Indian-American Sonya Christian Named As First Woman Chancellor Of California Community College

A distinguished academic leader, Dr. Sonya Christian has become the first person of South Asian heritage to be appointed as the permanent chancellor of California community colleges.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges.

According to an official release, Sonya Christian was unanimously selected by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors on February 23, 2023.

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Christian, who is the 11th permanent chancellor of the college system has received her bachelor of science degree from the University of Kerala.

She started her career in higher education as a mathematics faculty and later as division chair, then dean of science, engineering, allied health, and mathematics at Bakersfield College, California.

Dr. Sonya Christian said, “I am honored to be selected to lead the most important system of higher education in the country and grateful to the Board of Governors for their confidence”.

She added, “We continue to face many challenges, but I truly believe our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work”.

Dr. Christian further said, “We are called to design the most vibrant, resilient, and effective learning environment ever. We are called to do this work at scale, not eventually, but now. And we will work with a shared vision that keeps students first”.

Statement by Board of Governor’s President

Board of Governors President Amy M Costa said, “On behalf of the 1.8 million students of the California Community Colleges, our faculty, staff, and the Board of Governors, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sonya Christian as the newest chancellor”.

( With input from PTI)