Summer at Kern CCD

Did you know the Dog Days of Summer have an official beginning and end? Every year, they are from July 3 until August 11. The phrase gets its name from the star Sirius, the “Dog Star,” which is the brightest star in our night sky. During the “Dog Days,” Sirius occupies the same region of the sky as our sun.

On July 23rd, specifically, it is in conjunction with the Sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather.

Thus, the term “Dog Days of Summer” came to mean the 20 days before and after this alignment.

Here’s Neo enjoying the Dog Days of Summer:

On Thursday, I enjoyed the Bakersfield College Alumni Hall of Fame event hosted by the BC Alumni Association and the BC Foundation.

This year’s honorees included:

Lou Barbich

Louis “Lou” Barbich has more than 40 years of experience serving the community as a certified public accountant, specializing in diversified and integrated agricultural operations. He has held many leadership roles in our community and in his profession.

Shirley Haney

Shirley has fostered more than 109 children in her home, giving each of them a loving, caring, and compassionate start in life. She most definitely put her BC child development education to work as she impacts our community!

NaTesha Johnson

Among her many accomplishments, NaTesha Johnson is the founder and owner of Upside Productions Management, specializing in relationships focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion outreach. T is committed to helping local nonprofits succeed and has helped raise more than $550,000 to benefit local programs.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy

Congressman McCarthy serves California’s 23rd district and is currently the Republican Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kevin’s leadership at the local, state, and national level is well-known.

Check out this video from KGET News:

And this piece by Alex Dominguez in The Bakersfield Californian highlighting the honorees.

It was a beautiful evening celebrating some of BC’s alumni. Thank you to everyone who came out in support!

Good morning, friends.
It is July 9, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Launch your Law Enforcement Career at PC!

Your chance to launch a career in law enforcement begins this summer! The PC Law Enforcement Academy is holding an orientation this summer and offering academy modules in 2022-2023.

Orientation will be held on July 14, 2022.

Module III – Arrest and firearms certifications (PC 832), reserve officer level III, security, prisoner transport, park ranger, code enforcement, animal control officer, arson investigator, or federal law enforcement working within the state of California.

Module II – Reserve officer level II certification which allows work as a paid or unpaid reserve officer with police powers on duty (under PC 830.6), parole agent, probation officer, some investigators, transit, harbor, or port officer, and Native American tribal police.

More info from POST: https://post.ca.gov/reserve-officer-program

For more information, visit the PC Law Enforcement Academy website.

PC Foundation Swap Meet to hold Community Yard Sale

Come out to support the PC Foundation Swap Meet next Saturday as they hold their first annual community yard sale! The public is invited to sell or to shop at the PC Foundation Swap Meet – 100 E. College Ave.

Vendors pay $15 for their spot if reserved by July 15!

For more information, call (559) 920-2001 or email pcfoundation@portervillecollege.edu.

Cerro Coso Community College

Apply now for Cerro Coso Promise

Cerro Coso is now accepting applications for the Cerro Coso Promise Program.

The Cerro Coso Promise is a scholarship intended for hard-working, dedicated students that deserve an education, regardless of financial or personal status. By meeting basic criteria, students may qualify for up to $1,000 per semester for 2 years to help with tuition, books, and fees. From specialized counseling to help with creating a comprehensive education plan, the Promise is committed to making sure students participate in a variety of initiatives designed to help them meet their educational goals. Participants also receive priority registration, career advising, help with transferring, and other student support services to assist them in staying on track.

The deadline to apply is September 9, 2022. More information and the application are available at www.cerrocoso.edu.

Cerro Coso to offer Associate Teacher Certificate in Spanish

If you have a passion for working with children, and a love for all the wonder they carry. Early childhood education may be the right career path for you.

This fall the Cerro Coso College child development program is offering the Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement (12-Units) taught in Spanish online through synchronous Zoom.

CHDV C100 Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children and CHDV C102 Introduction to Materials and Curriculum are both being taught in Spanish this fall via Zoom.

CHDV C104 Child, Family, and Community and CHDV C106 Child Growth and Development will be taught in the Spring of 2023 to complete the full 12 units in two semesters.

English versions of all of these Childhood Development classes, and more, are being offered online this semester. Complete schedule available online at www.cerrocoso.edu.

The Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement indicates successful completion of the core courses in early education. Additionally, those who complete the coursework will qualify for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Looking for a rewarding career, where you can truly make a difference? Look into Cerro Coso’s child development programs of study. For more information please contact Cerro Coso Education Advisor Alfonso Guzman at alfonso.guzman@cerrocoso.edu or call 760-384-6219.

Live enrollment support in Spanish is being provided via Zoom July 13, 2022 and July 25, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 pm.

COMING SOON! Digital Diplomas and Certificates

Cerro Coso College is excited to announce digital diplomas and certificates through Parchment These are certified electronic credentials and allow you to show instant proof of your education.

Digital awards are a fun way to share accomplishments with family and friends on social media and to display for potential employers on career sites such as LinkedIn.

Spring 2022 graduates – be on the lookout for an email from Parchment in your student emails! Emails from Parchment should arrive mid-July.

Cerro Coso Community College is always looking for ways to improve our services to students.

Bakersfield College

LUPE Students Attend a 3-Day Leadership Retreat

Bakersfield College student leaders from Latinos Unidos Por Educación (LUPE) participated in an unforgettable experience of leadership development. The leadership retreat took place in a 3-day adventure at the Pali Retreat. During the retreat, these student leaders developed trust with each other and were able to cultivate a stronger support network.

Students were fully engaged in an in-depth workshop about Networking 101: Professional Development by adjunct counselor- Rene Deniz. Students learned about how to effectively market themselves, engage in on-going professional development opportunities, build alliances and professional networking, resume building, and successful strategies to become instruments of change in their communities.

Students engaged in outdoor activities to enhance their self-confidence and learned to be resilient while facing difficult challenges in their lives. In the evening hours, students had a blast on the karaoke machine, enjoyed storytelling/s’mores in the outdoor fire pit, and spent the late evening hours learning some dance moves.

Without the financial support of the Bakersfield College Innovation Grant and the BC Foundation Donors and Alumni, the Pali Retreat would not be possible. Special thanks to the coordinating efforts of the EOPS Executive & Program Directors and staff who graciously took care of the logistics.

Big SHOUT OUT to the BC staff/faculty who served as mentors: Patricia Ramirez, Jo Ann Acosta, and Rene Deniz.

Summer Retreats and Workplans

More than 25 administrators from across the college have spent the last several weeks collaborating to develop workplan targets and tactics to maximize student success over the next two years. These were outcomes from 10 days of retreats and planning sessions which began with a three-day Chancellor’s Retreat.

BC’s Welding Students Get Hands-on Training at KGET Studio

Jeremy Staat, during a conversation with KGET-TV GM Derek Jeffery, learned that KGET was planning to add gates outside the front doors of their building. The two explored the possibility of teaming up on the project. KGET then made a contribution to the BC Foundation, and Jeremy’s students created this beautiful project. It’s great to see our students gain experience on community projects.

Check out this video:

BC Motorsports: 19 hours, 450 laps, 1125 miles = Success

After years of constructing the car, many months of preparation and assistance from several programs across campus, the Renegade Motorsports team made its competitive debut on June 17th, 2022.

The team, composed of 10 Automotive Program Interns, traveled to Willow Springs International Raceway for a practice day during which the four student drivers logged about four hours of track time. During this time the students executed the correct driving line, braking, and acceleration points, as well as navigated traffic as they have been training to do for the past several weeks. The team also practiced their Pit Stop routine which includes refueling the car, changing drivers, and safety checks on the car.

On Saturday June 18th, the team participated in the ChampCar California Grand Prix 8-hour Endurance Race. During the race, each student driver completed two-hour stints around the 2.5-mile road course with substantial elevation changes. Pit stops and minor mechanical issues were dealt with by the crew with efficiency and accuracy allowing the team to finish in 6th place overall and 4th in their class.

Fun Photos and Spotted on Social Media

Bridge to BC New Student Success Program is roaring through the summer with amazing students, staff, and faculty! Please spread the word that all incoming students who are new to college or returning to college should attend Bridge to BC.

“We had some visitors today! Our College president and a couple of our VPs were really impressed to see the energy and the ongoing enthusiasm at Bridge to BC!“