Chancellor Goldsmith's Remarks - July 1, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting

The federal budget process remains uncertain, with several key issues still unresolved. In Washington, a number of concerning proposals are being debated that could deeply impact higher education funding—particularly programs that serve our most vulnerable students.

Among the proposals:

• The Administration has introduced a plan to consolidate 18 federal education grant programs into a new “Simplified Funding Program,” which includes a $4.5 billion funding reduction.
• Migrant education programs, including the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), are facing proposed elimination under the rationale of promoting academic continuity and state-level stability.
• There are also discussions of freezing federal education funds for states not aligning with certain policy priorities—posing additional risk to programs like CAMP and TRIO.

While these proposals are not final, they reflect a troubling direction. We are watching these developments closely.

Currently, CAMP—which provides critical academic and financial support to disadvantaged students during their first year of college—has encountered delays in both communication and disbursement, despite Congress having appropriated $52.1 million. As of today, the U.S. Department of Education has yet to release grant award notifications.

In the absence of that guidance, we’ve taken bold and immediate action. Contracts for employees funded through the CAMP grant, which expired on June 30, have been extended.

I want to thank Presidents Reyna, Buckley, and Armstrong, along with Deputy Dunn, Vice Chancellors Mosier, Frost, and El Fattal, for their leadership in developing short- and mid-term funding solutions that prioritize continuity of service for our students.

To our employees impacted by this uncertainty: please know your contributions are valued and your work is essential. Your contracts have been extended, and your president will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.

Meanwhile, we are not waiting passively. The State Center administration has developed contingency strategies and is actively pursuing alternative funding sources. Over the next few weeks, I will work closely with our board members to present a comprehensive plan aimed at mitigating potential losses of federal support.

Our advocacy at the state and national levels remains strong. We are doing all we can to ensure that programs like Pell Grants, CAMP, and TRIO—lifelines for low-income students remain intact. At the same time, we are actively evaluating contingency plans to ensure that, regardless of the outcome at the federal level, our students continue to receive the support from our talented staff that they need to succeed. The recently released California state budget offers some welcome relief, as it is notably favorable to community colleges.

In this time of federal funding uncertainty, we remain hopeful, focused, and steadfast in our mission. We will never abandon our mission, never turn on backs on students and never retreat in the face of political pressure. Our students, and the people who serve them, deserve nothing less.

Even amid external challenges, our colleges continue to demonstrate excellence. I’m proud to shift now to a remarkable achievement that speaks to the integrity and impact of our work across the District.

I’m thrilled to share that on Friday, June 27, we received formal notification from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges that all four of our colleges have received accreditation reaffirmation.

This is a major milestone for our District, and I want to congratulate each college community for their thoughtful preparation, reflective self-assessment, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Two of our colleges—Madera Community College and Clovis Community College—have earned eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation, the highest possible outcome.

Madera Community College received special commendation for exemplary performance in Standard 2.8, which speaks to fostering a sense of belonging and community among students.
The Commission wrote:

“The Commission commends Madera Community College for its multifaceted efforts to understand and address the needs of its diverse student population. The college has excelled at creating focused initiatives, displaying physical representations celebrating student backgrounds, developing curriculum enhancements to meet the needs of all students, and providing the campus meaningful dialogues that exemplify its strong commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion in alignment with its mission.”

Dr. Reyna, this is a powerful affirmation of your leadership and the collaborative culture you’ve worked to nurtured at Madera. Please extend our congratulations to your entire team at the college.

Clovis Community College was recognized for exemplary performance in Standard 1.1, focused on institutional mission and effectiveness.
The Commission noted:

“The Commission commends Clovis Community College for its commitment to ensuring equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for all students, which is demonstrated by a palpable culture of collaboration and care that intentionally includes administrators, faculty, classified staff, and students.”

Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Chahal, your leadership, and the collective efforts of the faculty, classified professionals, and student government, earned this recognition. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to student success.

Fresno City College and Reedley College also received reaffirmation, with an 18-month term and a required Follow-Up Report due by October 1, 2026,  followed by a peer review team visit.

The Commission identified the need for compliance with Standard 2.6, which pertains to Distance Education. The colleges must demonstrate that regular and substantive interaction takes place in online courses in accordance with federal guidelines.

Dr. Buckley and Incoming President Whisenhunt, I have full confidence that you, alongside the college faculty, researchers, and accreditation team – will successfully address these findings. The Peer Review Team’s recommendations focus on purposeful continuous improvement, and I am confident that your collective efforts will reflect that commitment.

I offer my sincere appreciation to the entire Fresno City and Reedley College communities for their diligent preparation and thoughtful engagement in the accreditation process. Your efforts reflect the best of what peer review represents: ensuring institutional quality while supporting growth and effectiveness.

To the faculty, classified professionals and administrators across our District: thank you for your deep commitment to our mission and to the students we serve. Our accreditation efforts are a collaborative endeavor between our colleges and many district departments, and together, we can take pride in a system that continues to grow and improve. Accreditation is not merely a compliance exercise it is a mirror that reflects our values, our challenges, and our potential. This reaffirmation confirms that State Center is moving forward with clarity, purpose and a strong focus on student learning.

In closing, later in today’s meeting, I will be requesting the Board’s approval of contract extensions for members of the executive cabinet. I offer this recommendation with full confidence in their leadership, their accomplishments, and their steadfast ability to advance the District’s goals and the Board’s priorities.

While we are actively engaged in negotiations with our labor partners and navigating ongoing uncertainty at both the federal and state levels, I want to underscore that these recommended extensions do not include any salary increases, rather only step increases and extension of time.

Additionally, although my own contract is eligible for a no-cost extension—I have chosen to remove it from the agenda. My current agreement runs through 2028, and in a spirit of good faith and unity, I believe it is prudent to set it aside for now. I have deep trust in our negotiating teams and appreciation for the progress they have made thus far.

Most importantly, I do not want my contract to become a distraction to this Board or to anyone in our District. My focus remains where it should be—on supporting our students, our employees, and our shared mission as we move forward together through these challenging times.