Media Center
Your source for the latest news, press releases, and stories from the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
FoundationCCC News
News and announcements highlighting system-strengthening efforts, equity-driven initiatives, and statewide impact for California’s community colleges, their students, and the communities they serve.
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FoundationCCC News, Program: Announcing the 2026 Keenan Insurance Scholarships
April 6, 2026
Applications for the Keenan Insurance Scholarships are now open for 2026, with up to $19,200 in scholarships available this year.
FoundationCCC News, Program: Announcing the 2025-26 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education Recipients
April 3, 2026
This year, the Academic Senate selected two winners: Shagun Kaur, a communications instructor at De Anza College, and Sheila Smith, a child development and family studies faculty member at Solano Community College.
FoundationCCC News, Program: Expanding Access to Clean Mobility for Californians
March 30, 2026
Through strong partnerships and student leadership, our Environmental Equity team continues to advance clean mobility solutions that support healthier communities in California.
Event, FoundationCCC News: Advancing Justice-Impacted Education Across California
April 9, 2026
Last month, the Chancellor’s Office hosted Rising Scholars 2030: From Local Beginnings to Leading the Nation in Sacramento. This statewide convening highlighted the growth of the Rising Scholars Network.
Event, FoundationCCC News: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
April 8, 2026
National Apprenticeship Week will take place from April 26 to May 2, offering workforce and education partners across the country a moment to recognize the enduring role of apprenticeship in building a skilled, resilient workforce.
Event, FoundationCCC News: Advancing AI in California Higher Education
April 7, 2026
On February 6, education leaders from across the state gathered for Better Together: California Convening on AI in Higher Education to explore the evolving role of AI in teaching and learning.
FoundationCCC News, Report: Empowering Student Success: 2025 Scholarship and Emergency Aid Impact
March 11, 2026
This year’s figures showcase how financial assistance is reducing barriers, improving persistence, and expanding access to education for students from a wide range of backgrounds.
FoundationCCC News, Report: Centering Communities: Our Impact in Focus
February 18, 2026
Advancing student success and community impact across California’s community colleges
FoundationCCC News, Report: California Medicine Scholars Program Marks Three Years of Statewide Impact
February 11, 2026
Get inspired with CMSP's recently published impact report and find out how the program is turning vision into measurable results.
In the Press
Media coverage highlighting FoundationCCC’s role in statewide transformation, cross-sector collaboration, and driving meaningful outcomes for California’s community
Please direct media inquiries to:
Elisa Smith
Senior Director, Strategic Communications
and External Affairs
FoundationCCC Fieldnotes
Insights and highlights from programs in the field.
June 18, 2026
Community College at the Forefront of Climate Action
As Senior Director of Climate Strategies at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, I have the privilege of leading the Center for Climate Futures—a cross-departmental team dedicated to improving lives in the face of current and emerging climate challenges. Recently, our portfolio has expanded to focus on natural resource management, agriculture and food systems, and...
Social Highlights
Engineering students are building the skills and experience they need to transfer and succeed.
The California Education Learning Lab’s Engineering Pathways Program connects @californiacommunitycolleges college students with a summer bridge experience and technical internships with industry partners.
Administered in partnership with FoundationCCC, the Learning Lab supports approaches that improve learning and help close equity gaps across California public higher education.
Learn more at the link in bio.
Across @californiacommunitycolleges, Finish Line Scholars are reaching commencement, transfer, and career goals with support that helps them stay on track when financial barriers get in the way.
Our latest Media Center story shares the journeys of Kaylie V. from @cosgiant , Andrew G. from @sbvalleycollege, and Saul H. from @modestojuniorcollege.
Their stories show the real barriers students navigate, including transportation costs, military transition, family responsibilities, health challenges, work, school, and planning for what comes next.
Administered by FoundationCCC and backed by a historic $100 million commitment from the Jay Pritzker Foundation, the Finish Line Scholars Program provides scholarships and emergency financial aid to help students complete what they started.
During the 2024–25 academic year, the program supported 3,132 scholars, with 1,482 students successfully completing their educational goals.
The program highlights what becomes possible when students have the support they need to keep going.
Read more in our Media Center at the link in bio.
A powerful reminder of what supported pathways can make possible.
@legallyamna, a @collegeofthecanyons graduate, shares how @calawpathways helped her find the mentorship, community, workshops, and connections that made her path to @ucla and a future legal career feel possible.
Cal LAW helps expand access to law and law-related careers for students across California, including first-generation and nontraditional students pursuing their goals through @californiacommunitycolleges pathways.
As a FoundationCCC Collaborative Impact Partner, Cal LAW is part of a network of mission-aligned partnerships we help support through fiscal sponsorship, management services, and shared work to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Californians.
Congratulations on this incredible milestone. We are proud to support work that helps students turn goals into opportunity.
Learn more about our Collaborative Impact Program: bit.ly/FoundationCCC-CIP
Learn more about Cal LAW: calawpathways.org/
Thank you to the @hiltonfoundation for spotlighting the @cccstudentambassadorprogram and the powerful peer-to-peer support happening at Los Angeles City College.
This short film by Gabriel G. highlights @californiacommunitycolleges Student Ambassadors who are helping connect transition-age and former foster youth to critical resources, support, and community.
We are grateful to @lacitycollege @presidentgebru Gebru, the LACC team, and the Guardian Scholars program for helping uplift this important work.
#FosterCareMonth #CaliforniaCommunityColleges
FoundationCCC is proud to celebrate The Taft College Foundation, named California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Stan Ellis.
The recognition was presented during the California Nonprofits Day Luncheon at the California State Capitol and honors Taft College Foundation’s work to expand student success, strengthen workforce development, and create economic opportunity across Kern County and beyond.
Through scholarships, student support programs, workforce training, and community partnerships, Taft College Foundation continues to invest in students and the long-term vitality of the region.
Congratulations to the entire Taft College Foundation team on this well-deserved recognition.
Read the full story from the Taft Midway Driller: bit.ly/4nKbQO4
Photo 1:
Left to right: Rob Duchow; Karen Zuber, Bank of America; Dr. Sheri Horn Bunk, Executive Director, Taft College Foundation; and Assemblymember Stan Ellis.
Today, @californiacommunitycolleges Board of Governors approved the reappointment of Nitasha Sawhney to the FoundationCCC Board of Directors for a second four-year term through May 2030.
Nitasha`s path is one our students will recognize: Associate of Arts degrees from Orange Coast College and Irvine Valley College, where she served as Student Trustee, before earning her Bachelor`s at University of California, Berkeley and her Juris Doctor at University of California, Davis. Today, as an equity partner at @Garcia Hernández Sawhney, LLP, she advises public school districts, community college districts, and other public institutions on education, labor, and employment law.
On our Board, she serves on the Executive Committee and chairs the DEI Board Advisory Committee, deepening our equity focus and providing trusted counsel on governance, compliance, and risk.
"Nitasha`s leadership, legal expertise, and commitment to civil rights and public service have been invaluable to the FoundationCCC Board," said FoundationCCC President and CEO @keethamills. "We are grateful for her continued service and look forward to the impact of her leadership during her second term."
Congratulations, Nitasha we`re honored to have you with us for another term!
Read the full press release - click the link in our bio or visit: linktr.ee/foundationccc
When a veteran returns to the classroom, the gap between VA benefits and real life is often where the journey breaks down.
A $50,000 contribution from the AAA Automobile Club of Southern California to FoundationCCC is closing that gap for first-generation student veterans across 11 @californiacommunitycolleges , covering essential supplies, school fees, and the costs that arrive between semesters when benefits don`t.
Thank you to Greg Backley, President and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California, and a former community college student himself, for championing this work. And thank you to the student veterans who continue to serve their communities in new ways.
Read the full story in our Media Center: linktr.ee/foundationccc
@foundationccc, in proud partnership with the Network for @californiacommunitycolleges Foundations, warmly invites you to a special evening celebrating the 2025 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year: Carol and Kevin Sharer and the Sharer Foundation.
Tomorrow, May 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us live: Click the link in our bio or visit: linktr.ee/foundationccc
Each year, this distinguished award honors individuals whose generosity makes a lasting difference for California`s community colleges and the students they serve. We are delighted to recognize Carol and Kevin Sharer and the Sharer Foundation for their extraordinary impact in helping students reach their goals.
We hope you`ll join us for an inspiring evening that celebrates the power of philanthropy in higher education.
