Chancellor's Remarks February 4, 2025 BOT Meeting

Good evening, Trustees,

You heard a little bit about this through our college presidents' reports and the Classified Senate update—just a glimpse of what’s happening in our world right now. I don’t typically read prepared remarks, but this is important enough that I want to ensure I get the words right.

As we all know, the new federal administration has taken significant actions to reduce spending, including proposals to cut the federal workforce by 50% and effectively eliminate many social justice and equity programs at the national level. We are witnessing serious discussions about dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and other consequential shifts.

We all remember from history class—right, Paul Gilmore? There are three branches of government. It’s the prerogative of the President to set the budget and direct the operations of the federal government. But what is deeply concerning to many of us—including me—are the broader implications of some of these decisions:

• Changes in immigration enforcement.
• Pending mass layoffs of federal workers—people who serve our country, regardless of political affiliation.
• Agencies pausing special observances such as Black History Month, Pride Month, and Women’s History

Month to comply with executive orders—many of which are expected to be challenged in court by California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and 28 other state attorneys general. The potential consequences to our students—and to our collective soul—are difficult to fully grasp. And I say this as someone who has been around a while; I can only imagine how overwhelming this must feel for our students.

As we heard in our college presidents’ reports this evening, there’s a current of fear running just beneath the surface.

This is not business as usual. We are living through a unique moment in history. And yet—despite this—we persist. We continue to show up for our students. We continue to show up for one another. We continue to lead.

Yes, we may argue. Yes, we may disagree. But we keep showing up, every single day.

I want to give special thanks to Caryss Johnson Franklin, at Clovis Community College, Dr. Arrie Smith at Fresno City College, and all of our African American/Black Faculty and Staff Associations for hosting powerful opening ceremonies. I had the honor and privilege of attending this week’s events at Clovis Community College and Fresno City College—both of which were amazing.

At Clovis Community College, I had the opportunity to hear from Brandon Brown, founder and CEO of School Yard Rap. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to him—please do. His work connects music and history in a way that is both inspiring and educational. I personally learned a great deal.

Trustee Gomez also attended the Fresno City College event, which was equally uplifting, informative, and full of soul. If you haven’t had a chance yet to attend a Black History Month event at one of our colleges, I encourage you—go. For God’s sake, go. Our students need to see us in those spaces, and frankly, we need to see each other there too.

I’m especially grateful to Dr. Samuel Morgan and the Reedley College Black Faculty Association for their leadership. They got a jumpstart on the month by hosting events in January—and I think that’s fitting. Black history isn’t confined to one month. It should be honored every day.

Tomorrow, Madera Community College will host an African Drum interactive performance at noon in the quad. Special thanks to everyone at Madera who helped plan this meaningful event—designed to honor the cultural significance and contributions of Black Americans.

I encourage everyone to visit our college websites to learn more about this month’s activities. 

It’s important to remember that education is a powerful force for equality and justice. And we do not need permission to uplift education. We do not need permission to celebrate the righteousness we see happening every day at our colleges.

Our commitment to diversity, kindness, and inclusion is not just a statement—it is a call to action. It is our responsibility to ensure that Black history is not only acknowledged during February, but embedded in the very fabric of our educational system: Through the stories we tell. Through the perspectives we uplift. Through the curriculum we teach. And through the policies we champion.

We will continue this work together. I am committed to it—and I hope you are too. Our students deserve safe and supportive places to learn.

To that end, I want to remind everyone of the immigration resources available on our college and district websites. I am grateful to President Reyna and Trustee Fuentes for their leadership in helping safeguard our most vulnerable student populations. Thank you again gentlemen for chairing the Taskforce on Vulnerable Students.

I’ve received several emails from students and staff thanking us for putting this resource page together—and while they addressed those messages to me, this was truly a team effort. My thanks go to the classified professionals and faculty from our Dream Centers, our Public Information Officers (many of whom are here tonight), and our student leaders who helped shape this important initiative.

Thank you for coming together to protect and uplift our students.

Finally, I want to wish safe travels to our Madera and Clovis Community College faculty and staff who are heading to Philadelphia to participate in the Gates Foundation’s Achieving the Dream cohort.

Think about that—Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy—what a fitting place to reflect on our mission during such a historic moment.

And I want to close with Achieving the Dream, because I believe that’s what we’re doing. Despite our differences, despite the challenges of the moment—we are united in our purpose to make dreams possible for our students.

Thank you, and that concludes my report.