By Nate Galvan | galvanna@sonoma.edu
Rohnert Park, CA — This week the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom shared a landmark report outlining strategies, policies, and practices to help California’s post-secondary institutions emerge from the pandemic stronger and better poised to prepare Californians with the training and education needed to secure high-quality jobs and bolster our recovering, vital economy.
Sonoma State President Judy K. Sakaki was appointed by the Governor to the Recovery with Equity Taskforce, helping to recast today’s challenges as an opportunity to help California’s economy recover with a reimagined post-secondary ecosystem. Sakaki proudly served alongside other leaders, educators, and experts to address the inequities in post-secondary education and wealth gaps that the pandemic has only amplified.
“Serving in this capacity helped me think about how we at Sonoma State can approach our reopening with clear, equitable goals in our policies, practices, and strategies,” said Sakaki. “It was an honor to serve.”
The report, titled “Recovery with Equity: A Roadmap for Higher Education After the Pandemic,” seeks to address the realities students and institutions will face on the other side of the pandemic, including how to re-engage students who had to sideline their education because of it. The report’s recommendations to help in this goal include fostering inclusive institutions, easy-to-navigate pathways to degrees, improved academic preparation for college access, and simplifying support for students’ basic and financial needs.
The Recovery with Equity Taskforce was established in August 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education, Dr. Lande Ajose, in consultation with the Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education.
To view the report and for more information on the Recovery with Equity initiative, visit the California Governer’s Council for Post-Secondary Education.
Sonoma State is a public university committed to educational access and excellence, with a long-standing tradition of promoting intellectual and personal growth, leadership opportunities, and technological proficiency. We are driven by a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and guided by core values of sustainability, inclusivity, and integrity. Situated among the rolling hills of Sonoma County, SSU is a living example of Northern California’s diverse natural beauty. We provide high-quality education through innovative programs that leverage the area's economic, cultural, and natural resources. Learn more at the SSU Newsroom.