The work happening across Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) reflects a shared commitment to students and to the community we serve. Every day, faculty, staff, and partners are advancing efforts that strengthen learning, expand access, and respond to the needs shaping higher education and our region. 

SRJC In Focus offers a window into that work. It highlights the programs, services, and initiatives influencing how students experience the college and how SRJC remains committed to supporting the academic and professional goals of students. These efforts reflect the priorities in our Strategic Plan around student success, academic quality, responsiveness to our community, and a campus climate and culture grounded in care and belonging. 

This publication will be shared three times a year to help the community stay connected to the momentum underway across the District. While it does not substitute the various spaces where we share information about SRJC events, activities, and successes, I hope it provides insight into the progress being made and appreciation for the collective effort that continues to move SRJC forward. We are grateful for the shared commitment across our community that continues to shape the future for students across the county. 

What’s covered here are just a few highlights. You can find out more information by visiting our SRJC Communications Hub and clicking on Board Updates https://news.santarosa.edu/board-updates  

 

In Community,
Dr. Angélica Garcia

Fall Festivals Connecting Campus and Community 

Fall events across SRJC welcomed the community onto our campuses and sites. At Shone Farm, the Fall Festival welcomed families, students, staff, and neighbors to explore hands-on agricultural learning and land stewardship. At the Petaluma Campus, the LunaFest and el Día de los Muertos celebration brought together performances, activities, local food, and opportunities to learn more about SRJC programs. These events reflect how SRJC campuses serve as open, welcoming spaces for learning and connection.

 

Community Roundtables

SRJC recently hosted community roundtables in Sonoma Valley and Roseland, bringing together elected officials, education leaders, business representatives, and community partners. These conversations focused on local education and workforce needs and reinforced a shared commitment to expanding access and opportunity across the county. Additional roundtables are planned throughout the Spring 2026 semester in the county.

 

Basic Needs: Building a Community of Care

SRJC’s Basic Needs programs reflect an understanding that stability and learning are deeply connected. Across the District, students are accessing food support, housing assistance, transportation options, and mental health services designed to reduce barriers that can interrupt their educational goals. These coordinated services help students stay focused on their goals and feel supported through their college journey. For more information on Basic Needs, visit: https://resources.santarosa.edu/

 

Creating Clearer Transfer Pathways Through AB 928 

Implementation of AB 928 has streamlined the transfer experience at SRJC by simplifying general education pathways and aligning degrees with transfer goals. Students benefit from clearer options and more coordinated academic planning, while faculty, counselors, and staff have worked across departments to update curriculum, systems, and advising practices, making pathways easier to understand and follow. To support students navigating these options, SRJC has also developed a set of short overview videos highlighting the available Associate Degrees for Transfer, available in both English and Spanish. https://curriculum.santarosa.edu/adt-videos-english

 

Advancing a Culture of Servingness as an HSI

At SRJC, being a Hispanic Serving Institution is reflected in how the college examines and improves its everyday practices. HSI-funded efforts have supported learning communities, STEM programs, Ethnic Studies, online learning, and professional development that examine how classroom practices, processes, and student services shape access and outcomes. This work has also led to new structures, including the HSI Advisory Group and continued development of the Latine Student Center, while advancing culturally responsive teaching and stronger alignment between noncredit and credit pathways. Together, these efforts signal a sustained, college-wide approach to student success, academic quality, and campus climate. Learn more at hsi.santarosa.edu. 

Career Education and Workforce Connection

Career Education at SRJC connects classroom learning with real-world workforce needs through hands-on instruction, industry-informed curriculum, and work-based learning opportunities. Students engage in programs such as construction, advanced manufacturing, public safety, health sciences, and applied technology, supported by modernized facilities, updated labs, and strong employer partnerships. Recent investments, including the Construction Training Center and expanded advisory committee involvement, help prepare students for high-demand, living-wage careers that contribute to the region’s workforce and local economy. Learn more about SRJC Career Education and workforce connections here.

Early College Credit and Dual Enrollment

More than 7,500 students across Sonoma County are now earning college credit while still in high school, with participation growing 18 percent year over year. Through expanded College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) offerings, discovery days, and innovative dual enrollment options, students are exploring career interests, gaining early exposure to college expectations, and building confidence before graduation. These efforts strengthen student success by opening earlier, more equitable access to higher education. Learn more in the written report and at the Dual Enrollment website.

Rising Scholars: Supporting Justice-Impacted Students

For justice-impacted students, Rising Scholars and Second Chance programs provide pathways back into education through coordinated academic, counseling, and peer support. Enrollment has grown to more than 300 students, with opportunities including leadership development and inside-out instruction through the IGNITE program, allowing students to begin coursework while incarcerated and to enroll on campus after release. Supported by state funding and Rising Scholars Network grants, these programs reflect statewide evidence that justice-impacted students persist and succeed at rates comparable to or higher than their peers. Learn more and read student stories here.   

SCORE - Student-Athlete Success

Launched in Fall 2025, SCORE! supports more than 300 student-athletes by integrating academic skill-building into team culture. Through weekly, structured sessions, the program connects athletic strategies such as preparation, accountability, and goal-setting to academic habits like time management, study planning, and focus, with coaches and learning specialists reinforcing these skills alongside athletes. Early feedback shows a strong impact: 94% of participants report a positive effect on their academics, and 97%  say they feel more in control of their coursework. Read more about the SCORE! program here. 

Planning for Facilities and the Future – Bond Feasibility

Caring for Santa Rosa Junior College facilities is an ongoing responsibility that supports high-quality education, workforce preparation, safety, and accessibility across the District. With some buildings nearing 100 years in age, this work includes maintaining aging infrastructure while also modernizing classrooms, labs, and learning environments to reflect how students learn and how careers are evolving today. As part of this long-term stewardship, the SRJC Board of Trustees is exploring whether to place a facilities bond measure on the November 2026 ballot. A potential measure would aim to balance preserving the college’s historic campuses with investing in innovation—supporting student success, expanding workforce training in high-demand fields, and ensuring SRJC continues to serve as a trusted, forward-looking educational anchor for the community.  

For more information on SRJC’s existing bond, Measure H, visit www.Bond.santarosa.edu. 

 

Bear Cub Hub: Improving How Students Access Information and Services

In 2021, SRJC launched the implementation of a new student information system, Banner, with the system going live in Spring 2026 in alignment with the Summer 2026 registration process. A key part of this transition is the Bear Cub Hub, which includes the new student portal that brings together academic records, enrollment tools, and essential services that were previously spread across multiple platforms. Built on a modern, integrated system, the Bear Cub Hub improves data accuracy and security while simplifying the experience for students and the staff who support them.  

As the semester continues, SRJC remains focused on supporting students, strengthening connections with our communities, and advancing work that responds to local needs. The months ahead will bring continued collaboration, learning, and engagement across the District, building on the progress highlighted here and reinforcing SRJC’s role as a place where education, opportunity, and community come together. SRJC is proud to serve as the anchor institution for open access to higher education and workforce development for Sonoma County.  

Stay informed and engaged in everything SRJC has to offer to our community. Visit santarosa.edu and follow SRJC on social media to learn about programs, events, and opportunities throughout the semester.