Higher Education Summit May 9, 2025 – topics set; CCA provides national data

Valley’s higher ed CEOs to convene at CVHEC Summit 2025

Complete College America will provide national perspective; summit topics announced

 

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications Coordinator

As educators across the nation face an urgency to re-imagine higher education to meet the needs of today’s students and society, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Summit 2025 this spring in Fresno is shaping up with topics that present voices from policy makers and practitioners nationally, statewide and from throughout the Central Valley’s 10-county region.

With the theme “Navigating Higher Education in a New Era: The Central Valley Way,” registration is now open for the CVHEC summit set for Friday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. The event is open to the higher education community who register in advance with breakfast and lunch included. Registration is free compliments of  the College Futures Foundation, event sponsor.

The CVHEC 2025 Summit will bring 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. Various CVHEC board members will moderate the panels that are planned.

CVHEC’s Welcoming & Networking Reception will be the day before the summit, May 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the convention center’s Valdez Hall Breezeway to provide an opportunity to connect with other attendees and the CVHEC Board of Directors in an informal relaxed setting.

Dr. Brandon Protas, Complete College America

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,  Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, announced.

“Join us as we convene with national, state and regional colleagues, partners and friends for a full day of discussions and showcases related to higher education in the valley that lead to degree completion for our students,” Durán said.

Topics to date include an overview of CVHEC efforts such as the Central Valley Transfer Project; the Master’s Upskilling Project, dual enrollment initiatives; and math alignment measures such as the CVHEC Math Task Force and the Central Valley Math Bridge Program with College Bridge.

Also featured will be a “Legislative Update” with federal legislators providing the latest about higher education laws; a student panel “What Does this Mean for Students?”  and a panel with the four segments of higher education in California.

Dr. Protas will be a panelist on the “The Central Valley Landscape: Honing in on the Data” panel.

The CCA vice president, who guides the planning and management of the CCA Alliance to support institutions, systems and states in their efforts to improve student success, will participate on the data panel providing insights to CCA’s nationwide data compilation efforts. CCA works with states, systems, institutions and partners to scale highly effective structural reforms and promote policies that improve student success.

Durán represents CVHEC as an alliance lead responsible for providing oversight and coordination for local initiatives as well as CCA-sponsored projects and in November, he led a consortium delegation to CCA’s three-day conference which drew 800 participants from throughout the country.  He said the CVHEC summit provides a regional and state version of CCA’s national gathering.

“The CVHEC annual summit always draws interest from our region’s higher education community, but this year brings a difference sense of urgency as we learned at the Complete College American national conference last fall,” said Durán, president-emeritus of Merced College, referring to the national conference’s keynote address delivered Nov. 19 by Dr. Jamie Merisotis, president of the Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all which also provides support to CVHEC.

“We both see the urgency of reimagining higher ed to meet the needs of today’s students and today’s society,” Dr. Merisotis’ said at the conference regarding the partnerships between Lumina and CCA. “And we both put special focus on reaching those who have too often been left out.”

CVHEC featured that keynote as the “What the CV-HEC is Happening Blog” in the consortium’s January newsletter and Durán said Merisotis’ message fuels the CVHEC summit as well as the CEOs of its member institutions from San Joaquin County in the North Valley to Kern County in the South Valley.

“I hope that this national education leader’s words generate some dialogue between you and your colleagues and we encourage you to share those conversations, as we will at our 2025 CVHEC Summit and on our various consortium social media platforms,” Durán said in setting the tone for the summit.

 

 

ABOUT CVHEC

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is a California non-profit made up of 28-instutitions of higher education in the ten-county region from San Joaquin to Kern that is the size of some states. Through CVHEC, higher education professionals and academicians in the Central Valley address difficult and complex initiatives, scaling them up across the region for mutual effectiveness to serve our students and communities.  

 

CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (March 2025)

 

Spring excitement in the valley’s higher education scene

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues …

With the spring 2025 semester now in full swing, welcome to our March newsletter.  We are excited about all that is going on in the Central Valley region beginning with our annual CVHEC Higher Education Summit set for May 9, 2025.

Registration is now available as we continue preparing for the summit. We welcome and encourage your participation this year.

In this issue, please read about some of the summit topics we will be covering.  Among those topics will be the work that the CVHEC Math Task Force has been undertaking to deal with the changing math requirements in higher education throughout the state mandated through Assembly Bill 1705. They will be holding a follow-up convening March 28 that will include a presentation by two valley community college math professors who traveled to Atlanta for a national math conference where they shared the “Central Valley Way” underlying the task force’s work the past two years.

Also, this issue we are excited to feature the recent California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento where I led a delegation of team members and high school educators for a panel we were invited to present, “Using Dual Enrollment as a tool for Math Alignment and Increasing Instructor Capacity in the Central Valley.”

Speaking before a very interested audience of educators from throughout the state on Feb. 24, we discussed how our Master’s Upskilling Program — generously funded by our partners: the Fresno/Madera K16 Collaborative, the Kern K16 Collaborative and the We Wil K16 Collaborative – is providing  approximately 225 high school teachers from throughout the Central Valley with the opportunity to earn Master’s degrees in English or mathematics making them eligible to teach dual enrollment courses. In addition to the upskilling program, we were joined by College Bridge and two valley educators to discuss how our Math Bridge program is working collaboratively and creatively with secondary and post-secondary educators to  systemically align college and high school math programs, creating a seamless transition for students.

Also, enjoy this month’s “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog from our guest contributor, valley native, Dr. Iliana Perez. She is the executive director of Immigrants Rising, an advocacy group based in San Francisco that has been assisting member colleges of the consortium, as well as throughout the state, with information regarding the current status of undocumented students in higher education and resources available to them.  Once a dreamer student herself at CVHEC-member Fresno State, Iliana presents a remarkable academic journey that now has her giving back to her community in a significant manner in support of vulnerable students.

We are also happy to welcome Dr.  Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of West Hills Community College District, who joins our CVHEC Team as dual enrollment lead, just in time for Dual Enrollment Week March 10-14.  Welcome Kristin!

May your spring semester be fruitful and enjoyable and what better way than to join us at our higher education summit May 9?

CVHEC presents at California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference ’25


CVHEC executive director Dr. Benjamín Durán (center), led the CVHEC delegation presenting the consortium’s initiatives at the California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento Feb. 23-26: Angel Ramirez CVHEC (panel visuals); Seth Williams, Sanger High School; Ginny Sandhu, Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified); Taft High School Principal Mary Alice Finn; Taft math teacher Oscar Nuno; and Owynn Lancaster, College Bridge (Math Bridge Program). See photo gallery below.

CVHEC presents Master’s Upskill, Math Bridge programs

at California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference 2025

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications Coordinator

Over 650 educators, presenters and sponsors met at the 3rd annual California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento Feb. 23-26 including a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium delegation that presented a panel on two dual enrollment initiatives: the Master’s Upskilling Project and the Central Valley Math Bridge Program.

The statewide conference featured pre-conference sessions; two full days of keynote — including a virtual message from Dr. Sonya Chistian, California Community Colleges chancellor — and breakout presentations; and site visits to high schools in the region. It was co-hosted by the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships (CADEP), the Career Ladders Project and the Education Trust–West.

Taft High School Principal Mary Alice Finn answers questions with the CVHEC panel: Ginny Sandhu; Seth Williams; Owynn Lancaster; and CVHEC executive director Dr. Benjamín Durán.

CADEP, an affiliated chapter of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), is a unified coalition committed to the advancement of equity, student success and quality in dual enrollment programs in California. Its vision is “to unite individuals, state agencies and organizations committed to dual enrollment in California to promote and advance quality dual enrollment programming across the state.”

Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, led the CVHEC delegation of nine with six presenting on the panel, “Using Dual Enrollment as a tool for Math Alignment and Increasing Instructor Capacity in the Central Valley.”

CVHEC is a 28-member strong consortium that is “blurring the lines” between community colleges and their K-12 partners to provide equitable dual enrollment opportunities for students.

“Removing barriers to access is a driver for CVHEC’s dual enrollment work,” Durán said. “CVHEC serves a quarter-million students across a 10-county region and works toward impactful and transformational solutions by leveraging partnerships.”

He said he was delighted to see talented community college faculty and our K12 partners from the Central Valley showcased in a statewide convening.

“Our session was a huge success evidenced by the interest from the audience and the in-depth questions of the presenters that followed,” Durán said. “It was encouraging to see the Central Valley recognized as a statewide leader in the delivery of dual enrollment classes and pathways for students from rural areas of the region.”

Durán moderated the panel which began with a discussion about how CVHEC’s Master’s Upskilling Project is increasing dual enrollment instructor capacity by upskilling existing high school teachers to meet the minimum qualifications to teach dual enrollment courses at their high schools.

CVHEC took two valley high school English teachers who participated in the program to share their experience earning a Master’s degree and now teaching dual enrollment: Seth Williams of Sanger High School and Ginny Sandhu of Sunnyside High School (Fresno).

For the Math Bridge component of the panel, CVHEC partner College Bridge was represented by the organization’s vice president of Academic Strategy, Owynn Lancaster, who was joined by Mary Alice Finn, principal of Taft Union High School, and one of her Math teachers, Oscar Nuno.

They discussed how College Bridge is bringing together secondary and post-secondary educators to work collaboratively and creatively through Math Bridge systemically aligning college and high school math programs and creating a seamless transition for students.

Also attending the conference were CVHEC team members Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC Operations & Finance manager, and Tom Uribes, Communications coordinator.

At the conference, Durán, Ramirez and Sandhu were also interviewed for the “Bridge to Success” Podcast by Diane Crum of the Californian Department of Education that was posted March 6.

In addition to CVHEC’s panel, the Central California region was represented by Jill Jiménez, a counselor for the McFarland High School Early College Program who discussed evidence-based practices that have been the driving force in the school’s dual enrollment initiative by creating processes and procedures to enhance student participation and sustainability.

Jiménez also presented at CVHEC’s Dual Enrollment Conference held Feb. 3 in Fresno.

Members of the CVHEC’s delegation provided comments about the conference:

Angel Ramirez, CVHEC Operations & Finance Manager

“The conference served as a great, and sometimes needed, reminder that we are not in this dual enrollment work alone. It also showed me that the collaboration and sharing we have in the Central Valley are unmatched and are what propel what we do forward.”

Seth Williams, English 9 teacher – Sanger High School (community college adjunct professor – Fresno City College)

“As a dual enrollment and adjunct instructor, it was good to hear about all of the progress that is being made in helping high school students get ahead in college and to create equitable opportunities to try and level the playing field for some of our students. As I heard from districts and areas that are beginning their implementation of dual enrollment, I appreciated how far the districts I work for –Sanger Unified and State Center Community College District — have come to create a thriving program. That being said, it also showed some of the areas that we can work on to support our students even better so that there are more opportunities to help our students achieve their goals.”

Ginny Sandhu, English teacher – Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified School District)

“At the 2025 Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento, I had the privilege of sharing my journey as a Dual Enrollment English 1A instructor at Fresno City College. My presentation highlighted the transformative impact of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) Upskilling initiative, which funded my master’s degree and enabled me to bridge the gap between high school and college for underrepresented students. Through this opportunity, I was able to empower students who might not have otherwise accessed higher education, reinforcing the critical role dual enrollment plays in advancing educational equity.

“Beyond presenting, I gained invaluable insights from the keynote speaker and various sessions that shed light on state-level dual enrollment initiatives and their far-reaching implications. These discussions underscored how dual enrollment serves as a catalyst for student success, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Engaging with educators, policymakers, and advocates reaffirmed my commitment to this work, emphasizing that expanding access to college courses in high school is not just an educational strategy but a necessary step toward equity and social mobility.” 

Owynn Lancaster, vice president of Academic Strategy – College Bridge

“My thoughts, as a person supporting equitable dual enrollment implementation, it was really exciting to hear more success stories from folks all across the state who are now also in their implementation. It’s also really validating to hear some common challenges and hiccups that are happening for everyone and have this amazing opportunity to come together and learn from each other.”

Mary Alice Finn, Principal – Taft Union High School

“The opportunity to learn alongside other professionals at the Dual Enrollment Equity Conference in Sacramento is always a treat. The innovative ideas happening up and down the state truly highlight the creativity, tenacity, and perseverance of our students and educators to ensure they each have the voice and the support needed to be successful. As a presenter, it is an honor to share the journey TUHS has been on and help provide some ideas to those that may find value in a similar path.”

See related story: CDE Podcast featuring CVHEC

SPOTLIGHT: Dual Enrollment Week Mar. 10-14, 2025 CDE podcast

 

Sharing our dual enrollment initiatives in a California Department of Education PODCAST by Diane Crum at the recent California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference held Feb. 23-26 in Sacramento were Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC Operations & Finance manager; Ginny Sandhu, Sunnyside High School (Fresno Unified) English teacher; and Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director:  https://bit.ly/CDEpodcast-CVHECdualenrollment . See full transcript.

CVHEC featured on CA Dept. of Ed podcast

“The Bridge to Success: Navigating Dual Enrollment” 

 

BY TOM URIBES
CVHEC Communications Coordinator

Diane Crum – California Department of Education

To help kick off Dual Enrollment Week March 10-14, we present 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 Central Valley Higher Education Consortium 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 Unifed) teacher who earned qualification to teach dual enrollment 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.

“We appreciate the work Diane is doing through this CDE podcast with a component at the California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference for participants to share their respective dual enrollment stories,” said Tom Uribes, CVHEC communications coordinator.

 

See related story: CVHEC presents at California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference ’25

Hear the podcast:

 

SPOTLIGHT on CVHEC – Merced College Dreamscape Tour

Read more

CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (February 2025)


Dr. Sonya Christian, California Community Colleges chancellor (second from left), and Central Valley Higher Education Consortium executive director Benjamin Duran (third from left) greeted high school student panelists at the Dual Enrollment In the Central Valley Convening 2025 – CVHEC/CVDEEP where she delivered keynote Feb. 3: Jonathan Alfaro and Ailyn Morales of Mendota High School with Principal Travis Kirby; and Isaac Dircio and Andres Medina Zapien of McFarland High (McFarland Unified School District) with Jill Jimenez and Jordynn Jimenez of McFarland High School Dual Enrollment.

CVHEC: power of collaboration – the ‘Central Valley Way’

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues …

This February edition of our Central Valley Higher Education Consortium newsletter continues sharing with you the great work that the boots-on-the-ground folks at our member institutions are doing to serve our students.

You will read about two convenings, the recent Central Valley Dual Enrollment Convening with 140 attendees and the Central Valley Math Task Force Convening scheduled for March 28. These two high-powered collaborations showcase the work our colleges and universities are doing in both the expansion of dual enrollment providing opportunities for high school students to take college courses while in high school, and addressing the challenging college level math courses that are essential for them to be successful in college.

Also, please make sure you read about our unique-to-California Central Valley Transfer Project.  The project has provided academic transfer pathways for Central Valley community students from our regional community colleges to the three California State Universities in the valley and UC Merced.  The outcomes from these efforts have been impressive in terms of dramatically improving transfer rates while closing the gaps between the general student population and valley students of color.  The project was designated a California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Demonstration Project in 2023, by Chancellor Sonya Christian. We are proud to report to her that it is now ready to be disseminated to the rest of the state as a model that is ready to be replicated.

This month’s “What the CV-HEC is Happening” blog is an entry by a local attorney, Ashley Emerzian, about the legal aspects around hazing on higher education campuses.  Please enjoy her entry and we hope you learn more about the topic as you peruse the article.   Ashley has graciously offered to  submit articles highlighting higher education legal issues relevant to our region  for future CVHEC newsletters as well.

This CVHEC Board of Directors  also has a busy schedule this spring as its members – the chancellors, presidents and campus directors of our 28 member institutions of higher education in the valley — prepare for the spring quarterly board meeting and a strategic planning retreat.

Additionally, as they move forward under the leadership of CVHEC Board Chair, UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, we  look  forward to the annual CVHEC Higher Education Summit scheduled for May 9.  Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for further details. We look forward to having you join us to continue collaborating “the Central Valley Way!”

Please enjoy our newsletter and feel free to share it with your colleagues and friends and encourage  them to subscribe.

CVDEEP Convening wrap: ‘dual enrollment at scale and with equity’


Caption

 CCC chancellor says Central California region

is state model for dual enrollment implementation

By Elaine Cash
CVHEC Dual Enrollment Co-Lead

and

Tom Uribes
CVHEC Communications Coordinator

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. 5 in Fresno.

The day-long event was presented by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium 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.

Six interactive breakout sessions and two panels were provided for 140 educators representing secondary and postsecondary institutions from throughout the valley’s 10-county region as well as from student-supporting community programs.

California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian chats up student panelists Ailyn Morales and Jonathan Alfaro of Mendota High School prior to the Central Valley Dual Enrollment Convening 2025 Feb. 3.

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.

“Our mission,” Dr. Christian declared, “is to work toward a future in which all California high school students enroll in community college transfer, career or apprenticeship pathways and complete high school with at least 12 units of college credit.”

Dr. Christian, a former Central Valley community college leader, noted that in 2021-2022, a goal was set to enroll 257,000 students in a dual enrollment course by 2030.  She announced that California surpassed this goal in 2023-2024 with almost 290,000 students enrolled in at least one dual enrollment course.

“The Central Valley, with over 20 percent of California dual enrollment students, is the state leader and exemplary model for dual enrollment implementation,” said the chancellor who previously served as a member of the CVHEC Board of Directors when she was president of Bakersfield College and chancellor of the Kern Community College District prior to her statewide appointment.

However, despite encouraging successes and especially the work in the Central Valley, Dr. Christian reminded her audience that 80 percent of California high school students still do not participate in dual enrollment coursework.

“So what is the work?” she asked.  “It is dual enrollment at scale and with equity.”

She cheered on the dedication of the educators convening and collaborating that day to keep improving dual enrollment pathways for valley students.

“I know all of you are engaged in making sure that you are fundamentally supporting each and every student so that they can continue on their educational pathway because that is at the core of what we do at the California Community Colleges,” Chancellor Christian said.

That dedication was reflected in the panels and breakout sessions beginning with a discussion about several models for dual enrollment through a presentation featuring partnerships between Reedley College and Sanger High School; Bakersfield College and McFarland High School; and Coalinga College and Mendota High School.

Moderated by Tressa Overstreet of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), the “Dual Enrollment Models” Panel included Lissette Padilla, Coalinga College; Jill Jimenez, McFarland High School; Richard Aguilar, Reedley College; Travis Kirby, Mendota High School; Alma Feathers, Bakersfield College; and Carmen Garvis, Sanger High School.

Each described models of dual enrollment implementation such as Middle College; college courses on high school campuses and embedded in the master schedules; and hybrid on-campus and online programs, each suited to the unique needs that school sizes and locations require.

The breakout sessions emphasized a variety of useful elements of dual enrollment presented by successful implementers. Each presenter shared practical resources and “how to” strategies that were immediately applicable.   (See agenda for breakout topics and presenter names).

“Attendees were delighted with relevant information that stimulated conversations and promoted in-conference networking, and the exchange of phone numbers and emails to continue sharing,” said Dr. Benjamín Durán, executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium who welcomed the participants in the opening session before introducing Chancellor Christian.

‘What Does This Mean for Students?’

But he noted that despite the power packed by the keynote speaker and the panels and breakout sessions, perhaps the highlight of the conference was a panel of high school students currently enrolled in dual enrollment pathway coursework.  Stan Carrizosa, president-emeritus of College of the Sequoias and now a CVHEC lead (Transfer Project), moderated the student panel, “What Does This Mean for Students?,” that closed the event.

Five students representing Sanger, Mendota and McFarland High Schools impressed the large Doubletree Inn ballroom full of educators with their straight-forward talk and thoughtful responses that described their dual enrollment experience. They articulated not only their ambition to attain a higher education – each citing the university they aspire to – but also the satisfaction of meeting the challenge of college courses that has provided a new level of self-confidence. Five of the six indicated they will be the first in their respective families to attend college.

Three of the students are seniors who are on path to earn an associate degree this spring: Andres Medina Zapien and Isaac Dircio, both of McFarland High School, will complete Bakersfield College requirements with their sights set on UC San Diego and Stanford respectively; and Saige Jones, who is enrolled in the Wonderful Ag Plant Science Pathway at Sanger High School, is completing Reedley College associate degree requirements with plans to attend Fresno State in the fall.

The other two are sophomores at Mendota High School with double majors through Coalinga College: Ailyn Morales plans to attend UC Irvine and Jonathan Alfaro is looking ahead to Fresno State then UC Berkeley.

“I believe that the college classes that I am taking are all different as they fulfill my gen ed,” Andres replied when Dr. Carrizosa asked the students what they felt was the greatest success in taking dual enrollment. “I feel like they are very beneficial because they give us new perspectives and open our minds to different things that we can do.”

When asked how dual enrollment students cope with the sacrifice  of committing time to the extra school work, Ailyn responded,  “It’s all about priorities. You have to determine what comes first, and what benefits you the most.”

Durán said the student panel detailed the challenges and advantages of participating in dual enrollment programs.

“It was heartfelt and insightful – even entertaining in its own way – as we heard the voices of the very youngsters our educators strive everyday to support for academic and personal success. Those voices bring home what we are doing right, and help reveal areas that we need to address.”

A new pre-conference session entitled “Dual Enrollment 101” was offered before the conference formally opened.  Bill Vasey of the California Academic Partnership and Sylvia Garvis of Sanger High School presented the session, which Vasey described as intended for those “that don’t feel they know a lot about dual enrollment and want to learn.”

“The conference was a full day of valuable information and relevant suggestions and resources that were well received,” said Durán.

He closed the event by informing participants that CVDEEP will reconvene in the fall to follow up the Feb. 5 discussions and urged them to complete a feedback form that will help improve future convenings

Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC finance and operations manager who coordinates consortium convenings and helps facilitate strategies, urged participants to build on the “Central Valley Way” — the power of collaboration, adding that materials and PowerPoints presented in the convening are available on the event page at the CVDEEP website.

“Let’s continue being persistent and collaborative in what we do,” Ramírez said. “This is why the Central Valley leads the state in our dual enrollment work. We look forward to coming together again at the fall convening.”

He said CVHEC now has its sights set on the upcoming 2025 California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference presented by the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships, Career Ladders Project, and EdTrust–West Feb. 24-26 in Sacramento where the team will present on CVHEC’s Master’s Upskilling Program and the Central Valley Math Bridge.

In a survey, participants offered these comments about CVHEC’s “Dual Enrollment in The Central Valley” Convening:

  • “Student comments were raw and great!!”
  • “Hearing from other districts and high schools and what is working for them pushes me to take new ideas back to my own site!”
  • “Continue the momentum! DUAL is researched and backed as advantageous for students.”
CVDEEP Convening Feb. 3, 2025 – Photo gallery

Dual Enrollment Convening 2025 – Keynote: CCC Chancellor Sonya Christian

CCC Chancellor Sonya Christian to deliver keynote at

Central Valley Dual Enrollment Convening Feb. 3 in Fresno 

Agenda includes pre-conference session for schools new to dual enrollment

 

Dr. Sonya Christian, chancellor of the California Community Colleges, will keynote the “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley” Convening set for Feb. 3 in Fresno, when more than 100 secondary and postsecondary educators will address challenges and barriers to dual enrollment success that can pave the way for high school students statewide leading to a degree or certificate.

Presented by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and its Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force, the convening will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

Registration is free, with breakfast and lunch included, at  https://bit.ly/CVHECDualEnrollConvene-REGISTERweb.

Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, announced this week that Chancellor Christian, a former member of the CVHEC board of directors, will discuss the CCC dual enrollment commitment that is part of CCC’s “Vision 2030 – A Roadmap for California Community Colleges” plan and how the Central Valley is an active leader statewide.

According to the CCC DataVista website, the Central Valley has reported the highest share of community college students simultaneously enrolled in K-12 schools of any region in the state.

“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,” she continued. “The work led by The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium in collaborating, facilitating, and realizing dual enrollment is truly a gold star standard for the rest of the country. This area is leading the state in the number of students earning college credit while still in high school. Their phenomenal effort ensures equity in access, a key pillar in the work we are doing with our Vision 2030 plan.”

The daylong session will feature two panels and two interactive breakout sessions concluding with recommendation summaries. A student panel will provide first-hand testimony about dual enrollment successes and barriers. (CVHEC plans to release the full agenda Jan. 22).

Also new this year will be a pre-conference session, “Dual Enrollment Primer,” from 9-10 a.m. that will provide information for high schools and colleges new to dual enrollment, which is a strategy that allows secondary school students to earn college credits during high school. In some cases, students are able to actually complete associate degrees before their high school graduation.    

Durán noted that CVHEC’s dual enrollment convening is unique because it features intersegmental collaboration at a regional level.  It will be highly interactive and will engage audience members with panel presenters from valley colleges and high schools, including practitioners, and topped with student success stories, he added.

“CVHEC’s dual enrollment convenings help ensure that the outcomes from the ongoing dialogue between community colleges and their K-12 partners in the Valley will continue,” said Durán who will welcome the educators in the opening session.

“The convening also continues the CVDEEP Task Force’s advocacy efforts to institutionalize dual enrollment as a strategy that blurs the lines between high school and community college for those students who can benefit from taking college courses and get a leg up on their quest for a college degree or certificate.”

But Durán said the highlight of the event will be Chancellor Christian “who is a dual enrollment trailblazer in her own right leading initiatives that are part of the Central Valley’s highly successful dual enrollment landscape  when she was with KCCD from 2013 to 2022.”

Dr. Christian served on the CVHEC Board of Directors —  made up of sitting CEOs of higher education institutions in the valley’s 10-county region — when she was president of consortium member Bakersfield College from 2013 to 2021 and when she was chancellor of member Kern Community College District from 2021 to 2022 before assuming the CCC top spot.

With her appointment by the CCC Board of Trustees Feb. 20, 2022, Dr. Christian made history as the first woman and first Asian-American — as well as a first-generation college graduate — named chancellor of the state’s community college system.

The chancellor will discuss the “Vision 2030” dual enrollment strategy which calls for the preparation of high school students to choose a workforce pathway earlier in their academic journey so they see themselves as college scholars. Its “ninth grade strategy” works toward a future in which all California high school students enroll in community college transfer, career or apprenticeship pathways and complete high school with at least 12 units of dual enrollment credit.

“This dual enrollment opportunity must be available to all high school students and particularly tailored to those who have historically not been provided these opportunities,” the plan states.   “In so doing, California’s youth will receive a self-development and career-exploration opportunity that will increase their interest in and understanding of college and career. As high school students engage in tailored dual enrollment programs, they will learn how to develop a college education plan, how to access financial aid and other support programs and explore possible careers for their futures.”

Chancellor Christian said early exposure to college and career is particularly important for historically underrepresented students and will equip colleges to utilize dual enrollment as a tool to close equity gaps,   something she said is evident in the valley’s 10-county region.

Among the CVHEC initiatives are the Master’s Upskilling Program that provides a path for high school English and math teachers to earn a master’s degree required to teach community college dual enrollment courses at their respective schools (this was one of the outcomes of CVHEC’s first two dual enrollment convenings), and the Math Bridge Program with College Bridge.

 

Event information: Angel Ramirez, CVHEC finance and operations manager, at centralvalleyhec@gmail.com.  

CVHEC media inquiries about the convening: Tom Uribes via text 559.348.3278 or cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu

CCC media inquiries (Vision 2030): Melissa Villarin at 916.327.5365 or mvillarin@cccco.edu.

Check for updates and follow-up at the CVDEEP Convening event website. 

See press release full version online: https://cvhec.org/dual-enrollment-convening-2025-keynote-speaker-ccc-chancellor-christian/ 
and https://bit.ly/CVHEC-DualEnrollConv25

 

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BACKGROUND

 

This is the third convening of the Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force since it was formed by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium following legislation in 2016 when a new dual enrollment option was introduced through Assembly Bill (AB) 288, amending Education Code (EC) 76004, and creating the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP). This legislation enabled more high school students to take college courses taught by college professors on their high school campuses.  California AB 30, signed by Governor Newsom in October 2019, expands and protects dual enrollment through 2027.

Planting the seeds for what has eventually led to CVHEC’s slogan, “The Central Valley Way,” the CVDEEP Task Force was formed with about 60 community college and K-12 educational leaders who deliver dual enrollment services valley-wide. CVHEC brought them together after community college leaders approached the consortium to provide assistance surrounding dual enrollment in 2019.

In June 2020, CVHEC released a 16-page report, “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley, Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity,” a blueprint to strengthen dual enrollment delivery in the Central Valley; and for the 2022 convening, the consortium produced a dual enrollment video, “Blurring the Lines Between High School and College: Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley,” that underscores the CVDEEP drive by featuring the success stories of several area students whose voices put the task force educators’ endeavor in perspective.

 

RELATED LINKS:

CVHEC ‘Dual Enrollment Convening – the Central Valley Way’ Feb. 3

CVHEC Video: ‘Blurring the Lines Between High School and College: Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley’ CVHEC report, “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley, Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity” and press release.

CVHEC Website Feature: Dual Enrollment Page

Dual Enrollment Convening: Face-To-Face Space for K-12 and Higher Ed

‘Dual Enrollment Upskilling Teachers Master’s Program’ Advances Equity

CVHEC Teacher Upskilling Program for Master’s Degrees Supports Dual Enrollment in South Valley via Kern K-16 Collaborative Grant

North Valley Masters Upskilling Program begins recruiting — info sessions set

CVHEC Partners With College Bridge in Grant Supporting DE Courses from Six Rural Community Colleges at 21 Service Area High School

The CVHEC blog by former CVHEC Strategies Lead Virginia Madrid Salazar, Esq., providing a parents perspective on dual enrollment.

SPOTLIGHT on CVHEC: 2025 Higher Ed Summit Save-The-Date (May 9)

CVHEC Summit 2025: education issues pertinent

to the valley’s 10-county service region

UPDATE – REGISTER

The 2025 Central Valley Higher Education Summit is set for Friday, May 9 in Fresno when the chancellors, presidents and campus directors of the 28 higher education institutions – the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors – convene together with colleagues, partners and friends for a full day of discussions and showcases regarding education issues pertinent to the consortium’s 10-county service region.

The day-long free event is presented by the CVHEC board with main funding support from College Futures Foundation.

Details about the summit are available in the February and March newsletters. Registration info for the summit also will be available soon. (Follow CVHEC social media platforms for updates).

HIGHER ED NEWS: Complete College America (CCA) ‘Math Pathways’ report


 

Complete College America ‘Math Pathways 2.0’ report fosters

national conversation about corequisite support for students

Complete College America (CCA) has 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 in ways that support student success and advance equity goals.

“Building on the concept that the math courses students take should be relevant to their programs of study and career goals, we now expand to think about how students are brought in and supported through corequisite support,” said Brandon Protas, Ed. D., assistant vice president for Alliance engagement at CCA.

Dr. Benjamin Duran, CVHEC executive director, with Complete College America officials at CCA’s national conference in November in Indianapolis: Dr. Brandon Protas, assistant vice president for Alliance Engagement; Nichole Mann, M.A. Alliance Engagement director; and Dr. Dhanfu E. Elston, chief of staff and senior vice president for Strategy.

“When we look across the country, there is a lack of consistency in the courses that make up the math pathways sequences, particularly for STEM,” Protas added. “CCA is now sharing clear recommendations of what courses should be part of this sequence to maximize student success.”

Dr. Benjamín Durán, executive director, of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, welcomed the report as reinforcement for work CVHEC members and partners such as the Dana Center at the University of Austin (Texas) are pioneering in Central California.

“The CCA Math Pathways report emphasizes the importance of effective math placement processes that put students first,” said Durán who is also president-emeritus of Merced College. “This ideology aligns with the math alignment, AB705, and AB1705 work that is being done by our Math Taskforce here in California’s Central Valley. Seeing the country moving in the same direction with math pathways is really encouraging.”

Key highlights of the report published Jan. 8 include:

  • Introducing the concept of math pathways 2.0, building on existing math pathways work, insights, and successes
  • Specific recommendations on aligning gateway courses with programs of study
  • Providing strategies for implementing effective math placement processes that start with student goals
  • Outlining approaches for providing math corequisite and other student supports
  • Offering guidance for measuring success and tracking student outcomes

The report provides critical insights for higher education leaders, faculty and staff committed to removing barriers in math education and expanding access to and success in all programs of study, particularly for historically excluded students. Additionally, the publication also includes specific recommendations for courses in the STEM pathway to ensure alignment with every student’s program of study.

Formula for Success rolls out math pathways 2.0, addressing critical challenges in postsecondary math education the persistent use of prerequisite remediation, inconsistent gateway course requirements across institutions, and practices that inadvertently steer students away from STEM pathways. By offering specific strategies to overcome these obstacles, including backmapping gateway course content, revising course placement processes, and providing corequisite support in gateway courses, the report provides a roadmap for colleges, universities, and systems to implement math pathways that work for all students.

The report builds on years of research and practice in mathematics education reform, particularly focusing on the nuances and challenges of math pathways in STEM fields. By working directly with colleges and universities of all types, CCA has developed a comprehensive approach that helps institutions close performance gaps and address inequities in student success. 

Download the full report to learn how your institution can implement effective math pathways that support every student’s success.

See CCA press release.

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is a member of the Complete College America (CCA), a bold national advocate for dramatically increasing college completion rates and closing institutional performance gaps by working with states, systems, institutions and partners to scale highly effective structural reforms and promote policies that improve student success. Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, serves as an alliance lead responsible for providing oversight and coordination for local initiatives as well as CCA-sponsored projects, acting as a strategic thought partner and leader and promoting the efforts and importance of CCA. Other CVHEC team members serving as CCA leads: Elaine Cash, policy; Ángel Ramírez, equity; and Tom Uribes, communications.

 

See the “CVHEC What is Happening Blog” in our January 2025 newsletter for the keynote speech delivered at CCA’s national conference November 20, 2024 in Indianapolis by Dr. Jaime Merisotis, president of the Lumina Foundation.   

 

CVHEC sent a delegation to the three-day conference Nov. 18-20 (see CVHEC photo gallery below) which drew 800 participants from throughout the country who heard Dr. Jamie Merisotis, president of the Lumina Foundation, issue both an alarm that higher education is at a crossroads and a call to positive action through system changes in higher ed: Tom Uribes (CVHEC communications); Delta College President Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson; Dr. Benjamín Durán (CVHEC executive director); Coalinga College President Carla Tweed, Elaine Cash (CVHEC grants), Coalinga College English Professor Brandy Wilds; Ángel Ramírez (CVHEC operations/finance).See blog and photo gallery: https://bit.ly/CVHECblog-CCA24keynoteMerisotisLumina.

 

See CVHEC Math Task Force stories:

Math Task Force AB1705 collaborations to continue – November 15, 2024

AB1705 update: Math Task Force Convening draws state higher ed officials – October 4, 2024

AB 1705: Math Task Force sets Oct. 25 reconvene with 3 strands – September 12, 2024

Math Task Force resumes AB1705 curriculum planning April 19 – April 17, 2024

WHAT THE CV-HEC IS HAPPENING BLOG (April 2024): AB1705 – Dana Center analysis of CCCCO memo – April 17, 2024

Math Task Force continues AB 1705 work with April 19 convening – March 15, 2024

Valley’s math ed experts unite to address AB 1705 challenge for student success – January 18, 2024

The CVHEC Way to Math Success — Implementing AB1705 – December 20, 2023

Math Task Force begins discussion of AB1705 implementation – Nov. 17 next – November 1, 2023

CVHEC Math Task Force meets in-person Oct. 13 for AB 1705 follow-up   – October 10, 2023

MATH TASK FORCE: ‘Something extraordinary’ (Jan. 26 wrap) – February 23, 2024

CVHEC SPOTLIGHT: Math Task Force Convening Jan. 26 in the news – February 23, 2024

NEWS RELEASE – CVHEC Math Task Force: Impactful legislation (AB 1705) Convenings Oct. 6 & 13 – September 28, 2023

CVHEC Website Feature: Math Task Force Page – September 7, 2023

WHAT THE CV-HEC IS HAPPENING BLOG (October 2022): AB 1705 – What Does It Do? – October 19, 2022

New Remedial-Education Reform Bill: Central Valley colleges help lead the way – June 23, 2022

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