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

 

-30-

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

CVHEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (January 2025)

2025: ‘higher education is at a crossroads’  

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues …

It is a delight to welcome you to 2025 on behalf of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member colleges and universities as well as the CVHEC staff that has the privilege of working with our members on the impactful work they undertake in our Central Valley region – work that strives to improve the well-being of our students, their families and the communities we live in.

Before we proceed, let me join you all in wishing our colleagues and students from our sister colleges and universities in Southern California safety, security and well-being as they deal with the horrific and unimaginable fires raging.  It is heartening to see those higher education campuses in the region serving as sites joining in efforts to assist the victims.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

In our last edition, we shared with you the successes and highlights of the previous year.  In this, our first newsletter of the year, we are happy to share some of the events and initiatives planned in the coming months.

First, you will note that Dr. Sonya Christian, chancellor of the California Community Colleges and Central Valley native, will join us Feb. 3 as the keynote speaker for our convening “Dual Enrollment — the Central Valley Way.” At this event, with educators and policymakers in our 10-county region, we will showcase the successes achieved throughout the Central Valley in the delivery of dual enrollment courses to regional high schools by our community colleges and examine what is ahead so that we work in unison, as one voice, as much as possible.

Also in this edition, you will read about the first cohort of Math Bridge high school students that began in the fall with a prep course and will now be taking their first college course this spring through the innovative approach rolled out in 2023 by College Bridge in partnership with CVHEC, community college consortium members and Rand Corporation.

As the spring progresses, CVHEC will hold similar convenings around other student success initiatives that are being implemented as well as to begin discussing strategic planning for the consortium. Details will be forthcoming on those events and plans but chief among them is the annual CVHEC Summit scheduled for May 9.

The summit is where the heads of the valley’s higher education institutions – the CVHEC Board of Directors – come together for a full day of showcases and discussions regarding education issues pertinent to our region. We will be joined by our colleagues, partners and friends. We look forward to hearing from our annual panel of legislative leaders from the Valley and, just as important if not moreso, them hearing from us. Watch for more details in our February issue.

In this issue, we are pleased to announce that this year the CVHEC Board of Directors will be chaired by Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, chancellor of UC, Merced.  Presently, two board meetings are in the works for this spring.

In closing, we also kick off 2025 with a special edition of our “What the CV-HEC Is happening” Blog: a reprint of the speech delivered by Dr. Jaime Merisotis, president of the Lumina Foundation, at the Complete College America 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 where we were fortunate to hear President Merisotis issue both an alarm and a call to positive action. He warned that higher education is at a crossroads due to changes ranging from COVID, climate change effects, worldwide unrest, political polarization here in the US and a declining confidence in higher education due to distorted information.

But he calls upon our higher education community nationwide to heed a unique “opportunity to use this moment of extreme stress to pursue genuine, urgently-needed systemic change.

“Bluntly stated, this means calling BS on the outrageous distortions about higher education while also pursuing urgently-needed changes,” Dr. Merisotis told us. “These things are both possible, and not in contradiction.”

I hope you enjoy the blog and that this national education leader’s words generate some dialogue between you and your colleagues. We encourage you to share those conversations, as we will, on our various CVHEC social media platforms.

Once again, welcome to the new year and we look forward to maintaining and strengthening ongoing relationships with you as the year unfolds.

CVHEC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (December 2024): Happy Holidays!

Best wishes for 2025 from the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium team: (FRONT) Dr. Liz Rozell,
Priscilla Arellano and Elaine Cash. (BACK) Tom Uribes, Tom Burke, Stan Carrizosa,
Dr. Benjamín Durán, Dr. John Spevak, Dr. Vikash Lakhani and Ángel Ramírez.

Revisiting an eventful year and strategies

for student success the Central Valley Way

Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues …

Welcome to the end of the fall 2024 semester and the beginning of the well-deserved winter break!

I hope you enjoy the final edition of this year’s CVHEC e-newsletter.  You will have the opportunity to join us in revisiting the highlights of this eventful year and the strategies our colleges and universities have engaged to improve the pathways to retention and timely completion for our Central Valley students. On that note, a hearty congratulations to those who completed their academic journey this month.  And congrats as well to the faculty, staff and administrators who provided the academic guidance to support your success. All the best to you Class of Winter 2024 graduates!

Among the many successes of this past year is the historic mission to address implementation of Assembly Bill 1705 with our Math Task Force convening community college math education professionals from throughout our 10-county region to communicate and collaborate for strategies that benefit valley college students. We have also seen great advancement of our Transfer Project which completes its first year as a California Community Colleges Demonstration Project.

These CVHEC initiatives have established what we call “the Central Valley Way,” a movement that his gained recognition in higher education circles beyond our region.  We have had the opportunity to share this great work with audiences at the state and national levels at such convenings as the Complete College America Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana along with California convenings like the Community College League of California and the California Economic Summit.

It has been an honor and a delight to shine the light on the region and our member institutions and we especially commend our Math Task Force members and Transfer Project team for their diligence this past year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our funding partners who make it possible for us to do our work.  Thanks to the College Futures Foundation, Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative, the Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative, the We Will! K-16 Educational Collaborative, College Bridge, and the CVHEC membership.  These colleagues have been instrumental in transforming the region socially, economically and educationally.

As you enjoy our final newsletter of the year, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful New Year!!

What the CV-HEC is Happening Blog – December 2024: Year-In-Review

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

CVDEEP Task Force convening for

educators in 10-county region to look at

strategic planning, policy changes, student success and equity

 

REGISTER HERE

 

The Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP) Task Force Convening will be held Feb. 3, 2025 in Fresno where educators will resume discussions of challenges and barriers to dual enrollment success in the valley’s 10-county region.

Registration is now available for the free event presented by the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Fresno. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to participants.New this year will be a pre-conference session from 9-10 a.m. that will provide information for high schools and colleges new to dual enrollment.

The event, postponed from November, will focus on creating a strategic plan for dual enrollment in the Central Valley, policy changes, support, student success and equity, said Dr. Benjamin Durán, CVHEC executive director.

“The dual enrollment opportunity provides a timely gateway to meaningful careers with sufficient earnings to support a quality of life for themselves and their families,” said Durán, who also is president-emeritus of Merced College.

Through dual enrollment, high school students earn college credits while earning their high school diploma which increases their chances of earning credentials, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees as expeditiously as possible. Since 2019, the region has reported the highest share of community college students simultaneously enrolled in K-12 schools of any region in the state.

Durán said at this convening, college and university professionals will highlight their work delivering college level courses to high school students from rural high schools using an online dual enrollment strategy as a vehicle to reach populations that do not typically have the opportunity to benefit from taking college level courses while still in high school.

“This is a great way to infuse equity and inclusion into our partner institutions for those students who will benefit from getting a jump-start on gateway college courses that are essential for the successful completion of their degrees and certificates,” Durán said.

CVHEC created the  CVDEEP Task Force — made up of community college and K-12 educational leaders — in July 2019 at the request of community college administrators so Central Valley colleges and K-12 partner districts could purposefully and strategically engage on a regional basis to deliver dual enrollment in a more equitable way.

The first two CVDEEP Task Force convenings in 2020 and 2022  set the stage for educators in the valley to collaborate leading to such gains as improving the CCCApply application process to the California Community College system and getting more high school teachers qualified to teach dual enrollment college courses.

For more information about the convening, contact Ángel Ramírez, director of operations and finance, at angelr@csufresno.edu or 559.278.0576.

CVHEC media contact: Tom Uribes • cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu • 559.348.3278 (text message)

 

Press release available at https://cvhec.org/cvdeep-task-force-sets-dual-enrollment-convening-nov-14-for-educators-in-10-county-region/

 

BACKGROUND: CVHEC Dual Enrollment White Paper sets the stage

In 2016, 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, expanded and protected dual enrollment through 2027.

In June 2020, CVHEC released a 16-page report, “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley, Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity;”   by former CVHEC Strategies Lead Virginia Madrid Salazar, Esq., that highlights this work and provides a blueprint to strengthen dual enrollment delivery in the Central Valley. (See her February 2022 CVHEC newsletter blog).

The task force’s first planning meeting July 22, 2018 brought together about 60 front-line educators who deliver dual enrollment services valley-wide to join forces  establish a regional consensus  that provided the direction for a full conference March 5, 2019.

At that first full convening in 2019, attendees representing 52 school districts, 12 community colleges and two education organizations/agencies spent the day in two panels and three breakout sessions discussing their experiences and ways to navigate forward.

John Spevak, a CVHEC regional coordinator, at the time commended the educators for their efforts in developing dual enrollment programs, telling his audience, “I’m just impressed with the amount of work that we have to do to make this successful. It just doesn’t happen by itself. This is one of the most intensive activities I have ever seen take place between high schools and colleges.

The second convening March 17, 2022,  with the theme “Establishing Dual Enrollment Pathways in the Central Valley,” attracted more than 150 secondary and postsecondary educators to discuss and recommend action that has come into fruition as a result of their efforts :

  • Improvements in the CCCApplyapplication process to the California Community College system.

 

CVHEC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (November 2024): The fall winds of change

The fall winds of change

 

Welcome to our post-election edition of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium e-newsletter.

Each presidential election brings new changes and initiatives nationally, and this one will be no exception.  In future editions of our newsletter, we will highlight and explore changes coming to higher education from our new administration and how those impact our Central Valley colleges, universities and students in the region and similar rural regions in California.

In this edition, please enjoy articles that feature some of the ongoing work that is taking place and the introduction of local research that gives a more intimate look at the performance of our students from underpromoted communities in the region.

Our Math Task Force has been working in a collaborative manner to address issues and concerns surrounding the implementation of AB 1705, its impact on our students, and how Central Valley math faculty have taken on the task of ensuring the legislation is implemented in an equitable and fair manner.  The findings and outcomes of these efforts were highlighted at the “CV Way to AB1705 Success and Beyond” convening held at the Clovis Community College Herndon Center Oct. 25, 2024. Many of these math faculty worked through the summer to prepare for the convening of colleagues from throughout the valley.

You will also be introduced to a research initiative at UC Merced funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and led by Principal Investigator Dr. Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz and Dr. Orquidea Largo: the UC Merced Advancing Educational Opportunity in the Central Valley Project.  This team of researchers is taking a deeper more nuanced look at the performance of Central Valley students and their performance in courses designed to prepare them for entrance into the college or university of their choice.

In addition to that article summarizing completion pf phase one of this project last month, you can read more about these efforts in Dr.  Aguirre-Muñoz’s “What in the CV-HEC is Happening” blog this month.  As the research team continues with the next phases of their work, we are hoping to see evidence that the work by CVHEC colleges and universities in recent years is reflected in the data that emerges.

We also invite you to enjoy news entries about some of our member institutions and other related news articles. With Veterans Day just behind us, we also pay tribute to the men and women of our nation’s military who have selflessly served to build a nation liberty and equality.

Now, as we approach the end of the fall semester and welcome the Thanksgiving holiday season, we wish you well!

Contact Us

  • cvhecinfo@mail.fresnostate.edu

  • 559.278.0576

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