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, climate literacy through curriculum development, workforce development for climate-ready careers, and sustainable campus facilities and operations. The inaugural Climate Fellows started their work on advancing climate action education and engagement in September 2024. In Fall 2025, the second cohort of Climate Fellows joined the effort. The third cohort of Climate Fellows will be announced this summer.
Climate Fellow Activities
Chancellor’s Climate Fellows lead a variety of impactful projects, shaping climate action and sustainability efforts across the state. Their work includes
- Collaborating with the Chancellor and Chancellor’s Office to drive climate action and sustainability initiatives at the statewide level.
- Leading statewide conversations with faculty and staff about climate action and education on campus and within local communities.
- Exploring the extent of climate initiatives throughout the state and nation.
- 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
- Vision 2030 in (Climate) Action: Spotlighting California Community Colleges Faculty Climate Curriculum Innovation (April 28, 2025): Webinar Recording (Zoom) I PowerPoint Slides (PDF)
- Engaging Campus & Community with 2025 Board of Governors Climate Action Goals (March 7, 2025): Webinar Recording (Zoom) I PowerPoint Slides (PDF)
Meet the Chief Climate Officer, Carla Grandy, Ph.D.
Carla Grandy, Ph.D., has served as senior advisor to the chancellor and is now chief climate officer for the California Community Colleges. She has nearly two decades of progressive experience in the system.
Grandy began her career as an earth science faculty member, where she connected students with opportunities to engage in climate action and environmental justice. Most recently, she served as vice president of instruction at College of San Mateo. In her current role, she leads the implementation of climate action and sustainability efforts across the 116 California Community Colleges, working with a team of Climate Fellows.
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 doctorate in earth science from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Meet the Climate Fellows Cohort Two
Crystal Morse, Vice President of Instruction and Student Development, College of the Redwoods
Crystal Morse is serving in the focus area of regional climate action and economic development. She currently serves as vice president of instruction and student development at College of the Redwoods, where she leads with a visionary, equity-centered approach to academic and student services. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Morse has advanced student success initiatives, developed cross-sector partnerships, and supported sustainability efforts in one of California’s most ecologically significant regions. Morse holds a doctoral degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a JD/MBA. A veteran and former U.S. Army instructor, she brings a strong foundation in leadership and service to her work. As a Climate Fellow, she is focused on building a comprehensive climate action approach centered on economic development for the Far North Region of California.
Dr. Roman De Jesus, Professor of Oceanography, Fullerton College
Roman De Jesus is serving in the focus area of curriculum. He is a professor of oceanography in the Earth Sciences Department at Fullerton College with over 15 years of higher education teaching experience and a doctoral degree from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He has been a leader in sustainability education, coordinating Earth Day Symposia, developing faculty training programs such as “Sustainability Across General Education,” and co-authoring the college’s first sustainability plan. As faculty co-chair of the Sustainability Committee and chair of the Earth Sciences Department, De Jesus works to support faculty across disciplines in integrating climate education. As a Climate Fellow, he is focused on building a digital repository for climatized curriculum and leading professional development efforts for faculty statewide.
Isai Orozco, Career and Technical Education Research Analyst, Kern Community College District
Isai Orozco is serving in the focus area of data and workforce development. He is a Career and Technical Education Research Analyst at Kern Community College District with a decade of experience in institutional research, labor market analysis, and educational equity. His work focuses on data visualization, workforce alignment, and supporting program development through tools such as Lightcast and Tableau. Orozco holds a master’s degree in English from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and brings a background that includes Peace Corps service and cross-cultural education. As a Climate Fellow, he is focused on creating dashboards of green and blue economy workforce opportunities and sustainability data to support all 116 colleges.
Dennis Astl, Manager of Construction and Facilities Planning, Palomar Community College District
Dennis Astl is serving in the focus area of facilities and sustainability. He is the manager of construction and facilities planning at Palomar Community College District, bringing more than 30 years of experience in architecture and construction management, including leadership on numerous higher education capital projects. A licensed architect, Certified Construction Manager, and LEED accredited professional, Astl leads Palomar’s bond program and chairs the district’s Sustainability Task Force. As a Climate Fellow, he is focused on implementing systemwide climate action and sustainability goals, advancing energy benchmarking, and supporting the development of colleges as community resilience hubs.
Tammy Wong, Instructional Support Assistant, San Mateo Community College District
Tammy Wong is serving in the focus area of systems and coordination. She is an instructional support assistant at the San Mateo Community College District with a background in workforce development, curriculum coordination, and sustainability education. With over a decade of experience across K–12 and higher education, she has led programming that connects climate action with community engagement and career readiness. Wong holds a master’s degree in education and has organized environmental justice events, presented on interdisciplinary climate curriculum, and supported NSF-funded sustainability projects. As a Climate Fellow, she is focused on supporting statewide infrastructure through data collection, communication, and coordination of workforce, funding, and professional development opportunities.
Meet the 2024 Inaugural Climate Fellows
Carla Grandy, Vice President of Instruction, College of San Mateo
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. As vice president of instruction, 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-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 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 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-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.
