Connected and Resilient: Powering California’s Colleges

From wildfire zones to rural valleys, California’s community colleges depend on fast, reliable internet to keep learning and operations running smoothly. Through the California Community Colleges Technology Center and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC), campuses across the state are gaining stronger, more resilient network connections—helping them stay online even during natural disasters.

At the core of this work is network diversity—the practice of connecting each college through multiple, independent fiber pathways and hub sites. If one route or hub site is damaged, another can keep the college connected.

This commitment to resilience proved its worth during the 2025 Los Angeles fires, when several colleges located within or at the edge of the fire zones remained fully connected. With diverse, redundant circuits in place, they were able to maintain essential service.

“When the Palisades fire damaged fiber near Oxnard College, we initially lost both internet circuits,” said Dan McMichael, Director of Network Infrastructure and Security, Ventura County Community College District. “Because we had been working with CENIC on a backup ring circuit, their engineers were able to help us configure and activate it immediately, restoring full service in less than a day. The original circuits weren’t fully restored for two months, and I can’t imagine the impact on our students without CENIC’s quick response. It’s been a great partnership.”

While most colleges now have diverse circuits through CENIC at no cost, achieving true redundancy can be complex. Some fiber paths that appear distinct may actually overlap, relying on shared carrier infrastructure. The Technology Center and CENIC have been auditing these routes, requesting detailed carrier maps, and ordering diverse replacement circuits to ensure complete separation wherever possible. The goal: no single points of failure.

This work aligns closely with the state’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, which is expanding California’s fiber network and closing long-standing coverage gaps, especially in rural and tribal regions. As new middle mile routes are built, the Technology Center and CENIC are mapping college connections to identify opportunities for stronger redundancy and reliable service.

For California’s community colleges, network reliability isn’t just about technology—it’s about preparedness, equity, and access. Colleges serve as vital hubs for education and emergency response. Ensuring they stay connected means protecting the continuity of learning and the well-being of the communities they serve.

Questions on how to maximize CENIC benefits for your college? Contact Cindy McCartney, CENIC Project Manager at cmccartney@ccctechcenter.org.