Leading Community Colleges in California

Community College League of California
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Community College League of California President & CEO Larry Galizio talks with California Community College leaders about opportunities and challenges facing the system. Get to know some of California's most influential community college leaders and their take on leadership. Each month Dr. Galizio will interview a new community college leader. Episodes will be posted monthly.

  1. Jul 9

    Episode 38: Building a Stronger Independent Sector with Kristen Soares

    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 support students and expand educational opportunity.  In our conversation, Soares reflects on her leadership journey, the strength that comes from AICCU's diverse membership, and the organization's work to help students succeed.  ______________ Founded in 1955, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is comprised of over 85 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in California. Together, these institutions make up the Independent California Colleges and Universities sector (ICCU).  AICCU works on behalf of the ICCU sector to articulate the principles and priorities of its institutions in the higher education ecosystem of California. AICCU provides a strong and visible presence at the state and federal level, as well as professional development opportunities for its member institutions’ senior leaders.

    Episode 38: Building a Stronger Independent Sector with Kristen Soares

  2. May 4

    Episode 37: More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success with guestDavis Jenkins, Ph.D.

    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 address the value of completion as it leads to talks about the return on investment for students. He also offers insight into how California community colleges can improve student outcomes through engaged learning and purposeful onboarding. _______________________ Davis Jenkins, Ph.D., is a senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center and research professor in the Department of Education Policy and Social Analysis at Columbia University’s Teachers College. He works with colleges, schools, community groups, and employers in communities and states across the country to find ways to improve educational and employment outcomes for students from groups that have been poorly served by the U.S. educational system.

  3. Mar 3

    Episode 36: A²MEND with Ed Bush, President, A²MEND and President, Cosumnes River College

    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 scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within the colleges they serve. A²MEND is a nationally recognized organization that has successfully improved the educational outcomes for men of color enrolled in the California Community College System.  President Bush shared his own journey to community college leadership and how A²MEND emerged 20 years ago and has now spread nationally, and internationally, to support Black male students and leaders.

    Episode 36: A²MEND with Ed Bush, President, A²MEND and President, Cosumnes River College

  4. 12/12/2025

    Episode 35: Policy & Procedure Subscription Service 25th Anniversary

    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 special anniversary episode features three distinguished guests who played foundational roles in the development and early success of the service. Guests include: Dr. David Viar, former President & CEO of the Community College League of California and later CEO of American River College and Glendale Community College.Dr. Cindra Smith, former director of education services at the League and a recognized expert in governing boards and trustee development.Mary Dowell, attorney emeritus with attorney group Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, whose legal expertise helped establish the program’s strong policy framework.Together, they revisit the origins of the Policy & Procedure Subscription Service, discuss its statewide impact, and reflect on how it continues to support boards, CEOs, and community colleges across California. This insightful conversation honors the legacy of a service that has shaped governance practices for 25 years—and continues to guide the future of California’s community colleges.

  5. 10/23/2025

    Episode 34: Sunita Cooke, Superintendent/President, MiraCosta College

    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 provides a national perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today’s institutions. Dr. Cooke shares her leadership journey, and her perspective on the critical role California colleges play on the national stage.

  6. 08/21/2025

    Episode 33 with Asm. Patrick Ahrens

    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 Assembly, Ahrens served as a Trustee on the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board, where he led efforts to build affordable housing for faculty, staff, and students, and collaborated with Santa Clara County to establish a first-in-the-state medical clinic at De Anza College. __________ A native of Silicon Valley, Ahrens is deeply committed to addressing the challenges faced by his constituents in one of the most dynamic yet demanding regions of California. His journey into public service was shaped by his own challenges, including growing up in a house with substance abuse issues and facing homelessness and housing insecurity as a college student. These experiences fueled his passion for public service and inspired his career advocating for affordable housing and education equity. He has championed policies to expand access and affordability in higher education, focusing on supporting community college students and ensuring pathways for economic mobility. A first-generation college graduate, Ahrens earned an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and a master’s degree in public administration from San José State University. He resides in Sunnyvale and is proud to represent the vibrant communities of Santa Clara County in the State Assembly.

  7. 06/10/2025

    Episode 32: What’s at Stake in D.C. for California’s Community Colleges?

    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 universities. In this conversation, Jon shares his national vantage point on pressing federal issues that California’s community college leaders should be watching closely, including the changing public narrative around the value of postsecondary education, implications for funding and access, and how leaders can shape federal policy. With California’s community colleges serving over 2.2 million students—one-fifth of the nation’s total—Jon also reflects on how this unique scale and diversity can be leveraged on the national stage. _________________________________ Jon Fansmith, along with colleagues Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer, from the American Council on Education, host dotEDU, a podcast on the policy aspects of issues that impact campuses, students, and higher education leaders. They're joined by guest experts to explore topics such as student aid policy, the Department of Education regulatory agenda, diversity in admissions, the value of higher education, and much more.

  8. 06/05/2025

    Episode 31: Rethinking CEO Professional Development

    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’s community college CEOs have remarkably complex jobs requiring them to stay ahead of trends. In this podcast, these three CEOs address evolving professional development needs, sharing insights on leadership, navigating complexity, and building competencies to succeed in the rapidly changing higher education landscape.  Hear from these three dynamic leaders as they make the case for ongoing professional learning for all California community college CEOs.  Join the conversation in person at this year’s CEO Leadership Academy, July 24-26, 2025, at the Mission Inn, Riverside. Register here>>

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About

Community College League of California President & CEO Larry Galizio talks with California Community College leaders about opportunities and challenges facing the system. Get to know some of California's most influential community college leaders and their take on leadership. Each month Dr. Galizio will interview a new community college leader. Episodes will be posted monthly.

Information

  • Creator
    Community College League of California
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leading Community Colleges in California
  • Show Website
    Leading Community Colleges in California

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