education institutions have been doing.”

The CVHEC board also will hold a quarterly meeting the day before followed by the CVHEC Welcome Reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Thursday, May 8) for registered summit participants featuring the Fresno State Latin Jazz Ensemble.

ABOUT CVHEC

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is a California non-profit made up of institutions of higher education in the ten-county region from San Joaquin to Kern that is the size of some states. Through CVHEC, higher education professionals and academicians in the Central Valley address difficult and complex initiatives, scaling them up across the region for mutual effectiveness to serve our students and communities.  

Contact Us

  • cvhecinfo@mail.fresnostate.edu

  • 559.278.0576

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