Aliya Chisti 艾麗雅 for City College Board

Don’t forget to vote today!

Eid Mubarak 🌙🤍

One thing I’ve reflected on over the years is that the deeper meaning of Eid can also live through generosity, compassion, community, and helping others in ways that reduce harm wherever we can.

For me personally, that’s part of what led me toward veganism and being more mindful about animals and the choices I make.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Eid filled with family, love, good food, and kindness. ✨🌱

This past Wednesday was San Francisco’s Budget and Appropriations meeting regarding funding for the Free City program. Earlier this month, the board of trustees passed a resolution to reaffirm our commitment to this program.

I’d like to thank our students, staff, and advocates for gathering to speak up about preserving it. We do this for you! And thank you, Chair Chan for leading the hearing.

Since 2017, the City and County of SF has partnered with City College to become one of the only cities nationwide to implement tuition-free college for its residents. Higher education is an investment that we must make in our community, and it is an investment we will see returned through the workforce, in economic mobility, and overall quality of life.

This afternoon was CCSF’s commencement for the Class of 2026! I am so proud of our students for their hard work and determination towards achieving their academic goals. It was an absolute honor to have been a part of this ceremony celebrating all of their achievements and success. As they enter this next chapter of their lives, I wish our graduates nothing but the best in their future academic journeys and careers. Congrats, grads! 🎓🎉

To retirement! 🎉 CCSF is so grateful to have staff and faculty members and administrators who tirelesssly make our community a better place! I am so grateful for and inspired by their valuable decades of service. The retirees will forever be a part of our community, and we’ll work hard to keep up their legacy. Congratulations, CCSF retirees!

Shoutout to the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies Department and the Environmental Horticulture/Floristry Department and our students for their hard work providing the amazing cakes and artful centerpieces for our celebration!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎

Be sure to thank all of our teachers this week for their service! CCSF would not be the vibrant place it is without our diligent, hardworking educators. Our community is absolutely so lucky to have teachers who are our students’ biggest mentors and supporters!

As a former educator myself, it is beyond inspiring to see how much time and effort our faculty puts into ensuring our students are prepared in their academic and life journeys.

Congratulations to the UMOJA Class of 2026! The Rite of Passage ceremony was beautiful and I’m beyond grateful to have attended this evening and felt so inspired hearing about everyone's journey. I'm rooting for you every step of the way and can't wait to see what you all will accomplish next! 🎓🎉

Under the leadership of Department Chair Juan Gonzales and our dedicated faculty, The Guardsman remains steadfast in elevating the college community in its success and issues. Over past years, the newspaper has done an outstanding job in its student-led journalism reporting on campus and local affairs.

It is beyond incredible to witness CCSF students discover their voice and passion for news under Mr. Gonzales. Students joined in from all over—Washington DC, Kentucky, Japan—to send him off today. Juan’s love for teaching is truly unmatched, and his students will carry on his legacy through The Guardsman.

Thank you for your devoted years and service, and congratulations on your retirement, Juan! 🎉👏

Earlier today, City Hall hosted a beautiful celebration in honor of Arab American Heritage Month. The food, music, and speeches were spectacular, and it was wonderful to see the community show up to enjoy the festivities together. Thank you to and (on IG) for their hard work in organizing the event.

It is absolutely so beautiful to see SF’s ongoing efforts to celebrate our Arab Americans. During a time where hate is so prevalent on the political stage, our city is showing up for each other. Let’s keep this love and pride going!

Happy Arab American Heritage Month!

Excited to have attended the Dr. Carlota Texidor del Portillo Annual Scholarship Dinner at City College of San Francisco’s Mission Campus. I’ve attended for the last few years and I’m so proud to see that there are so many more students awarded this year!

Thank you to the Friends of the Mission Campus for their tireless advocacy and work supporting students in reaching their dreams. Special thanks to Dr. Carlota Texidor del Portillo and the board members for their leadership and dedication to expanding opportunities for students. It means so much to see each student persevere against all odds.

¡Sí se puede!

Visit friendsofthemissioncampus.org to learn more about their non-profit work!