New state chancellor named

Christian set to lead June 1

By ALIYAH RAMIREZ Staff Writer

After a nationwide search over the past seven months, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors announced on Feb. 23 the unanimous selection of Kern Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian as the upcoming permanent chancellor.

Christian is set to begin her duties on June 1, replacing Chancellor Eloy Ortiz, after he stepped down in August from leading the community college system for six years. She will guide the largest and most diverse public higher education system; the California Community Colleges is the most extensive system of higher education in the nation, comprising 116 colleges and assisting 1.8 million students a year.

When Christian began in 2015, she started as a commission member but grew her roles across many educational boards. She led a $150 million state investment for guided pathways and framework throughout the college system.

In July 2021, Christian became the sixth chancellor of the Kern Community College District, from her experience in higher education working in subjects of mathematics, science, engineering and health.

“She understands what is needed to deliver on record levels of higher education investment to make real improvements to the lived reality