Math Task Force ‘Central Valley Way’ gains national math attention REGISTER As a July 1, 2025 deadline approaches regarding implementation of Assembly Bill 1705, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium […]
A sweeping new report, “Pathways to College Completion in the San Joaquin Valley,” by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found a multitude of factors contributing to lower […]
California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV) has the lowest college enrollment and completion rates in the state, which both reflects and perpetuates the region’s economic challenges. Yet it could […]
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium unveils new look
The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is rolling out a new look that includes new logos presented in this issue and a revamped website later this winter.
The 28-member strong consortium covers 10 counties in the Central Valley and the new primary logo — keeping to tradition while simultaneously modernizing — captures our region in the center of the state in a rounded square shape to help with placement in a variety of compositions.
The stylization of the “CV” and its notable visual distinction in the logo-mark represents the agricultural roots of the Central Valley and its importance as the region that CVHEC serves. As the primary logo, this mark will be the most commonly used for CVHEC branded touch-points. The two alternate Logos will also be used from time-to-time with internal, local, state and national partners.
“With the exciting addition of a new full-time staff member, an updated strategic plan and new initiatives launched this year, this is right time to refresh our look,” said Ángel Ramírez, CVHEC finance and operations manager.
New PPIC report shows the San Joaquin Valley with lowest
college enrollment and completion rates in the state
Panel to discuss strategies for strengthening college-going pathways in the valley
UPDATE AUG. 15 (Public Policy Institute of California):
Dr. Benjamín Durán, executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, will join a virtual panel of experts discussing a new report to be released next week by the Public Policy Institute of California, “Pathways to College Completion in the San Joaquin Valley,” showing California’s San Joaquin Valley has the lowest college enrollment and completion rates in the state.
The panel, set for Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to noon, is presented by PPIC and will explore how institutions, educators and policymakers can expand support for college-going pathways in the valley.
Joining Dr. Durán on the panel — moderated by Dr. Olga Rodríguez, director of the PPIC Higher Education Center and a senior fellow at PPIC — will be Dr. Orquidea Largo, associate vice chancellor and chief outreach officer for the Center for Educational Partnerships, University of California, Merced; and Tressa Overstreet, executive director of College & Career Readiness for the Fresno Unified School District. (See detailed bios on the PPIC event page).
The report, which PPIC will release Aug. 15, notes that “with its youthful, diverse, growing population; expanding economy; and robust regional networks, the San Joaquin Valley could be on the verge of dramatic improvements in college enrollment and completion.”
Durán said PPIC’s work helps shed light on an issue CVHEC has tackled head-on since its inception 22 years ago this week.
“We applaud PPIC for undertaking this valuable work focusing on ongoing issues and barriers we sometimes encounter that too often still impede student success,” Durán said.
“It is important for valley educators to continuously confront these barriers and address the value of creating meaningful pathways such as dual enrollment courses supported by wrap-around services like our Math Bridge Program and to implement initiatives like our Transfer Project that complement those pathways, all leading to more student success.”
A question/answer session the final 15 minutes will close the PPIC panel. To submit questions: ppiceventquestions@gmail.com
Registration is now available for the free Zoom event.
The PPIC research and its panel event are supported with funding from College Futures Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Sutton Family Fund.
For report and panel event questions:
PPIC EVENT CONTACT: Sal Beeby, events associate (415.291.4426)
PPIC MEDIA CONTACT: Steven Bliss, director of Digital Strategy (415.291.4412)
CVHEC Media Contact (for Dr. Durán): Tom Uribes, cvhecommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu (559.348.3278)
Summer break provides pause for reflection
Greetings CVHEC friends and colleagues!
I welcome you to the mid-summer edition of our CVHEC newsletter. We hope you are having a restful and enjoyable summer and taking time to recharge and prepare for the upcoming fall semester.
This time of the year we try to step back, take a breath and highlight the great work that has been taking place on our member campuses by the dedicated faculty and staff.
As you visit the entries, you will get a sense of the efforts across the Central Valley in the last six months to improve access, retention and completion of students at our CVHEC member institutions in the region.
We also acknowledge ongoing transition in the region’s higher education scene with CEO changes at WHCCD, Porterville College, Fresno City College and Clovis Community College. One of those changes is the departure of Dr. Claudia Habib who left her Porterville presidency this month for the Ventura College presidency. We thank President Habib for her service to her students and to the CVHEC board.
All the best Claudia …as well as to Dr. Kristin Clark whose retirement as chancellor of WHCCD takes effect Aug. 8. We are especially appreciative of her service as the chair of the CVHEC board the past few years. We said our goodbyes to Kristin at our recent board executive committee meeting and also at a farewell reception for her July 26 at Lemoore College.
Speaking of the board, members should have received detailed info about our upcoming quarterly meeting in early September. If you have not received anything, please do contact Angel Ramirez at centralvalleyhec@gmail.com ASAP.
Finally, please allow me to close this summer message with a Happy Birthday greeting to … US! It was on Aug. 5, 2002 that CVHEC became formally incorporated under the leadership of then Fresno State President John D. Welty. Watch for more about our history in the near future.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter and continue enjoying your summer.
In the “What the CV-HEC is Happening” Blog for our summer 2024 special edition, Dr. John Spevak presents an observation about the value of a higher education. Dr. Spevak, […]