A Message From Chancellor Sonya ChristianNov. 11, 2025
California Community College Colleagues:
Today, we pause to honor the veterans in our community - students, faculty, staff, and family members - who have served our nation with courage and commitment.
The California Community Colleges lead the nation in the number of military-affiliated students. Over 34,000 veterans and 10,000 active-duty and other military students attended our system in the 2024-25 academic year alone.
The Chancellor’s Office, in collaboration with the CCC Veterans Caucus, recently wrapped up the 2025 Veterans Sprint, a challenge to every college in our system to offer 3 to 6 credits for military training, as documented in the Joint Services Transcript (JST), including basic training. I’m proud to share that over 18,000 veterans, more than 60% of our statewide goal, have now received Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) as a result of this effort. A huge thank you to all of you who made this possible.
And a special shout out to Melissa Villarin for sharing the good news in a press release—check it out - https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/veterans-sprint
As a proud veteran, I know first-hand that every veteran who walks through our doors carries valuable skills and knowledge earned through service to our country. This push ensures that knowledge translates into college credit, saving time, money, and preserving precious GI Bill benefits for continued education Member Blas Villalobos, California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
At the September 2025 Board of Governors meeting, the Board approved its annual budget and legislative priorities and I want to highlight one that is especially meaningful. We are requesting an additional $14.2 million to strengthen Veterans Resource Centers across our colleges. That’s on top of the $10.8 million already allocated, bringing the total request to $25 million if fully funded.
Why does this matter? Because it means more dedicated staff on the ground - directors who can lead local efforts, expanded outreach to veterans and service members, better coordination with CalVet, and stronger health and wellness support.
It also means we will finally be able to build out the systemwide infrastructure to make CPL work easier and more consistent. We are talking about tools to analyze JSTs, map military training and experience to college coursework, and streamline pathways to degrees and credentials. Fewer administrative hurdles. More clarity for our veterans. And a stronger, more connected system.
This is the kind of work that brings Vision 2030 to life. We are removing barriers and accelerating opportunity. We are saying yes to the future stories our veterans are still writing with us.
To all our student veterans: you belong here. Your service matters. Your goals matter. And we are honored to walk alongside you.
With gratitude,
Sonya
