On Wednesday of this week, I was so inspired by the conversation led by the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus, and California Competes, in a panel discussion about “student parents” in community colleges.
Dr. Su Jin Jez from California Competes shared their findings on how to best help our student parents reach their educational goals.
One message that in particular stood out for me was when Su Jin advocated for “enabling more pathways that are accessible, cost effective and portable.”
I’m a strong supporter of finding ways to ensure that student access to higher ed is made available to all, and finding ways to remove the roadblocks that students face on their educational paths.
We also heard from a panel including Shay Allen, a student from Allan Hancock College; Aarin Edwards, President of CCC CalWORKS Association; and Marni Roosevelt, Director of the Family Resource Center at Los Angeles Valley College. Alejandra Acosta from California Competes moderated the discussion.
Shay shared such fantastic insights into the difficulties that student parents face – and how she works to involve her daughter in her campus experience.
“I try to make sure I’m involved on campus and doing things and stay active as a parent. I’m also a part of many programs that my daughter can attend, and that she can come to campus…it’s very parent friendly. She enjoys it, they embrace her. It’s also balancing when she comes home, making sure I show undivided attention on her studies as well as doing my own homework and doing things to keep balance in the house. As a student parent, sometimes it can get very hard.”
The conversations will continue on March 8 and April 12, and I look forward to hearing even more about how we can support student parents on our campuses.
Good morning, friends…
It is January 29, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.
This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to
#DareMightyThings
Porterville College
PC extends online instruction due to rising COVID-19 cases
Porterville College has announced the extension of online instruction until Feb. 14 as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Tulare County.
In a message to students, President Dr. Claudia Habib noted a significant increase in omicron cases since the start of the Spring term.
“Since my last message [Jan. 11] the Positivity Rate has significantly increased from 20.3% to 32.6% as reported today,” said Habib.
Lab classes such as STEM courses, clinical rotations, athletics, performing arts, and other in-person courses may continue to take place on campus at the discretion of faculty.
Student support services will continue to be made available for students in a virtual and limited in-person format. These services include counseling, tutoring, financial aid, admissions and records, student mental health services, and more.
Stadium Improvement Project Work Underway
We’re excited to start seeing work underway for multiple improvement projects at PC’s Jamison Stadium.
This large project includes improvements and upgrades to multiple areas of the stadium, including field upgrades, resurfacing and upgrades to the grandstand and press box on the home side of the field.
A second grandstand will be added to the visitors side of the field to increase stadium capacity. The track will also be improved and a large video scoreboard will be added to the field for sports and other stadium events.
With the completion of the stadium upgrades (scheduled for late Spring or early summer) PC will be fielding its first women’s soccer team in many years this coming Fall Semester!
And check out this great article in The Porterville Recorder: “Community treasure Jamison Stadium being restored.”
Cerro Coso Community College
CCCC Offers Late-Start Classes
Cerro Coso Community College is offering a number of late start classes this spring, ranging from one week to 14 weeks. Late start classes include Administration of Justice, Business Administration, Business Office Technology, Child Development, College Success, Emergency Medical Technician Refresher, English, Health Careers, Health Science, Information Technology, Kinesiology, Library Research, Spanish, and Speech.
Students can choose from traditional, hybrid, evening, and weekend classes that are available on-campus or online. Cerro Coso offers 25 different degrees and certificates that can be completed entirely through online classes. Online students can take advantage of face-to-face services at all Cerro Coso campuses. All those taking classes or visiting the college are required to be vaccinated or test negative within the last 72 hours prior to coming on campus. Masks must be worn at all times. All services are available online too. Thank you for your help in keeping our campuses open and safe for all.
Cerro Coso Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the Eastern Sierra Region of Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Ridgecrest, Kern River Valley, Edwards Air Force Base, California City, and Tehachapi. CC excels in teaching, learning, and empowering more than 10,000 students who attend annually to succeed in a local and global community.
United Way of IWV Donates $10,000 to Coyote Cupboard
The Ridgecrest Nexus Foundation, on behalf of the Cerro Coso Community College Coyote Cupboard, received a COVID relief grant from the United Way of the Indian Wells Valley to help feed hungry college students.
The mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. In the wake of the COVID catastrophe, basic food has become an even greater gift for those in need and, right now community college students are among those who need it most. The State of California reports that 50% of those students don’t have the money or resources to buy enough food.
Every month Cerro Coso holds a drive-thru distribution as part of the Coyote Cupboard at the Ridgecrest campus. The food comes from a collaboration between the college, local food pantries, private donors, and supporting organizations. The United Ways support will go a long way in helping to support students who are going hungry.
The college also provides snack carts around campus for students to grab a snack before, between, and after classes.
The CCCC Foundation thanks the United Way of the IWV and Ridgecrest Nexus Foundation for their support of the pantry and food distribution efforts that are designed to help students meet basic needs in their journey to graduation at Cerro Coso.
Cerro Coso Ranks #19 for Best Online Degree Program
University Headquarters (UHQ), a top site for college ranks and student resources has released its list of best colleges and universities for online degrees.
Cerro Coso’s ranked #19 for the Best Community College for an Online Degree in California.
The site uses a proprietary rating system to evaluate the nation’s top universities and colleges that have specialty programs for education and teacher preparation. The website rankings are based on objective data sourced from governmental and other non-biased sources. Their findings reflect a balanced assessment of data points that include the schools’ retention rate, graduation rate, over cost of education, and the acceptance rates for incoming first-year students. The site’s authors collected the data and information from over 4,000 colleges and universities across the country to determine the overall value of the education programs offered. This is a combined list of private and public institutions.
Bakersfield College
BC’s Spring Non-Credit Programs Aim To Address Unemployment and Skills Gaps
Bakersfield College is now accepting enrollments for its Spring non-credit programs with tuition-free pathways resulting in certificates of achievement in Customer Relations, Quickbooks Basics for Small Business, Beginning Computer Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Welding.
BC has a variety of different courses, certificate programs, and degree pathways to offer any new or returning student with a multitude of support services, including financial aid and no-cost tutoring to ensure everyone can achieve their goal.
Those who are interested in enrolling or learning more should visit the Bakersfield College Adult Education virtual student lobby Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 5:30pm.
Additional information is also available on the college’s Noncredit Certificate Programs Web Page.
First Responder Training at BC
The City of Bakersfield is offering a hiring bonus of up to $1,500 for BC students who complete the Dispatcher, Public Safety course and sign on for employment. The next course begins February 7th, 2022.
Please recommend this option to students who are able to keep calm in stressful situations and are great communicators! Let’s encourage them to consider a career as a dispatcher.
Vote For Bakersfield College in the Bakersfield Californian Best of 2022
Help BC become Bakersfield’s Best by voting for Bakersfield College in The Bakersfield Californian’s Best of 2022!
You may vote for BC ONCE per day until Feb. 21, 2022.
Renegade Athletics
Baseball opens up their season at Gerry Collis field this weekend, starting Thursday afternoon against Moorpark, Friday evening against Taft, and Saturday against Moorpark again. Softball opened their season at home on Friday, Jan. 28th against Mt. San Antonio and Sierra. They will be back on Saturday taking on San Mateo to wrap up their weekend.
The Women’s Basketball Team has been playing their hearts out. This past Saturday, they hosted the LA Valley Monarchs and defeated LAV 58-52. The Renegades remain not only undefeated in conference, but also at home.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Look at this adorable photo of new dad Nicky Damania and baby Sean:
Last week, I shared about Spot the Robot, who has joined the BC team. BC Industrial Automation shared this update – be sure to tune in!
PC President Claudia Habib shared some photos from the season-opening baseball game between Porterville College and Cerro Coso Community College!
“Great fun watching the Opener game today. #Pirates@PCollegePirates vs #Coyotes@cerrocoso it’s so good to see the players back in the field and the bleachers full of spectators supporting the teams”
And I’d like to leave you with this great advice from the Cerro Coso Learning Assistance Center:
“Some days are more difficult than others. Be sure to take a few moments to slow down.”
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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!
The future is bright at KCCD.
-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor
#KCCDDaringMightyThings
Tagged: #KCCDDaringMightyThings, Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, Kern Community College District, Porterville College, Sonya Christian
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