Monthly Archives: March 2022

Sterling Silver 2022

Uncategorized March 26, 2022 Leave a comment

Last weekend, the Bakersfield College Foundation’s 14th Annual Sterling Silver event returned to in-person, after last year’s televised recognition celebration.

The annual benefit dinner recognizes exceptional support and service to the BC Foundation, and to the college, with proceeds from the evening going directly towards the Renegade scholarship program and supportive services. The sold out event took place Saturday March 19th, 2022 at the Panorama Campus.

Thank you to the top Sterling sponsors

Joel and Connie Perez-Andreesen–Reception Sponsor

Ordiz Melby Architects–Sterling Level Sponsor

Chevron–Sterling Level Sponsor

Corporate Philanthropist Award: Bank of America

Individual Philanthropist Award: The Contreras Family

BC Foundation Service Medal: Assemblymember Rudy Salas

Lifetime Achievement Award: Congressman William “Bill” Thomas

Check out this 2-minute photo roll of Bill Thomas

I loved the impromptu remarks made by four of our trustees, led by President Romeo Agbalog. It was the cherry on top of the icing of a wonderful evening.

Bill Thomas with Kern CCD Trustees Kay Meek, Yovani Jimenez, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, and Romeo Agbalog

Executive Director of BC’s Foundation, Cheryl Scott said, “Sterling Silver is one of our favorite times of the year because we’re able to recognize the thoughtful generosity and long lasting contributions of leaders who have stepped forward to make a difference in the lives of students. These individuals are creating a legacy of positive growth and inspiring bright futures through expansions, education, and support.”

BC’s brand new event space, located on the 3rd floor of the newly constructed Campus Center building hosted the special evening.

Here are a some photos:

More photos

Fabulous culinary students

Good morning, friends…
It is March 26, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

Porterville College

PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series Returns with Helena María Viramontes

PC has announced Helena María Viramontes as the next speaker in the PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series.  She will join the PC community on March 31st at 12pm – 1pm via zoom at: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqfuysrjopGtQdfBym9zfAGULd_IIWTzia

Viramontes is the author of The Moths and Other Stories (1985) and two novels: Under the Feet of Jesus, which bears witness to the struggles of a makeshift family of migrant farmworkers in California, and Their Dogs Came with Them (2008), a masterful depiction of the lives of the dispossessed, the working poor, the homeless, and the undocumented of East Los Angeles, where Viramontes was born and raised.

In the 1980s, Viramontes became co-coordinator of the Los Angeles Latino Writers Association; later in the decade, Viramontes helped found Southern California Latino Writers and Filmmakers. In collaboration with feminist scholar Maria Herrera Sobek, Viramontes organized three major conferences at UC-Irvine, resulting in two anthologies: Chicana Creativity and Criticism-Charting New Frontiers in American Literature (1988) and Chicana Writes: On Word and Film (1993).

You can find more information on Viramontes via her Cornell faculty page and register for the event at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqfuysrjopGtQdfBym9zfAGULd_IIWTzia.

Getting to Know the PC ASPC in 4 questions:
ASPC Marketing and Publicity Representative Brayan Quevedo

At Porterville College, we believe that one of the keys to student success is a complete student life experience.  The Associated Students of Porterville College (ASPC) plays a large part in shaping student life on campus. 

We recently had the chance to connect with the Associated Students of Porterville College (ASPC) Marketing and Publicity representative Brayan Quevedo who shared about the journey to PC, studies and areas of interest, and future plans:

Can you tell us about your life before you came to PC and your journey that led you here?

My life’s a wild story. More specifically, before PC I lived in Oregon. I graduated last June (2021) from Sprague High School with a diploma in STEM. I knew I wanted to further my education through college but didn’t really know where to attend. What I did know was that I loved Computer Science and Mathematics, so I applied schools in Oregon and California that specialized in STEM.

During the college application process, some of my family members got sick and needed to be cared for so my mother and I moved. Since I was between two states, college admissions got extremely tricky as it’s quite uncommon to be moving during the final weeks of school, so I was charged out-of-state tuition for all the schools I got accepted to. What really motivated me to attend PC as opposed to other colleges were the cost, location, and small class sizes. Having just moved to the Central Valley, college costs were extremely worrying as it felt like I was spending money left and right, but Porterville College was extremely affordable – even as an out-of-state student. Instead of seeing $70k cost of attendance bills, it was only a few thousand, which made attending the school an obvious choice. Furthermore, they also helped me through the financial aid process to minimize my bill as much as possible!

Finally, the class sizes. One of my biggest concerns with going to a state school were the 200+ class sizes in huge auditoriums for an introductory level class, taught by a professor who couldn’t recognize one student from the next. At Porterville College, every instructor knows me by name, and genuinely wants me to succeed in their class. It’s such a welcoming environment that no state school could match.

What are you majoring in at PC and what career path do you have in mind?

As mentioned previously, I’m currently studying Mathematics and Computer Science. I chose these majors for their difficulty and their impact. I love tackling a hard problem and spending hours seeing what the most efficient solution is. Furthermore, you can use these tools that you learn in my majors to create REAL impact on the world! You could design the next biggest app, create infrastructure that millions of residents use yearly, help the human race reach intergalactic travel – truly the applications are limitless!

What are your hobbies and interests outside of school?

Besides just academics, I’ve been known to be a tree hugger for my love of nature and running. I spend any time possible at Sequoia or Yosemite. The entire experience of scaling a multi-thousand-foot mountain with your friends while messing around and enjoying yourselves brings me genuine joy and happiness that calls me back, one weekend after the next. I believe everyone should experience nature as often as possible, so they can see how beautiful the planet they live on is!

What are your plans after you finish at PC?

After graduating from Porterville College, my plans are to transfer to a UC to continue my study of Computer Science/Math. I aspire to get a Masters in one of these fields to push the bounds of what’s possible. After this, I hope to work in Silicon Valley to create products and services that better our lives!

PC Announces in-person Commencement, first Grad Fair for class of 2022

The last in-person commencement at PC’s Jamison Stadium was held in 2019.

Porterville College has announced that the commencement ceremony for the class of 2022 will once again be held in-person after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In a letter from PC President Dr. Claudia Habib to graduating students, she states “I am delighted to report that this year, we will be honoring you and your families in an IN-PERSON Commencement Ceremony for the first time since 2019! The 2022 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13th, beginning at 7:00 pm inside PC’s Jamison Stadium. I can’t wait to see you all walk across that stage and become graduates!”

Due to the construction and upgrades project currently happening at the stadium, there will be limited seating for spectators this year. To accommodate this and ensure that everyone is able to invite family members, the college will provide six (6) spectator tickets to each graduate for guests to attend the event.

This year, PC will also hold the first “PC Grad Fair” on Wednesday, April 13th from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Scheduled to be held in the campus quad, this event will be a one-stop shop for all things commencement. Graduates will be able to order their cap and gown, take graduation portraits, pre-order event photo packages, and more.

Cerro Coso Community College

Coyotes Participate in Little League Opener

Little league – the opportunity for a community to create a local youth baseball program, built on life lessons, socialization, and sportsmanship that benefits the children and the adult volunteers who support those efforts.

Now practicing for several weeks, the Indian Wells Valley (IWV) Little League officially kicked off the baseball season on Saturday, March 13th with a fun and full day of festivities, including a complete slate of games.  Not even the threat of wind could dampen this first class show.

In a parade of players and coaches and a crowd of camera-clicking moms and dads the, Cerro Coso Baseball team was on hand to congratulate the players and wish them a successful season as they passed through the gauntlet of Coyotes.  Each team from every division was introduced, the players and coaches tipping their caps in proud acknowledgement before taking their place on the apron of the infield.    

It was a great day for parents too.  “It’s great to see everyone getting out and enjoying the fresh air and sports again,” said Outreach Director Katie Bachman.

Little League is a place where kids can have fun, and learn important life lessons.  It provides a sense of connection across generations, common ground between parent and child, and a reminder of what binds us together as a community and the source of our strength as a nation.  Cerro Coso plays an important role in serving as both mentors and supporters. 

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

A teacher.  A nurse. A rock star. An astronaut.  As a child your career aspirations are the stuff dreams are made of.  Secure in the knowledge that when you grow up you can be anything you want  to be.

To explore the intriguing connection between childhood career aspirations and adults’ chosen occupations, Cerro Coso participated in the Trona High School Career Day on March 18th.   The goal of Career Day is to help students understand the curriculum as it relates to specific, real-life job opportunities and a rewarding future.  The event provides students the opportunity to start thinking about their future, broadens their perspectives, and further motivates them to pursue productive careers.

Professor Vivian Baker, CTE Counselor Teri Hack, and Outreach Director Katie Bachman shared their job experiences and passion for the work they do.  The objective was to provide the students a relatable link to the real world, hands-on expertise, and concrete examples of how academics relates to future educational and occupational opportunities. 

A total of 29 organizations participated, and students, grade 5 through 12th, were able to listen to six different presentations.  Presenters included the following occupations: banking, law enforcement, probation department, veterinary care, nursing, heavy equipment operations, utilities technicians, teaching, fire program, photography, journalism, science and technology, EMT, and social services.

“Our students and staff really enjoyed having presents at our school.  I have been getting a lot of positive comments from students, staff, and parents,” said Ruth Soto, Trona High School counselor. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? The answer is right here in your own community, at CCCC the possibilities are endless.   

CCCC 48th Annual Commencement

Cerro Coso Community College will be hosting an in-person graduation in the gymnasium for the first time since 2019 on Friday, May 13th at 11 a.m.

Last year’s event was a unique scaled-down celebration, balancing safety and tradition.

This year Cerro Coso graduates will once again walk across the stage in the Gymnasium at the Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex to receive their degrees in front of friends and family. 

“Throughout the pandemic our college community has come together to adjust and adapt our plans to prioritize the health and safety of our communities, and the same is true for commencement,” said President Sean Hancock.  “We have remained committed to honoring the achievements of our graduates, the Class of 2022, in person, on the campus many call home.”

The college’s Eastern Sierra College Center will hold their own in-person ceremony on Friday, May 6th in Bishop. 

The decision to host in-person events comes after the college considered current CDC and local health department protocols.

Bakersfield College

BC and CityServe Celebrate 13 Graduates of the Project HireUp Program

Bakersfield College and CityServe celebrated the graduation of 13 participants who successfully completed the program, earning one of three certificates in either Basic Office Skills, Basic Employability Skills, or Life Development. This is the 5th graduating cohort to successfully complete the Project HireUp program since its launch in 2020. 

Project HireUp is an innovative program combining community-based efforts, free education, and internship style employment, giving those in need the resources to change their lives. BC and CityServe launched Project HireUp alongside the County of Kern, the Mission at Kern County, M Street Navigation Center, and Adventist Health, with a pilot cohort of over 20 students. The students embarked on a 8-week journey to rediscover life skills, learn new ones, and engage in developing on-the-job-skills with entry level employment.

BC Professor Dr. Paula Parks Receives Prestigious Award

Dr. Paula Parks, Professor and Coordinator of the Umoja ASTEP Community, has been selected to receive the 2022 Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. This award was created to recognize an individual that is exceptional in their contribution to the advancement of intercultural harmony, equity and campus diversity at their academic institutions.

Dr. Parks will be honored at the 2022 Spring Plenary Session in April.

Congratulations Dr. Paula Parks on being recognized for your hard work and efforts that contribute to making Bakersfield College a positive academic environment for all students, faculty and staff. We are proud to have you as part of our BC team.

Valley Strong Energy Institute Hosting Energy Education Webinar

Join us for the next webinar in the Valley Strong Energy Institute’s Ag/Water/Energy Education Series, which is dedicated to keeping Central Valley residents informed on natural resources infrastructure and its impact on our daily lives. For this session, we’ll be talking about microgrids, which are self-sustaining energy systems designed to power large facilities using renewable energy. 

Featured speakers for this session include California Energy Commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda, Mojave Air and Spaceport CEO Todd Lindner, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory engineer Cecilia Klauber. 
To participate in this webinar, visit the registration link at bit.ly/AWEWebinar6.

Renegade Athletics Update

Over the last weekend, men’s tennis hosted the first annual Pfister Tournament.

Swimming competed at the WSC #2 meet this past Saturday at Cuesta College. The women finished 2nd overall while the men finished in 4th.

Softball won against College of the Canyons 2-0 on Tuesday and 10-1 against Glendale on Thursday. Currently, the team is 16-5 on the season and will be playing at home tomorrow (March 22nd) at 2:30PM.

Beach Volleyball competed in the conference opener and went 2-1. BC defeated Glendale 5-0 while Moorpark defeated BC 3-2.

Women’s History Month

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share with you a piece I had published in EdSource: “Heroic students who are also mothers deserve more support.“

“Community colleges are ‘success incubators’ for the marginalized. Seeing our student mothers and their needs clearly through data, through stories and through our commitment to meeting our basic goals indicates that investing in our student mothers, and especially student mothers of color, will produce great benefits to our society as a whole.“

And to close out Women’s History Month, the Kern Community College District is hosting the third annual Women in Leadership forum, moderated by Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller and featuring panelists Martha Flores, Porterville Mayor; Wendy Avila, Kern Superior Court Judge; Brenda Lewis, CA Board of Education Member; and Karen Goh, Bakersfield Mayor.

The forum will be at 11:30 am at the Weill Institute on Tuesday, March 29 is sold out. However, you can join the livestream at bit.ly/WomenInLeadership2022.

In the News

Research continues on Artemis moon missions

Bakersfield College Astronomy Professor Nick Strobel‘s recent article in The Bakersfield Californian discussed the ongoing research into NASA’s Artemis program, which hopes to get humans back to the surface of the moon in the next 3-4 years. Currently, they are analyzing lunar samples brought back 50 years ago during the Apollo program.

“In an example of foresight uncommon today, NASA set aside a small amount of the samples for future research 50 years later, with the assumption that future generations of scientists and engineers would have developed more sophisticated analysis techniques and technology.“

Nick Strobel

Green Side Up to kick off Castle Fire Restoration project

The Porterville Recorder published this article about the upcoming Castle Fire Restoration project. The “Green Side Up” project is hosted by the Rotary Club of Porterville, the Porterville Breakfast Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Woodlake and Foothill Rotary of Lindsay in partnership with the Sequoia National Forest, Porterville College and CAL FIRE. On April 30, volunteers will plant trees and kick off the Castle Fire Ecological Restoration project.

Celebration of life set for Bakersfield College professor Jack Hernandez

Jose Franco published this piece for KGET about the upcoming Celebration of Life planned for Jack Hernandez. Jack passed away in November. He was an English and philosophy professor and the Dean of Students at BC, before serving as Vice Chancellor of the Kern Community College District. He was also the founding director of the Levan Center.

A celebration of life is scheduled for April 1 at the Bakersfield College Campus Center Conference Room. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Sonya and Jack Hernandez.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Cerro Coso College posted about their Coyote Cupboard:

BC Rural Initiatives shared this post:

Congratulations to our amazing ENCORE Educational Advisor, Vikki Coffee, on being recognized today by Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for her work and dedication to youth in our community.

Vikki was also previously recognized in February by the Transnational Aged Youth (TAY) Collaborative. #WeAreBC

I loved this throwback from BC Cheer about when they performed at Robobank with New Kids on the Block:

====================

That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at KernCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

Hello Spring 2022!

Uncategorized March 19, 2022 Leave a comment

Tomorrow marks the first day of spring, and I am thrilled to once again witness the winter world bloom back to life with beautiful flowers – both through my walks with Neo and from what friends are sharing on social media.

Nick Strobel has been sharing updates as his garden is blossoming:

The Cerro Coso Garden Club’s peas are flowering:

Kalina Hill shared The Awe and Wonders of Spring:

As we all adjust to the time change, may we enjoy the lingering sun into our evenings and appreciate the beauty in the world around us.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but 
by the moments that take our breath away.

Good morning, friends…
It is March 19, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

Porterville College

PC CHAP shares “10,000 Lives, 10,000 Stories” from WWII War Relocation Center

Alisa Lynch

In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 Japanese American men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. They were from cities and farms, young and old, rich and poor. They had only days or weeks to prepare. Businesses closed, classrooms emptied, friends separated. The US government incarcerated a total of 11,070 people at Manzanar in California’s Mojave desert between 1942 and 1945.

Today, the National Park Service preserves much of what was the Manzanar War Relocation Center. While most of the buildings are gone, many features remain and others come to life through historic photos, artwork, archives, and oral history interviews.

Tune in on March 22 at 11:30am, as the Porterville College Cultural, Historical Awareness Program (CHAP) hosts Alisa Lynch, Manzanar’s Team Lead for Interpretation and Visitor Services.  She will give all those in attendance a “virtual” visit to Manzanar, sharing some of the site’s “10,000 stories” past and present. Ms. Lynch started working at Manzanar on September 9, 2001. She oversees the site’s efforts in visitor services, education, publications, exhibit design, social media, and oral history. 

Twenty years ago, she met Porterville faculty Richard Osborne. Their meeting planted the seeds of what became PC’s CHAP Program. Since then, hundreds of Porterville students have visited Manzanar through field trips and service projects. You can explore about Manzanar at www.nps.gov/manz.

Register for the event at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99362117317?pwd=bkhPMDR0RGY5TzlnUWNsc21kanhuZz09

Getting to Know the PC ASPC in 6 questions: President Carlos Rodriguez

The Associated Students of Porterville College (ASPC) plays a large part in shaping student life on campus. 

Let’s get to know ASPC President Carlos Rodriguez through this Q&A conversation.

Can you tell us about your life before you came to PC and your journey that led you here?
I originally hail from San Jose, California, but I have lived throughout many areas of the state. I never planned on going to college, but one day I had an epiphany that if I wanted to make it out of Porterville, education would be the best option for me. Luckily I graduated from Butterfield Charter High early, so I was able to get a headstart here at Porterville College

What are you majoring in at PC and what career path do you have in mind?
I am currently majoring in Business Management with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Career-wise, I want to transfer to UCLA, get a PhD in Economics, and hopefully work for the CIA and eventually 100Thieves.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of school?
I love to learn, even when I’m outside of school. Every day is college for me. I spend a lot of time reading books and watching movies. Anything that involves history, business, and politics intrigues me.

What are some of your responsibilities and duties in your current ASPC position?
Some of my responsibilities include planning events and projects along with managing those same events and projects.

What do you enjoy about being on the ASPC?
I most enjoy seeing ideas of things flesh out and become real and tangible. I love solving issues that pertain to our college and being a part of student leadership.

What are your plans after you finish at PC?
After PC, I plan on moving to LA. With some dedication, I hope to run for something at UCLA in some capacity. Eventually, I wish to give back to my community at large, either through representation or another form of influence.

Cerro Coso Community College

College Virtual Parent Night

Are you a parent of a high school student and have questions about your child’s path to college success? Join Cerro Coso Community College for a Virtual Parent Night on Wednesday, March 23rd from 6 to 7:30 pm via Zoom. 

During the event Cerro Coso experts will share how high school students can earn college credit while in high school through the college’s Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program.  Other topics will include: Admissions Process, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Resources, Transfer Requirements, and Vocational Programs.

The Cerro Coso Promise scholarship provides full-time, dedicated students financial assistance regardless of financial and personal status.  By meeting basic criteria students may qualify for a $1,000 per semester for 2 years to help with tuition, books, and fees.

CCCC’s lower tuition and fees allows students to graduate with less debt.  Flexible scheduling is designed for the convenience of students at every stage of life and career.  Smaller class sizes, supportive environment, and rich student life programs enrich the college experience at Cerro Coso.  The college helps guides students on their path to success with a host of student support services and peer mentoring programs.

Join CCCC for Virtual Parent Night and get a comprehensive look at what makes Cerro Coso Community College the right choice for your student.

Zoom registration information available at www.cerrocoso.edu .  Cerro Coso Community College – Your hometown college!

Yvonne Pickerell – DA II Tehachapi Campus

Meet new DA II at the Tehachapi Campus, Yvonne Pickerell. 

Now re-entering the workforce after a 20-year hiatus spent raising her family, Pickerell served as a US Marine, worked as an oilfield roustabout while attending college, got married, moved from Taft to the Kern River Valley and worked for a few years as a CNA & EMT at Kern Valley Hospital.

A Cerro Coso graduate, she earned her BA in Business Administration last year and is currently in a Master’s degree program majoring in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Legal Studies with Grand Canyon University. Eventually, she plans to be an instructor at the community college level and, a little further down the road, open a non-profit legal services clinic in the Kern River Valley. 

Her home life is shared with an abundance of animals: mule, horse, ducks, chickens, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. Her youngest daughter (17) manages all that and her own schoolwork while her dad and mom are away at work. 

In her free time she loves to ride her mule, Jetsetter, and sing in church.  The whole family consists of her daughter 17, as mentioned above, a 34 year old son that lives in the Kern River Valley with his girlfriend and four teenagers, a daughter living in Texas with her husband and three children, and her husband John.  They all love roller coasters so they have a membership at Magic Mountain. 

A well prepared, seasoned professional, Pickerell doesn’t think anything she has done would be considered crazy.  She has surfed in the Pacific Ocean, rafted the Merced River, tent camped for up to 2 weeks at a time in all kinds of weather, packed mules, dove off piers and bridges, and drove across the country, both ways alone.  

Cerro Coso welcomes Yvonne to the college family and wishes her all the best in her new career at the Tehachapi campus. 

Cerro Coso Recruiting Student Ambassadors

The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are dedicated to serving and representing Cerro Coso Community College.  The college is currently recruiting Ambassadors to serve this spring and in the fall.  Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, serve as CC representatives and perform duties at various CC campus and community events. 

Giving back and assisting others is the basis for community service and is the foundation of the Student Ambassador Program.  It teaches how significant it is to help students in need and connects them to the campus community and resources, and by improving the college experience for others, making it a better place for all. 

Student Ambassadors welcome and greet the public at CCCC, provide various services and referrals to the campus, develop a stronger understanding and knowledge of Cerro Coso, conduct campus tours for new students, schools, classes, and guests.  They represent CC during college events and assist with a variety of duties and tasks related to events put on by various Cerro Coso departments.

They work with diverse populations and provide tips on being a successful student.  In return, they develop a wide range of transferable skills that helps them improve communication and organizational skills, teamwork, planning, problem-solving, and task management that helps them succeed in college and in the workplace.  It broadens their horizons by helping them understand the needs of the college and the student population.

To serve as a Cerro Coso Student Ambassador, a student must show a high level of commitment to the college and their educational goals, maintain a GPA of 2.0,  enroll in 6 or more units, and demonstrate leadership and good communication skills.

Students interested in serving as a Student Ambassador may apply for the program online at www.cerrocoso.edu/campuslife .  Contact Outreach Director Katie Bachman at Kathryn.bachman@cerrocoso.edu for more information. 

Bakersfield College

KHSD Early College Pathway Program

Bakersfield College is excited to continue to partner with Kern High School District in offering our Early College Pathway Program. Thirty-five incoming 9th grade students will be accepted into our Early College pathways and complete a degree while they are in high school. The new cohorts of students accepted into this program will be starting this Summer 2022.

This past Monday, March 7th, 2022, we held our annual Early College Pathway Program Information meeting via Zoom. Berenice Arellano, Early College Program Manager, and our Early College advisors and counselor were joined by Ryan Coleman, Director of Educational Services at KHSD, and his team to answer questions from the parents and students in attendance. We presented our Early College Pathway Program presentation to a total of 185 potential students and their families.

The application is now open for students to apply to be a part of the new cohort of students in either Industrial Automation, Public Health, Psychology, Administration of Justice, or Introduction to Health Careers. The last day to apply is March 31st, 2022. Students will be notified if they are accepted after Spring Break.

Apply here: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/earlycollege/khsd

2022 MESA STEM & Pre-Health Conference

The 2022 MESA STEM & Pre-Health Conference is taking place Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, from 8:00AM to 2:30PM.

The conference is designed to allow participants to network with professionals in STEM and health fields and explore these areas of education and careers. Participants will learn about opportunities that can further their education and careers in STEM or pre-health via workshops, a resource fair and keynote speakers.

The goals of the conference are to educate and inform the community about the educational system and what STEM and pre-health education is about.

For registration information, visit:

MESA STEM & Pre-Health Conference Registration

BC Tutoring Conference: 100% Run by Student Tutors

The BC Panorama-SW Tutoring Conference held on Zoom on Friday, February 25th, 2022, was made possible thanks to the talents of tutors enrolled in Susan Pinza’s Level 2 Tutor Training course. At least 20 attendees enjoyed a varied and creative format that addressed best practices for tutoring through whole group discussions, breakout rooms, a guest speaker, and even an interactive game. English tutor Christopher Thomas, host of the conference, presented the many different ways that BC’s Renegade Hub provides technical support to students and the importance of tutors conveying information on these resources to their tutees. Another returning tutor, Jesus Zavala, guided the group through part of a lively Kahoot game created by tutor Julia Newlin.

Renegade Spotlight on Dan Hall

BC’s Director of Student Success Technology Dan Hall has been selected to serve as our Caring Campus California lead.

Caring Campus California is an initiative of the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC). The initiative uses an evidence-based facilitated coaching model to instruct professional staff on how to increase student connectedness to the college.

We are fortunate to have Dan in his role to support the students at Bakersfield College. His strong passion for student success is unmatched.

BC Celebrates Women’s History Month

March is an exciting time at Bakersfield College as we celebrate Women’s History Month. The BC WHAM (Women’s History & More) Committee has been busy organizing so many amazing events this month. Each week has been filled with some wonderful presentations, and there is more in store.

On Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m., WHAM, in partnership with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will hold a virtual webinar on “Latinas in Business and Leadership.” Moderated by History Professor Olivia Garcia, the webinar will feature Ariana Joven, Government Affairs Manager, The Wonderful Company; Adriana Coleman, Marketing and Physicians Relations, Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center; Montserrat Castell-Eilers, Treasury Analyst, Bank of America; and Marilyn Maldonado, Business Development Associate, Valley Republic Bank.

Then on Thursday, March 26, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., WHAM and BC SGA will feature Erika Sánchez, novelist, poet & feminist as part of the Distinguished Series. Sanchez is the author of the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.

And for a complete list of upcoming events, visit WHAM’s website: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/womens-history-month

Nominations Open: Renegade Athletics Hall of Fame

Nominations are now open for the Renegade Athletics Hall of Fame that will induct its second class in the Fall of 2022.

A newly elected Hall of Fame Committee will review nominations for consideration and an induction ceremony will be held annually to honor and officially welcome each class. The second class is set to be honored and inducted in fall 2022. The exact date will be announced this summer. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, April 1st, 2022.

Central Valley Higher Education Consortium

“Establishing Dual Enrollment Pathways in the Central Valley”

On March 17th, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium hosted a convening for more than 150 secondary and postsecondary educators for the first time since the pandemic shutdown to address challenges and barriers related to dual enrollment success. Kern county was represented by Steven Watkin (BC & KCCD), Ryan Coleman (KHSD), Kristin Hanle (CC), and Refugio Rodriquez (PC). Participants discussed successes and challenges related to establishing Dual Enrollment Pathways for Central Valley high school students. 

Getting to Know: Endee Grijalva

I am excited to introduce you to Endee Grijalva, Program Manager at BC. I got to know Endee when we worked together to launch project HIRE up to get homeless individuals to a job. #KernCCDTalent #KernCCDHeart #KernStories #GetToKnow

At 20 years old, Endee Grijalva found herself packing up the car with all her belongings. She, her boyfriend and their two babies were newly homeless. A single thought raced through her mind.

“I knew I had to continue my education,” said Endee, now 36. “I enrolled at BC the next day and didn’t look back.”

Check out our previous “Getting to Know” features at https://www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/news. Thank you Stacey Shepherd for the write ups.

Upcoming Events

Chancellors Seminar Series

After a short hiatus, the Chancellor’s seminar series is back with a topic that is near and dear to my heart – Teaching and Learning.  Porterville College Academic Senate President Bob Simpkins partnered with the senate presidents of BC and CC to develop a three-part series dedicated to the future of teaching and learning.  Part one is on March 23, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Click here to register. 

Women in Leadership Panel

On March 29th, at 11:30 a.m., we will host the third annual Jean Fuller Women in Leadership event, celebrating Women’s History Month. This event will be at the Weill Institute in downtown Bakersfield with limited seating. To reserve a seat, please email KCCDevents@kccd.edu

Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller will moderate a panel of guests including Superior Court of Kern County Judge Wendy Avila, Porterville Mayor Martha Flores, and former Kern High School District Associate Superintendent Brenda Lewis, who was recently appointed to the State Board of Education.  

The program will also be streamed on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaXZ4k8ig4A.

Ag/Water/Energy Education Series

Also on March 29th, I am co-hosting the Ag/Water/Energy Education Series, which is dedicated to keeping Central Valley residents informed on the evolution of our natural resources,  infrastructure considerations, emerging technologies and its impact on our daily lives. The next virtual seminar in this series is on the future of microgrids.

Our featured speakers for this webinar include: 

  • Siva Gunda – Vice Chair, California Energy Commission 
  • Todd Lindner – CEO/General Manager, Mojave Air and Space Port 
  • Cecilia Klauber – Power Systems Engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 

To participate in this webinar, please sign up using the registration link. 

In the News

2021 Porterville City Hall’s Wall of Fame inductees

The Porterville Recorded published this article about the 2021 inductees to Porterville City Hall’s Wall of Fame. Due to the COVID pandemic, earlier honorees of 2020 and 2021 weren’t publicly honored until Friday when they were recognized, along with the 2022 honorees, at Centennial Park.

2021 honorees include Janice Castle, who serves on the Porterville College Foundation Board of Directors; and Virginia Gurrola, a PC graduate and longtime member of the PC community before moving on to leadership positions in the city.

Janice Castle
Virginia Gurrola

Community Voices: The bridge to BC

Kimberly Bligh wrote this piece for The Bakersfield Californian about the Bridge to BC program and how it can help students start on the path to success.

“Bridge to BC is well-known for its high success and retention rates. We follow yearly cohorts to collect data to track critical college momentum success points such as completing their math and English college requirements in their first year, persistence from fall to fall, and completing 15 units in the first semester and 30 units in the first year. Every year, students who successfully complete Bridge to BC have double the success and persistence rates and meet those critical momentum points as compared to students who do not complete the program.“

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Frank Ramirez, Director of Student Services at Porterville College, shared these photos:

PC hosting the March South County Collaborative meeting. It’s great to see everyone in-person!

National Read Across America Day

On March 2nd, the Bakersfield College Child Development Center celebrated National Read Across America Day, which encourages reading for small children and occurs annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

The CDC invited members of the BC administration to read to the students. Here is Mindy Wilmot, Associate Dean over the Family and Consumer Education Department and Child Development Center, reading to a class.

Renegade Innovation Fund in Action: A “Real Home” for Paramedic Classroom Dummies

In the fall of 2021, the paramedic program applied for and received a grant from the Renegade Innovation Fund. The goal was to turn a standard classroom into a family home setting. Converting the classroom would allow students to “respond” in a real-world environment, which in turn would improve student learning outcomes.

This setting is created from the idea of “family” photos. These photos will be printed, framed, and placed throughout the home that was created by Paramedic Faculty Director Jana Richardson and her team. Current students, who are approaching completion, also wanted in on the photo shoot. They chose to make this the official picture for Class 31.

Here are a few more photos:

BC Blood Drive

The BC Office of Student Life and Nursing Program partnered with Houchin Community Blood Bank to host a blood drive on campus last week. It has been exactly 2 years since BC was able to host a blood drive on campus and the turnout did not disappoint! Houchin offered donors a free haircut, socks, and snacks for participation.

OSL staff Nicole Alvarez and student workers at their donation appointments
A bus full of life savers!

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at KernCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

It’s March – Celebrating Women

Uncategorized March 12, 2022 Leave a comment

On Tuesday – International Women’s Day – the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus gathered virtually for a panel discussion about Student Parents, the second in a three-part series co-sponsored by the Caucus and California Competes.

I wanted to share this short video highlighting some of the inspirational women who have broken new ground for women in higher education, as well as some photos from the Caucus’ first 1 1/2 years. #WomenInspire

Talking about inspiring women, here is one of my favorite people – T Johnson doing what she does …..

Bakersfield College Launchpad welcomes the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Bakersfield” Class of 2022 for “Education Day” hosted by Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Participants toured the Launchpad and learned about the resources and educational workshops for entrepreneurs to help start and grow businesses in our community.  NaTesha “T” Johnson presented to the leaders on the importance of supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses throughout Kern County.

Good morning, friends…
It is March 12, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

Porterville College

Porterville College names Women’s Soccer coach, looks to start new program in Fall

We’re excited to announce the appointment of PC alum Amber Hernandez as the Head Coach for the new PC Women’s Soccer team. #WomenLead

Ms. Hernandez has spent the better part of her life playing soccer, jokingly saying that she has “been a soccer player since the moment I could walk”. She brings valuable experience starting up new soccer programs, having served as assistant coach for the first soccer team fielded at Reedley College.

Amber was a member of the Women’s Mexican National Soccer team, she also played semiprofessional soccer with the Seattle Reign. She’s coached younger recreational soccer players for over 9 years, having worked with the South Valley Chivas Academy and the Porterville Soccer League. She comes to PC directly from her position as an assistant coach for the WPSL Fresno Freeze women’s soccer program.

As a graduate of Porterville College and a Porterville resident, Ms. Hernandez looks forward to making a difference in the lives of players in our community. She is particularly excited to start recruiting new players from the area. “For far too long talent here has been kept a secret and hidden, now is time to showcase all that hidden talent! This program will encourage so many young girls, female athletes, and women of all ages to dream big and use their talent to help open doors to their fullest potential.”

PC Athletic Director Joe Cascio is excited about the addition of both Hernandez and the new program. He says, “We are very fortunate to have Amber in charge of reviving women’s soccer at Porterville College. She has an extensive soccer background, strong ties to the community, and a genuine passion for student-athlete success. I’m excited to see her hit the ground running.”

This mother of two holds her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies from National University and a teaching credential in Multiple subjects. She already has big plans for the program in its first years, “My plan is to create a program where female athletes can strive and be successful both on and off the field.”

Scene on Campus: Student Life Club Rush Event

The PC campus continues its “spring back to life” this week as the student life office presented the latest Club Rush in the quad.  Interested students met with club members and advisors to learn about the variety of clubs available on campus.  The event showcased a wide range of cultural, service and interest clubs offered on campus. 

It is also nice to see students gathering in the quad again and taking advantage of events as the weather begins to improve and some of the limitations of the pandemic begin to subside.  According to Vice President of Student Services, Primavera Arvizu, “It is great to see the clubs, students, and club advisors engaging in Student Life again”. #WomenLead

Student artists provide artwork for new Presidents Exhibit

Some Porterville College art students are getting to show off their talent in a new location on campus, thanks to the recent addition of the first “President’s Office Student Art Exhibit”, located inside the PC President’s Office.  The exhibit of student works was created to highlight several pieces of student art on a rotating basis in our administrative offices.   #WomenLead

Dr. Habib thought it would be a wonderful way to highlight student’s incredible talents and show off their artwork to community guests and others that visit the President’s Office on a regular basis.  Thank you to Art Professor Dr. James Entz for organizing this showing of student art.  Feel free to stop by and check out the student’s incredible work the next time you are on campus!

Cerro Coso Community College

CC Holds Virtual Military and Veterans Aid Workshop

Cerro Coso Community College is offering a virtual Military and Veterans Aid Workshop on Friday, March 18th from 12 to 1:30 p.m. viz Zoom. 

The college strives to support, empower, and assist military and veteran students through military-connected transitional challenges; increase student veteran retention and completion; foster the development of skills needed to succeed in their educational goals; and create an awareness of military culture and how to support veterans on campus. 

This workshop will provide a review of military and veteran education benefits such as Tuition Assistance, GI Bill®, MyCAA, and the CalVet Fee Waiver.  Other topics will include academic and Financial Aid resources to ensure students are well prepared or the upcoming term. 

Cerro Coso employees Adeline Windsor and Jessica Kawelmacher, Admissions & Records and Military & Veterans Services; Katie Bachman, Director of Outreach Services; and Alfonso Guzman, Counseling and Military & Veterans Services will be on hand to provide their expertise, direct discussion, and answer questions.   

For more information on Military and Veteran Services at Cerro Coso Community College call 760-384-6291.

Virtual Parent Night March 23

Parents who have questions about their child’s path to college success are invited to attend an upcoming Cerro Coso Community College virtual Parent Information Night and see firsthand what CCCC offers. From career-training programs that include Nursing, Welding, EMT, and Cyber Security, to Associate Degrees for Transfer, and Associate Degree programs, CCCC provides the education and training students need for success in rewarding, high-demand career fields.

Helping parents navigate the college planning and enrollment process, Cerro Coso’s Parent Information Night will enlighten parents of prospective students on college costs and how to pay for college—including financial aid and scholarship availability. Representatives will share details on available resources, enrollment process, transfer requirements, vocational programs, and information on how high school students can earn college credit through dual and concurrent enrollment classes.  Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

Cerro Coso’s Virtual Parent Night will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.  Reserve your spot at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/event/virtual-parent-night-all-sites .

All Cerro Coso Community College campuses are now OPEN.  Contact your local Cerro Coso Community College Counseling Department for assistance. 

Coso Baseball Back at the Dawg Yard

After a week on the road, the Coyote Baseball team returned to the Dawg Yard for some IEAC action on Tuesday as they took on the Chaffey Panthers.   

The Panthers enter the contest with a 1-2 IEAC record, but are traditionally regarded as a top performer in the conference. After a long battle on the ball field, the Coyotes lost to the Panthers with a score of 13-16. 

The Coyotes look to get back to their winning ways against some stiff competition this week, after squaring off with Chaffey on Tuesday, they will travel to Mt. San Antonio college in a non-conference matchup and then return home to host San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday (12:00 noon first pitch). 

#CoyoteSpirit – Go Coyotes!

Bakersfield College

Amazon Presents Check to BC Foundation in Appreciation for Student Assistance in Marking Catalytic Converters

Students and faculty from BC’s Automotive Technology program teamed up with the Bakersfield AMAZON distribution team at Motor City Quick Lube lanes in the Auto Mall to mark and label approximately 150 catalytic converters on AMAZON employee’s vehicles.

Amazon employee vehicles were being vandalized and catalytic converters were being stolen from them at their distribution warehouse. AMAZON was looking for a way to try to reduce the number of thefts that were taking place when they heard about a partnership between BC Automotive Technology students, faculty, BPD, and the District Attorney’s office.  They reached out to BC and found a way to coordinate similar events and provide scholarship opportunities for students working the event.

During the one-day event, students interacted with AMAZON’s security management to learn more about employment options with the company.  

In appreciation for BC’s help, the company provided AMAZON gift cards to the students, the company donated $10,000 to the BC Foundation and each student was given a $150 AMAZON gift card.

Andrew Haney, BC Automotive Professor, stated that the most important experience for students was the opportunity to work with others in the community.  “The skill most learned from this event was the students realizing the benefits of community service, building relationships and the accomplishments that can be achieved when a community works together for a greater cause of good.” 

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Expansion of BC’s Delano Campus

On Friday morning, BC held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility at our Delano Campus. Construction on the new building is thanks to $14 million in state dollars secured by Assemblymember Rudy Salas.

The Delano campus has experienced significant growth of students attending 15 hours of classes per week since 2015. This increase in attendance and engagement created a need for an additional building. The hope is that the new building will be finished and operational in the Fall of 2023.

The program, emceed by Jaime Lopez, was brief with a nice line up of speakers.

Dr. Zav Dadabhoy and Dr. Jessica Wojtysiak talked about the significance of the new building for the community of Delano.

Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg spoke on behalf of the KCCD Trustees beautifully narrating the history and growth of the Delano campus. #WomenLead

I was also really happy that Trustee Yovani Jimenez attended the event.

Our student Marcus Mateo brought it home that he and many of his family members would not have attended college if it was not for the Delano Center. #WeAreBC

The man of the hour, Assembly member Rudy Salas, who brought in the matching $14M for the project concluded the program with heartfelt remarks about his hometown.

More photos

BC’s Community Partnerships Framed by Adult Education, Credit and Noncredit Programs

Bakersfield College is hard at work engaging with community partners to support economic growth and upward mobility. Through our Adult Education and Noncredit education, we are providing high-touch, comfortable environments where adults can walk in, skill up, and reach their potential.

Last fall, BC pioneered a partnership with Chick-fil-A to provide employees with a dedicated, noncredit program of study to develop office and business skills. The sixth cohort of students will graduate soon from BC’s Project HireUp, providing a pathway from homelessness to successful employment. The number of programs and pathways available through this unique partnership with CityServe continues to grow, now including welding, core construction/industrial skills, and occupational safety and risk management. Adult students can also access courses through our JobSpot partnership with the Kern High School District.

In non-credit, our immediate focus has turned to the development and launch of several summer academies. This summer, students can complete Career Development and College Preparation (CDCP) certificates in a wide range of areas. Currently, Bakersfield College offers almost 20 noncredit programs, and nearly 150 courses in 23 subject areas!

BC’s Expanding List of Community Partners includes:

  • Bakersfield City School District – Parent University
  • City Serve & Project HireUp
  • Wonderful Training Academy
  • Farmworkers Institute Education and Leadership (FIELD)
  • JobSpot
  • Edible Garden at the Main Campus/Regenerative Garden at the Delano Center
  • Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealership
  • Education Partners Throughout Kern County

BC Celebrates Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month and More (WHAM) at Bakersfield College has organized an array of programs and special events to celebrate the historical accomplishments of women. 

This year, WHAM chose to emphasize the positive change women can make in the lives of each other and in broader society. This year’s events include a film screening, guest speakers, discussion panels, and much more.
Visit the Women’s History Month information page for a list of all the events and resources.

Renegade Athletics Update

Women’s basketball hosted their first playoff basketball game in seven years against Long Beach City on Thursday evening, March 3rd, in front of a large crowd. Unfortunately, the Renegades came up short and ended their season but Coach Paula Dahl and the entire team wanted to send out a big thank you for the community’s support this season! #WomenLead

Softball has been on a roll! This week the team went against College of the Sequoias and won 11-1. Pitcher Talia Nielson had 10 strikeouts and only one run on Saturday, March 5th. 

Remembering Fernando Alaniz

This February, McFarland High dual enrollment instructor Fernando Alaniz passed away. On Wednesday, a memorial service was held for the popular teacher and girls basketball coach. Steven Watkin, Alma Feathers, and Kylie Campbell were in attendance, and I wanted to share some of the words that Kylie prepared:

“Without the contributions of Mr. Alaniz to the Early College program at McFarland High School, there would have been hundreds of students who did not have the opportunity to get college credit while in high school.

We are grateful of the time and the hard work that Mr. Alaniz dedicated to his students and to this program. Fernando Alaniz Ochoa was a true Cougar Renegade, and the team at Bakersfield College will hold his memory close to our hearts as we continue the work that he helped us begin just a couple of years ago.

On behalf of Bakersfield College, we extend our condolences to Mr. Alaniz family, to all students and staff and McFarland High, and to the community of McFarland. We would also like to present these flowers to Fernando’s wife as a thank you for the mark that Fernando left on the McFarland High Early College program.”

Getting to Know: Melanie Jeffrey

This week, we are getting to know Cerro Coso English Professor Melanie Jeffrey:

For Cerro Coso English Professor Melanie Jeffrey, community college isn’t just where she works. She says it also saved her life.

Growing up in Los Angeles, her family was poor and on welfare most of her young life. In high school, she attended a regional occupation program in cosmetology which landed her a job working in a hair salon straight out of school, which was her first career. 

Fine out more about Melanie Jeffrey on the Kern CCD website.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Marlene Heise sent me this beautiful photo from her visit to Wisconsin:

2 degrees in WI right now.  Sunrise …. no water, only ice in the bay, still beautiful and peaceful!

The KernCCD and BC team was out in full force at the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce installation this week:

Cerro Coso updated their Facebook cover photo – check it out:

New dad Nicky Damania had a warm welcome back to BC:

BC Rural Initiatives Program Director Jaime Lopez was installed into the Greater Lamont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

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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

A need for quiet reflection and prayer

Uncategorized March 5, 2022 Leave a comment

I was struck by this post yesterday from the League for Innovation:

“The League wishes you a good weekend on this first weekend of March, which has certainly entered like a lion. Let’s hope it exits like a lamb. #WorldPeace #Understanding #March“

We see these dire images from Ukraine …..

The attacks have led to one million refugees fleeing the country in the span of just 7 days. Millions more are likely to follow in the weeks to come.

As we enter into this first weekend of March, and the first weekend of Lent, I know many of you will be joining the call… Let’s #praytogether #ukriane

I hope you all are able to find moments of peace and reflection this week – and I wanted to share one of mine. I snapped this photo of a beautiful February sunrise, while I was out walking Neo.

My moments of calm and rejuvenation are usually in the outdoors …. breathing, sensing and just being. When I returned from Oregon in 2013, I was happy to see the investments in parks and outdoor spaces in Kern County. Check out this article in The Bakersfield Californian, about more than $9 million in grants that will help upgrade three more county parks – in Bakersfield, Lost Hills, and Mojave.

5th District Supervisor and longtime BC supporter Leticia Perez, whose district includes Heritage Park in Bakersfield – which received the largest grant at nearly $4.3 million – spoke of the importance of parks to the health and well-being of a city’s residents.

I am sure that these communities will greatly enjoy the park updates for years and decades to come – I can’t wait to see the changes!

Good morning, friends…
It is March 5, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

Porterville College

Pirates get No. 12 seed for NorCal Playoffs, earn 9 All-CVC awards

A historic season for the Porterville College men’s basketball team ended this week. The Pirates were named the No. 12 seed for the Northern California Regional Playoffs and travelled to face No. 5 Las Positas College for a Round 2 playoff game on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in Livermore.

The Pirates had a tough loss and were defeated 86-76, ending their amazing season.

Porterville put together one of its all-time best seasons in school history under first-year head coach Amaurys Fermin. The Pirates are 20-7 overall and took second place in the Central Valley Conference with a 10-4 mark. Porterville made first playoff appearance since 2003.

We are all so proud of this team for your accomplishments this season!

2021-22 ALL-CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE AWARDS

Porterville Men’s Basketball earned nine All-Central Valley Conference postseason honors:

First Team – Chirrag Sidhu, Isaiah Josue
Honorable Mention – Julio Phipps
Co-Freshman of the Year – Isaiah Josue
All-Freshmen Team – Quame Smith, Chozen Amadi, Julio Phipps
Defensive Player of the Year – Isaiah Josue
All-Defensive Team – Julio Phipps

L-R: Chozen Amadi, Isaiah Josue, Julio Phipps, Chirrag Sidhu, Quame Smith

PC invites community to participate in art show

The public is invited to a new group showing of artistic works from the Porterville Art Association at the Porterville College Art Gallery.

This show brings together a diverse group of artists from the Porterville area.

Early in life, Nat Briones enjoyed drawing family and friends and found a natural affinity for cartooning. He later discovered pastel painting while working as a Merchant Marine, and says “I have visited many beautiful places and cultures [and through it all] my artwork helped me make many friends.”

Ellen Jordan says, “I have loved art in all its forms since I was a child.” And continues, “I find inspiration for my art everywhere.”

Diana Mitchell says of confronting real personal challenges, “[I] decided that art was calling out to me, not only as a great form of therapy, but also as a passion from deep within.”

Joy Collier, a self-described “California landscape artist,” who says, “I was taught, ‘Paint what smiles at you!’ and the subtle moods of the Central Valley and the Sequoias are always smiling at me.”

These artists and others in this group exhibition provide many unique perspectives through their works on display at the Porterville College Art Gallery.

The show runs through March 24, 2022. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm.   

Overcoming Structural Barriers of Racism in Higher Education

Dr. Edward C. Bush, President of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, spoke to the PC community on Thursday, February 24th, as a part of PC’s 2022 celebration of Black History Month.

Besides being an accomplished author of books and publications in respected journals, Dr. Bush is a founding member of the African American Male Educational Network & Development Inc. (A2MEND), which is a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to improving the educational outcomes for African American men and other men of color enrolled in the California Community College system.

As a widely recognized leader in issues relating to equity, diversity, student success and leadership with the California Community College System, the time he spent with the PC community was impactful, inspiring, and refreshingly authentic and genuine.

Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso PTK Chapter Recognized for Outstanding Growth

2019 PTK Induction at Cerro Coso Community College

CC’s Beta Kappa Chi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) was recognized for their efforts to bring life changing benefits and opportunities of PTK membership to even more students on their campuses in 2021.

The recognition is part of PTK’s Reach Rewards program, which celebrates and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters excelling in membership development.

“As the pandemic lingered in 2021, celebrating student success became more important than ever,” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. “PTK membership creates higher self-efficacy, fosters a sense of belonging, and provides a supportive community for learning and self-expression. Our work leads to increased student engagement which is what causes higher rates of student success. I am so proud of our Reach Chapters—they worked exceptionally hard to create spaces where students could connect and support one another—even amid a global pandemic.” 

The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation offers $10,000 in local support of PTK memberships every year. 

A full 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 31 percent of students nationally. Members have access to millions of dollars in scholarships — $1million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $246 million in transfer scholarships to over

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org

The New Student Registration Process & What You Need to Know – Banner 9

Cerro Coso made the transition from Banner Version 8 to Banner Version 9 Self Service. This upgrade will deliver a fresh user experience with a modern look and feel. Features include: increased efficiencies, new tools and improved capabilities. It is anticipated, the upgrade will impact everyone at the College.

The new process is more streamlined and user-friendly.  Registration has been updated with intuitive registration tools and a mobile-friendly design that will show the registration impact on the student’s calendar, making it easier than ever for students, advisors, and administrators to use. Training materials will be made available and the Help Desk is prepared to assist with any questions.

Men’s Coyote Basketball Team Makes Playoffs

Congratulations to the Men’s Coyote Basketball Team and Coach Dugan for making it into the CCCAA post-season playoffs for the first-time in 23 years.

The team lost to Mira Costa 93-70 on Tuesday.

This year’s team has been remarkable to follow as Coach Dugan has assembled tremendous talent on the court this season. In record breaking fashion the Coyote’s 22 regular season wins is the most in school history and the team ranked as high as #10 in Southern California polls and #19 in the state polls, both all time highs for the program.

Congrats on a great season!

Cerro Coso is Here to Stay in Tehachapi

With the existing lease of the Tehachapi Education Center through the Tehachapi Unified School District (TUSD) coming to an end June 30, 2022, Cerro Coso has been engaged in discussions with the TUSD regarding a renewal of the lease. 

Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock said “we are looking at a three-year lease renewal while we investigate opportunities for a permanent new home in Tehachapi.  Our partnership with the TUSD is stronger than ever, and we look forward to increasing early college opportunities by identifying new career technical education pathways that meet the growing needs of local industry partners.  Our message to the Tehachapi community – we are here to stay!”

Bakersfield College

Commencement 2022 Announcement

I’d like to share an excerpt of the announcement from BC President Zav Dadabhoy:

I am delighted to announce that Bakersfield College’s 108th Commencement Ceremony will be held as an in-person ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

We will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2022, and also honor our promise to the classes of 2020 and 2021 by inviting them to join the celebrations in the recently renovated Memorial Stadium. This is our first commencement ceremony on campus since 2018, and marks the momentous occasion we have all been waiting for.

I encourage all eligible students to submit their graduation petition as soon as possible. It is available on BC’s graduation webpage. If students are unsure about their eligibility, please connect with BC’s Student Information Desk, where a staff member would be happy to assist or they may connect with any counselor or advisor.

Download the Graduation Petition

Get Help at BC’s SID

BC Selected by Amazon as an Education Partner for Career Choice Program

Amazon announced this that it is further expanding the career advancement opportunities it offers its 750,000 hourly employees in the U.S. by partnering with more than 140 national and local universities, including Bakersfield College, to provide fully-funded college tuition. The announcement is part of the company’s ongoing enhancements to Career Choice – an Amazon upskilling program designed to help frontline employees grow their skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere.

Find out more about the Amazon Career Choice Program.

BC’s Citizen Leadership Center Now Offering Free Leadership and No-Blame Problem Solving Certificate

BC’s Citizen Leadership Center’s purpose is to give citizens the tools and know-how to exercise their power beyond the ballot, equipping them with the pragmatic, problem solving skills needed to work together despite their political differences. BC strives to develop new leaders who know how to work with people with whom they disagree and are skilled at identifying practical solutions.

This certificate through the Citizen Leadership Center will teach you your legal rights as a citizen leader who can bring solutions. Learn to get in the game of government decision making with a successful practitioners’ method called No-Blame Problem Solving. 

Sign Up for this free course

Check out this preview of Power Civics:

Renegade Spotlight on Gina Herrera

BC Adjunct Art Professor Gina Herrera recently had an opportunity to showcase her art from Bakersfield to Bel Air.

She received an email from Universal Studios in November inquiring about her sculpture work. “I thought it was a hoax, but I answered with curiosity. To my surprise it was a legitimate correspondence and 3 days later I was driving down to LA to drop off my sculptures,” Gina shared. 

On February 24th Gina’s sculpture was featured on Bel-Air, Episode 5: PA to LA. You can watch this TV series on Peacock TV. Gina reflected, “I am extremely fortunate to be a featured artist on Bel-Air”.

Herrera teaches Art classes at multiple locations and online for Bakersfield College. You can learn more about her work on her personal webpage or on Instagram at Instagram.com/gina.herrera1/.

Renegade Athletics Update

Women’s Basketball made it into post season, but lost a tough game against Long Beach City on Thursday at the Gil Bishop Sports Center. The Renegades were defeated, 69-59.

The Renegades wrapped up their 2021-22 season with an overall record of 19 wins and 7 losses and a first time playoff berth in seven years. Six teammates will be saying goodbye to BC but nine will hopefully be returning to the team. Congratulations on an amazing season!

Conference Awards:

  • Kathleen Rodriguez (Third Team All State)
  • Julie Hernandez (First Team All Conference)
  • Angie Gonzalez (First Team All Conference)
  • Kathleen Rodriguez (First Team All Conference)
  • Elise Enriquez (Honorable-Mention)

Men’s Basketball wrapped up their season last Thursday, defeating LA Valley with a score of 59-41.

Conference Awards:

  • Tyrell Coleman (First Team)
  • Rahmel Davis (First Team)
  • Eloy Medina (Honorable-Mention)
  • Deandre Pemberton (Honorable-Mention)

Renegade Softball also had an amazing weekend and won both games. Pitcher, Talia Nielson, didn’t allow a single run in the second game over Ventura.

Getting to Know: Cathi Jacob

This week, we are Getting To Know Cathi Jacob, who is an accounting manager at the Kern CCD District Office.

“Jacob, a 21-year employee of the Kern Community College District, is an accounting manager in the district’s finance office. In fiscal year 2020-21, she oversaw reporting for 187 grants and restricted funding accounts that totaled $57 million. As the district’s grant funding has increased in recent years — last year grant funding it increased 20 percent over the previous year — Jacob’s role ensuring every dollar is accounted for and reported accurately has taken on increasing importance.”

Black History Month Breakfast

On Monday, the Kern CCD held a Black History Month Breakfast, inviting partners throughout our community to our district office.

In the News

Community Voices: Hard Fun is a Process

The Bakersfield Californian published a piece thoughtfully written by BC Academic Technology’s Matt Andrasian-Jones. Matt shares what he learned was “hard fun,” but what does this concept have to do with BC’s Academic Technology Department? You’ll have to read to find out.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg was featured along with PCC President Erika Endrijonas in this week’s Twitter Equity Avengers:

Porterville College President Claudia Habib shared this update from the CEO Symposium:

Bakersfield College Industrial Automation shared these photos from their visit to McFarland Junior High School –

“Thank you @MJHS_of_MUSD for hosting us. We had a great time at your beautiful campus.”

I loved this video from Yellowstone National Park, celebrating the park’s 150th anniversary – just beautiful:

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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