July 28, 2025
State Leaders and Education Advocates Unite for 2025 Joint Convening to Advance Higher Education Equity in California
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT NAME Meredith Curry Nuñez
DATE July 28, 2025
CONTACT ORG Northern California College Promise Coalition
CONTACT NUMBER (408) 901-0290
CONTACT EMAIL mer@norcalpromisecoalition.org
Cupertino, CA — On Friday, August 1, 2025, a diverse and powerful coalition of education leaders, policymakers, and community advocates will gather at De Anza College in Cupertino for the 2025 Joint Convening, hosted by the Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC) and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). Held under the theme “New Day, New Us: Leveraging Collective Impact to Respond to a New Normal,” the convening reflects a shared commitment to building a more equitable, accessible, and affordable postsecondary future for California students.
“On behalf of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, we are honored to support the Northern California College Promise Coalition in its mission to advance equitable student outcomes. This convening demonstrates the power of collective impact to drive systemic change and expand opportunity for first-generation and historically marginalized students, helping to build a more accessible future for all our communities,” said Deputy Chancellor Dr. Rowena Tomaneng.
NCCPC is excited to host an event for the first time at De Anza College, where NCCPC staff, members, and partners are current and past students and graduates. College President Omar J. Torres shares, “De Anza College is pleased to host this event, and to highlight the Promise program that has provided invaluable opportunities for thousands of De Anza College students. We’re also proud of De Anza alum and Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, his leadership, and his role in today’s convening.”
Co-hosted alongside Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (AD-26), Assemblymember Ash Kalra (AD-25), Senator Dave Cortese (SD-15), OneGoal, Beyond 12, and the UCLA CalKIDS Institute, the 2025 gathering will highlight the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration to support students from historically underserved communities. These elected officials and organizations represent a growing statewide movement to ensure that college is not only attainable but also transformational for every student, regardless of zip code, income, or background.
“Our Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s collaboration with NCCPC is a regional initiative that unites leaders, practitioners, and resources to collectively shape college success efforts,” said District Chancellor Lee Lambert. “We wholeheartedly support NCCPC’s vision to advocate for solutions that prioritize first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in both our region and the state. The district is honored to host the second annual convening to ensure a brighter future for all students.”
The convening serves as a platform to highlight the voices of students and the leadership of those working at every level of the education ecosystem—from campus-based practitioners and nonprofit partners to policymakers and state agency leaders. Speakers include champions from organizations such as the California Medicine Scholars Program, California Youth Empowerment Commission, ScholarShare, San Jose City College, Sobrato Philanthropies, and the Southern California College Attainment Network, all of whom are on the front lines of advancing equity-driven solutions. NCCPC also looks forward to having Advisory Council members speak at the event, including Alex Graves with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, David O’Brien with the California Community Colleges, Dr. April Grommo of the California State University, Dr. Martha Kanter of College Promise, Shawn Brick of the University of California, and Libby Schaaf the 50th Mayor of Oakland.
David Silver, Director of Corps to Career for California Volunteers Fund and Chair of the NCCPC Steering Committee, shares his excitement about convening this group of local and state leaders just in time to meet this moment. “Since its founding in 2019, NCCPC has emerged as a leading regional force in aligning programs, policy, and practice to support students through every stage of the college journey. The coalition brings together community-based organizations, K–12 districts, higher education institutions, public agencies, and elected officials who recognize that the future of California’s workforce, democracy, and economic mobility depends on closing longstanding opportunity gaps.”
The 2025 Joint Convening underscores a renewed sense of urgency—and possibility. As California continues to face rising college costs, uneven access to resources, and growing demand for postsecondary credentials, this convening calls on all sectors to reimagine what it means to deliver on the promise of higher education.
“The Convening is more than a gathering—it is a call to action. As Vice Chair, I am committed to advancing collaborative strategies that break down systemic barriers and ensure equitable pathways to college and career success,” said Angela Bugayong, COO, Students Rising Above & NCCPC Steering Committee Vice Chair. “Our coalition is harnessing the collective strength of leaders, advocates, and communities to drive real, measurable impact for students across California.”
To learn more about this event, click HERE.
NCCPC is a fiscally sponsored project of the Reinvent Stockton Foundation (RSF). RSF Executive Director Nik Howard comments, “The work that the Northern California College Promise Coalition does to convene, align, and amplify the movement to expand access and opportunity to higher education for first-generation and historically marginalized students is invaluable. Reinvent Stockton Foundation is honored to serve as the fiscal sponsor for NCCPC and invest together in our students, our communities, and the future of California.”