Foundation for California Community Colleges

08/20/2026

Introducing Field Notes, a new digital editorial series from FoundationCCC that brings our work into practice through insights and perspectives from experts in the field.
In the latest Field Notes, Kaitlin Jackson, Ed.D., Director of the California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP), explores why California Community Colleges are an essential starting point for building the state’s future physician workforce.
With California projected to face a shortage of 10,500 primary care physicians by 2030, CMSP is creating supported pathways from community college to medical school, helping more students pursue careers in medicine while strengthening the healthcare workforce in communities across the state.
Read “California’s Physician Workforce Starts at Community College” in our Media Center: https://foundationccc.org/fieldnote/californias-physician-workforce-starts-at-community-college/

08/18/2026

Join us in celebrating the 2026 California Community Colleges Student Ambassador Fellowship Program cohort!

Hear directly from Student Fellows about their experiences, growth, and impact, and learn more about the program’s milestones and opportunities to support this important work across California Community Colleges.

Register for the 2026 CCC Student Ambassador Fellowship Program Showcase: bit.ly/CCCStudentShowcase

08/10/2026

California’s physician pathway is growing.

The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP) is expanding its Regional Hubs of Healthcare Opportunity to Los Angeles and the Bay Area, creating new pathways for students pursuing careers in medicine while helping address physician shortages across the state.

The three new regional hubs will be led by David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Chabot College, bringing together community colleges, universities, medical schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to support students from college through medical school.

With this expansion, CMSP now reaches 56 California Community Colleges, 23 four-year universities and medical schools, and 42 community-based health organizations across California.

Learn more about the expansion and CMSP’s work to strengthen California’s future physician workforce.

The California Medicine Scholars Program is expanding to Los Angeles and the Bay Area to create new pathways for students pursuing careers in medicine.

08/07/2026

What does a career as a forestry technician actually look like?

Meet Ryan Romero and follow him into the field to see how forestry technicians collect and analyze data, assess forest conditions, support restoration work, and help protect the long-term health of our forests.

Through California Resilient Careers in Forestry, FoundationCCC is working with education, workforce, community, and industry partners to expand training and connect Californians with high-quality careers in forestry and fire safety.

Forestry technician is just one of the many career pathways featured at forestrypathways.org. Explore career profiles, training programs, job opportunities, and resources to help you take the next step.

California Resilient Careers in Forestry is supported by a $21.5 million Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

07/30/2026

A statewide commitment to LGBTQ+ student success is creating stronger systems of belonging across California’s community colleges.

Since 2023, a historic investment led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has helped colleges expand the people, programs, and spaces dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students. In just three years:

• More than 90 colleges now have dedicated LGBTQ+ personnel, up from 48
• Pride Centers have grown from 50 to 77, with 13 more in development
• More than 100 colleges host Lavender Graduations
• More than 150 educators have received specialized training in LGBTQ+ student support

Beyond these milestones, colleges are building lasting capacity through mentorship, basic needs support, culturally responsive mental health services, faculty and staff training, and more inclusive campus practices.

FoundationCCC is proud to administer this statewide initiative in partnership with the Chancellor’s Office and support colleges as they create environments where every student can feel seen, connected, and positioned to succeed.

Over the last three years, the California Community Colleges have grown a robust infrastructure to support LGBTQ+ students statewide. Learn about how expanded resources are strengthening a sense of belonging and creating lasting positive change across California’s community colleges.

07/23/2026

We are pleased to welcome Greg Backley and Kirk Tramble to the FoundationCCC Board of Directors.

Backley, President and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California and a proud Pasadena City College alumnus, brings extensive leadership experience across business, philanthropy, public policy, and higher education.

Tramble, Founder and Principal of Kizata LLC and a former College of San Mateo faculty member, brings deep expertise in technology, responsible AI governance, workforce development, and expanding pathways into STEM careers.

Their experience and commitment to innovation, economic mobility, and student success will strengthen FoundationCCC’s work on behalf of California’s students, colleges, and communities.
Read more below:

Greg Backley, President and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California, and Kirk Tramble, Founder and Principal of Kizata LLC, have been appointed to the Foundation for California Community Colleges Board of Directors following approval today by the California Community Colleges Board of Gove...

07/14/2026

Thank you to More Doctors for California for producing and sharing this video highlighting the California Medicine Scholars Program Capitol Briefing.
The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP), a program of FoundationCCC, is expanding pathways from California Community Colleges to medical school and helping develop a physician workforce that better reflects and serves California’s communities.
This work is made possible through the leadership and collaboration of CMSP’s Regional Health Hubs of Opportunity and medical school partners, including the UC Davis School of Medicine, UC Riverside School of Medicine, UC San Diego School of Medicine, and UCSF Fresno.
We are proud to support CMSP as it enters its next phase of expansion, creating greater access and more opportunities for students across California to pursue careers in medicine. Learn more about CMSP: californiamedicinescholarsprogram.org/

07/11/2026

Innovation in higher education isn't just about new technology. It's about creating better learning experiences for every student.
FoundationCCC is proud to support the California Education Learning Lab as it brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore ideas that strengthen teaching and learning across the California Community Colleges.
This conversation examines how connection, instructional design, and emerging technologies like AI are shaping the future of online education, while keeping students at the center.
Watch the recording to hear the discussion and learn how thoughtful innovation can help create more engaging and equitable learning experiences across our colleges.

Learning Lab Director Lark Park interviews Dr. Pacansky-Brock on technology's role in our lives, the human elements of teaching, and how online education still has the potential to change lives.

07/03/2026

We’re proud to support a system where opportunity, belonging, and possibility meet.
As America marks 250 years, FoundationCCC joins in recognizing the students, educators, colleges, and partners helping shape what comes next for California and the nation.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/CCC_America250