|
Two weeks ago, we hosted a beautiful event in Los Angeles where Jessie Ryan and I reflected on our shared commitment to transformative student success as we stood alongside one of the most important civil rights leaders of our time, Dolores Huerta. We also announced the recipients of our 20th Anniversary Legacy Award for their pivotal roles in our collective success.
In preparing for my final goodbye, I was inspired by what Toni Morrison said: "Don't let anybody, anybody convince you this is the way the world is and therefore must be. It must be the way it ought to be."
How fortunate for California that David Wolf and Steve Weiner embodied this in their founding of the Campaign in 2004. David and Steve set the bar high, and I have since been guided by giants on our Board of Directors who have inspired and pushed me to be more courageous, strategic, and effective than I ever imagined I could be in the pursuit of what ought to be.
In 2004, I joined the Campaign with a big dream that all talented students, regardless of income, zip code, or the color of their skin, would have an equal opportunity to go to college and graduate. That is what higher education ought to be. Jessie and I never let those who said it couldn’t be done stop us. Alongside our incredible team, we have a long list of accomplishments to celebrate:
-
We transformed higher education in California by ensuring a stronger transfer pathway, eliminating dead end course placement practices and the use of SAT/ACT in college admissions, changing the funding formula for community colleges, and protecting and expanding financial aid.
-
We secured more than $6 billion in state funding for college access and success.
-
We effectively used research for change, mobilized hundreds of partners in support of that change, and leveraged the media to bring attention to our priorities.
-
We influenced the appointments of more than two dozen equity-minded leaders at our colleges, on the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University Board of Trustees, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, and the California Student Aid Commission, along with other higher education related bodies and task forces.
There is still important work for the Campaign to do on behalf of a more just higher education system, and Jessie is the best possible leader to get us there.
As I reach the end of this amazing journey, I am filled with gratitude and pride. I have received more love and appreciation than I knew was possible. I hope you never stop fighting for what ought to be — I know I won’t. Goodbye and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
| 
