SPOTLIGHT ON CVHEC: Dr. Clark to co-lead CVHEC dual enrollment with Cash
Former WHCCD chancellor resumes higher ed career
(FEB. 23, 2025) — Dr. Kristin Clark, chancellor-emeritus of West Hills Community College District (WHCCD), has joined the
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium core team as a consultant leading the development of a “Dual Enrollment Guide/Playbook of Best Practices” for Central Valley colleges, especially those serving students in rural areas.
Dr. Benjamin Duran, CVHEC executive director, recently announced the appointment bringing the former chancellor out of retirement seven months after stepping away from her 30-year career in higher education that also included the presidency of West Hills College-Lemoore (now Lemoore College) and service on the CVHEC board of directors.
Dr. Clark will pair up with Elaine Cash, CVHEC grants coordinator and former superintendent of Riverdale Joint Unified School District who last month was named to co-lead CVHEC’s dual enrollment project.
“We are very fortunate that Dr. Clark was available and willing to join us for this very important project,” Duran said. “Her addition to the powerful CVHEC consulting team comprised of retired higher education and K12 leaders will be a benefit to the entire area.”
This week, Duran leads a CVHEC delegation to the 2025 California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference (Feb. 23-26) in Sacramento by the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships, Career Ladders Project, and EdTrust–West.
CVHEC will present its Master’s Upskilling Project and Central Valley Math Bridge Project with College Bridge.
He said the Dual Enrollment Guide/Playbook is one of the priorities that has emerged from the Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity Task Force (CVDEEP) that CVHEC formed in 2019 with representation from the consortium’s 15 community college members in the valley’s 10-county region.
See the full story about Dr. Kristen’s new CVHEC venture in the upcoming March issue of the CVHEC newsletter.
Dr. Clark’s full bio
Elaine Cash bio
“Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley, Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity.”
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
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.
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 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!!
SPOTLIGHT – CVHEC on the road
Executive Director Benjamín Durán (third from left) led the CVHEC delegation at the Strategic Transfer Summit with Transfer Project Lead Stan Carrizosa, Jennifer Johnson of California Community Colleges Foundation and Dr. James Zimmerman of UC Merced. (Photo below): The California Economic Summit in October was attended by Ángel Ramírez, Elaine Cash, Tom Uribes (back), Priscilla Arrellano posing with Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula.
Strategic Transfer Summit provides showcase for
CVHEC’s Transfer Project as reps make the rounds
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium delegations are making the rounds this fall at several state and national conferences including the recent Strategic Transfer Summit presented by the California Community Colleges Nov. 8 at UC Merced.
Other destinations include the Complete College America National Conference in Indianapolis Nov. 18-20; the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) in Atlanta Nov. 14-17 through the Dana Center with CVHEC Math Task Force members Jeremy Brandl of Fresno City College and Shelley Getty of Taft College; and the Community Colleges League of California Nov. 22 in Sacramento.
CVHEC also attended the California Economic Summit held Oct. 8-10 in Sacramento.
At the recent Transfer Summit, CVHEC’s Transfer Project team presented an update on its progress in partnering with the consortium’s 15 community college members using the Program Pathway Mapper software for a smoother transfer process for students. Leading the CVHEC delegation at the UC Merced event was Executive Director Benjamín Durán and Transfer Lead Stan Carrizosa along with James Zimmerman vice chancellor of UC Merced and Jennifer Johnson California Community Colleges Foundation.
Carrizosa said the summit, attended by the chief executive officers of the state’s three public higher ed segments – the University of California, the California State University and the California Community Colleges – provided a prime opportunity to showcase the consortium’s Transfer Project.
“The participation of the statewide CEOs of CCC, CSU & UC — coupled with powerful student testimony — makes this event an inflection point that sets our Transfer Project on its next upward trajectory,” Carrizosa said.
CVHEC’s Transfer Project has been designated as a California Community Colleges Demonstration Project by Chancellor Sonya Christian to serve as a model systemwide.
This month, Duran will also attend the CLCC in Sacramento as well as lead the CVHC delegation to the CAC national conference in Indiana. Attending the CAC with him will be Angel Ramirez, operations/finance director; Elaine Cash, grants coordinator; and Tom Uribes, communications/media coordinator.
For the CA Economic Summit in October, Ramirez, Cash and Uribes were joined by Priscilla Arrellano, administrative specialist.