MEMBER NEWS: Cerro Coso’s new Tehachapi campus

Cerro Coso Community College administrators and staff in front of property in Tehachapi recently purchased to provide a local campus. From left Chad Houck, Alec Griffin, Peter Fulks, Michael Chiang, Lisa Stephens, Anna Carlson, Karee Hamilton and Frederick Wheeler. (Photo courtesy of Cerro Coso Community College).

Cerro Coso Community College announces new campus

Land acquired for relocation expanding access to higher education in Tehachapi 

Cerro Coso Community College, a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member institution, will expand its educational opportunities in the Tehachapi area with the acquisition of land for the home of a new campus there.

Sean Hancock, President – Cerro Coso Comm. College

Dr. Sean Hancock, Cerro Coso president and member of the CVHEC Board of Directors, announced the purchase and relocation Nov. 1 saying it marks a transformative step forward for Cerro Coso’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to meet the growing needs of students and the broader community.

He expressed appreciation for the support from the Tehachapi Unified School District which has been leasing space to Cerro Coso for the current location saying that their partnership has enabled the college to establish a strong foundation in the community.

The new campus will further this partnership by offering a dedicated space to help more students achieve their academic and career goals, the president said.

“This expansion not only strengthens Cerro Coso’s presence in the region but also aligns with the college’s mission to empower individuals through education and serve as a community hub for growth and opportunity,” President Hancock said.

“We are thrilled to be moving forward with this project and look forward to what this means for our students and the future of our college.”

The Cerro Coso Tehachapi campus relocation will support the college’s goal of meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding student body in an area with a strong demand for skilled professionals.

Lisa Stephens, Cerro Coso Director of East Kern Center & Campuses, shared her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled about this new chapter for our college and the exciting opportunities it brings for our students and community. Our Tehachapi team looks forward to continuing to connect and strengthen our partnerships in Tehachapi.”

Updates on the project will be shared as progress continues, and the college eagerly anticipates the positive impact the new campus will bring to Tehachapi.

For more information about Cerro Coso Community College please visit www.cerrocoso.edu.

See Tehachapi press release

MEMBER NEWS: Fresno State and UC Merced awarded Seal of Excelencia

Two CVHEC members earn Seal of Excelencia recertification

for their efforts to advance Latino success

 

Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, announced last month that Fresno State and UC Merced have earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia recertification for their efforts to advance Latino success.

Both universities, which first earned this national certification in 2021 for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Latino students, are members of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions.

The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact in improving outcomes such as retention, financial support and degree completion for Latino students by aligning efforts across data, practice and leadership. Ultimately, this process strengthens efforts to serve all students. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions have the opportunity to recertify progress.

This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a collective of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latino students nationwide.

The Seal is not a ranking, nor an award. It is a rigorous verification process that culminates with certification. It is part of Excelencia’s tactical and systemic approach to:

  • Closing the education equity gap.
  • Meeting a goal of 6.2 million Latino students attaining college degrees by 2030.
  • Supporting America’s civic and workforce needs by effectively preparing Latinos, now the nation’s second-largest ethnic population.

“Being recertified is an accomplishment that we are very proud of and is a testament to the work that continues to be done by staff, faculty and campus leadership,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz in a university press release. “It illustrates our ongoing commitment to impact the lives of our Latino/a students and is a direct result of intentional, collaborative work across departments that see diversity as a strength and inclusion as a priority.”

The universities were honored during an event in Washington, D.C. Oct. 1.

See:

UC Merced press release

Fresno State press release

BOARD NEWS: Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. appointed CSUB president

Harper has been serving as interim president since Dec. 31

 

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. to serve as president of California State University, Bakersfield, effective Sept. 25 when the announcement was made.

Dr. Harper has been serving as the university’s interim president since Dec. 31 following the retirement of President Lynnette Zelezny.  As a president of a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member institution, he has been serving on the consortium board of directors since his interim appointment and will continue.

“I am honored and humbled to be entrusted to continue the stewardship of this extraordinary university that has had such a transformational impact on so many families across our region,” said Dr. Harper. “I’m thrilled to carry forward our student-centered work and strengthen partnerships across the university and throughout the region that will allow the CSUB community to reach new heights.”

Dr. Harper becomes the university’s sixth leader to serve in the role in a permanent capacity.

“During his interim appointment, Dr. Harper has taken meaningful and inclusive steps to enhance access, academic excellence and student success at CSU Bakersfield,” said CSU Trustee Douglas Faigin, chair of the CSUB Presidential Search Committee. “He has proven himself to be an equity-driven leader with a history of innovation in academic programming and student support. He will continue to identify and advance CSUB’s vision through a period of sustained growth and student success.”

During his tenure as interim president, Dr. Harper has launched a number of initiatives that support increased access and student success, including the middle and high school pre-admit program, making CSUB the first-choice destination for an increasing number of Kern County high school graduates. He also launched the Umoja Black Student Success Transfer Program in partnership with Bakersfield College to support student success, and CSUB will open its Black Students Success Center in the coming months.

Dr. Harper also began an initiative for CSUB to pursue the statewide Black-Serving Institution designation, has championed the `Runners on the Rise campaign, and has accelerated the completion of donor-supported facilities projects on campus.

Prior to his role as interim president, Dr. Harper served in several leadership roles at CSUB, starting in 2016, including as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, associate vice president of the same division, and dean of Academic Programs. He is also a professor of communications.

In his capacity as provost, Dr. Harper led initiatives that resulted in all-time highs in graduation and retention rates at CSUB; advanced diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for faculty and students; built significant public-private partnerships to increase enrollment; and inspired successful philanthropic efforts and investments to advance student success.

Dr. Harper previously served as the associate vice president for Academic Administration (2012-2016) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he led the opening of a branch campus located in downtown Philadelphia and worked with the Frederick Douglass Institute to develop the campus’s Diversity Strategic Plan to attract diverse candidates for faculty positions. Dr. Harper also served as associate provost at Wilkes University of Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2012, where he was responsible for regional accreditation, assessment and institutional effectiveness.

Before joining Wilkes University, Dr. Harper was an associate for Academic Affairs at the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia, the system administrative body of the 16 four-year institutions and 23 two-year institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Dr. Harper earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in rhetoric and communication from West Chester University and a doctorate in human communication from Howard University. He also served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and is the recipient of the U.S. Army Achievement Medal and the Martin Luther King Unity Award.

See the CSU Bakersfield press release.

Media coverage:

Vernon B. Harper Jr. appointed as President of California State University, Bakersfield

MEMBER NEWS: CHSU White Coat Ceremony Sept. 28

CHSU Welcomes Over 150 New Medical Students into the Osteopathic Medical Community

 

Over 150 new medical students in the class of 2028 received their white coats at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic (CHSU-COM) Medicine White Coat Ceremony in Clovis Sept. 28.

At the ceremony, John Graneto, DO, dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, shared the history of the white coat and the importance of maintaining professionalism and humanism in health care careers.

“Over the next 4 years we provide you the scientific and clinical tools to ultimately become doctors. And just as importantly, this white coat symbolizes many other essential parts of your medical education, a standard of professionalism, caring and humanism; and its emblem of the trust you must earn from and display to patients and their families,” remarked John Graneto, DO, Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

An inspiring welcome address was provided by Donna Cashdan, DO, Immediate Past President of the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California. Dr. Cashdan spoke about how the white coat is a reminder of the responsibility these students now have as future physicians and a symbol of the trust placed in physicians by their future patients.

The white coats were generously sponsored by the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, an organization focused on advancing and supporting osteopathic physicians in California by serving its mission to engage, educate, and advocate for DOs, so doctors can focus on being doctors. Founded in 1961, the association serves over 9,000 current and future doctors of osteopathic medicine throughout California.

Dr. Cashdan and CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alum from the inaugural class of 2024, Vasha Swamy, DO, coated the first and second students in the ceremony, respectively.

 

 See CHSU press release

 

Contact: Richele Kleiser, (559) 312-3892, rkleiser@chsu.edu

BOARD NEWS: CVHEC welcomes new board members – Fall 2024

DR. JERRY L. FILGER, President -- Bakersfield College
DR. MONICA CHAHAL, Int. President - Clovis Community College
DR. KIM ARMSTRONG, Interim President - Fresno City College
DR. STEVEN BLOOMBERG, Chancellor - Kern Community College District
PRIMAVERA MONARREZ, Interim President - Porterville College
DR. BRIAN SANDERS, President - Modesto Junior College
DR. BRITT RIOS-ELLIS, President - Stanislaus State
DR. RAFE E. TRICKEY, President - Taft College
DR. ROBERT PIMENTEL, Chancellor - West Hills Community College District

At the quarterly Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors meeting Sept. 4, nine new CEOs of member institutions of higher education were welcomed and seated. The board is made up of the chancellors, presidents and campus directors of 28 higher education institutions in the valley’s 10-county region from San Joaquin to Kern.

The new CEO positions filled in the past year: President Jerry L. Filger, Bakersfield College; Interim President Monica Chahal, Clovis Community College; Interim President Kim Armstrong, Fresno City College;  Chancellor Steven Bloomberg, Kern Community College District;  President Brian Sanders, Modesto Junior College;  Interim President Primavera Monarrez, Porterville College; President Britt Rios-Ellis, Stanislaus State; President Rafe E. Trickey, Taft College; and Chancellor Robert Pimentel, West Hills Community College District.

See Director’s Message for board meeting photo gallery.  

MEMBER NEWS: CHSU celebrates accreditations

Celebrating the CSHU accreditation progress Aug. 10 (from left): Lynne Ashbeck, mayor of Clovis; Courtney Dunbar, district director for Congressman Vince Fong; Dr. Flo Dunn, founding president of CHSU; State Assemblyman Jim Patterson; Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig; Jenna Welch, field representative for Senator Shannon Grove; Dr. John Graneto, founding dean of CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Ronald Llenado, resident physician at UCSF Fresno Family Medicine Program and CHSU-COM Alum (2024).

 

Significant milestone: CHSU celebrates

full accreditation for all programs

 

(CLOVIS, Calif.)– The California Health Sciences University (CHSU), a member of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, held a celebration this week to commemorate achieving full accreditation for all its programs.

“Having our university accreditation recently reaffirmed, and our medical school, master’s program, and Simulation Center all achieving full accreditation is a significant milestone for our institution and a proud moment for all of us who are part of this vibrant community,” stated Dr. Florence Dunn, Founding President of CHSU, in her address at the event.

The Accreditation Celebration brought together over 300 people on the medical school campus in Clovis, including CHSU medical and pre-medical students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff, trustees, founders, elected officials, and community partners.

CVHEC Executive Director at the CHSU Accreditation Celebration with President Florence Dunn, a member of CVHEC Board.

Guests toured the Simulation Center for interactive experiences with high-fidelity manikins and augmented reality Holoanatomy demonstrations.

The founding dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, John Graneto, DO, stated, “In the past six months, we’ve had exciting news every month starting with our historic 100% residency match rate for our inaugural class of 2024 in March.”

Last April, full accreditation was granted for seven years to CHSU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

66 new physicians in the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s inaugural class of 2024 graduated at the Save Mart Center in May.

Ronald Llenado, DO, an alum from the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s inaugural class of 2024 is one of the 33% of his graduating class who matched for residency in the Central Valley. Dr. Llenado is now a first-year resident in the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine program.

“Matching at UCSF Fresno has been a dream come true. It allowed me to stay here in the Central Valley, where I’ve studied, built important relationships, and made a home. I’m also proud to say that CHSU graduates make up 25% of my intern class, further showing how CHSU is shaping the future of medicine right here in our community,” stated Ronald Llenado, DO, Resident Physician in the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine program and CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alum from the inaugural class of 2024.

He spoke at the Accreditation Celebration about his medical school experience at CHSU and connection to serving patients in the community through his clinical clerkships.

“The accreditation of CHSU is a landmark moment—not just for the school but for all of us who are part of its legacy. It’s a testament to the hard work, vision, and dedication that went into building a medical program that equips its students to serve our unique community and improve healthcare access for all,” remarked Dr. Ronald Llenado.

Other notable speakers at the celebration included long-time university supporters Assemblyman Jim Patterson, Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, and Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck.

Mayor Lynne Ashbeck spoke about the CHSU medical school being transformational for this region.

“There is nothing more important that will define this region for the next 30 years than the health of our residents. If we can provide an environment where our families and kids can thrive, where our kids can actually see what it takes to become a doctor or other healthcare provider, and achieve those goals close to home and where we can all have access to those doctors to care for us then our region has a chance,” stated Lynne Ashbeck, Clovis Mayor.

Nathan Magsig, Fresno County Supervisor remarked, “There are going to be thousands of doctors that graduate from this facility and its going to change what the Central Valley gets to experience when it comes to care. I just want to say thank you to those individuals who were part of the vision to make this happen.”

Representatives from the offices of Congressman Vince Fong, Congressman Jim Costa, and Senator Shannon Grove also attended the event and presented CHSU with certificates of special recognition for achieving full accreditation for all its programs.

CHSU became accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2018. This summer, CHSU had its university accreditation reaffirmed by WSCUC.

When the fall semester began in July, the university received the news that all CHSU students are now eligible for Federal Financial aid to help them fund their medical school and master’s program education.

“These achievements are a shared victory with our entire community, and ultimately is for our students,” concluded Dr. Dunn.

Contact: Richele Kleiser, CHSU VP of Marketing and Communications at rkleiser@chsu.edu or 559 312 3892

See:

CHSU press release and photo gallery

 

About California Health Sciences University

California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). CHSU is the first university of its kind in the Central Valley and offers a local option for medical school and a master’s in biomedical sciences to help remedy the shortage of health care services offered in the Valley.

The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). CHSU-COM now has about 600 medical students in attendance. The inaugural class of 2024 medical students graduated in May. The College matriculated its fifth cohort of over 150 students in July.

The university also offers a one-year Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program at its College of Biosciences and Health Professions. The first cohort of MSBS students graduated in 2024, with over 60% of the graduates now attending the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

For more information about California Health Sciences University, visit chsu.edu or find them on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

 

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MEMBER NEWS: Info sessions for North Valley Master’s Upskilling

Recruitment of North Valley high school math and English teachers for dual enrollment qualification begins – info sessions set

Applications are now available for 24 North Valley high school math and English teachers to enroll in the WE Will! K-16 Collaborative Master’s Upskilling Program sponsored by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and offered by National University and Fresno Pacific University.

The MA Upskilling Program qualifies them to teach dual enrollment courses. The cohorts will begin in spring 2025. Registration for online information sessions is now available. See WE Will! Grant story.  

MEMBER NEWS: Consortium members earn Wall Street Journal rankings

Several members of the CVHEC earned accolades in the WSJ rankings recently topped by UC Merced listed No. 1 for social mobility: California State University, Stanislaus came in second on the list of the top schools for social mobility; Fresno State was No. 4. and Fresno Pacific University was No. 14.

UC Merced is No. 1 university for social mobility in the US, new study says.  

 

BY FERNANDA GALAN

Merced Sun-Star

SEPTEMBER 09, 2024 3:19 PM

 

 

UC Merced is the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility, according to new college rankings.

The Wall Street Journal recently teamed up with research partners College Pulse and Statista to rank the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S., rating the top 500 universities in the United States.

In addition to awarding schools overall scores, the Wall Street Journal and College Pulse ranked universities based on best value, best salaries, student experience and social mobility.

“The WSJ/College Pulse Social Mobility ranking … rewards universities that take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families,” the Wall Street Journal said, “while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending the college.”

“At UC Merced, we routinely say that we don’t do what we do for rankings, but when you excel others will always take notice,” university Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said in a Sept. 4 news release. “We hope this recent acknowledgment will be yet another opportunity for people to learn about the exceptional culture of student success that has taken root at UC Merced.”

WHY IS UC MERCED NO. 1 FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY?

UC Merced landed at top of the WSJ/College Pulse Social Mobility ranking with a score of 86.8 out of 100

The university was No. 18 on the overall list of Best Colleges in the U.S. with a score of 84 out of 100, up from No. 59 in 2023.

According to the Wall Street Journal, it costs $13,450 per year on average to attend UC Merced, including tuition, fees, room and board and books and supplies.

However, the value added to graduates’ median salary attributable to them attending UC Merced is $33,874, the Journal found.

 

UC Merced has a variety of programs that have helped students excel academically, including the Center for Educational Partnerships and the Fiat Lux Scholars program.

The Center for Educational Partnerships works with Central Valley schools serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade help kids become “college and career ready,” UC Merced said on its website, while the Fiat Lux scholars program focuses on providing first-generation college students with academic success and housing options.

The university also partners with College Track, an organization that helps students from low-income community get their bachelor degrees.

 

About 60% of the student body of UC Merced is comprised of Pell grant-eligible students who have exceptional financial needs, and 65% are first-generation college students according to the news release on Sept 4.

HOW DID OTHER CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITIES RANK?

 

California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock came in second on the list of the top schools for social mobility.

California State University, San Bernardino, took third place, while Fresno State was No. 4. California State University, Los Angeles, rounded out the top five.

Elsewhere in the Central Valley, California State University, Sacramento, landed at No. 13, while Fresno Pacific University was No. 14 and UC Davis was No. 32.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 UNIVERSITIES FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY?

 

These are the top 10 universities in the nation in terms of enhancing students’ social mobility, according to Wall Street Journal and College Pulse:

 

  1. UC Merced
  2. California State University, Stanislaus
  3. California State University, San Bernardino

 

  1. Fresno State
  2. California State University, Los Angeles
  3. Florida International University in Miami
  4. California State University, Long Beach
  5. Baruch College in New York
  6. California State University, Northridge

 

  1. California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

 

HOW DID WALL STREET JOURNAL COME UP WITH ITS RANKINGS?

 

The Wall Street Journal partnered up with College Pulse and Statista to rank schools using “the latest data available for analysis, it said.

 

In the social mobility category, schools were scored based on the following components:

 

Social mobility salary impact

Social mobility graduation rate impact

See:

Merced Sun-Star article

UC Merced press release: UC Merced Ranked No. 1 in the Nation for Social Mobility, No. 18 Overall

Fresno State News press release: Wall Street Journal ranks Fresno State in top five nationally for social mobility

Stanislaus State press release: Stanislaus State Ranks No. 24 in the Nation on Wall Street Journal’s 2025 Best Colleges

MEMBER NEWS: CSU PK-3 Early Childhood Credential Programs – Fresno State one of first approved

Fresno State’s program to help meet unprecedented need for

new teachers in California planned for Summer 2025 launch

 

Two California State University (CSU) campuses are the first universities in California to receive approval to start offering teacher preparation programs for the new PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential: San José State and Fresno State,  a member of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium.

To date, the San Diego County Office of Education and Riverside County Office of Education are the only other institutions that have received approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

“As home to the largest teacher preparation program in California and among the largest in the nation, the CSU is proud to once again lead the way in producing teachers that will change the trajectory of our children’s lives and elevate the early childhood education workforce,” says Shireen Pavri, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor of Educator & Leadership Programs at the CSU Chancellor’s Office. “We are thrilled about the potential of this new PK-3 early childhood education credential to provide a strong and equitable early learning foundation for our youngest and most diverse learners in the state.”

California’s phase-in of universal transitional kindergarten has triggered the unprecedented need to expand the early teaching-learning workforce in the state. Answering California’s call for 12,000 to 15,000 new teachers by 2025-26, the CSU and its campuses have fast-tracked the development of PK-3 Credential programs. The PK-3 Credential, which authorizes graduates to teach children in pre-kindergarten (PK) through 3rd grade, aims to produce qualified teachers who have the necessary skills to provide age-appropriate and culturally responsive instruction. Different from a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, the PK-3 Credential requires child development/early childhood education coursework that is specific to the development of a young child and how they learn.

San José State will offer its PK-3 Credential programs beginning this fall, while Fresno State is slated for a Summer 2025 start. Seventeen additional CSU campuses, as well as CalStateTEACH—the CSU’s fully online program—are in various stages of developing their PK-3 Credential programs for approv​al by the Commission on Teaching Credentialing. Each program is being expertly designed by faculty across several disciplines to produce educators who are specialized in using developmentally appropriate practices to teach young multilingual and multicultural  children in inclusive settings.​

The CSU prepares 48.9% of the state’s teachers and awards approximately 5,200 California teaching credentials annually. To learn more about the CSU’s efforts in preparing California’s future educators, visit the Educator and Leadership Programs website.

 

SEE: CSU press release

INFO: Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (562) 951-4800

 

About the California State University

The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU’s 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 127,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.  

 

BOARD NEWS: Dr. Pimentel is first Latino named WHCCD chancellor

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