Congratulations to Our History Making California Community College Chancellor, Dr. Sonya Christian

Congratulations to Our History-Making California Community College Chancellor, Dr. Sonya Christian

Today, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors make history in selecting Dr. Sonya Christian to become the system's next Chancellor. Dr. Christian, a first-generation immigrant, will be the first woman and first Asian-American to serve as Chancellor of the country's largest system of higher education, with over 1.8 million students, 54% of which identify as female and over 70% identifying as Latinx, Black, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.

Over the past several years, California Community Colleges have made notable progress on delivering remedial education reform, streamlining transfer, and meeting students’ basic needs with a focus on racial equity and student success. Dr. Christian is now well-positioned to build on this progress and accelerate improvements for the benefit of all students and California’s economy.

“The selection of Dr. Sonya Christian as the next Chancellor of the California Community Colleges system is as historic and bold, as it is wise and an absolute win for students. Her track record and pioneering leadership make her perfect for the job. She has been at the forefront of expanding Guided Pathways, redesigning remedial education placement practices, strengthening transfer, and boosting workforce and career education in service of students. As the first woman, and first Asian American to be selected, Dr. Christian's appointment is inspiring and reflects a desire to stay focused on improving the community college experience for students and eradicating racial equity gaps. Dr. Christian has the know-how to lead the nation's most diverse and largest community college system with the grace, experience, and commitment to partnership that is required. Our students, our state, and all of us fighting for greater college opportunity and student success are grateful she is taking the helm."

Michele Siqueiros

President

Campaign for College Opportunity

Over the course of her exemplary career, Dr. Christian has demonstrated she has the political acumen to work collaboratively with educators, the Governor, policymakers, and other statewide leaders to advocate for students and the California Community Colleges system. She has a track record of success -- both as Bakersfield College President and more recently as Chancellor of Kern Community College District, transforming the lives of thousands of students.

In 2016, Dr. Christian was named, “Woman of the Year” by California Assemblymember Rudy Salas for her groundbreaking accomplishments at Bakersfield College. She was also named “Woman of the Year” by the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and "Educator of the Year” by the Delano Chamber of Commerce (2018). Most recently, Dr. Christian was honored by the Campaign for College Opportunity as a “2022 Beacon of Racial Equity” for her tirelesss work to ensure that all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college. The Campaign for College Opportunity is honored that Dr. Christian has served on the Board of Directors since 2018.

What Leaders Are Saying

"Sonya Christian is a champion of the underserved who has provided countless opportunities for rural students and students of color in Kern County. It has been a sincere privilege to partner with her on educational initiatives that uplift our communities and facilitate upward mobility. As we reach this critical juncture in higher education, Dr. Christian has the ability and the commitment to improve educational attainment rates throughout the state. She is EXACTLY the kind of driven and principled woman we need in Sacramento representing our community colleges."

Dolores Huerta

Civil Rights Leader and Founder

Dolores Huerta Foundation

"This is a very exciting and confidence-inducing choice for chancellor of California's community colleges. Sonya Christian has the right experience, philosophy, and ingenuity to ensure that our community colleges continue to improve their track record in equitably advancing the education of all Californians."

Thomas A. Sáenz

President and General Counsel

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

"We join the education community and all Californians in welcoming Sonya Christian as the new Chancellor of the California Community Colleges system. It has been an honor to work with Chancellor Christian on the Campaign for College Opportunity Board, where she has been a leader in supporting education opportunities, reforms and innovative workforce programs. Her experience and life-long passion for education make her the right choice for this new leadership role and we look forward to continuing our important work together in the future."

Robert Lapsley

President

California Business Roundtable

Dr. Sonya Christian and students celebrating Governor Newsom's signing of historic transfer reform legislation (Assembly Bill 928, Berman).