2021 Legislative Dean’s List Reception

On January 19, 2022, the Campaign for College Opportunity hosted its 2021 Legislative Dean’s List Reception in a virtual ceremony to honor seven California legislative leaders for their fundamental roles in pursuing student-centered policies that advance college opportunity, college affordability, student success, racial equity, and institutional coordination. We had the privilege of honoring:

• California Governor Gavin Newsom – Distinction in Higher Education Vision & Investment, recognizing his critical leadership to pass an unprecedented $47 billion higher education package in the 2021-22 State Budget agreement. We commend his visionary leadership on strengthening community college transfer, expanding state financial aid, and more.
• Assemblymember Marc Berman (AD-24) – Distinction in Transforming Transfer, recognizing his courageous leadership for delivering a historic transfer bill package, Assembly Bills 928 and 1111, which strengthen transfer.
• Lorena Gonzalez, former Assemblymember (AD-80) – Distinction in Courageous Pandemic Response, recognizing her years of service in the Legislature and her role restoring college opportunity for students most impacted by the pandemic through Assembly Bill 104.
• Senator Ben Hueso (SD-40) – Distinction in Providing Pipelines to College Opportunity, recognizing his leadership on Senate Bill 416, which establishes the Incarcerated Student Bill of Rights and expands college opportunity for formerly/currently incarcerated Californians.
• Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (AD-44) – Distinction in Statewide Higher Education Leadership, recognizing her central role in advancing coordination amongst California public higher education systems as she authored Assembly Bill 99.
• Senator Connie Leyva (SD-20) – Distinction in Expanding College Access for All, recognizing her pivotal role in expanding college access and closing racial equity gaps by increasing A-G access in the 2021-22 State Budget agreement.
• Jeanice Warden-Washington, Chief Consultant for the Assembly Higher Education Committee – Distinction in Student-Centered Policy Design, recognizing her exceptional commitment to creating inclusive higher education systems through thoughtful consideration and strategic guidance to committee members.

Watch the recording

Highlights


Kern Community College District Chancellor Sonya Christian opening the reception

Governor Gavin Newsom accepting his award for Distinction in Higher Education Vision & Investment. President Michele Siqueiros and UC Student Regent Alexis Atsilvsgi Zaragoza to honor Governor Newsom.

Dr. Gary Michelson, Founder of Michelson 20MM Foundation, and Danny Murillo, Michelson 20MM Smart Justice Fellow, joining us to honor Senator Ben Hueso

Executive Vice President Jessie Ryan and UC Student Association Vice Chair of Government Relations, Tariq Azim, joining us to honor Assemblymember Marc Berman

Jessie Ryan and high school student Emilia Flores honoring Senator Connie Leyva

Vice President of Policy and Advocacy Sara Arce and Sacramento State student Roshelle Czar honoring Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin

Alex Niles, Government Relations Chair of the UC Student Association joined us to honor former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez

Jessie Ryan and Cal State Student Association President Isaac Alferos joined us to honor Jeanice Warden-Washington

Dr. Edward Bush, President of Consumnes River College,
giving closing remarks for the reception


Thank you to our sponsors