Ģ����Ƶ has relocated the Compass Market to a larger space in the new Compass Center, creating a more accessible walk-in, self-shop experience for students, staff, and faculty.

Ģ����Ƶ has relocated the Compass Market to a larger space in the new Compass Center, creating a more accessible walk-in, self-shop experience for students, staff, and faculty.

Now located on the first floor of the Student Administration Building, next to the Student Life Office, the Compass Market offers a more open, organized setting for visitors to browse groceries, snacks, hygiene items, and parenting supplies.

For students balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, access to these essentials can provide stability, reassurance, and day-to-day support. While the services themselves remain the same, the new location makes the experience easier to navigate with comfort and dignity.

Set for a soft launch this summer, the new Compass Center space will also create a more visible place for community partners to connect students with additional resources. The addition of a new lactation pod will also free up the current space for nursing parents, allowing it to be converted into a more private area for external partners serving students.

The Compass Market’s continued presence is also made possible by the student workers and hourly staff whose care and consistency have been instrumental in keeping the Compass Center open and operating for the campus community.

Together, these updates reflect how CCC and its community can work together to strengthen the support students rely on throughout their educational journey.

To make a gift in support of the Compass Center, visit the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation’s donation page, select “O�ٳ���” under “I want my donation to go to:” and note Compass Center in the designation field.

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Nearly 200 Ģ����Ƶ students woke up to a surprise this morning: A text informing them that the CCC Foundation has paid off their outstanding fees and tuition.

This initiative applies to all Ģ����Ƶ Spring 2026 graduates who qualify for California residency under California’s tuition structure. That includes refugees and other immigrants who qualify for in-state tuition under California law.

International and out-of-state students, who are enrolled under a different tuition model, were not able to be included in this effort. Neither are high school students, who already qualify for free tuition and fee waivers.

Full-time students can also qualify for free tuition at the college. Many students, however, have work and family obligations that prevent them from attending full time.

The move will allow impacted students to receive their diplomas and certificates, access other college services, and request the transcripts they need to transfer to a four-year university or get certain jobs. 

More importantly, it is one less bill to pay in a challenging economic environment. On average, each student carried about $173 in remaining debt. While that amount may seem small, for many students balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, this relief represents something much bigger: a clean slate.

“The foundation has had a good year, philanthropically,” said Ģ����Ƶ Foundation Executive Director Sara Marcellino. “And the cost of living is exceptionally high right now, particularly in the Bay Area. Our donors and board wanted our graduates to leave knowing their community is behind them, investing in their success, and celebrating everything they’ve accomplished.

The largest debt owed was $980; the smallest was just $2.

“We know that life is expensive,” said Ģ����Ƶ President Dr. Kimberly R. Rogers. “Our students work, they have families, yet at the same time they still come to school. Sometimes, you find yourself in debt, and the last thing we want is for our students to graduate and still owe money to the college. As someone who had a lot of student loans, if I’d had this opportunity, it would have made such a difference in my life. And to work at this institution, to work with people who truly believe in education and in supporting students is just an amazing thing to be a part of. I’m grateful to be here, and I know our graduates won’t ever forget this moment in their lives.”

Rogers points to a similar effort undertaken five years ago by Marcellino and previous CCC President Dr. Damon A. Bell for laying the groundwork for this project.

Ģ����Ƶ serves a diverse student population, and is officially designated a Black Serving Institution, an Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. It also boasts one of the most diverse faculties in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

It has long prioritized affordability and access, with 99% of students graduating without ever taking out a student loan.

The college is also increasingly known for academic excellence. CCC was recently named an Achieving the Dream campus, as well as NASA’s only Northern California Aerospace Scholars campus. It is home to the most-awarded two-year college media outlet in US history, and this year instructor Mark Wong was named one of five national finalists for Faculty Member of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees.

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In celebration of its 100th anniversary last year, the ACP calculated the for its top honors, the Pacemaker awards. This year, they extended it with an additional award, for Digital Newsletter. They also brought home two awards, for General Excellence and Enterprise Story, from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

The ACP Awards recognize the finest in American college newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, websites and yearbooks. Media outlets were awarded five points for each finalist placement and ten points for each win. Over the organization’s 100-year history, there have been 1,450 finalists in competition.

“The Pacemaker really represents the best of the best,” ACP associate director Gary Lundgren said in a release. “And it is appropriate that we recognize the rich tradition this award has in collegiate  journalism as part of our centennial celebration.” 

At its National College Media Convention last October, they most-awarded student media outlets. Coming in at number seven, Ģ����Ƶ was the only two-year media outlet among nine four-year universities. No other two-year outlet made the top ten, and specific rankings below that were not revealed.

“Few people on campus now know how hard student-journalists worked for more than 60 years to document events on our campus,” said retired journalism Paul DeBolt, who advised the paper for 40 years before his recent retirement.

“It’s important for students to have a voice on their campus and report the truth. This incredible recognition speaks to the strength of our college -community connection, the dedication to excellence that exists throughout our student body, and the talent, teamwork, resolve and love for CCC that has existed in the hearts of The Advocats since the early ’60s.”

Check out our Journalism department if you’re interested in becoming part of The Advocate’s award-winning staff.

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Fall 2025 Dean’s List

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On February 2, 2026, Professor Mark Wong was recognized with a city proclamation from San Pablo, celebrating his selection as the 2025 Pacific Region Faculty Member Award recipient by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

The award recognizes outstanding community college faculty across several western states. Wong was chosen for his deep commitment to student success, his work expanding access to STEM fields, and his leadership across campus. Wong has been a powerful force at Ģ����Ƶ, both in the classroom and behind the scenes.

At the city council meeting, San Pablo officials praised Wong’s impact at CCC and beyond, noting how much he’s done to support equity and opportunity in higher education.

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Martin Leung is one of many Ģ����Ƶ (CCC) STEM success stories. It was Martin’s time at Ģ����Ƶ—where he received hands-on learning and access to professors—that launched his current career as a satellite engineer. 

Having grown up in Richmond, Martin attended Middle College High School. He was an active member of the Interact Club who attended monthly San Pablo Rotary meetings and encouraged students to participate in service-learning projects. He also tutored peers in basic math through the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC). In 2023, Martin received his high school diploma and AA in Math & Science from CCC and then transferred to UCLA, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2025.

It was his exposure to CCC STEM classes and Professor Mark Wong that transformed his educational journey and career. “I didn’t know much about STEM education and careers before coming to CCC,” Martin shared. 

Martin also received the Ansel Boynton Memorial Scholarship from the CCC Foundation. Not only has he appreciated the financial support but also the relationship he has developed via regular lunches with the scholarship’s longstanding donors, Bob and Gay Boynton. “Their son, Ansel, was also an engineer, and that’s a special connection for me.” Thanks to this scholarship, Cal Grants and other awards, Martin graduated from UCLA with zero debt. 

Martin treasures his relationship with Professor Mark Wong who continues to offer incredible advice and support. He returns to campus each semester to share his story with Mark’s classes and with MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement) students. He plans to eventually pursue a master’s degree and can see himself coming back to CCC to teach. He also aspires to support CCC students as a future scholarship donor.  

Currently, Martin is Founding Engineer and employee #3 at Basalt, a Y Combinator and venture-backed start-up that engineers the world’s first fully-autonomous satellite constellations with no human operator. The five-member team lives and works in an apartment converted into a satellite manufacturing cleanroom in San Francisco, where they design and build. They have identified an untapped market for their product and will be launching a three-satellite constellation through Space X rideshare in May 2026.

 “I don’t have the cushion or privilege that some of my peers have, but CCC gave me confidence”, Martin shared. “Without my CCC background, I would not have succeeded.”

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Ģ����Ƶ has been officially designated as one of California’s first Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs) under the newly enacted California Black-Serving Institutions Program Act (SB 1348).

“Ģ����Ƶ has a long history of serving Black students, but until now, there has not been a formal designation recognizing that work,” said Ģ����Ƶ President Dr. Kimberly R. Rogers. “With this designation, Ģ����Ƶ is now an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and a Black-Serving Institution.”

The BSI designation reflects Ģ����Ƶ’s ongoing commitment to supporting, celebrating, and empowering Black students through programs that foster community, cultural connection, academic opportunity, and leadership development.

Among these programs is the African American Male Leadership (AAML) program, which provides Black men with opportunities to build leadership skills, connect with mentors and community leaders, and develop a success-focused mindset through events, guest speakers, and networking opportunities.

The African American Studies pathway offers students an academic foundation focused on the histories, cultures, and experiences of people of African descent. Drawing from the humanities, behavioral sciences, and social sciences, the pathway strengthens critical thinking, writing, and civic engagement while preparing students for transfer and careers in fields such as law, education, public policy, journalism, and social work.

Student-led programs such as the Black Student Union and the Black Experience speaker series further create spaces for community, cultural affirmation, dialogue, and shared identity.

Ģ����Ƶ also offers experiential and transfer-focused opportunities, including the annual Get on the Plane Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and an HBCU Transfer Guarantee agreement, which provides direct transfer pathways to 37 HBCUs nationwide.

What the BSI Designation Means

The Black-Serving Institution designation recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting Black and African American students through robust academic resources, culturally responsive support services, and clear pathways to student success. To qualify under SB 1348, institutions must enroll either at least 10 percent Black or African American students or at least 1,500 Black or African American students.

Looking Ahead

As a newly designated Black-Serving Institution, Ģ����Ƶ will continue its decades-long work to strengthen access, retention, academic achievement, and transfer or career outcomes for Black students.

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Help Brighten the Holidays for CCC Families: Join Our Annual Toy Drive

Each year, Ģ����Ƶ comes together to make the holidays a little more joyful for student families. Through our Holiday Toy Drive, we are creating moments of celebration for more than 350 children in our campus community, and you are invited to be part of it.

Whether you donate a toy, contribute wrapping paper, or volunteer your time, every gesture adds to something bigger: a season of joy shared across CCC.

What We’re Collecting

We are accepting new, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages. Think in terms of what kids want, need, wear, and read. Gift wrap donations are also welcome.

A few gift ideas:

• Toddlers and Young Kids (0–4)
  Art supplies, plushies, toy cars, picture books, learning toys
• School-Age Kids (5–11)
  Board games, STEM kits, books, sports gear, art and craft kits
• Teens (12–17)
  Headphones, journals, cozy clothing, skincare kits, blankets

Please avoid weapon-like toys (such as Nerf). Gender-neutral gifts are especially appreciated.

Drop-Off Details

Need a different time? Contact Angela Loera at aloera@contracosta.edu

Volunteer and Help Us Share the Joy

Join us during our Holiday Toy Distribution days:

Thank You for Helping Keep This Heartfelt Tradition Alive

Whether it is one toy, a roll of tape, or an hour of your time, your contribution helps make the season brighter for CCC families.

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Ģ����Ƶ collision repair program lead Laura Lozano has been elected to the I‑CAR Board of Directors, representing the Education segment in a national leadership role. Her three-year term officially began August 27.

I‑CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a leading nonprofit that provides education, resources, and standards to ensure safe, high-quality vehicle repairs. The Board guides strategic direction for the organization, helping shape training for technicians, educators, and industry partners nationwide.

Lozano’s election further strengthens Ģ����Ƶ’s ties to industry and reinforces its commitment to preparing students for success in high-demand fields. More than that, it speaks to what makes CCC unique: faculty who lead by example, and who turn career pathways into real opportunity.

Lozano first stepped onto the CCC campus as a student in the Automotive Collision Repair Technology program. After earning her associate degree, she worked in the field, co-opened an auto body shop with her father, and returned to CCC to lead the very program that launched her career.

“We had a lot of shop time to practice—it wasn’t just bookwork,” she said of her student experience. “It was really hands-on. And that made all the difference.”

“Being elected to the I‑CAR Board,” Lozano explained, “feels like a culmination of everything this program stands for: hands-on learning, industry partnership, and supporting student success. I’m honored to bring Ģ����Ƶ’s voice to such a vital table.”

Lozano has long served on CCC’s Automotive Services Advisory Committee and continues to bring real-world insights into the classroom. Her new role with I‑CAR expands that influence to the national level. At I-CAR, she’ll represent all educators working to keep collision repair programs current, connected, and student-focused.

Want to learn more about CCC’s auto collision program?

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Professor Mark Wong has been honored with the 2025 Faculty Member Award for the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii (collectively known as the Pacific Region,) by the Association of Community College Trustees. He is now one of five finalists for the national honor.

The ACCT’s regional awards recognize one outstanding faculty member from each of the five U.S. regions. Awardees are chosen for their leadership, innovation, and measurable impact on students’ academic journeys. Professor Wong will be officially recognized at the ACCT Leadership Congress later this year.

Professor Wong has been a valued member of Ģ����Ƶ’s faculty since 2007, serving as Co-Chair of the Engineering and Physics Department. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering from UC San Diego.

A champion for accessible STEM education, Professor Wong plays a pivotal role in mentoring students through CCC’s APECS Club, a student-led initiative focused on engineering, flight, and robotics. Along with Professor Jon Celesia, he also helps lead CCC’s involvement in NASA’s National Community College Aerospace Scholars program, guiding students toward hands-on research and industry-level exploration.

“Mark’s leadership and compassion make a lasting impact on our students and our community,” said President Dr. Kimberly R. Rogers. “He exemplifies what makes CCC so special—a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and transformation.”

“Professor Wong has demonstrated significant initiative in developing and revitalizing STEM programs,” said Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. “These innovations have built sustainable pathways for current and future students in STEM fields. He has also fostered partnerships and dual-enrollment opportunities to support student transitions from high school to college, and actively engages with state and national organizations to enhance educational quality and access.  With such a remarkable record of teaching excellence, innovation, and transformative leadership, we are truly excited to recognize Professor Wong’s outstanding contributions.”

This honor adds to CCC’s growing list of state and national accolades in STEM. Ģ����Ƶ students Sudinma Thapa and Emily Au have been named national champions in the 2025 MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition, working under the guidance of Wong and Jeff Kamalian. Their runners-up at the state level were another group of CCC / Middle College students, Arthur Kim, Lola Abduggaparov, and Emma Ly. CCC was also recently selected to participate in NASA’s 2025 Student Rocket Launch Challenge—one of only two community colleges in the nation invited. It is also the only Northern California campus in NASA’s Aerospace Scholars program.

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