Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, January 19, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
Early College Program Announced!
I am so excited and proud to announce that Senator Jean Fuller will be at the helm of the Early College Program at Bakersfield College. A true blessing for BC! She will lead the necessary intersegmental collaboration, relationships with business and industry, and connections with national policy organizations to scale up Early College regionally and nationally.
Having served in public office from 2006-2018, Jean Fuller brings over 30 years of experience in education to Bakersfield College. Her desire to continue working in education at BC is a direct result of her commitment to working with young people and encouraging them to have the confidence and support to achieve their dreams.
Trustee Romeo Agbalog
What is the Early College Program? It is a proven model for quality and cost-effective college degree completion, particularly in rural communities with high poverty rates and low educational attainment rates.
Like other states, California is grappling with the increased need for access, efficiency, and excellence in education. By 2030 there will be a projected shortage of 1.1 million workers holding a bachelor’s degree. Kern County continues to rank among the lowest percentages in educational attainment in the nation. The Early College Program implements complementary strategies to expand access to college, increase graduation rates, and reduce time-to-completion. This work is vital for success in Kern county, California, and the nation.
The Early College model launched in partnership with local charter schools, including Wonderful Ag Career Prep, which introduces students — many who will be first-generation college students — to higher education course material during the summer prior to 9th grade. I was so proud to confer Associate degrees in Agriculture Business for 38 Wonderful Academy students last May 2018. Dual Enrollment, a strategy of early college, has been implemented in 24 Kern County high schools.
By aligning curriculum and adding college-level coursework into the high school schedule, Early College students have the opportunity to earn a certificate or associate degree by their high school graduation. A 2013 study by the American Institutes for Research found that students enrolled in Early College Programs were significantly more likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college than students who were not. They are also more likely than their peers to graduate from college and with maximum efficiency in regard to time and resources. The Early College students are performing at or near the same level, and in some cases, at a higher level than their traditional college student peers.
Read more about the Early College Program at Bakersfield College and press release.
Trustee Romeo Agbalog Imagines a Bright Future for Kern County
Kern Community College District Trustee Romeo Agbalog was also in the Bakersfield Californian this week talking about Early College from the perspective of employment in Kern County, opportunity for students, and cutting the cost of college.
Trustee Agbalog is a major supporter of Early College and has been instrumental in bringing this program to fruition. Read the full Bakersfield Californian Community Voice.
First Week of Spring ‘19
We welcomed faculty and students back on a blustery Monday. I’m always excited to see the campus come alive after the empty hallways of winter break. The spring semester is a vibrant time as the weather begins cold but turns sunny and warm as we begin looking forward to commencement and celebrating successes of our graduating students. Thank you Manny De Los Santos for capturing photos of our students and faculty returning to campus.
Campus Center Breaks Ground
We were blessed with a sunny break in the rainy weather on Wednesday morning to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for Bakersfield College’s new Campus Center, the second building to be built using Measure J funds.
Students in Bakersfield College’s Commercial Music program opened the festivities, the BC Drumline marched in to start of the ceremony, followed by a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by the BC Chamber Singers. On the dais, we were fortunate to have representatives from the offices of Congressman TJ Cox, Senator Shannon Grove, Assemblymember Rudy Salas, and Assemblymember Vince Fong. Representing the Kern Community College District were KCCD Trustees Kay Meek, Romeo Agbalog and Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, as well as, retired Trustee and former Congressman Bill Thomas.
Office of Student Life Director Dr. Nicky Damania was thrilled to lead the the groundbreaking ceremony for a building that will be at the center of student life at BC. Introducing the BCSGA presidents who were on the frontlines to help make the new Campus Center possible, Nicky said, “when we’re working, it’s for these students who are going to be the leaders of the future.”
A succession of BCSGA leaders from previous years addressed the group, each in turn speaking from their personal experience what this new center will mean for students: Alex Dominguez, 2014-15 BCSGA President; Clayton Fowler, 2015-16 BCSGA president; former KCCD Student Trustee Rayven Acosta-Webb, speaking for Matthew Frazer, 2016-17 BCSGA; and Dezi Von Manos, 2017-18 BCSGA President. Then current BCSGA president, Ashley Harp, shared her vision of how the Campus Center will encourage student engagement.
After the Renegade Cheerleaders led the audience in a chant of “We Are BC”, Dr. Damania announced the opening of a time capsule left in the walls of the Administration building upon the Panorama Campus’ completion in 1955.
I’d like to thank Tamara Baker for all her work related to the implementation of Measure J, and I’d like to thank the taxpayers of Kern County once again for investing in community college education. Without your support, neither the Campus Center nor all of our other major construction projects funded through Measure J would be possible. Thank you for voting Yes on J in 2016.
See the entire photo gallery of the Campus Center Ground-breaking on A Better BC Facebook.
Old Campus Center Demolition
Food Services Moves to Huddle
Where do we eat with the cafeteria being demolished? Don’t worry, BC’s Food Services is finding ways to continue to serve our Panorama Campus community. The Panorama Grill has temporarily taken residency in the Gym Huddle. Food Services has also created a “food court”” of food trucks in front of Memorial Stadium and the Gym Huddle. Among the trucks is Pa’L Norte, Banderas Burger Grill, and The Rollin’ Bean. And coming soon, Panorama Grill will add their own food truck: Gades Grub!
As we build A Better BC there will be many department, staff and faculty moves. I would like to thank staff, faculty and students for graciously adjusting to the many changes happening around campus. Keep up on the changes happening on campus at A Better BC.
BC Time Capsule
On Tuesday afternoon, BC’s Student Government gathered students and staff together to open the BC time capsule from 1955. Jerry Ludeke was on hand with information about the cornerstone. Did you know the Masons conducted the cornerstone laying ceremony inside the Administration Building on April 30, 1955, exactly two years after the groundbreaking of the Panorama campus? This gem was filled with newspapers, a student handbook, student directory, and more.
You may view the contents of the capsule in BC Archives located on the second floor of the Grace Van Dyke Library.
Dr. Nicky Damania will be coordinating the creation a new time capsule to be built into the new Campus Center. Submissions may be suggested to the BCSGA president or sent to Dr. Damania.
Thank you Manny De Los Santos for this short video to commemorate the event.
ITV Classroom Pilot for Dual and Concurrent Enrollment
An overflowing classroom with high school sophomores are participating in the pilot Interactive Television (ITV) Bakersfield College Music B2 class!
To bring dual enrollment course offerings to North High School students, ITV equipment was installed to bring Bakersfield College instruction to the campus. Funded by the College Futures grant, A Bakersfield College team led by Kristen Rabe and Dr. Anna Laven spent the last six months developing the equipment installation plan, which included two 80” TVs and one 65” plus lots of other high tech goodies to exactly mirror the ITV classrooms at BC.
Developed in collaboration with North high school administration and counselors, the technology brings opportunities to many students for whom transportation to main campus is a significant barrier. As Mark Balch, principal of North describes, “seven miles might as well be 70 for these students”. Showing the strength of the program, over 60 students arrived at the orientation which could take only 30 students. One student indicated she was interested in participating after hearing a dual enrollment presentation during an African-American Mentor Program (AAMP) field trip to campus.
With incredible support from Dean Manny Mourtzanos and Chair Dr. John Gerhold, the first pilot class begins next week, taught by Kyle Burnham. The department is working diligently to supply additional classes in the future due to demand.
Dual Enrollment Featured in Bakersfield Life
Did you see the article about Dual Enrolment in Bakersfield Life Magazine? Mark Nessia wrote about the partnership with the Kern High school District and BC to “encourage a college-going culture in Kern County.” He quoted our own Anna Laven, Dual Enrollment Program Manager and highlighted the start of dual enrollment at the Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano in partnership with BC. Read the Bakersfield Life Magazine Dual Enrollment Article.
17 News features Norma Rojas Mora
Tabatha Mills, 17 KGET News, featured a beautiful video of BC’s Director of Community and Public Relations, Norma Rojas-Mora, in her Women in Kern County segment. In the video, Norma speaks about her dedication to students, education and insuring students realize the opportunities that are available to them. I’m so honored to have Norma at BC. Read the article and watch the video of Norma on KGET.
BC students continue to ride free with Kern Transit
Kern Transit is continuing a program for all currently enrolled Bakersfield College students to ride free on Kern Transit routes with a valid student ID. Free rides began January 14th and continue through the end of finals week on May 10, 2019.
Students who choose to ride with Kern Transit will not have to struggle with traffic or find parking, and they can focus on their studies as they commute to school. Using public transit helps improve air quality. And students may ride free on all 100-numbered routes, not just on routes to and from the school, so they save money commuting all around Kern County. Thank you Kern Transit!
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces at the 2019 Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Board Installation and Awards Luncheon. We were honored to have friends, partners and KCCD Trustee representatives joining us for this event. Congratulations to the honorees: Josie Martin, named Volunteer of the Year, Kern Economic Development Corporation named association partner of the year, and Young Wooldridge honored as the chamber champion. The Chamber’s executive committee will be chaired by Darlene Mohlke of Castle & Cooke with Derek Jeffery from KGET-TV 17 serving as incoming chairman. They will be joined by Sue Benham, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Rob Duchow, Southern California Gas Co., Denise Newton of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. , Tasha Clayton of Tel-Tec Security, Andy Paulden of Brown Armstrong, Mark Bateman of Young Wooldridge LLP, and Pritesh Patel of Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center.
I look forward to continuing to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors alongside Andy Anderson of Aera Energy LLC, Kristen Beall of Kern Community Foundation, Mary Barlow of Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Sharlet Briggs of Adventist Health Bakersfield, Don Bynum of Temblor Brewing and Bynum & Associates, Leslie Golich of Kaiser Permanente, Rick Jhaj of Countryside Market & Restaurants, Ken Keller of Bakersfield Memorial, Jacob Panera of Varner Brothers and G. Riar of Deprigo.
It is going to be a great year for the Chamber under the leadership of the fabulous Darlene Mohlke who has a great heart for our community, and who volunteers countless hours serving on boards of various organizations making a significant difference.
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cohort
Endee Grijalva, Program Manager in Adult Education, and Brandon Urry, Manager of Communications/Community Relations, Athletics, were at the KGET news desk representing BC as members of this year’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Bakersfield cohort. One Friday of each month the participants learn about a different industry within Kern County. Friday was Communications Day, with KGET welcominig Endee and Brandon.
SGA Power Lunch
Also on Wednesday, BCSGA hosted its first Power Lunch of the semester in the Levan Center, inviting Bakersfield College’s three Vice Presidents to talk about their job duties and how they facilitate all of the work that needs to be done to keep the campus running smoothly.
Mike Giacomini, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, who started at BC about three months ago, described the areas that he oversees, which include budgeting, Maintenance and Operations, Food Services, and Public Safety. Liz Rozell described the Office of Instruction, including all academic programs, enrollment management, and scheduling for BC’s instructional facilities. Zav Dadabhoy described starting in student government at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, which led him to a career in student involvement culminating in his position as Vice President of Student Affairs, the department in charge of financial aid, counseling, tutoring, outreach, athletics and student services in general.
The Vice Presidents answered questions about challenges that arise when managing a campus of over 33,000 students and 1,000 employees, and spoke to the the importance of working together across all of the different departments to solve problems and provide the highest quality of education possible. They also talked about how the KCCD Board of Trustees provides leadership and support for the College.
Many thanks to BCSGA for organizing this educational event for students wanting to learn more about the inner workings of the college. Thanks to Mike, Liz and Zav for this time meeting with students!. And thanks to Food Services for providing lunch!
Renegade Athletics Roundup
If you missed watching the Renegade Report live this last Thursday at 11:00 AM, check out features from this week’s show.
- Nate De Jager (UNLV) and Cam Roberson (UMass)
- BC Assistant Swim Coach Shelby Bayne
- BC Swimmers: Kenneth Rodriguez and JR Santamaria
- BC Swimmers: Alexis Gallardo and Audelia Arredondo
Renegades of the Week
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (1/6-1/12) Wells Fargo Renegades of the Week:
- Dasia Wandick, Women’s Basketball – Scored a total of 33 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in helping the team to a 64-50 win over Cuesta and a close, 50-48 loss to Allan Hancock.
- Marcus Jones, Men’s Basketball – Scored 12 total points and grabbed 10 rebounds in wins over Santa Barbara (94-68) and Cuesta (88-80). Also, was involved in a few crucial plays down the stretch to seal the win against Cuesta.
Renegades moving on to the next level
We are extremely proud of four of our Renegade student athletes who are transferring on to Division I academic and athletic competition this spring after wrapping up their BC careers. From the football team – Carson Olivas is at UCLA, Nathan De Jager is at UNLV and Cam Roberson is at UMass. From our volleyball team – Sarah Armendariz is now with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Roundup of Athletics Events this week
- Men’s Basketball falls to Glendale
- Men’s Basketball beat Cuesta 8880
- Women’s Basketball loses close one to Allan Hancock
- Women’s Basketball over Cuesta
Around the ‘net
Renegades on Instagram
BC Alumnus, former Gades football player and current NY Jets player, Rishard Matthew’s posted a shout out to Coach Chudy, gave encouragement to students and showed some Renegade pride this week on Instagram.
Facebook Fun
And I loved this post from Matt Garrett
Fun Photos: Veterans’ Bridge
Kimberly Bligh sent photos from our Veterans’ Bridge to BC. If you missed last week’s article about Veterans’ Bridge to BC, read it now.
Photos
Armando Trujillo, Veteran Services
Fun Photos: Urbane Cafe Sharing the Love for BC
On Tuesday, our near neighbor, Urbane Cafe, offered free sandwiches to BC Students and Staff.
Fun Photos: DKG 80th Anniversary
Last Saturday, January 12th, I was honored to join other women educators at the Delta Kapa Gamma (DKG) 80th Anniversary Lunch. DKG, Leading Women Educators, Impacting Education Worldwide, is an organization with a mission to promote professional and personal growth of all women educators.
We are a community of Renegades
Received this message from Billie Jo………#WeAreBC.
We are a community of Renegades! 😊 I snapped this picture today at Olive Drive Elementary School of my granddaughter Charlie practicing her sounds at speech therapy. During the visit, I discovered that her speech therapist, Laura Wallace, is a Renegade as well. She graduated with her degree in Child Development in 1982 and had nothing but great things to say about BC. Currently, her two sons are finishing up their coursework here at BC and are transferring to Humboldt State in the fall. From left to right my daughter Bailey (current Renegade), Charlie (future Renegade), and Laura Wallace (alum Renegade).
Fun Photos: Preparing for Spring Term
Talk about fabulous folks at BC!!!!
Fun Photos: Cultivating a College-Going Culture
Love working with this dedicated and passionate group of people who care about the youth and Kern County and work hard to cultivate a college-going culture.
Fun Photo: Faculty
I love this photo of Deborah Rosenthal, Chemistry Faculty!
A New Addition to the BC Family
Congratulations to Jeff (art faculty) and Janice Huston on the birth of Jonah David Huston yesterday morning at 3:26 AM!
Tagged: Bakersfield College, Darlene Mohlke, Early College, Jean Fuller, Sonya Christian, Trustee Romeo Agbalog
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