Leading Community Colleges in California

In this episode, President & CEO Larry Galizio, Ph. D., is joined by Kristen Soares, President of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, or AICCU. For the past 15 years, President Soares has led the organization that represents California’s diverse independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, advocating at the state and federal levels for policies that suppor...

In this episode, host Larry Galizio, Ph. D., interviews Davis Jenkins, Ph. D., senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center and co-author of More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success. Dr. Jenkins, a national expert on guided pathways and workforce-aligned programs, says that educational completion is insufficient, and colleges should...

On this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, Larry Galizio is joined by Edward Bush, Ph. D ., president of Cosumnes River College and current board president and founding member of the African American Male Education Network & Development—A²MEND.  A²MEND is a non-profit organization comprised of Community College Faculty and Administrators who volunteer their time to use their...

In this episode, we celebrate a remarkable milestone—the 25th anniversary of the Community College League of California’s Policy & Procedure Subscription Service. For a quarter of a century, this program has guided and supported California’s community college districts, helping leaders navigate governance, compliance, and evolving educational landscapes. Hosted by Larry Galizio, Ph. D., this s...

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in Calfornia, host Larry Galizio, Ph. D., is joined by Sunita V. Cooke, Ph. D., superintendent/president of MiraCosta College in Oceanside. Dr. Cooke is well-known statewide and nationally for her leadership in workforce development. She recently completed a term as chair of the board for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and provid...

On this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, host Larry Galizio is joined by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (26th Assembly District) whose leadership journey began as a community college student, then as an elected trustee, and now as a leader in the state legislature. He often shares that the opportunity to attend community college shaped his path in life. Prior to joining the Asse...

On this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, host Larry Galizio is joined by Jon Fansmith , senior vice president for government relations and national engagement at the American Council on Education (ACE) . A nationally recognized voice in the media and a trusted expert among policymakers, he offers critical insights into the shifting federal landscape affecting colleges and unive...

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, Larry Galizio , Ph. D., is joined by Kristin Clark , Ed. D., retired chancellor; West Hills Community College District and consultant to the League; Jill Stearns , Ph. D., superintendent/president, San Luis Obispo Community College District; and Jennifer Zellet , superintendent/president, Antelope Valley Community College District. Today...

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, Larry Galizio , Ph. D., visits with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Chancellor Ron Gerhard and Yuba College President Tawny Dotson . In April 2025, the State Auditor released an audit report on California's Fifty Percent Law , which limits funding flexibility and restricts colleges from fully investing in critical stud...

On this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, host Larry Galizio welcomes Ryan Stewart, Ed. L.D. , in an insightful conversation about opportunities to seek Medicaid funding to support student health services. Community colleges play a significant role in delivering health services, according to a recent report by Stewart and Sara Goldrick-Rab, Ph. D., Increasing Student Support and...

On Episode 28, Mac Powell , President & CEO of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, joins host Larry Galizio , Ph. D., to explore the vital role of accreditation in safeguarding educational integrity. Discover how systematic review and objectivity uphold consistency, even amid looming challenges from potential federal policy changes, ensuring the quality and trust esse...

In Episode 27, host Larry Galizio, Ph. D. , visits with Pamila Fisher , co-founder of the Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar, as the program enters its fourth decade. Dr. Fisher shares a brief history of the seminar's history and growth, and the focus on women's leadership issues as they have changed since 1984. Applications for the 2025 Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar are accepted th...

In Episode 26, host Larry Galizio, Ph. D. , visits with Rebekah Kalleen , executive director of the Community College Facility Coalition. On November 5, 2024, Californians will have the chance to vote on Proposition 2, the Public Education Facilities Bond Measure. This initiative seeks to issue $10 billion in bonds, with $8.5 billion earmarked for upgrading elementary and secondary educational fac...

In Episode 25, Larry Galizio, Ph. D. visits with Trustee Jonathan Abboud from Santa Barbara City College, and Trustee Sonia Lopez from Compton Community College District about what it means to be a Millennial Trustee. They both explore what made them decide to run for Trustee as a young professional and the value age diversity has brought to community college boards as the community of millennial...

In Episode 24, Larry Galizio, Ph. D. visits with Evergreen Valley College Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, S. Lu Crary , and EVC nursing student, Alma Arevalo. They discuss the importance of access to and diversity in nursing academic programs, the expanding and acute need for nurses in California health care, and the impact that SB 895 (Sen. Richard Roth) could have to students and communities....

In Episode 23, Larry Galizio, Ph. D. visits with statewide student leaders Cassandra Flandre-Nguyen , president, Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), and Nicole Nguyen , student trustee on the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board. They share stories about their personal higher education journeys, insight into issues important issues for community college students...

In Episode 22, Larry Galizio, Ph. D. speaks with Keith Buffinton, Ph. D., Executive Director, and Richard K. Miller, Ph. D.,  Founding Chair of the Coalition for Transformational Education, about the mission of the coalition, how it was founded, and the importance higher education has on student lives and mental health after graduation.  Learn more about the Coalition at thecte.org  

In Episode 21, Larry Galizio, Ph. D. , visits with incoming presidents for the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board and California Community Colleges Trustees (CCCT) Board. They discuss their enthusiasm for CCC Chancellor Christian's student-centered initiatives, community colleges' roles in supporting California's green economy, and what infl...

In this episode, League President & CEO Larry Galizio, Ph. D., talks with California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian, Ph. D. She has more than three decades of experience at all levels of community college leadership and is the first woman named to the permanent role leading the 116-college system. Together, they talk about her family's commitment to education, the importanc...

In this episode, Dr. Larry Galizio talks with California community college leaders as they advocate for baccalaureate degree programs for in-demand careers throughout the state. Together, they discuss the importance of higher education for place-bound students and regional economies, and the community partnerships that affirm the need for these industry-specific degrees. His guests include: Consta...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Jennifer Cardone, Executive Director of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), the statewide organization that establishes the rules and regulations that administer intercollegiate athletic activities for our nearly 24,000 student-athletes. Cardone discusses her journey as a former college athlete and first-generation college graduat...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Dr. Kevin Walthers, Superintendent/President of Allan Hancock College about a wide variety of subjects, including how his education and experience with state policy led to his transition into higher education. A strong advocate for the community college baccalaureate degree, Dr. Walthers shares his advice for aspiring CEOs and his instrumental role in the L...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Barry Snell, Trustee at Santa Monica College, and Member on the California Community College Trustees Board. Trustee Snell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and business leader with extensive experience in civic engagement for the Santa Monica and Malibu regions of southern California. Snell, originally from New Jersey, shares what brought him to Calif...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Evergreen Valley College President Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. President Gilkerson talks about how she views California Community Colleges (CCC) as portals to opportunity for social and economic mobility as well as her own personal and professional journey. We learn of her current role as President at EVC, located in the Evergreen district of East San Jose, and...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Tracey Vackar, Trustee at Riverside Community College District (RCCD) and member of the California Community College Trustees Board. Trustee Vackar currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Glendora Unified School District and after 33 years in education she continues to have the same passion and drive for developing workforc...