In the Fog of Ghosts, How to Prove You’re the Real Deal
By Abby Sigler, Marrion Cruz and Tom Whitehead
In the battle for limited class seats this semester, showing up can make all the difference. When Gauri Santhosh arrived for the first day of class despite seeing a full waitlist, she took a chance that paid off. “Ghost students made it uncertain if classes were actually full, so I just showed up to class and it worked out for me,” Santhosh said.
Her partner wasn't as fortunate. Despite using the same strategy for an Intermediate Writing Fiction class, the seats were legitimately filled with real students.
This practice has become standard for City College students facing an unprecedented wave of fraudulent registrations, leaving them unsure whether “full” truly means full.
Faculty have implemented various strategies to distinguish real students from ghosts. Nico HaBa experienced this firsthand in upper-level online writing courses. “Professors gave discussion question assignments in the first couple of weeks to prove you're a real student,” HaBa explained.
He also observed a significant shift in class size. “Looking at the class list, it went from 60 to 20, and it could just be because the classes are hard, but you're wondering, ‘where did everyone go?’” HaBa added.
These “proof of life” assignments have become increasingly common as faculty try to distinguish between real students and potential fraudulent accounts. Despite these efforts, a particularly troubling dimension has emerged in online classrooms: some ghost accounts submit AI-generated work and participate minimally, not for educational purposes but to maintain their enrollment status long enough to receive financial aid.
NEWS BRIEF
Judge Halts Sonoma State’s Sweeping Academic Cuts
By Tabari Morris tmorri47@mail.ccsf.edu
ASonoma County Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order that slowed the Sonoma State University plan to cut more than 20 departments and programs by the end of this year, a plan first proposed as a means of addressing a significant budget deficit.
The restraining order was the result of a student-athlete-led petition, enacted on the grounds that the university's process for cutting the departments was against campus policy.
While the cancellation of the academic programs is still pending a May 1 hearing, the temporary restraining order does not address the student's request to freeze the university's cancellation of all NCAA Division II athletics.
The lawyer for the students, Ross Middlemiss, described the court's ruling as a firm affirmation of the gravity of the procedural improprieties that the university leadership is accused of having committed.
Both the students and faculty are left out to dry as they await the next move by the court and the university's reaction to the ongoing legal struggle.
SFSU Budget Cuts Ignite Campus Protests, Threaten Transfer Pathways
By Tabari Morris tmorri47@mail.ccsf.edu
Hundreds of San Francisco State University students and faculty marched throughout campus to City Hall in recent days to demonstrate in opposition to drastic budget cuts in the California State University system and demand an increase in funds for public higher education.
Their grievance: that the cuts harm not just San Francisco State but also threaten California's overall future in public higher education, including City College of San Francisco students planning to transfer to CSU campuses.
“I feel outraged. I have never felt more disrespected as a student in three years. This university has been treating me and people whom I care about like we're a liability, whether it's a 35% increase in tuition, eliminating sports teams, or laying off scores of lecturers year after year.”
City College Transfer Pathways at Risk
The proposed $375 million cut to the CSU system—nearly 8%—would have ripple effects across the state's education pipeline. City College students would have fewer admissions to CSU campuses, fewer courses available, and longer degree completion times after transfer.
“Anything that might hinder the process of community college students as they continue their education is a concern for us,” said Alex Breitler, Director of Marketing and Communications at Delta College, echoing concerns felt at City College.
Faculty and students at SFSU warn that these cuts are already making it harder to graduate on time. Courses required for graduation are being eliminated or offered less frequently, and class sizes are swelling. One SFSU student stated their graduation was delayed because of cuts to summer courses, like their senior seminar.
These delays can directly affect City College students who plan to transfer and finish their degrees in a timely manner.
A Warning for Community Colleges
SFSU has already let go of hundreds of lecturers, a move that not only impacts current students but also signals what could happen at the
CAMPUS PULSE
Election Season is Here
Student Chancellor Malinali Villalobos reported there were more than 40 applicants this year for various positions, the highest ever.
Now is your last chance to cast your votes for student leaders. Vote for your next Student Trustee, Student Chancellor and more at www.ccsf.edu/aselections. Polls close on Sunday, May 4, at 11:59 p.m.
Free City Campaign Resolution Passed
On April 18, the Associated Students executive council passed a Free City College campaign resolution. The resolution, authored by Ellen Estrada and the Free City Coalition, calls upon Mayor Daniel Lurie, the Board of Supervisors and college officials to renegotiate the memorandum of understanding.
Student Trustee Awarded Leader in California
Student Trustee Heather Brandt is one of three people recognized this year by California Community Colleges with the Student Leader Award. “These remarkable student leaders have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advocacy, equity and civic engagement across their colleges and communities,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.
Award-Winning Gender Studies Department
Professor Shella Cervantes of the Women's and Gender Studies Department is the recipient of the 2025 Regina Stanback Stroud Diversity Award. Their Project SURVIVE classes empower high school students through intersectional public health education and real-world activism.
“This is not just an honor for Shella and the department but for the college as a whole,” Department Chair Council President Darlene Alioto said.
Physics Department Chair Passes Unexpectedly
The Board of Trustees meeting on April 24 was adjourned in honor of Physics Department chair Steven Swingle, who passed unexpectedly, leaving many community members still in shock.
Department Chair Council President Darlene Alioto said: “Steve was an excellent chair who cared deeply about his department, his facility, and his students. And he was an even greater colleague. He will be missed.”
April 24 would have been his 54th birthday.
Illustration by Kyra Young
STUDENTS continued on page 3
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BUDGET CUTS
continued from page 1
community college level if budget trends continue. “We've lost hundreds of professors already,” said Chris McCarthy, an astronomy professor at SFSU. “The impact on students is that the class sizes are much larger, students don't get individual attention like they did before, and student fees have gone up.”
The majority of students at City College count on small classes and individualized assistance to succeed—particularly students from demographics that aren't well-represented. Losing teachers and staff damages support mechanisms that aid students to transfer and thrive.
Free Speech and Academic Freedom Under Threat
Protesters at SFSU also raised alarms about threats to free speech and academic freedom—issues that resonate at City College, where open dialogue and diverse perspectives are central to the college's mission. “Campuses are supposed to be sanctuaries for free speech, regardless of views,” said Associate Professor Blanca Missé at SFSU. “And our goal here is to make sure that students in this campus, faculty and staff, feel free to speak their mind—they don't feel retaliated or intimidated, and they can find the necessary solidarity to fight repression.”
Priorities Questioned
Protesters criticized CSU administrators for prioritizing management salaries and risky investments over classroom instruction. “These university leaders are not making cuts because they need to, they're not making them because they think it's necessary,” said Ali Noorzad, a student organizer. “They're making them because they think they can continue to spend all of our money on management and investment accounts rather than the students and faculty that make this university work… We believe with every fiber of our being that this school belongs to us.”
For City College, which has faced its own budget challenges in recent years, the debate over how public funds are allocated is all too familiar. The fate of City College is tied to the health of the CSU system—when one suffers, so does the other.
What's Next: Calls to Action
Organizers at SFSU and across the state are urging students, faculty and community members—including those at City College—to contact their legislators and demand the restoration of funding for public higher education. With the state budget still being negotiated, there is still time for the voices of City College students and staff to be heard.
“Can we exist without students in this school?” a demonstrator called out to the crowd. The resounding answer—“No!”—rings just as true at City College.
Key Takeaways for City College
• CSU budget cuts will directly impact City College students' ability to transfer and graduate on time.
• Faculty layoffs and larger class sizes at CSU campuses foreshadow similar risks for community colleges.
• The fight for funding, academic freedom and student support is a shared struggle across California's public higher education system.
• The outcome of this battle will shape the future not only for SFSU, but for every City College student aiming to continue their education in the CSU system.
"They know we have power, this is why we need to keep fighting," said Blanca Missé, an associate professor of French at San Francisco State University. April 17, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
California Governor Gavin Newson proposed a $375 million ongoing reduction to the CSU system—nearly 8%—would have ripple effects across the state's education pipeline. April 17, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
Students, faculty and staff from San Francisco State University rally at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall, demanding reinvestment in public higher education. April 17, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
GHOST STUDENTS
continued from page 1
Computer Networking and IT instructor Maura Devlin-Clancy has observed these patterns. “In discussion posts, there is almost identical wording,” she explained. “Even this semester, there were several instances of recognizing a kind of template.”
These accounts create an unsettling classroom dynamic, where faculty and legitimate students must interact with participants who seem real but aren't genuinely engaged in learning. Some faculty have reported receiving AI-generated videos or images as assignment submissions.
“They sort of string you along,” Devlin-Clancy noted. This behavior affects real students in discussion-based courses, where authentic academic exchanges are disrupted by strange posts appearing “in the middle of the night.”
Unlike completely inactive ghost accounts, these participants exist in a liminal space—technically present, submitting work that appears legitimate at first glance, but fundamentally absent from the actual educational process.
Angelica Castro approached spring registration with a methodical strategy. “I heard about the ghost student issue back in the fall, so going into spring, I had a plan B, plan C,” she said. The approach worked, but required patience: “It was a waiting game, but I ended up getting the classes I wanted right before the first day.”
Castro's experience highlights the new reality for students who must develop multiple contingency plans for each requirement while faculty face the uncomfortable task of policing their rosters. In the registration system, ghost students often share similar ID number patterns or use all-caps in their last names.
Early assignments have become de facto identity checks rather than educational experiences. “With this ghost student issue, there is a big push to drop them, because they don't exist,” Devlin-Clancy explained. “All they're doing is taking up a seat.”
This creates tension between the college's traditional inclusive approach and the need to clear roster space for legitimate students.
Based on the experiences of students who have successfully navigated the system and guidance from faculty, here are some approaches to help students get the classes they need:
For In-Person Classes: Show Up
Political Science Professor Megan Sweeney offers clear advice: “If it is an in-person class that
is full, the student should attend the first day of class at the start of the semester.” Showing up in person remains one of the most effective strategies, as instructors can immediately identify you as a real student and may add you once they've cleared ghost accounts from their roster.
For Online Classes: Send an Email
“For online classes, students should submit a request to add and then email the instructor and express a desire to add,” advises Sweeney. When emailing instructors, be specific about why you need the course and respond promptly to any verification requests they may have. This helps distinguish your communications from automated messages or scammers.
Visit Admissions & Records for Personalized Help
Students struggling with registration issues have another valuable resource: the Admissions & Records Office. Ghost students have added an additional burden, but their office is dedicated to providing students with personalized guidance to help them enroll in the classes they need.
Create Multiple Backup Plans
Following Castro's example, prepare backup plans for each required course. Consider alternative courses that fulfill the same requirements or different sections of the same course that may have fewer ghost registrations.
Don't Give Up on
Wait Lists
Some class sections will open up right before the semester begins or in the first few weeks, as faculty purge ghost students from their rosters. If at first it appears that a class is full, be sure to check back later to see if more spots become available.
Beyond registration challenges, ghost students and their occasional AI-generated participation have fundamentally altered the classroom dynamic. Faculty are now caught between their desire to be accommodating and their need to identify fraudulent accounts.
“It's hard to put that hat on, while you also have this hat of being suspicious of students who don't exist,” Devlin-Clancy said. “I want my classes to be inclusive, and I want everybody to feel included.”
For students, this means navigating not only the registration process but also a transformed educational environment where proving you're real has become part of the curriculum.
Community Doubts College’s Commitment to Safeguarding Student Legal Statuses
By Kyra Young kyrajyoung@gmail.com
The Trump administration announced on April 25 that it would restore legal status for international students in the United States—an abrupt change of course after having revoked the visas or legal statuses of nearly 1,000 international students across the country since late March.
The administration's sweeping efforts to terminate the legal status of international students have disrupted educational plans nationwide. According to the Associated Press, as of April 24, some 1,200 international students had been targeted by the administration's revocations, with at least 120 of those students enrolled in California.
Within the Bay Area alone, the legal statuses of one student and four alumni have been terminated from San Francisco State, 23 from UC Berkeley, 13 from San Jose State, eight from Stanford and nine from the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.
As weeks of revocations come to a sudden halt, international students at City College have been warily left wondering what may come next— and when.
Eroding Trust
“I can't say the school has been very proactive at protecting international students, and I imagine similarly for undocumented students as well,” said Krystal, who wanted to be referred to by another name to protect her identity. Krystal attends City College on an F-1 visa to study social justice and social work.
On Jan. 23, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution in support of undocumented and LGBTQ+ students at City College.
“I'm calling an advisory group together to advise me on how we continue to respond to, support and communicate with our
broader community, particularly our undocumented students and our transgender students,” Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey said at the time of the resolution.
In March, the college also released a memo that included guidance for students in the event that ICE agents come onto campus. On March 20, Bailey, alongside Maria Rodriguez Ramirez, City DREAM program manager, and Veronica Guinto, CCIS program supervising attorney with the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, hosted a “Guidance In Action” virtual session. The session highlighted protocols to follow in the case of immigration officials present on campus and provided details about services and supports for undocumented students.
Despite these efforts, many members of the student community still wonder if the resolution was the extent of the administration's actions.
“It's unfortunate our administration hasn't been proactive in reaching out to students and providing more resources on campus, like mental health support and reassuring students that our visa standings are valid… for now,” Krystal said.
Having had prior college experience as an international student, Krystal said she knew to take advantage of the resources available to students upon returning to school. She also gives credit to her outspoken nature for advocating for herself.
However, Krystal fears many international students do not have the advantage of familiarity, or even the language, to ask for support.
“I'm thankful for the spaces I find myself in that see me and support me, like the Queer Resource Center, the Women's Resource Center and Students Supporting Students,” Krystal said. “But I know how my mental and physical health have suffered from learning about what's happening across the country. I need more support in the classroom with deadlines and resources. I think the overall institutional support for international students—and I'm sure undocumented students—is not enough.”
Another student, Jeffrey, who is also using a pseudonym to protect his identity, is in his first year at City College on an F-1 visa studying economics. Coming to City College, he felt fortunate to be in the United States for an education and hopes to transfer to UCLA or UC Berkeley, knowing a degree from an American university carries more weight than one from his home country. Now he says he feels like a hostage here in the current political climate.
“I had plans to go home and reconnect with my family this summer, but I had to cancel that trip seeing how so many people haven't been able to get back into the States— even green card holders,” Jeffrey said. “It's nerve-wracking. I'm trying to stay in good academic standing and
keep my head down, but there's only so much I can do.”
Reflecting on his first full year at City College, Jeffery found his experience to be far more independent and self-directed than he expected or hoped for from a community college—especially now, given the federal administration's actions.
“I know no one is going to hold your hand through all of college, but it has felt as if it's my job to find out the information I'm looking for and then go find the people I need… like everything is on me,” Jeffrey said. “We haven't been told anything by the school about visa revocations. It's kinda just hear what you hear on the news and deal with that on your own.”
Holding the Line
Meanwhile, in the City Dream office, Legal Advocacy Fellow Hugo Columbus says the community the center has fostered feels stronger than ever, as education and outreach efforts continue to reach an increasing number of students. Students still express their concerns and fears, but feel more equipped than they did earlier in the semester.
“A lot of international students have come in here, scared and not knowing what to do. They have found a lot of support here and we're providing them with a lot of information,” Columbus said. “Communication and allyship are
really important right now. We have good communication with the QRC and work a lot with them, but it needs to be better across all the centers. We are one school, we're City College. This affects everybody.”
Informational flyers drafted by the administration in conjunction with City DREAM, providing guidance on what to do in the presence of immigration enforcement, were intended to be distributed across campuses in multiple languages.
However, students and faculty have noted inconsistencies in the display of information. Where flyers were found readily throughout Mission Center, they seemed less apparent at other centers, like Ocean Campus.
“I know there is ongoing communication between student leaders and the chancellor to set up a know your rights training before the semester ends, as some students want to go home and connect with their families. It's a risky time,” said Krystal. “But I hold concern, that despite the ongoing communication, I'm afraid the college administration may not move fast enough—especially the Office of International Programs,” Krystal said.
“The OIP remains fully committed to supporting and informing our international student community, particularly during uncertain times such as these,” wrote the Office of International Programs in a statement.
City College Faces Short-Term Surplus, Long-Term Budget Crisis
By Tabari Morris tmorri47@mail.ccsf.edu
C
ity College will end the budget year with a little more funds on hand, but school officials anticipate major money woes down the line. The college is facing fewer students, uncertain state budgets and the lingering impacts of fraudulent student enrollments.
In the final months of the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the college's finance team organized funds and obtained some refunds. This resulted in a slightly larger surplus than anticipated.
“That surplus will end up being a little greater than we anticipated, which is great. We want these funds for the future,” Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey said. Bailey referred to successful efforts to recover funds for administrative expenses and healthcare for part-time faculty.
Despite the healthy year-end balance, the projections for subsequent years are alarming. The college is projecting a shortfall of $800,000 for the fiscal year 2025–2026, which could escalate to $5–6 million for 2026–2027 and extend to $9 million by fiscal year 2027–2028 if no measures are implemented.
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These shortfalls are exacerbated by financial instability throughout the state, including the impact of intense fires throughout Los Angeles County. The fires are causing property tax collections, a key source of funding for education under Proposition 98, to fall behind schedule, and will likely impact state education budgets over the next few years.
One trustee stated that 20% to 30% of Prop 98 funding derives from Los Angeles property tax money alone. The reassessment of the burned properties will reduce education funds for the whole state in the future.
The state-level funding City College receives is calculated by the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF). The formula calculates funds for a community college based on a number of factors, such as the number of students enrolled and completion of degrees.
Currently, the college's state revenue is in part made up of costof-living adjustments, also known as COLAs, through the “Hold Harmless” safety net provision. Hold Harmless allows a window of time during which a college can recover its enrollment before funding
is recalculated based on enrollment.
Next year, Hold Harmless will end, which spells an end for the COLAs. Without the cost-of-living adjustments, that state revenue portion will be frozen at a fixed level that cannot keep pace with the annual increases in operating expenses and the rate of inflation.
The immediate future appears promising, with revenues managing to exceed expenditures by the end of the year. However, administrators caution that if enrollment does not grow or if there is no additional state assistance, the college will be forced to make difficult decisions to remain financially stable.
“We can do anything we want with $300 million; we simply can't do everything we want with $300 million,” Bailey said. The financial strategies mentioned by Bailey involve enhancing courses to address specific needs and resources, examining the college's organizational structure, and determining if programs are financially viable in the long run.
Representatives from the faculty union, AFT2121, have been adamant in their belief that the current college administration lacks a strong financial vision for the college.
“The state will allow you to recover full funding for your previous level of enrollment if you can do it within a certain timeframe, and that timeframe expires at the end of next year.”
Robin
Vice President of aFT2121
Citing observations of lackluster approaches to dealing with enrollment issues, such as “ghost students” and the inability to meet student demand for prerequisite classes like English 1A.
“The state will allow you to recover full funding for your previous level of enrollment if you can do it within a certain timeframe, and that timeframe expires at the end of next year,” said Robin Pugh, Vice President of AFT2121.
“A small investment in enrollment for next year could've made the difference of two or three years in terms of how long we're stuck in that frozen funding position. And yet the administration so far hasn't changed what they're doing at all. They're doing the exact same thing enrollment-wise that they were doing last year,” Pugh said.
Eventually, the college will return to a student-centered funding formula, but the concern is that it has missed its last opportunity to make a significant increase in enrollment under the Hold-Harmless provision, considering the state can only afford to accommodate gradual increases each year.
Now faced with an $800,000 deficit next year, the college will have to make difficult decisions to stay afloat. Bailey has said it himself many times before: He is not Willy Wonka, and he will not sugar-coat the realities of the college's financial situation.
“It's not just about chasing the money, because we have to live within our means. And any new resources we get, we have to be strategic about how we're going to deploy those resources,” Bailey said.
Hotep Urges Cultural Transformation in Higher Education at Final Equity Talk
By Qi Mai qmai10@mail.ccsf.edu
Educator and strategist, Lasana O. Hotep, presented the final session of the Equity Talks Series titled, “Culture Eats Professional Development (in Higher Education) for Breakfast: Culture Change vs. Risk Management.” The event was organized by the Office of Student Equity and the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee.
On April 16, in Harry Britt 140, Dr. Hotep began by critiquing the U.S. government's role in creating systemic racism in the mid-19th century, which formed harmful cultural traditions. These traditions contributed to the rise of numerous social and political movements in the 1960s and 1970s, and their effects persist to this day.
“Why is it that we can readily imagine growing heart cells in a lab, but not growing empathy for other human beings in our everyday lives?” Hotep asked. The quote was from the book “Imagination: A Manifesto” by Ruha Benjamin. He pointed out that we often shrink when confronted with entrenched inequality and injustice.
Rather than focusing only on structural barriers, Hotep emphasized that in the field of higher education, culture eats professional development for breakfast, meaning culture has more power than training programs when it comes to shaping institutional outcomes.
Hotep called for reformation and transformation of organizational culture, particularly in how equity is prioritized. He pointed out that key aspects of higher education, such as
the educational master plan, strategic plan, budgeting and faculty prioritization, guide most institutional decisions. He urged institutions not to address risk management and culture change in isolation.
He outlined several critical components of campus culture change, including strategic planning, executive leadership embracing equity frameworks, inclusion of stakeholder groups, budget alignment, cross-departmental working groups, flex days and professional learning experiences and integration of student voice.
Hotep stressed that successful culture change must address both its challenges and associated risks, while also creating a more diverse and inclusive campus environment. He emphasized the importance of aligning professional development
with institutional culture to ensure they support one another.
Through his talk, Hotep referenced a wide range of sources, from a presentation by Senior Strategist DeAnne Aguirre to elements of popular culture, such as Indian yoga and Japanese karate. He also used data charts and presented questions about the cultural and political shifts of 2025 to help students engage with complex concepts in a relatable way.
At the end of the session, Hotep left the students with two questions: “Does City College foster a culture of success?” and “Who are the members of your success team at City College?”
Erin Thomas, a nursing major, shared how after a recent accident, she received strong support from more than ten peers at the college, including faculty and classmates.
and teachers, who are
key part of his success team.
Charlie White, a kinesiology major, expressed appreciation for his English classes
a
During his presentation, Lasana Hotep referenced the book “Imagination: A Manifesto” by Ruha Benjamin.
Pugh
Part of the presentation from the fourth and final Budget Workshop on January 16, 2025, hosted by Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey. Total college expenditures for FY25 total $294 million. Graphic courtesy of Dr. Yulian Ligioso and the Finance and Administration Department.
Professionals share experience with eager journalism majors
The journalism department at City College dates back to 1935. For more than 80 years, hundreds of our students have pursued successful careers in the news media. Many of them got their start on our award-winning campus publications.
Our students consistently do well in statewide journalism competitions, which speaks to the quality of the education that they receive here. The campus newspaper and magazine have won numerous awards for writing, editing, photography and publication design. They have been recognized by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ as among the top student publications in the state.
News Writing and Reporting, Feature Writing, Photojournalism, and Contemporary News Media are among some of the courses offered in our program that will earn you a degree or certificate in journalism. There are also courses like Newspaper Laboratory (Jour 24), Editorial Management (Jour 25) and Magazine Editing and Production that lead to work on the campus newspaper The Guardsman and Etc. Magazine. Additionally, introductory courses in Copy Editing (Jour 23), Fundamentals of Public Relations (Jour 26), Data and Multimedia Journalism (Jour 35), Investigative Reporting (Jour. 36), and Internship Experience (J31) bolster specialized journalistic training.
posing alongside Department Chair Juan Gonzales at City College of San Francisco. Photo by Don Collier
Illustration by Cindy Chan
Students receive state’s top recognition for journalism
City College’s student publications The Guardsman and Etc. Magazine have won awards over the years through numerous journalism conferences. Regional conferences in the fall are hosted by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) while national conventions in the Spring are hosted by the California College Media Association (CCMA) and Associated Collegiate Press (ACP).
Find the story online at: www.theguardsman.com/4_news_jaccawards_wildfeuer/ Join The Guardsman or Etc. Magazine by emailing: Juan Gonzales at jagonzal@ccsf.edu
Journalism Association of Community Colleges awards
Frequently asked questions about the journalism program
What is so special about City College’s journalism program?
Our program offers a state-of-the-art computer lab, two award-winning publications, instructors who are working journalists, a coaching program for students, internship opportunities and a curriculum that keeps pace with the changing needs of today’s newsroom. Does the journalism program offer transferable courses?
Yes. Four courses in our program are transferable to four-year institutions. The three courses are Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media), Journalism 21 (News Writing and Reporting), Journalism 35 (Data Journalism) and Journalism 37 (Introduction to Photojournalism). Do any of the courses in the department fulfill general education requirements?
Yes. Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media) meets the GE requirement in humanities.
Can I get a degree or certificate in your program?
Yes. The department offers an AA degree in journalism that takes about two years to complete and leads to transferring to a four-year college. A Certificate of Award in Journalism and Photojournalism is also available for those students wishing to gain journalistic skills for possible employment within an 18-month period. If I complete two years of study in your program and want to transfer to a four-year college, is that possible?
Yes. It is possible to transfer to a fouryear institution. We offer an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree. Students in our program have enrolled at San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University and UC Santa Cruz, to name a few.
Will I encounter any problems enrolling in one of your courses?
No. Enrollment in our department is
easy. Class size averages about 20 students per class, which allows for plenty of opportunities to interact with teachers, advisers and fellow students. What kinds of jobs can I qualify for once I complete your program?
The program prepares students for entry-level positions in news writing, copy editing, photography, and newspaper design and pagination.
Does the department offer any scholarships?
Yes. The department has a $100 scholarship for continuing students. The application deadline is April 1. The department also makes available information on journalism scholarships offered by local and statewide organizations. Are internships available to students in the program?
Yes. The department has working relations with numerous neighborhood newspapers and some alternative
publications in the area. Instructors in our department also have connections with the two dailies: the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner.
Are there any other resources offered through the department?
Yes. The department sponsors a mentoring program, a student press club, a media career fair, and a “Brown Bag” lecture series. It also has an extensive library of media related books and videos.
If I need to talk to a journalism advisor is there someone I should see?
Yes. You can contact Department Chair Juan Gonzales, who has been with the program since 1985. Call (415) 5174426 or (415) 239-3446.
The Guardsman campus newspaper is available
Journalists share their skills and experience with students
With a career in journalism dating back to 1970 as a reporter and publisher, City College journalism department Chair Juan Gonzales draws upon his varied professional experiences to instruct his students.
As the founder and editor of El Tecolote, a biweekly, bilingual newspaper published since 1970 in San Francisco’s Mission District, he continues to cover the issues that affect the neighborhood.
Gonzales was honored in April 2011 with a Lifetime Achievement Award inJournalism Education by the California Journalism Education Coalition. Currently, Gonzales is project director of “Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the United States.” The project documents 200 years of Latino journalism
Alexander Mullaney is a San Francisco-based reporter, community news publisher and journalism instructor.
He holds an associate degree in journalism from City College of San Francisco where he was the editor-in-chief of student run newspaper The Guardsman, a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University and a Master’s of Journalism from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism where his studies focused on investigative reporting.
Alex founded The Ingleside Light in 2008 and has been pioneering a new business model for purely digital San Francisco community news since 2020.
through film, a companion book and an interactive website.
In 2020, El Tecolote turned 50 and became one of the longest living bilingual newspapers in the nation.
The four color, 12-page newspaper is also published online
Need to get in touch with us? Call us at: Ocean campus 415-239-3000 Mission campus 415-920-6000 Juan Gonzales 415-517-4426 415-239-3446
As an instructor in the CCSF journalism department, Alex has taught Feature Writing, Data & Multimedia Journalism, and Investigative Reporting.
Alex oversees the department’s fellowships that is a collaboration with CalHumanities. He also works with the department chair in upgrading and developing new certificates and new courses, like an online course in mass communications.
What we offer:
and posts podcasts about local Latino news.
For those years of service, Gonzales was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists with its “Distinguished Service Award.” Similarly, he received a “Heroes of Excellence” award from KGOTV.
Gonzales is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the San Francisco Newspaper Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, the California News Publishers Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.
Gonzales is also a board of director for the San Francisco Press Club. In 2009, Gonzales was inducted into the National
Molly Oleson is a print and multimedia journalist, editor, photographer, illustrator and college journalism educator. She holds a master's degree in journalism from UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, and a B.F.A. in painting from Boston University's College of Fine Arts.
Oleson currently works as an independent journalist and artist, creating multimedia work for publications and art for private clients. In addition, she teaches journalism classes that include News Reporting and Writing, Feature Writing, Copy Editing, Magazine Editing and Production, and Data and Multimedia Journalism at City College of San Francisco.
Oleson has contributed to publications that include Sierra magazine, Juxtapoz magazine, Acoustic Guitar magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle and more, and her work has been honored by the Dorothea Lange Fellowship for documentary
• Journalism Associate of Arts
• Journalism Associate of Arts - Transfer
• Data Journalism Certificate
• Photojournalism Certificate
Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. He was also honored by KQED-TV as an “Unsung Hero” in the Latino community. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also recognized Gonzales as a Latino media leader during Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Gonzales serves as advisor to the campus newspaper, The Guardsman.
Gonzales possesses an associate degree in journalism from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in mass communications from Stanford University. He worked as a reporter for the San Francisco bureaus of the United Press International and the Associated Press.
photography, The Pulizter Center on Crisis Reporting, the Online News Association, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the San Francisco Press Club and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Oleson aims to find creative ways of combining writing, photography, illustration and video to tell compelling stories, both in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world.
• Editorial Management and Design Certificate
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Journalism Certificate
Mentoring program links students with professional journalists
The journalism department’s mentoring program has helped many students network with professional journalists and photographers.
“You look at these mentors and they are top-flight. They’re names in the business,” said journalism instructor and writer Jon Rochmis.
Department
of the Bay Area’s large population of professional journalists. Students learn how to pitch story ideas like a pro and have an opportunity to talk one-onone with writers, editors, photographers and designers.
“It’s an outstanding way to learn the business from the inside.”
Chair Juan Gonzales attributes the success of the program to the support it receives from the Bay Area’s media.
The mentor program encourages students to take advantage
Gonzales believes being mentored can improve a student’s ability to get a job.
KGO TV news anchor
Cheryl Jennings knows just how hard it is to break into journalism. She was rejected by 19 of the 20 television stations she originally applied to.
“I think the program is an
outstanding way to learn about the business from the inside,” Jennings said. “I would highly recommend it. I wish it had been
Jessica Lifland is a Bay Areabased photographer with more than 20 years of experience working as a photojournalist all over the United States and internationally in places such as Kosovo, Burma, Italy, Haiti and Jordan.
She was a staff photographer for the Contra Costa Newspaper Group and the Evansville Indiana Courier and Press. At City College Lifland teaches introductory and intermediate photojournalism courses, has taught feature writing and is sometimes the advisor of Etc. Magazine.
She has photographed a variety of assignments for magazines like Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Stern and Le Monde and for newspapers such as The New York Times, USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Lifland is represented by the Polaris Images Agency.
Lifland has been working on a long term personal project documenting the lives of Cowboy Poets and Musicians of the American West, which she hopes to make into a book.
She has a Master’s Degree from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication.
See examples of her work at: JessicaLifland.com
Instagram: @jblif
in place when I attended City College. It makes me re-evaluate what I do every time I explain the business to a student.”
2025–2026
Advising Hours
Meet with Juan Gonzales, Journalism Department Chair, to discuss opportunities in the field of journalism.
Ocean Campus
50 Friday Kahlo Way Bungalows 615
Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday 12 p.m.–3 p.m.
For an appointment, call (415) 517-4426
(415) 239-3446 Journalism matters now more than ever.
Alexander Mullaney, Instructor
Jessica Lifland, Instructor
Alexander Mullaney Molly Oleson
Jessica Lifland
Juan Gonzales
Juan Gonzales, Instructor and Department Chair
Former journalism instructor Tom Graham mentors students.
Molly Oleson, Instructor
fall 2025 journalism classes
The courses below currently appear in the online schedule. Register at www.ccsf.edu/admissions-recordsregistration/register-classes
Classes start on august 16, 2025
JouR 19: Contemporary News Media (3 units)
Mullaney 73724 Asynchronous Online 8/16–12/19
Introduction to modern mass communication, with an emphasis on the development of the news media, analysis of the credibility of the media and its impact on daily life. CSU
JouR 21: News Reporting and Writing (3 units)
72990 TR 9:40–10:55a.m. CLOU 257 8/19–12/19
Gonzales
Focuses on techniques of newspaper reporting, developing and writing a news story, training in information gathering and interviewing sources. It also examines career opportunities in the industry. CSU
JouR 22: Feature Writing (3 units)
oleson 72991 T 6:10–9:00p.m. MIC 217 8/19–12/19
Fundamentals in feature writing for magazines and newspapers with special emphasis on profile and interpretive news features. This course provides practical experience in interview and in-depth research techniques. Training in how to write a freelance story for publication. CSU
JouR 24: News Production I (3 units)
73467 MWF 12:10–1:00p.m. BNGL 615 8/18–12/19
Gonzales
Beginning newspaper laboratory course focused on the publication of the college newspaper. CSU
JouR 29a: Introduction to Magazine Editing and Production (3 units) lifland
JouR 29B: Intermediate Magazine Editing and Production (3 units) JouR 29C: advanced Magazine Editing and Production (3 units) 73725, 73726, 73727 W 4:10–9:00p.m. MIC 217 8/20–12/19
Exploration into the process of creating a magazine publication. Students focus on writing and photographing feature stories suitable for publication in the campus magazine. They participate in the editorial and production process and develop the skills required for publishing a campus magazine. CSU
JouR 31: Internship Experience (1–2 units)
Gonzales 72331, 72996 TBA 8/16–12/19
Supervised on-campus or off-campus employment in a branch of journalism or a closely allied field to which the student shows their self to be best adapted. CSU
JouR 36: Investigative Reporting (3 units)
Mullaney 73468 R 6:10-9:00 p.m. MIC 217 8/21–12/19
Advanced concepts of news gathering, interviewing and writing. Students will be assigned beats covering neighborhood communities and local government. Extensive research, interviewing, meeting coverage and writing involved. Students will improve and expand their news gathering and writing skills. CSU
Department Professional Connections
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Check out past issues of our publications at: TheGuardsman.com www.issuu.com/etc.mag
Where have all our graduates gone?
Jennifer Balderama Senior Editor The Atlantic
Tim Brown News Reporter New York Times
Alex Emslie Senior Editor KQED Radio
Alex K. Fong Creative Director, Design San Francisco Chronicle
Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez Politics Reporter San Francisco Standard
Santiago Mejia Staff Photographer San Francisco Chronicle
Cassandra Ordonio Arts Reporter Hawaii Public Radio
Brian Dinsmore News Assignment Manager KPIX-TV
Bonta Hill Multiplatform Host NBC Sports
Tim Ball Creative Director Politico
Emily Margaretten Reporter Mountain View Voice
Eleni Balakrishnan Reporter
Mission Local
Victor Tence Senior Producer KALW
Paul Kozakiewicz Founder Sunset Beacon, Richmond Review
Photojournalist Robert Nickelsberg Presents Work From ‘Legacy of Lies: El Salvador 1981–1984’
Nickelsberg, center, listens to Salvadoran poet Leticia Hernandez, who opened the evening with several of her poems for the
24, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
City College and SFSU Host the Former TIME Photojournalist
By Karim Farahat karim.farahat0823@gmail.com
It's been four decades since the violent civil war in El Salvador took center stage and captured world headlines.
Robert Nickelsberg, a former 30-year TIME magazine contract photojournalist who was in El Salvador at the time, re-lived those memories at two recent talks in San Francisco.
The talks included a 19-photo PowerPoint presentation of black and white photographs that documented how U.S. foreign policy fueled a violent 13-year civil war in El Salvador. The photos, alongside a number of essays by renowned journalists, are part of a recently published book entitled “Legacy of Lies: El Salvador 1981–1984.” Many of the images were unpublished
for decades.
As a Time photographer, Nickelsberg specialized in political and cultural change in developing countries.
The talks at City College's Mission Center on April 24 and at San Francisco State University on April 28 marked the first book events on the West Coast.
“My photographs highlighted how the U.S. handled a lot of foreign policy and how a lot of the immigration, conflict and unrest we see today along the borders are a direct outcome of the violence in that era,” Nickelsberg said.
He added: “It was also important to capture the intensity in their eyes and what was going on in their heads.”
When he described a photo of an armored Cadillac on an airfield, Nickelsberg said this “clearly works
for me in showing U.S. presence and influence in the region.”
Nickelsberg also said his photos often provided “enough information that the caption writes itself.”
Nickelsberg's venture included spending weeks with the FMLN guerrillas near the SalvadoranHonduran border. It also included spending time with the Salvadoran Army.
The 70 attendees at the Mission Center and the 30 students at the SFSU talk were awed by what they saw and captured a lot of insight about some of the troubled history of El Salvador.
At the Mission Center, Nickelsberg's talk was preceded by a welcoming from City College Journalism Department Chair Juan Gonzales. He then introduced Salvadoran Mission poet Leticia Hernandez, who read a
few poems. Photojournalist Lou Dematteis, most famous for his work in Nicaragua, then introduced Nickelsberg.
Nickelsberg shared with the audience that as he got older, he gathered a lot of new information about El Salvador and witnessed other examples of American foreign policy in action that reshaped his perspective on the conflict in the country. He said that “it has given me a more complete understanding of the situation than when I was a young photographer in the field over 40 years ago.”
At San Francisco State University, Nickelsberg was introduced by Kim Komenich, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.
After covering Central and South America and the conflicts taking place there in the mid-1980s, Nickelsberg established his base in
Asia. Living in New Delhi from 1988 to 1999, Nickelsberg recorded the rise of religious extremism in South Asia. His work has also encompassed Iraq, Kuwait, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia.
Nickelsberg has documented Afghanistan since 1988, when he accompanied a group of mujahideen crossing the border from Pakistan. His 2013 book, “A Distant War,” published by Prestel, captures his 25 years of work in Afghanistan.
If you were unable to attend either of these events, there will be further opportunities as Nickelsberg plans to return to the West Coast in the fall of 2025 for talks at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and in Southern California.
Nickelsberg presented a slideshow of black-and-white images he captured on behalf of Time magazine that are also within his book, "Legacy of Lies," documenting four years of a 13-year civil war in El Salvador. April 24, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
Robert
crowd at Mission Center. April
Robert Nickelsberg engaged in a question and answer period with the audience following the presentation of his work. April 24, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
American Photographer Robert Nickelsberg spoke in front of over 70 audience members at Mission Center to share his work, "Legacy of Lies," a collection of unpublished photos from his time in El Salvador from 1981–1984. April 24, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
Outside the Frameline: Behind the Scenes with San Francisco Chronicle's Santiago Mejia
Francisco Chronicle Photographer Santiago
for the
a graduate of the City College journalism department, hosted
reception of
from a
Events
San
Mejia,
ily, friends and community members
opening
"Outside the Frameline,"
journalism department's Front Page Gallery. Mejia, right, explains a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge
weather assignment to Bob Kinoshita. April 23, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
From left to right, former City College journalism students Allison "Ekey" Kitpowsong, Santiago Mejia, Franchon Smith and James Fanucchi reconnected at Mejia's opening night for his solo exhibit "Outside the Frameline" in the Front Page Gallery on Ocean Campus. April 23, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
Santiago Mejia, back, gives a tour through the gallery to Interim Chancellor Mitchell Bailey. April 23, 2025 (Kyra Young/The Guardsman)
Letter to the Editor
City College Students Afforded Access to Lick Observatory
Two summers ago, I had the pleasure of seeing my astronomy service-learning students gaze up at the night sky from the summit of Mt. Hamilton with the kind of awe and wonder that you just can't get from within city limits.
Our “service learning” students volunteer for public outreach on the City College campus. They organize events, are trained in the operation of small telescopes and learn how to run shows in our two very different planetarium theaters.
For many of these students, the trip to Lick Observatory was the very first time they could truly witness the Milky Way as a soft band of light extending across the sky from horizon to horizon. Away from the glare of San Francisco's lights, the sky comes alive— and with it, so does something inside each student.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and a specially created “ASTRAL Consortium,” also funded by this grant, City College students now have access to the powerful telescopes at Lick Observatory—previously reserved only for University of California researchers. ASTRAL brings together faculty from Bay Area public colleges and UC astronomers to expand opportunities for hands-on, authentic experiences in astronomy.
So far, we've completed four observing runs using the 40-inch Nickel Telescope at Lick. For the first two runs—June and August 2023—we traveled in person
to Mt. Hamilton. Thanks to the generous support from the former dean of STEM, David Yee (now Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs), my department chair and I were able to bring eight students up the mountain in a chartered bus for a two-night stay.
But the cost of staying on the mountain is high, and funding is limited. For our third run in September 2024, we transitioned to remote observing, operating the Lick Observatory telescope from a control room at the University of California, Berkeley. It worked beautifully, and we learned that it was possible to bring the observatory to our students without ever having to leave the Bay Area. We managed our fourth run, in February 2025, using only our personal laptops! In the future, we will be able to work directly from the City College campus, making it easier for as many students as possible to take part. Still, as the student testimonials reveal, something magical is lost when we leave the mountain behind.
Each student in our program has selected one or two specific “cataclysmic variable stars” to study. These are wild, unpredictable binary systems in which a white dwarf—a dead star core—draws material from its companion, sometimes flaring up in dramatic bursts. They're scientifically fascinating and always full of surprises. In other words, they're perfect targets for students doing their first real research in astronomy.
“I've done a lot in my life, but I've never been given an opportunity like this—an overnight stay at a world-renowned observatory, contributing to the science community by researching a cataclysmic binary star. It struck a chord in my heart,” student Danilo Delgado said.
Marcello Garbo said it was “a truly transformative experience,” one that “broadened my perspective on what's possible in the field of astronomy and solidified my desire to pursue a career in STEM.”
And Abraham Hall, who only recently joined our group, was by far the most poetic in his testimonial. He described his fellow students themselves as “a cluster of stars… each one different yet special, contributing radiant light to play within the dark of night.”
These testimonials speak to the core of what ASTRAL is about: inclusion, inspiration and access. At community colleges throughout the Bay Area, ASTRAL is creating a community of learners who experience science not just as a subject to study, but as something they can do—something they belong to. Whether on a mountaintop or in a room on campus, the impact, influence and benefits to the students stay long after the telescope is powered down.
—Claia Bryja Astronomy Instructor at City College claia.bryja@mail.ccsf.edu
Hostile Times for Journalists Nationwide
By Emily Thorsen ethorsen@mail.ccsf.edu
Since the Trump Administration returned for a second term, student journalists across the country have been fearful for their safety as their constitutional freedoms of free speech and free press are being stripped away before their very eyes. Barely a month into his second term, Trump limited which publications could question him during news conferences. This administration's intentions are clear: destroying the democracy this country has worked so hard to create for its citizens.
and Tufts University student, for her work in publishing an opinion piece criticizing the Tufts administration for their continued contribution to the Palestinian genocide. Ozturk has since been transported to an ICE detention center in Louisiana, an intentional move in that Louisiana has the loosest state laws concerning prisoner treatment and overall center conditions.
Trump's executive orders have set us back as a country, but do not let his hostile actions scare you into submission. That is what he wants, for you to feel so swept up in current events that you feel helpless and unable to do anything that will make a tangible difference for others.
from the federal government, journalists at the college level are struggling to make their voices heard on campus. A recent piece published in The Orion, the student newspaper at California State University, Chico, shows firsthand the treatment student journalists are receiving from school faculty and administration. Students are being referred to emailing potential sources instead of more pertinent forms of communication, such as meeting face-to-face.
Trump has signed countless executive orders within only the first one hundred days of his second term as president, including one on Jan. 29 saying his administration will combat anti-Semitism. In turn, ICE agents targeted Rumeysa Ozturk for deportation, a
Instead, we must come together as a collective to incite action that will hit him where it hurts: his wallet. Put your money where your mouth is!
Turkish citizen
In addition to facing challenges
I can personally attest that this advice will get student journalists nowhere. Any kind of publication is engulfed in deadlines at all stages of the production process. No one has time to wait around for a faculty member to answer your email. Chances are, they won't even see your email in their alreadyflooded inbox.
Any person in a prominent position at a university should be
prepared to be questioned about their work and the motives behind their prior actions concerning the school and its students. It is the student journalists' job to obtain this information, no matter how annoying you may find us. Students and community members, both on and off campus, deserve to know what is happening at their school and how their tuition money or taxpayer dollars are being used. These actions by school officials make it harder for student journalists to execute their jobs effectively. This, combined with the way Trump wants to control information in the media, will not make journalists' lives any easier once we graduate and join the already-struggling workforce. But it is our duty and responsibility to our fellow Americans to report the truth and nothing but the truth, because it is the bare minimum of what democracy deserves.
The Guardsman wants to hear what you think. Have something to say about the state of the world, or the state of City College? We welcome any and all community letters, however we reserve the right to not publish any submission. By submitting a letter, you agree to its potential use in a future edition.
If you are a student please include your name and area of study. Please make all submissions to editor@theguardsman.com
Illustration by Cindy Chan
Students of ASTRAL Consortium spent two nights stargazing through powerful telescopes at Lick Observatory. Photo courtesy of Fran Smith
Sophomore Night Victory Advances Badminton to Coast Conference Champs
By Cooper McDonald coopmaldonado30@gmail.com
The City College badminton team left Foothill College in the dust with a massive lead in their home game on Tuesday, April 22.
Before the match began, the teams introduced themselves and acknowledged that City College was honoring their sophomore players.
The lineup for the game was Jacqueline Leong, ranked no. 1 on the team, Maria Yau Zhang, Zoe Tao, Vickey Guan, Eunice Wu and Joey Chen.
The matches went by swiftly, with each being won by over a dozen points in the best-of-three games.
“We're not usually done with the first round of singles and doubles within the first hour; it's not even 4 o'clock yet,” Coach Mariano said.
Leong dominated with a 21–4 and 21–2 score against Foothill's Bin He. Yau Zhang defeated Yilin Yu with a 21–4 and 21–10 score. Tao won with a 21–5 and 21–7 to beat Keila Pound. Guan won against Happy Lanjun with scores of 21–9 and 21–3.
Freshman Wu showed Foothill no mercy with a 21–3, 21–2 score. Chen kept the trend going by winning with a score of 21–8, 21–13.
After the singles matches, head coach Tiffany Mariano called out the doubles matchups across the court.
The first doubles teams called were Yau Zhang with Jessica Ho against Pound and Chepkemoi. The next match was Isabella Li alongside Leong battling He and Yu.
The last set of doubles was Guan partnered with Tao versus Lanjun and Tran.
Yau Zhang and Ho won with a score of 21–7, 21–4. Li and Leong had a fairer matchup, winning 21–11, 21–9. Guan and Tao easily blew their opponents out of the water with a 21–2, 21–5 win.
“Now they're just having fun at this point,” Mariano said, as she called the second round of singles matches. “This team is non-threatening.”
The next set of singles lined up as Leong versus Yu, with Leong winning by a landslide score of 21–3, 21–2. Yau Zhang won with no trouble against He 21–2, 21–6. Tao also won without competition against Lanjun, winning 21–3, 21–6.
Guan won against Pound with a 21–8, 21–5 score. Wu defeated Chepkemoi 21–9, 21–6. Alice Zhang, who was subbed in for Chen, had no problem taking her place against Tran, winning 21–6, 21–3.
In the last round of doubles, both teams of Wu and Tao; and Ho and Yoyo Tam won their matches.
“These girls have a real passion for this sport, and it shows in how they play with perfect execution,” Coach Mariano said.
“The women's badminton team deserves more recognition around campus because these girls put so much time and effort into this game. It's rare any of them miss a practice,” Mariano said. “We've done double practices and don't really have an off season, so besides academics, this sport is a big time sacrifice.”
Mariano explained that with only 12 badminton teams in the conference, the Rams have to use a van to travel long distances for away games.
“I've been coaching for eight years, and it has been amazing. Going undefeated last season shows how hard we've worked.”
After the meet, the Rams badminton team held their ceremony honoring the Sophomore players: Jacqueline Leong, Isabella Li, Zoe Tao and Maria Yau Zhang. A table with gifts and canvases with their roster photos and action shots was set up in the center of the court next to the scoring table.
The Rams will advance to the Coast Conference Championship, with matches scheduled for May 1–2 at De Anza College.
Editor's note: Badminton games are free and take place in the Brad Duggan basketball Court on Ocean Campus. The next home game will be a championship match on Thursday, May 8.
Chabot’s Offensive Firepower Too Much for the Rams
By Henry Crowell henrycrowell5@gmail.com
Chabot's high-powered offense was the catalyst in their victory, subduing the Rams with a barrage of hits.
16–4 was the final score on April 17, with the Rams posting six hits to the Gladiators' 15.
Rams freshman Kaden Healy was at shortstop, and aside from a solid game defensively, he was a major contributor with the bat, smashing a double down the right field line in the 6th inning to score with Dwayne White.
“The game plan going into that at bat was just, ‘stay inside the ball, drive it the other way,’ and that's my game plan for all at-bats. If they leave it in, turn on it,” Healy said. “Just see it, stay inside it, let it travel and drive it the other way.”
Sophomore designated hitter Adrian Hernandez was also a major factor in the offense, singling in the 5th inning before stealing second, then doubling in the 7th, coming around to score when Healy drove him in with a ground out.
“We needed a couple more zeros, keep the game close,” City College Head Coach Mario Mendoza said. “Get in their bullpen, grind out an AB (at-bat). We got four runs, and then we couldn't keep it a zero, so they get those runs back. It's always hard to chase runs.”
Coach Mendoza said that Ray Castillo, the Ram's starting shortstop throughout most of the season, is out of action for the rest of the 2025 season with a torn meniscus.
“Losing him is a big bat out of the lineup, our shortstop, so we've got a lot of guys moving to different spots now. Our main catcher is now at shortstop, so you gotta move it around, you gotta make it work,” Castillo said.
“You have to find someone to step up, someone that's gonna take the opportunity and cherish it,” he continued.
On the Chabot side of the dugout, the team tallied three doubles, two triples and a home run. A performance that was business as usual for the Hayward-based college, having racked up an astounding 49 homers over the season. The Chabot College Gladiators are currently ranked second in the Coast-North conference.
“You can't take these games for granted, you have to play every game like it's going to be the last game you ever play,” Mendoza said.
The Rams closed out the season on Saturday, April 26, with a loss against De Anza College, bringing their overall record to 6–32 and a 2–18 record in the Coast-North conference.
Kaden Healy, right, throws to first base for a forceout. San Francisco, Calif. April 17, 2025 (Isaac Ortiz Dominguez/The Guardsman)
Dwayne White bats for City College in their game against Chabot College. San Francisco, Calif. April 17, 2025 (Isaac Ortiz Dominguez/The Guardsman)
Zoe Tao plays in a singles game against Foothill College player. San Francisco, Calif. April 22, 2025. (Isaac Ortiz Dominguez/The Guardsman)
The Rams celebrate their sophmores, at sophomore night. San Francisco, Calif. April 22, 2025 (Isaac Ortiz Dominguez/The Guardsman)