Advertise on podcast: Leading Community Colleges in California

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, host Larry Galizio talks with Ted Hadzi-Antich Jr. of The Great Questions Foundation, and recent West Los Angeles College graduate Ingrid Aquino, about the power of liberal arts general education, meaningful discussion, and learning opportunities that extend beyond the community college classroom.  __________________________ The Great Questions Foundation seeks to promote liberal education and core-text and discussion-based learning at the community college through supporting faculty development and course redesign and helping to establish and support core-text programs and courses.

In this episode, President & CEO Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with Claudia Lourido-Habib, Ed.D., Executive Director of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA). Drawing on more than two decades of experience as an educator and administrator, Lourido-Habib now leads the statewide organization dedicated to supporting and developing California’s community college leaders. Together, they explore the evolving demands of higher education leadership, the importance of cultivating strong leaders at every level of the system, and how ACCCA and the League are preparing administrators to meet the needs of California’s colleges, students, and communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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>>

In this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Chancellor Ron Gerhard and Yuba College President Tawny Dotson. In April 2025, the State Auditor released an audit report on California's Fifty Percent Law, which limits funding flexibility and restricts colleges from fully investing in critical student support services. The auditor's findings determined that the 50 Percent Law limits districts’ ability to fund services outside of the classroom that may better support student success.  The Community College League of California released a report calling for reform of the Fifty Percent Law in March 2025. Read the League's report, Modernizing California Community College Funding: Reforming the Fifty Percent Law to Support Student Success.

On this episode of Leading Community Colleges in California, host Larry Galizio welcomes Ryan Stewart, Ed. L.D., in an insightful conversation about opportunities to seek Medicaid funding to support student health services. Community colleges play a significant role in delivering health services, according to a recent report by Stewart and Sara Goldrick-Rab, Ph.D., Increasing Student Support and Success By Boosting Medicaid Engagement, However, while many California community colleges seek Medicaid reimbursement, only a fraction of community colleges nationwide bill for any of the eligible services they offer. Dr. Stewart explains how the report and accompanying dashboard can serve as a guide for community colleges to identify funds for student health services.  Visit communitycollegemedicaid.org for the report and dashboard. _______________________________________ Ryan Stewart, CEO and founder of Mile 2 Consulting, has served as a teacher, New Mexico Secretary of Education, school district administrator, non-profit executive, adjunct professor, and instructional coach. He earned his doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and his B.A. in economics from Stanford University.

On Episode 28, Mac Powell, President & CEO of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, joins host Larry Galizio, Ph.D., to explore the vital role of accreditation in safeguarding educational integrity. Discover how systematic review and objectivity uphold consistency, even amid looming challenges from potential federal policy changes, ensuring the quality and trust essential to the future of community and junior college education. ____________ About our guest: Mac Powell joined the ACCJC team in July 2022. Dr. Powell served as Senior Vice President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and supported the agency’s 163 institutions and 1.3 million students for five years. His career in higher education also includes serving as president of three universities, including John F. Kennedy University, where he led the institution’s successful efforts to become a service-learning institution and a federally recognized and funded Hispanic Serving Institution. Dr. Powell has contributed to the strategic direction of higher education through his service as Chair of the American Council of Education’s Commission on Educational Attainment and Innovation, as a Commissioner on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Commission, as a graduate of the WASC Assessment Leadership Academy, and as Chair of the Council of Applied Master’s Programs in Psychology.

In Episode 27, host Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with Pamila Fisher, co-founder of the Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar, as the program enters its fourth decade. Dr. Fisher shares a brief history of the seminar's history and growth, and the focus on women's leadership issues as they have changed since 1984. Applications for the 2025 Asilomar Leadership Skills Seminar are accepted through January 2025. Dr. Pamila Fisher founded this seminar in 1984 and since served as its director, successfully mentoring many women into positions of leadership. Dr. Fisher is chancellor emeritus of the Yosemite Community College District and has held statewide and national community college leadership roles. She was facilitator for AACC’s Future Leadership Institutes for 10 years and consults widely for individual colleges, districts, and systems in areas related to leadership, diversity, and cultural proficiency, communications, and team building. Dr. Fisher also conducts presidential searches and board retreats as an associate of the Association of Community College Trustees.

In Episode 26, host Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with Rebekah Kalleen, executive director of the Community College Facility Coalition. On November 5, 2024, Californians will have the chance to vote on Proposition 2, the Public Education Facilities Bond Measure. This initiative seeks to issue $10 billion in bonds, with $8.5 billion earmarked for upgrading elementary and secondary educational facilities and $1.5 billion dedicated to community college improvements. Proposition 2 will modernize local schools and community colleges, enhancing science, engineering, career technical, and vocational education classrooms, labs, and learning technologies. This investment will provide students with advanced job training, technical knowledge, and specialized skills, better preparing them for high-paying careers. Visit the League's Prop 2 page for a community college-specific toolkit. Visit the  YesonProp2 site for more in-depth information and to sign up for email updates.