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IN MEMORIAM:  DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO

August 25, 2025
CVHEC TRIBUTE:  DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO

November 21, 1966 – August 24, 2025

‘Keep being bold!’

Statement from Dr. Benjamín T. Duran, executive director
of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium,
on the passing of Dr. Joseph I. Castro

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Joseph I. Castro, former president of Fresno State and former chancellor of the California State University system.

I first met Joe in the early 1990s when he was a young professor at University of California, Merced and the director of academic programs at the UC Fresno Center. The first time I met him, he was so energetic and youthful that I mistook him for a student. At the time, I was president of Merced College and that encounter grew into a close personal friendship and professional relationship that lasted for decades. 

It may sound trite, but Joe was truly one of the good guys.

Joe’s story — from growing up in Hanford to earning his doctorate at Stanford and then returning home to serve the Valley — was one that inspired so many. He made history as the first Latino to serve as president of Fresno State in its 102-year (at the time) history and later as the first Valley native, first Californian and first Latino to lead the CSU system as chancellor. In fact, he was the first person-of-color to serve as CEO of the nation’s largest public four-year institution of higher education. 

During his time in the Central Valley, while reminding us to “Be Bold,” he championed student success, social mobility and especially first-generation students.

Joe also served as a member and chair of the CVHEC Board of Directors and I was grateful to have him as a partner in advancing higher education opportunities for students across our 10-county region. His impact on our students, our communities, and the Valley itself will be felt for generations to come.

Here we present a clip from the Dec. 7, 2020 CVHEC Board of Directors meeting, Joe’s last as a member representing Fresno State when he moved on to the CSU chancellorship and his board colleagues at the time wishing him well.

While his leadership journey was not without challenges, today I remember Joe with deep respect, gratitude and friendship. My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, their children Issac, Lauren and Jess, as well as his friends and colleagues and all who are mourning his passing.

– Benjamin Duran, Ed.D
Executive Director

See Fresno State statement by President Saúl Jiménez Sandoval, CVHEC board member.


Video comments order (with titles at the time):

WHCCD Chancellor Stu Van Horn(board chair);
Porterville College President Claudia Habib;
Merced College Superintendent/President Chris Vitelli;
Modesto Junior College President James Houpis;
SCCCD Chancellor Paul Parnell;
Clovis Community College President Lori Bennett;
College of the Sequoias President Brent Calvin;
CVHEC Transfer project Lead Stan Carrizosa;
Lemoore College President Kristin Clark;
Brandman University President Richard Carnes;
CVHEC MA Upskilling Lead Tom Burke;
Madera Community College President Ángel Reyna;
Columbia College President Santanu Bandyopadhyay;
CHSU President Flo Dunn;
San Joaquin Delta College President Omid Pourzanjani;
CSU Bakersfield President Lynnette Zelezny;
UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz;
Coalinga College President Brenda Thames;
Reedley College President Jerry Buckley;
Fresno Pacific University Chief of Staff Donald Norman;
Fresno City College President Carole Goldsmith;
CVHEC Executive Director Benjamín Durán;
CSU Stanislaus President Ellen Junn
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CLCCjoeyolandaFB051617.jpg 412 640 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-25 16:00:192025-08-25 18:01:59IN MEMORIAM:  DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO

SUMMER 2025: CVHEC MID YEAR REVIEW

August 8, 2025

Summer Edition 2025: 

CVHEC’s first six months of the year

BY TOM URIBES

Communications Lead — Central Valley Higher Education Consortium

 

Our annual Mid-Year Review summer edition highlights CVHEC’s first six months of 2025 as reported across our news and social media platforms from January to June, prepared by Tom Uribes, the consortium’s communications lead.

JANUARY 2025 (No. 46)

– Published Jan. 16

CCC Chancellor Sonya Christian to keynote Dual Enrollment Convening Feb. 3 

New: pre-conference session for schools new to dual enrollment 

Dr. Sonya Christian, chancellor of the California Community Colleges, was named to keynote the “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley” Convening  Feb. 3 in Fresno presented by CVHEC and its Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force with sponsor support from the College Futures Foundation. More than 100 secondary and postsecondary educators from throughout the valley’s ten-county region will hear the chancellor address challenges and barriers to dual enrollment success that can pave the way for high school students statewide leading to a degree or certificate. “Dual enrollment is a game changer in bringing college to first-generation students whose parents did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education,” said Chancellor Christian. “Central Valley colleges have shown tremendous momentum in expanding dual enrollment pathways. The work led by CVHEC in collaborating, facilitating, and realizing dual enrollment is truly a gold star standard for the rest of the country.”  

BLOG: ‘Progress in a Time of Disruption: The Urgency of Reimagining Higher Ed’

– By DR. JAMIE MERISOTIS, President/CEO, Lumina Foundation

With the advent of a new year, and many new developments across the nation and worldwide, we kicked off our first Central Valley Higher Education Consortium newsletter of 2025 with a special guest edition of our “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog featuring a reprint of the keynote address delivered by Dr. Jamie Merisotis, president of the Lumina Foundation, at the 2024 Complete College America (CCA) Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana last November: “Progress in a Time of Disruption: the Urgency of Reimagining Higher Ed.” CVHEC sent a delegation to the three-day conference which drew 800 participants from throughout the country who heard Dr. Merisotis issue both an alarm that higher education is at a crossroads and a call to positive action through system changes in higher ed.

UC Merced Chancellor Muñoz to chair CVHEC Board of Directors

 Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, chancellor of University of California Merced, began a one-year term as chairperson for the CVHEC Board of Directors, announced Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director. Chancellor Muñoz succeeded Dr. Kristin Clark who retired from her position as chancellor of West Hills Community College District last year, an action that also vacated her seat on the CVHEC board and as chair. As chair, Chancellor Muñoz leads the executive committee of the CVHEC board and presides over the board’s quarterly meetings as well as the CVHEC Annual Summit.

Math Bridge: foundation for postsecondary journey, academic success

Since the Central Valley Math Bridge program was funded in late 2022 in partnership with CVHEC, the Rand Corporation and several community college members of the consortium, its small but energetic College Bridge team has made headway into 18 high schools in the consortium’s 10-county region thanks with funding from the California K-16 Collaborative (Central – Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings Counties; and We Will! – Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties). This update submitted by Audra Burwell, College Bridge communication coordinator, presents the program’s 2024 progress as it moves into 2025 with its first cohorts. Look for more in our upcoming September issue.

CSU sets another first-year student enrollment record

 For the second consecutive year, the California State University (CSU) welcomed an all-time high number of first-time, first-year students for fall 2024—more than 68,500 new students across its 23 universities, including at the three CSU members of CVHEC: Bakersfield, Fresno and Stanislaus.

Taft College names new acting superintendent/president

Dr. Leslie Minor has assumed the acting superintendent/president role at West Kern Community College District/Taft College effective Jan. 13. As CEO of a CVHEC member institution of higher ed, President Minor now serves on the consortium board.

CCA ‘Math Pathways 2.0’ report: national conversation corequisite focus 

Complete College America (CCA) released its latest report, “Formula for Success: How to Support Every Student Through Math Pathways” that, drawing from extensive work with institutions nationwide, offers a comprehensive framework for implementing Math Pathways 2.0 and transforming mathematics education to support student success and advance equity goals. Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, said the report reinforces work that CVHEC members and partners such as the Dana Center at the University of Austin (Texas) are pioneering in Central California.

(Social media – JAN) TO DO

FEBRUARY 2025 (No. 47)

– Published Feb. 12

CVDEEP Convening 2025: dual enrollment at scale and with equity

CCC chancellor keynote: ‘Central California is state model for dual enrollment’ 

Citing the Central Valley as the state leader and exemplary model for dual enrollment implementation, California Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian provided a powerful keynote launch for the “Dual Enrollment in The Central Valley” Convening held Feb. 3 in Fresno. The day-long event, presented by CVHEC and its Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force in partnership with the California Guided Pathways Project at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, featured a panel of five valley high school students sharing their dual enrollment experiences and the foundation set for future academic goals. Dr. Christian brought an insightful and encouraging message to the event as she emphasized Vision 2030, a bold strategy set when she was named chancellor in 2023.

 Transfer Project Update: Persistence — commitment with intelligence 

With 2025 well into its second month, CVHEC presented a look at the success of our Central Valley Transfer Project that was catapulted into the state limelight when it was declared a California Community Colleges Demonstration Project by Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian in fall 2023. Transfer Project Lead Stan Carrizosa, president-emeritus of COS, reported that 12 of the 15 Central Valley Higher Education Consortium-member community colleges were on board along with members UC Merced and our three CSU campuses: Bakersfield, Fresno and Stanislaus. He noted how “the Central Valley Way” of collaboration and “working smarter, not harder” that characterizes CVHEC initiatives is spreading into a statewide effort to increase successful community college transfers with the implementation of the project’s software platform, Program Pathways Mapper (PPM). [STORY]

CVHEC Math Task Force: Next AB1705 convening March 28 — going ‘beyond’ student success

While its work with math curriculum for Assembly Bill 1705 over the past two years neared a conclusion In February, the CVHEC Math Task Force ramped up its mission within a broader math landscape for the valley’s 10-county region when CVHEC announced “The Central Valley Way to Math Success: AB 1705 Success and Beyond” Convening set for March 28 at the new West Fresno Center of Fresno City College. The daylong event continued two years of discussion by Central Valley community colleges and their counterparts statewide about meeting the requirements of the state law related to equitable placement, support and completion practices for STEM programs. Dr. Erik Cooper of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office agreed to attend person and address a CCCCO memo issued Dec. 10, 2024, “Updated Guidance for Placement and Enrollment for Students in STEM Programs.”

BLOG – New year, new laws:  the Stop Campus Hazing Act is now in effect

By Ashley Emerzian, Jenna Cummings and Pamela Schock

The February edition of the “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog featured Fresno attorney Ashley Emerzian of Emerzian Shankar Legal Inc., who specializes in education law, providing informative insights into the Stop Campus Hazing Act that was signed into law by President Biden in December, and the newly enhanced Clery Act that requires universities to include hazing data in their annual Clery Reports as well as publish a separate report which describes hazing violations. She reports that “staggering” statistics on higher education campus hazing have been widely reported in recent years and presents key areas of compliance that institutions of higher education will need to implement this year including deadlines and penalties such as loss of federal financial aid funding for Clery violations. She was joined in this blog by law partner Jenna Cummings and Pamela Schock of CVHEC-member Fresno Pacific University. [STORY]

(Social media – FEB) TO DO

MARCH 2025 (No. 48)

– Published March 7

Topics set for CVHEC Summit 2025 — Complete College America rep will provide national perspective for higher ed CEOs May 9 

As educators across the nation face urgency reimagining higher education to meet the needs of today’s students and society, CVHEC announced topics for its Higher Education Summit 2025 set for May 9 in Fresno that present voices from policy makers and practitioners nationally, statewide and from throughout the Central Valley’s 10-county region. The CVHEC 2025 Summit brings together chancellors, presidents and campus directors of 28 Central Valley institutions of higher education — who make up the CVHEC Board of Directors – with other educators and policy makers including elected officials who develop litigation that affect the region.

One of the panelists participating this year will be Dr. Brandon Protas, assistant vice president for Alliance Engagement at Complete College America, a national alliance of higher education institutions and organizations including CVHEC in California. [STORY]

BLOG: Blazing a Trail–my journey as an undocumented student & the path forward for higher ed

— BY DR. ILIANA PEREZ – Executive Director, Immigrants Rising

The March edition of the “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog featured Dr. Iliana Perez, executive director of Immigrants Rising, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for undocumented communities.   Dr. Perez, who was raised in the Central Valley (Turlock), is an alumna of CVHEC-member Fresno State where she earned a BA in mathematics before attending Claremont University for her master’s and PhD. She and her organization have worked with several CVHEC-member campuses regarding issues related to undocumented students including an entrepreneurship incubator and pitch competition for undocumented students with a shark tank style competition held at Fresno State in the spring semester.  In this month’s blog, she shares her personal experience as an undocumented student who has reinvested herself in her community. She outlines gains and ongoing challenges in that landscape as well as resources regarding undocumented students  that are available to institutions of higher education.  CVHEC members interested in collaborating with Immigrants Rising for their undocumented students may contact Dr. Perez at iliana@immigrantsrising.org.

Math profs share ‘The Central Valley Way’ to AB1705 at AMATYC national meet at March 28 MTF

CVHEC released the official agenda for the “The Central Valley Way to Math Success: AB 1705 Success and Beyond” Convening set for March 28  at the new West Fresno Center of Fresno City College including a report from two community college professors, Shelley Getty and Jeremy Brandl,  discussing how they shared at the national conference of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Conference (AMATYC)  Nov. 17 CVHEC’s approach to addressing AB 1705 the past two years. They attended with Dr. Tammi Pérez-Rice, course program specialist for the Charles A. Dana Center (University of Texas at Austin). Also planned for the convening were updates in five breakout sessions from Central Valley community colleges regarding their revised calculus and precalculus curricula and a visit by Dr. Erik Cooper of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to present “Reflections from Chancellor’s Office” regarding a Dec. 10, 2024 memo which provides “additional direction on placement and enrollment options.” [STORY]

CVHEC presents Master’s Upskill, Math Bridge programs for CADEP Conference 

Over 650 educators, presenters and sponsors met at the 3rd California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento Feb. 23-26 including a CVHEC delegation that presented a panel on two dual enrollment initiatives: the Master’s Upskilling Project and the Central Valley Math Bridge Program. Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, led the CVHEC delegation of eight with six presenting on the panel, “Using Dual Enrollment as a tool for Math Alignment and Increasing Instructor Capacity in the Central Valley.” The panel team was Seth Williams, Sanger High School; Ginny Sandhu, Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified); Taft High School Principal Mary Alice Finn; Taft math teacher Oscar Nuno; Owynn Lancaster, College Bridge (Math Bridge Program) and Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC (visuals). Also attending was CVHEC communications coordinator Tom Uribes. Conference co-hosts were the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships (CADEP), Career Ladders Project and Education Trust–West. [STORY]

Dr. Clark resumes higher ed career leading CVHEC dual enrollment with Cash

Dr. Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of West Hills Community College District (WHCCD), has joined the CVHEC team as a consultant leading the development of a “Dual Enrollment Guide/Playbook of Best Practices” for Central Valley colleges, especially those serving students in rural areas. Dr. Benjamin Duran, CVHEC executive director, announced the appointment bringing the former chancellor out of retirement seven months after stepping away from her 30-year career in higher education that also included the presidency of West Hills College-Lemoore (now Lemoore College) and service on the CVHEC board of directors. Dr. Clark will pair up with Elaine Cash, CVHEC grants and programs lead and dual enrollment coordinator, and former superintendent of Riverdale Joint Unified School District.

DUAL ENROLLMENT WEEK 2025: CVHEC featured on “The Bridge to Success” podcast

To help kick off Dual Enrollment Week March 10-14, we present the California Department of Education (CDE) podcast, “Bridge to Success: Navigating Dual Enrollment,” recorded Feb. 25 at the California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference featuring members of the CVHEC delegation. Interviewed and sharing our dual enrollment initiatives at the third annual statewide conference held Feb. 23-26 in Sacramento were Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director; Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC Operations & Finance manager, Ginny Sandhu, Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified) English teacher who earned qualification to teach dual enrollment courses through CVHEC’s Master’s Upskilling Program. The podcast by Diane Crum, Education Programs consultant in CDE’s High School Innovations and Initiatives Office, explores dual enrollment success stories from around the state of California. She dives into inspiring stories, best practices and expert insights to help students bridge the gap between high school and college. [STORY]

DREAMSCAPE: Merced College pioneers first community college VR lab in the state

A little journey into an immersive alien landscape at Merced College’s new Dreamscape Learn Lab that is now in use to aid in learning the basics of biology provided CVHEC team members a break from their usual routines. President Chris Vitelli extended an invite to Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, for an exclusive tour Feb. 28 of the first permanent, brick-and-mortar virtual reality learning facility in the California Community College system to deploy both a Dreamscape Learn classroom and a free-roam pod experience.  Joining Dr. Duran on the virtual reality trek were Priscilla Arellano, Ángel Ramírez, Elaine Cash and Tom Uribes.

UCSF Appoints Dr. José M. Barral Sánchez as Fresno Regional Campus vice dean  

José M. Barral Sánchez, MD, PhD, was named vice dean for the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus, effective May 1, 2025. UCSF School of Medicine Dean Talmadge E. King, Jr., MD, announced recently. Dr. Sánchez will oversee medical education, faculty development and research growth, including regional campus expanding partnership with UC Merced, Dean King said. [STORY]

(Social media – MARCH) TO DO

APRIL 2025 (No. 49)

– Published April 17

State’s higher ed systems to present at CVHEC Summit

“Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way” May 9 summit also features Congressional reps, state legislators

Representatives from California’s four systems of higher education will tackle pressing issues facing colleges across the nation in the keynote panel for the CVHEC 2025 Summit next month in Fresno under the theme “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way.”  Panelists – including federal and state legislators – have been announced for the summit set for Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. [STORY]

Master’s Upskilling Program making its mark — Recruitment for North Valley HS English teachers cohort

The CVHEC Master’s Upskilling Program – now successfully scaled across three California K-16 Education Collaboratives regions throughout the consortium’s 10-counties with 146 degrees conferred to date — recruited for 12 North Valley and three more Kern County English high school teachers interested in earning a master’s degree that will qualify them to teach dual enrollment college courses. [STORY]

CCCCO rep address tough questions as CVHEC member colleges report compliance with AB 1705

The CVHEC Math Task Force held its fifth AB1705 convening Mar. 28 in Fresno where about 65 community college math professors, California State University and University of California representatives and other higher ed professionals gathered to follow up on two years of deliberations regarding compliance with the state law for STEM requirements including an incisive face-to-face interaction with Vice Chancellor Eric Cooper of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Facilitator Dr. John Spevak, former Merced College vice president who is now CVHEC’s Math and English Task Forces lead, provided a recap of the Math Task Force convening and how CVHEC’s 15 community college members have submitted curriculum plans to the Chancellor’s Office.

BLOG April 2025 -Retired, but not expired: a higher ed encore

By Dr. Kristin Clark – CVHEC Dual Enrollment Lead; Chancellor-emeritus, West Hills Community College District

This edition of the “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog features Dr. Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of the West Hills Community College District, who in March came out of short-lived retirement to join the CVHEC team as dual enrollment lead (see March issue). Here Dr. Clark provides some insight into this bold move to throw down the retirement mantle and resume her “commitment to higher education, particularly in support of those who have been marginalized and underserved.” For more information about partnering with CVHEC’s dual enrollment team: CVHECinfo@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Dr. Bennett joins CVHEC’s team – Master’s Project seeking community college mentors

Dr. Lori Bennett, president-emeritus of Clovis Community College (CCC), is the latest addition of talent to CVHEC, announced Executive Director Benjamín Durán. Dr. Bennett, who retired from CCC in 2023, will serve as Math Faculty Mentor coordinator for CVHEC’s Master’s Upskilling Project for English and Mathematics. She joins the MA Upskilling team of Tom Burke, the Kern MA Upskilling lead; and Dr. Vikash Lakhani, English Faculty Mentor coordinator. Burke also announced that the project is currently recruiting community college professors to serve as mentors to the program participants for assignments starting in fall of 2025. The community college mentors receive two stipends of $1,000 each during their mentorship period.

SPOTLIGHT: CDE podcast transcript featuring CVHEC

This issue, we spotlight the transcript for the California Department of Education podcast “Bridge to Success: Navigating Dual Enrollment” recorded Feb. 25 at the California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference featuring members of the CVHEC delegation that was first featured in our March issue. Interviewed and sharing our dual enrollment initiatives at the third annual statewide conference held Feb. 23-26 in Sacramento were Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director; Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC Operations & Finance manager, and Ginny Sandhu, Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified) teacher who earned qualification to teach dual enrollment through CVHEC’s Master’s Upskilling Program (also see Dual Enrollment Week video that includes an excerpt of the podcast).

 

BOARD NEWS

 

Fresno City College president: Dr. Denise Whisenhunt comes home

Ms. Denise Whisenhunt, J.D., was named Fresno City College president effective July, 2025 by the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) Board of Trustees at its May 6 meeting. She also took a seat on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting May 8, filling the spot vacated when Dr. Robert Pimentel became chancellor of the West Hills Community College District (remaining on the CVHEC board by virtue of his WHCCD position).

 

(Social media – April) TO DO

 

JUNE 2025 (No. 50)

– Published June 4

CVHEC SUMMIT 2025 WRAP: 175+ higher ed professionals, leaders and students ‘Navigating Higher Education in a New Era – The Central Valley Way’

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 CVHEC and sponsored by College Futures Foundation, was marked by a powerful virtual address from California Attorney General Rob Bonta (see related story). It featured panels addressing national trends, equity, the state’s higher education systems policies, student experiences and collaborative innovation. 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. Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, chancellor of UC Merced and chair of the CVHEC board, set the tone for the 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.”

YT:  https://youtu.be/Y7kLTfa0YsU

 

California Attorney General Bonta, ACE VP Fansmith assess the higher ed challenge

CVHEC in May virtually 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. At CVHEC’s 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 – Jon Fansmith, American Council on Education (ACE) senior vice president, delivered a deeply informative and, at times, sobering virtual conversation including an alert about possible TRIO Programs funding cuts.

BLOG: Commencement 2025 

By Ellie Oliva, Class of 2025 – Fresno State

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 our commencement season “What the CV-HEC is Happening” blog, we recruited Ellie 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 last 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.

Increasing transfers the Central Valley Way: consortium Transfer Project moves from CCC ‘demonstration’ status to ‘Vision 2030’ strategy

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 Dr. 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), backed by the testimony of successful transfer student Araceli Tilley in the student panel earlier that morning. CVHEC’s Transfer Project protocols were so successful that California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian adopted the Transfer Project as a statewide demonstration project in 2023, first announced at our CVHEC Summit that October. It is now part of the CCC Vision 2030.

 

 

 

CVHEC BOARD MEETING: New Taft College, UCSF-Fresno reps welcomed to board; key initiatives discussed

 

The 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, M.D., Ph.D. from the UCSF Fresno Regional Campus.

 

 

(Social media – JUNE) TO DO

 

National Higher Education Day June 5 — Salute to our California Central Valley college leaders
TO EDIT
In observance of #HigherEducationDay today … our annual salute to the leaders of 28 Central Valley institutions of higher ed in our 10-county region from San Joaquin to Kern who make up the CVHEC Board of Directors: speaking in a single voice on higher education policy issues that affect our region the #CentralValleyWay.

Collectively these educational executives – chancellors, presidents, campus directors – collaborate as the CVHEC board to increase Central Valley’s certificate and degree attainment rates while serving as a regional convener on post-secondary equitable work.

A special shout out to new board members: Acting Superintendent/President Leslie Minor of Taft College and UCSF Fresno Vice Dean José M. Barral Sánchez.

Also, in transition, congrats to Yosemite Community College District Chancellor Henry Yong on his retirement and to Dr. Lena Tran, @columbiacollege president who was named YCCD interim chancellor to replace Chancelor-emeritus Yong.

 

 

 

SUMMER –  TO DO

(Social media ONLY  – JUNE/JULY)

TO EDIT

MidYearRvw25-sumNL25 v1

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION DAY 2025 – Salute to our California hashtag#CentralValley college leaders

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/central-valley-higher-education-consortium_centralvalley-highereducationday-centralvalleyway-activity-7336862025744035842-zChf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAEetUeABZGR4latQ94RUk49u9iN8YQN6Zdg

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MidYrRvwSE25-v1.jpeg 1333 2000 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 10:00:132025-08-08 11:58:56SUMMER 2025: CVHEC MID YEAR REVIEW

ICYMI: CVHEC Summit 2025 panels videos

August 8, 2025


CVHEC 2025 Summit – Higher Education & Justice: A Virtual Forum

VIRTUAL REMARKS: California Attorney General Rob Bonta

Central Valley Higher Education Summit 2025 Panels 

In case you missed it …. here is a look at the panels from the Central Valley Higher Education Summit held May 9 in Fresno: how the region’s higher ed professionals convened with national and state officials to address pressing issues currently at hand, including the virtual session with California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – Higher Education & Justice: A Virtual Forum (Calif. Attorney General Rob Bonta)
  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – Stronger Together: Aligning Systems for Equitable Outcomes
  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – In Their Words: Real Students Talking about Central Valley Strategies
  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – Data at Every Level: Sharing National, State and Local Insights
  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley
  • CVHEC 2025 Summit – The Path Forward: Higher Ed Policy and the New Administration
  • Fresno State Latin Ensemble CVHEC Summit 2025 (Summit Reception May 8)
  • CVHEC 2025 SUMMIT RECAP FINAL

Planning is already underway for the 2026 summit tentatively planned for spring. Stay connected via our social media platforms and newsletter for announcements and updates. The summit provides the opportunity for our region’s higher education minds to collaborate to improve college attainment rates for Central Valley residents.

See previous newsletter stories:

• Summit Wrap story

• CVHEC speakers story

PANEL 1 (Higher Ed)

CVHEC 2025 Summit – Stronger Together: Aligning Systems for Equitable Outcomes


PANEL 2 (Students)

CVHEC 2025 Summit – In Their Words: Real Students Talking about Central Valley Strategies


PANEL 3 (Data)

CVHEC 2025 Summit – Data at Every Level: Sharing National, State and Local Insights


PANEL 4 (CVHEC initiatives)

CVHEC 2025 Summit – What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley


PANEL 5 (Legislative)

CVHEC 2025 Summit – The Path Forward: Higher Ed Policy and the New Administration


CVHEC Summit Reception May 8, 2025 – entertainment

Fresno State Latin Ensemble CVHEC Summit 2025


CVHEC 2025 SUMMIT RECAP FINAL


https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ss-PanelsVids-se25.jpg 1605 1692 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 09:45:452025-08-08 11:58:22ICYMI: CVHEC Summit 2025 panels videos

CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (Summer 2025)

August 8, 2025


Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director (right), moderated the final panel of the day, “What the CVHEC is Happening in the Central Valley,” at the CVHEC Summit held May 9 in Fresno. Panelists were Dr. James Zimmerman, University of California administrator who served with CVHEC’s Transfer Project team; Dr. Lynn Cevallos, founder and president of College Bridge, the lead partner in the Math Bridge Program with CVHEC and the Rand Corp.; and Dr. Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of West Hills Community College District who is now CVHEC’s Dual Enrollment lead.

 

A spring of productivity in uncertain times

Focusing on our mission to stimulate a college-going culture in the Central Valley

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues … 

I hope you are all enjoying a well-deserved summer break and that your 4th of July with family and friends last month was a wonderful time.  This traditional national holiday is especially important to us all today in these uncertain times.

With the launch of our summer edition of the CVHEC e-newsletter, we reflect on an eventful and impactful spring semester and summer recess as we head into the 2025/26 Academic Year.  In this first half of the year, CVHEC colleges and universities engaged in several initiatives and projects that emerged organically in the region from faculty, staff and leaders who are dedicated to student success in all its forms. These productive efforts support our mission to stimulate a college-going culture for the improvement of the lives of our students and their families as well as improving the economic and social well-being of the Central Valley – the very essence of the CVHEC mission.

It is rewarding and heartwarming to see faculty and staff in the CVHEC region from the state’s four segments of higher education — community colleges, California State University campuses, University of California campuses, and our independent partners– all working collaboratively to implement strategies that reach across our ten-county region.

It is especially rewarding to see this power of collaboration through the eyes of an out-of-state partner and observer who joined us at our CVHEC Higher Education Summit in May: Dr. Brandon Protas from our partner organization, Complete College America. In addition to serving on a summit panel regarding the importance of data, Dr. Protas authored this month’s “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog where he aptly shares his thoughts on what he has experienced working with CVHEC.  I know you will enjoy reading about his national perspective of the unique culture he observes in the CVHEC universe.

Also, in our annual mid-year review, you will see a recap of the great work our intersegmental partners produced in these first six months around such initiatives like a regional transfer project that is a statewide model; and implementation of dual enrollment throughout the valley. This includes collaboration with K-12 partners towards student success in gateway courses like math and English by providing upskilling opportunities for high school teachers to earn master’s degrees in those two subject areas thus qualifying them to teach dual enrollment community college courses at their respective high schools).

We are looking forward to the second part of this year and all that the fall semester promises to bring.

To further strengthen our internal structure and objectives so we can support our consortium member institutions, the CVHEC Board of Directors will meet this summer to strategically plan for the next three years. These valley higher ed leaders will identify and deliberate new initiatives and approaches to serving and continue lifting our student populations as they pursue their academic goals.

The board will also examine how the region can come together to deal with the current national environment that is hostile to higher education and the decades-long mission of universities and colleges in the United States.  Stay tuned with our fall newsletters for updates regarding the direction of the consortium for the rest of 2025-26 and beyond.

I truly hope you enjoy this summer edition of the newsletter and find it worthy of your time. We encourage you to forward it to colleagues and urge them to subscribe to become part of the communications network we are building in the Central Valley for higher education professionals and partners locally, statewide and nationally.

Until the next issue, we wish you a productive but restful and enjoyable summer.

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dir-Msg-Ben-Upd0924-v2.png 1429 2000 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 08:50:542025-08-08 08:38:31CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (Summer 2025)

BOARD NEWS: Dr. Lena Tran named YCCD interim chancellor

August 8, 2025

Dr. Lena Tran, Yosemite Community College District interim chancellor, in 2023 as president of Columbia College when it was named a Champion for Excelling in Equitable Course Placement by the Campaign for College Opportunity with Dr. Sonya Christian, California Community Colleges chancellor (right), and Paul Medina of CCO.

Experienced leader poised to advance student success

and workforce development across YCCD

 

Dr. Lena Tran was named interim chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), which oversees Columbia College in Sonora and Modesto Junior College in Modesto. Her appointment was approved by the YCCD Board of Trustees May 14 meeting.

Dr. Tran has served as president of Columbia College since March 2022, when she also began serving on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors representing the college in that capacity. She will continue to serve on the board as YCCD chancellor.

At Columbia, Dr. Tran championed workforce development, student success and strategic partnerships with local industry and education partners. Prior to joining the North Valley college located in Sonora, she held executive roles at San Jose City College and Evergreen Valley College, where she was known for her innovation in program development and her strong industry ties with companies such as Microsoft, Google, Honda, and Apple.

“Dr. Tran’s proven leadership and deep understanding of student needs make her exceptionally qualified to serve as Interim Chancellor,” said Board President Dr. Milton Richards. “She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving access to education, developing workforce pipelines, and enhancing student success across the district. Under her leadership, Columbia College has earned national recognition for its academic and career programs, expanded strategic partnerships, and climbed in national rankings. Her vision and ability to deliver measurable results make her the right person to guide the District during this transition.”

During her tenure at Columbia College, Dr. Tran expanded high-impact academic and career pathways while emphasizing equity, access, and student-centered services. She also prioritized support for faculty and staff, increasing professional development and building collaborative partnerships throughout the region.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as interim chancellor of this incredible district,” said Dr. Tran. “I look forward to working with our dedicated trustees, faculty, staff and community partners at both Modesto Junior College and Columbia College to create a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we will strengthen our institutions, expand student support services and increase resources through fundraising and grant development.”

Tran’s academic background includes a Doctorate in Education in Organizational and Leadership Development from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from Seton Hall University, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Montclair State University. She is also a former Fulbright Scholar and recipient of numerous leadership awards, including recognition as one of the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40.”

Dr. Tran succeeds Chancellor Henry Yong, who  served the district from 2017 until his retirement in June.

 

See YCCD press release.

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TRAN-YCCD-v2.png 600 450 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 08:31:072025-08-11 15:16:35BOARD NEWS: Dr. Lena Tran named YCCD interim chancellor

BOARD NEWS: Dr. Redwing named Columbia College interim president

August 8, 2025

Leadership Transition at Columbia College:

new chancellor brings 20+ years of education experience

 

MODESTO, CA. – Columbia College announced the appointment of Dr. Chad Redwing as interim president effective immediately following approval July 9 by the Yosemite Community College Board of Trustees. Dr. Redwing succeeds Dr. Lena Tran, who was named YCCD interim chancellor in April, and will now join her on the CVHEC Board of Directors.

Dr. Redwing has over two decades of distinguished leadership and teaching experience in higher education and a proven record of fostering academic excellence, innovation and community engagement. Most recently, Dr. Redwing served as interim president of Modesto Junior College, where his tenure was marked by strategic planning, increased enrollment and enriched student support initiatives.

“Dr. Redwing’s leadership and vision will help Columbia College continue to thrive. I am confident he will inspire our campus and empower every student to succeed,” said Chancellor Tran.

In addition to his leadership role at Modesto Junior College, Dr. Redwing teaches Interdisciplinary Humanities and serves as co-director of the University Honors Program at California State University, Stanislaus. He also directed major grant-funded initiatives, including the “Every Drop Counts” project, and led the Institute for Applied Creativity & Community Transformation, advancing innovation and problem-solving across Central Valley institutions.

“I am honored to serve Columbia College, a collaborative community that I deeply value,” Dr. Redwing said. “I look forward to meeting with the faculty, staff, and students to learn more about Columbia’s tradition of excellence and innovation.”

Dr. Redwing earned his Ph.D. in the History of Culture from the University of Chicago, where his research explored Latin American cultural history and human rights. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Redwing’s international experience includes academic leadership, research and service in Chile and beyond.

Beginning his tenure as Interim President immediately, Dr. Redwing will will work with the Columbia College community to strengthen academic programs, foster student achievement and advance the College’s mission of educational access and equity.

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Dr._Chad_Redwing.max-2400x1350e.jpg 1350 1012 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 08:30:302025-08-11 15:16:36BOARD NEWS: Dr. Redwing named Columbia College interim president

‘What the CV-HEC is Happening’ Blog (Summer 2025): Dr. Brandon Protas, Complete College America

August 8, 2025

For this summer edition of our “What the CV-HEC is Happening” blog, we feature Dr. Brandon Protas, assistant vice president for Alliance Engagement for Complete College America (CCA) based in Indianapolis. The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is one of 53 affiliates — states, systems and consortia — participating in the CCA Alliance nationwide. Dr. Protas, who resides in Colorado, was invited to Fresno for the CVHEC Summit in May to present on the panel, “Data at Every Level: Sharing National, State and Local Insights” (above). He addressed national trends in higher education, college completion rates and his higher education experiences nationwide. In this blog, Dr. Protas shares observations from the summit noting that CVHEC is a national model for strengthening higher education’s impact through unity and collaboration and the summit served as a clarion call in today’s climate of hostility against diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as undocumented students. CCA is now preparing for its national conference set for Nov. 17-19 in Baltimore that is attended by a CVHEC delegation.

Reflections from the CVHEC Summit 2025: regional unity and collaboration

a national model for strengthening higher education impact

 

DR. BRANDON PROTAS

Assistant Vice President for Alliance Engagement

Complete College America

I was honored to participate in the 2025 Central Valley Higher Education Summit which showcased the remarkable power of collaboration across California’s educational sectors May 8 and 9 in Fresno.

It was my first visit to this Central California city and the annual summit that is presented by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium that comprises 28 institutions of higher education in the 10- county region. The consortium is a partner in the Complete College America alliance.

The time in fellowship I experienced at the 2025 CVHEC Summit highlighted the collaborative approach of the Central Valley region and serves as a national model for strengthening higher education’s impact through unity and collaboration.

I saw first-hand how the Central Valley higher education momentum that emerged over those two days (the first day was a reception alive with genuine fellowship) provides an essential force to the nationwide movement for increased attainment rates.

In the West, the Central Valley stands out in its approach to higher education, illustrated by opening comments from University of California, Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and chair of the CVHEC Board of Directors who noted this gathering was a reflection of how the colleges and universities operate together in the region through a spirit of cooperation rather than competition.

The building of solutions among the state’s four segments of higher education – the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities — played out throughout the summit and is a model worthy of attention.

For example, the Central Valley is focused on a number of pathway programs to open opportunities for students with multiple points of entry and connection. This includes dual enrollment initiatives, the Math Bridge Project, and the Transfer Project with its Program Pathways Mapper app for students, all of which were highlighted as essential tools for student success. These initiatives exemplify the region’s leadership in creating seamless educational journeys for students. This impact was reinforced by a panel of students whose testimony reminded us that their successes are direct outcomes of these programs.

Another theme of the summit was noted by Dr. Carole Goldsmith, chancellor of the State Center Community College District, who captured the essence of the event when she observed that a gathering like this has a restorative power for educators to draw strength from each other.

This sentiment resonates deeply in today’s challenging educational landscape and is paired with the importance of constructing and maintaining unified messaging.

For example, the transformative impact of financial aid on students’ ability to achieve their postsecondary goals is at risk. The billions of dollars of financial aid that students across the state receive not only impacts individual lives but also strengthens institutions and regional economies. By bringing together the power of the collective whole, the region can stay strong and advocate for policies that do support rather than harm students.

A powerful call-to-action that emerged throughout the summit is to amplify student stories, demonstrate higher education’s local economic impact, and preserve support programs that enhance student wellbeing. We heard that the Central Valley has only become more excellent as it has become more diverse.

This serves as a clarion call in today’s climate of hostility against diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as undocumented students. As was noted in the summit, California is and has been compliant with state and federal laws on these issues. The law hasn’t changed, and therefore neither should the practices that support students.

CCA looks forward to continued collaboration with our alliance partner CVHEC as we work on various national initiatives together enroute to our national conference Nov. 17 in Baltimore.

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

https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CVHECblogartSE25-blue-No-BG-PROTAS-v1.jpeg 1429 2000 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 04:15:052025-08-11 12:34:24‘What the CV-HEC is Happening’ Blog (Summer 2025): Dr. Brandon Protas, Complete College America

MEMBER NEWS: Madera Community College 5th anniversary

August 8, 2025
Read more
https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/madera-community-college-5-video.jpg 1256 1887 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 04:00:052025-08-08 11:56:38MEMBER NEWS: Madera Community College 5th anniversary

MEMBER NEWS: Record dual enrollment grads at Coalinga College

August 8, 2025
Read more
https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ss-CoalingaGrad25-abc30-scaled.jpg 1358 2560 Tom Uribes https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CVHEC-Logo-Primary-Color-Medium-e1728590737483.png Tom Uribes2025-08-08 02:00:462025-08-08 12:05:35MEMBER NEWS: Record dual enrollment grads at Coalinga College

SPOTLIGHT: UC pilot online ed initiative tackles transfer barriers through math strategies

August 7, 2025


The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and member UC Merced have joined forces with the University of California Office of the President and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to launch a pilot program expanding community college students’ access to advanced mathematics courses through cross-campus online education: Campaign for Transfer Excellence (CTE), a UC systemwide initiative designed to improve transfer pathways—particularly for stem majors—from California Community Colleges (CCCs) to UC campuses. This article from California Competes’ “Promising Practices in Online Education” series — highlighting ways California institutions and faculty harness online education for student success — chronicles how this collaborative effort with Central Valley community colleges tackles transfer barriers by pooling institutional resources and using technology to overcome geographic and institutional constraints.


How UC Merced Uses Online Education to Strengthen Rural STEM Transfer Pathways

COMMENTARY / JULY 29, 2025

By Laura Bernhard, PhD

Senior Researcher, California Competes

This bright spot is part of our “Promising Practices in Online Education” series highlighting ways California institutions and faculty harness online education for student success.

California Competes continues to research and document these innovations in support of a more agile higher education system responsive to the needs of today’s students and economy.

The Challenge: Meeting Advanced Math Course Demand in California’s Rural Communities

Community college students in California’s Central Valley face unique challenges on their path to four-year institutions, including limited access to the required course needed to transfer. The challenge is particularly acute in advanced mathematics courses like Linear Algebra & Differential Equations—a key stepping stone for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Among the Central Valley’s 15 community colleges, fewer than 5 offer the advanced math course regularly. This scarcity comes from the fact that courses typically require minimum enrollment thresholds to run, but rural colleges struggle to meet these numbers consistently.

When students can’t enroll in required courses, they are more likely to stop out the next term.1 And once they have an initial stop out, they are more likely to have subsequent stop outs and less likely to graduate.2 With advanced math course availability limited at many rural colleges, talented students in these communities face barriers to staying on track. And because nearly half of all STEM jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher, these access gaps have consequences for both economic mobility and regional growth.3 The result is a cycle where students from rural communities face limited opportunities to secure high-paying STEM careers, while rural regions remain underrepresented in high-growth industries and miss out on the economic growth and innovation that comes with a skilled STEM workforce.

With Central Valley community colleges transferring fewer students to the University of California (UC) than other community colleges across the state, a UC- led initiative focused on improving transfer outcomes in the region.4 The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) sought to address these transfer inequities by strengthening pathways between local community colleges and UC Merced—the region’s sole UC campus.

“Education is a social justice issue. In 2025, the technological and structural elements are in place to address the longstanding obstacle of talent being widely distributed across California but opportunity lacking that same distribution.” – Rolin Moe, Executive Director of UC Online and one of the facilitators of this cross-institutional partnership

The Innovation: A Cross-Institutional Online Mathematics Partnership to Expand Course Access

UCOP, UC Merced, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium partnered to launch a pilot program to expand community college students’ access to advanced mathematics courses through cross-campus online education. This collaborative effort with Central Valley community colleges tackles transfer barriers by pooling institutional resources and using technology to overcome geographic and institutional constraints. The pilot features:

  • Course Consolidation: The program streamlines the academic pathway by combining two sequential mathematics courses into one, reducing both the number of courses students need to take and time to completion, while maintaining academic quality and rigor.
  • Virtual Cross-Enrollment: Through formal state agreements, community college students across the region can enroll in the UC course at no additional cost beyond their regular community college rates, removing financial barriers.
  • Online Tutoring Support: The course incorporates online tutoring where students receive support to succeed in the advanced math course while developing the independent learning skills for transfer success.
  • Enrollment Aggregation: By bringing together students from multiple community colleges into a single online course, the program reaches the enrollment threshold needed to run the math course consistently, addressing the low enrollment problem that has hindered rural institutions.

.

  • Guaranteed Transfer Credit: The course is fully integrated into the UC Merced math sequence, ensuring it counts directly toward students’ degree requirements. This eliminates the risk of lost time and money from having to retake courses at their transfer institution.

The Impact: A New Model for Collaboration and Smoother Pathways to STEM Success

Although the pilot is still underway, its early structure offers a model for how California’s higher education institutions can work together and harness online education to improve student outcomes.

  • For Students: Students gain access to high-quality, transfer-guaranteed courses that create equitable pathways to STEM opportunities previously unavailable or limited in their regions—opportunities that are especially critical for students in underserved communities.
  • For Community Colleges: Institutions can offer the advanced math course without the financial risk of low enrollment, expanding their academic offerings and better serving their communities.
  • For Four-Year Institutions: Colleges grow a pipeline of well-prepared transfer students, especially those from underserved communities.
  • For Communities: Underserved areas benefit from increased educational opportunities that can help train and retain local talent while supporting a stronger STEM workforce and industry.

This model goes beyond articulation agreements—it creates shared digital learning spaces where students across institutions can access the courses they need to advance. As community colleges and universities rethink how to meet students where they are, this joint venture between UC Merced and local community colleges shows how online education can be a powerful lever for equity and coordination.

We would like to thank Dr. James Zimmerman, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at UC Merced; Kari Stewart, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Success Initiatives at University of California Office of the President; and Rolin Moe, Executive Director of UC Online for taking the time to share their insights on this cross-institutional initiative. To learn more, please visit the University of California’s Campaign for Transfer Excellence website.

 

Stay tuned for the next blog in our “Promising Practices in Online Education” series!

 

1 Robles, S., Gross, M., & Fairlie, R. W. (2020). The effect of course shutouts on community college students: Evidence from waitlist cutoffs. (EdWorkingPaper: 20- 314). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/xkck-3b89.

2 DesJardins, S. L., Ahlburg, D. A., & McCall, B. P. (2005). The effects of interrupted enrollment on graduation from college: Racial, income, and ability differences.

Economics of Education Review, 24(4), 439– 454.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272775705000853.

3 National Science Board, National Science Foundation. (2021, August 31). The STEM Labor Force of Today: Scientists, Engineers and Skilled Technical Workers (Science

& Engineering Indicators 2022, NSB-2021-2). Retrieved from https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20212/stem-pathways-degree-attainment-training-     and-occupations.

4 University of California Office of the President. https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/_files/documents/ensuring

-transfer-success/final_campaign-for-transfer-excellence_ada.pdf.

See original version

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