The Chancellor’s Climate Fellows Program is a two-year commitment for faculty and staff to support statewide level climate related work with Chancellor Sonya Christian and the Chancellor’s Office.

The fellows focus on four key areas: community engagement, curriculum development, workforce and campus facilities. The inaugural fellows started their work on advancing climate action education and engagement in September 2024. 

Climate Fellow Activities

Chancellor’s Climate Fellows will take on a variety of impactful projects, shaping climate action and sustainability efforts across the state. Their work may include:

  • Collaborating with the Chancellor and Chancellor’s Office to drive climate action and sustainability initiatives at the statewide level.
  • Engaging faculty and staff in regional and statewide conversations about climate action and education.
  • Conducting landscape analyses to explore how climate initiatives are being implemented across the nation.
  • Supporting the Chancellor’s Office by identifying and recommending demonstration projects in sustainability, workforce development, community resilience, curriculum, and resource development.
  • Leading webinars, workshops, and events to provide professional learning opportunities for community college faculty and staff, aligned with Vision 2030 priorities.

Resources & Webinars

Meet the 2024 Inaugural Climate Fellows

Carla Grandy, Vice President of Instruction, College of San Mateo

Carla Grandy

Carla Grandy has been selected to serve as the lead climate fellow. She has 17 years of progressive experience in the California Community Colleges. During her time as faculty, Grandy taught a range of Earth Science courses and connected students with opportunities to engage in climate action and environmental justice. In her current role, Grandy supported the institutionalization of the Sustainability as Social Justice Committee and led an effort to climatize curriculum across disciplines and in partnership with local community partners. Grandy earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental earth science from Texas Christian University, a master’s degree in oceanography from Oregon State University, and a doctoral degree in earth science from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Holly Bailey-Hofmann, Faculty, West Los Angeles College

Holly Bailey-HoffmanHolly Bailey-Hofmann has been selected to serve in the focus area of curriculum. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and is a practiced curriculum innovator who designed the research methods class for West Los Angeles College’s Dental Hygiene bachelor’s degree students, the Science Writing course for West’s NSF-funded S-STEM program and debuted a “Cli-fi” curriculum for her English 2 course. Recently, she’s been working with the California Center for Climate Change Education to innovate blue/green economy workforce curriculum, cultivate community partnerships with industry leaders and mentor faculty of all disciplines in “climatizing” curricula. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a master’s degree in English from University of Cincinnati and a doctoral degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Tonya Huff, Faculty, Riverside City College

Tonya HuffTonya Huff has been selected to serve in the focus area curriculum and students. She currently serves as faculty in the Life Sciences Department at Riverside City College where she teaches Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Natural History of Southern California Ecosystems, majors and non-majors Introductory Biology, Health Science and International Field Ecology. She is the faculty chair of the RCC Sustainability Committee and co-advisor to the very active Student Sustainability Collective. Huff also participates in the District Sustainability Committee and campus Physical Resources, Food, and Parking committees as a representative for sustainability issues. Huff earned bachelor's degrees in environmental science and visual art from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a doctoral degree in biological oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

David Liebman, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Santa Rosa Junior College

David LiebmanDavid Liebman has been selected to serve in the focus area of facilities. He has more than nine years of experience infusing energy and sustainability practices into California Public Institutions. He currently serves as the Energy and Sustainability manager for Sonoma County Junior College District, a position he created by showcasing the value of sustainability to the institution. Through this role, Liebman has led the district to the forefront of energy and sustainability work for California Community Colleges. He is currently programming and project managing a $40 million dollar energy and sustainability capital program. Liebman earned a bachelor's degree in energy management and design from Sonoma State University, a climate protection certificate from Skyline College and is a Climate Corp Bay Area Alumni.

Norma Rojas-Mora, Associate Vice Chancellor, Public Affairs and Development, Kern Community College District

Norma Rojas-MoraNorma Rojas-Mora has been selected to serve in the focus area of community engagement. She has more than 30 years’ experience in this area in addition to partnership development, program administration and grants management. She has been instrumental in developing local strategies to increase access to workforce training, affordable housing, support services, economic development and leadership development. In her current role, she collaborates with municipal, state and federal agencies, educational institutions and community service organizations to advance workforce development and educational initiatives for some of Kern County’s most underserved and disinvested communities. Rojas-Mora holds bachelor’s degrees in sociology and Chicano and Chicana Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in science administration from California State University, Bakersfield.