In 1971, a joint resolution of Congress designated August 26th of each year as Women’s Equality Day. Here’s to all women!
Good morning, friends.
It is August 27, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.
Porterville College
Students Return to Campus for Start of Fall Semester
Energy and excitement were in the air as students returned to in-person learning for the Fall semester at Porterville College this past Monday.
Student Ambassador for PC Veteran’s Services Alicia Vargas expressed her excitement over the return to campus, she said, “It’s so exciting to see people on campus again. I’ve never seen this many people here.”
Leona Fitch is studying business administration. She’s trying to teach her children to “Never give up,” and says it’s all possible. “This is a great college, and the professors work with you to achieve your goals.” The 48-year old returning student is in her second year at PC.
Elizabeth Keele, Health Careers Division Chair and Assistant Professor, was excited to have students back on campus. She said, “Every day is a learning experience”. She then went on to express how excited she was to see the progress on the new Allied Health Building’s construction firsthand.
For the opening two weeks of the semester, the PC Student Services Department hosts multiple information and resource booths across campus for students. Many faculty and staff members took time each day to answer student questions, provide information on programs and services, and just get to know the people we serve every day.
PC Information Systems and Business Instructor Jim Carson said, “I’m just excited to see the school bustling again. This will be the first time in two years I’ll be in front of a live classroom.” Carson has been teaching on-line instruction only since the beginning of the pandemic.
CFF Hosts Vaccination Event on Campus for Students
The California Farmworkers Foundation made a stop on the PC Campus on Wednesday to provide a free vaccination clinic to students. The Clinic provided first, second, and third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations as part of our welcome week activities to start the Fall semester.
Each student who received a vaccination was provided with a $50 gift card.
The California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) was formed to offer and create opportunities that would enable Farmworkers that reside in California to develop personal and professional skills. They model 5 areas with their services: Education, Health & Wellness, Workforce Development, Immigration Services, and Community Engagement. They provided these free vaccinations as part of their community engagement efforts for Tulare County.
Parking is Now Free on Campus for Porterville College Students
As part of our effort to remove barriers to education for our students, parking permits are no longer needed to park on campus for the Fall semester. Permit regulations will NOT be enforced for the Fall by our campus security and permits will not be sold. All other parking regulations are in effect and will be enforced (as outlined on the Porterville College website), but students no longer need to pay to park while attending classes, visiting the library or computer labs, or coming to campus for any reason. Please contact Porterville College Public Safety with any questions at (559) 791-2440.
Cerro Coso Community College
CC Welcomes students back to campus
And welcome, new students!
The past two years have been a test of patience and persistence for all.
As the new semester at Cerro Coso gets underway, we invite all students to be an active part of our campus communities. Each one brings a unique background and experience that is just as important to share and engage with as what we have to offer in the classrooms.
One of the best ways to dive into the fall semester is to plug into campus life. Stay in the know by reading the weekly communication with important dates and events in the Student Need to Know, sent to all college assigned emails. The college offers a number of resources like financial aid, computer loans, free healthcare, food, job and career coaching and placement, and so much more. Need help? Just let someone at our One Stop know and they will guide you to the right place for help.
Outreach Director Katie Bachman and Promise students met students at the entrance to the Ridgecrest Campus to welcome them back with a friendly face, help them navigate the campus, provide refreshments, and offer information on the many, many resources available to help students succeed.
The world might be coming back to normal but things will never be the same again. Let’s make it better! It’s a great time to be a Coyote.
Coyote Cupboard Relocates and Expands
In order to better support students experiencing food insecurity, Cerro Coso Community College has relocated its food pantry on the Ridgecrest campus. The Coyote Cupboard has been around for a long time, but now the pantry is available for students to walk in and take a limited number of items off the shelf. The pantry will also have snack items, small meals, sandwiches and more for students to pick up and have a quick bite if needed as well. Its new home is in West Wing Room 145 across from the fountain on the first floor. This location provides students with open access during open hours and is more centrally located to where students gather in the Student Center and outside courtyard.
All students will be asked to check in with a student worker before entering the pantry, regardless if you are taking items home or just picking up a snack or meal. A student worker will guide students through the pantry, provide a bag, and whatever else might be needed from the pantry.
The Coyote Cupboard held a soft opening on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 11am-3pm. Located in Room 145 of the West Wing, across from the fountain on the first floor. The hours for the Coyote Cupboard: Monday & Wednesday: 8am-11am and 3:30-5pm; Tuesday: 8am-11am; Thursday: 11am-3pm; and Friday: Closed
Students are asked to check in with a student worker at the front desk and provide their Student ID, and household number. #CCCares. #WorkingTogetherToEndCollegeHunger
Ludwigsen New Librarian in Tehachapi
Jewell Ludwigsen is the new Librarian for the Tehachapi campus of Cerro Coso.
She spent the last nine years serving as a Librarian with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Ludwigsen moved to California from Tennessee after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2010. She spent the majority of her life living in different places like Tennessee, Illinois, Brazil, and Chile, but considers Tennessee her home state.
Excited to engage and assist students at the Tehachapi campus in their educational journey, Ludwigsen is also looking forward to collaborating with educational staff and students to provide the best library and information services to the Cerro Coso community.
Ludwigsen holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, and a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.
Welcome to TEAM Cerro Coso Jewell!
Bakersfield College
First Day of Fall: Growing to Keep Up With Rising Needs
On Thursday afternoon, the majority of our 62 new faculty came together to start their BC journey. They were welcomed by President Zav Dadabhoy, VP Imelda Simos-Valdez, and Associate VP Jessica Wojtysiak. Dean Rebecca Farley spoke on the culture of BC and the purpose of our New Faculty Seminars.
We played New Faculty Bingo; Matthew Maddex and Lourdes Aboytes were the envy of everyone when they won dinner for two at the Renegade Room. Thanks, Chef Alex!
New Faculty got an introduction to DSPS and Financial Aid, learned about HR policies, and heard about resources available to our students. This dynamic group will be a force at Bakersfield College.
Welcome to our 62 newest Renegade Faculty!
Campus is bustling with activity as students have returned for the Fall term.
Industrial Automation Early College Summer Academy
The Bachelors program in Industrial Automation had another successful Early College Summer Academy. Over 50 Early College students from Kern County had the opportunity to take one of the lower division courses from the program in a four-week semester.
Students also participated in four different facility tours with industry partners to witness firsthand what they’re learning in the lab to apply in industry. The four facility tours included Phillips 66 in Taft, Wonderful pistachios and almonds in Lost Hills, Target Distribution Center in Shafter, and Walmart Distribution Center in Shafter. This is the second year for this thriving academy.
Flex Week is a Wrap/Adjunct Faculty Seminar
So much amazing learning took place this year at over 80 workshops with a wide variety of topics, including “Canvas as an Engagement Tool”, where Mallory Gardener walked participants through a Canvas Murder Mystery.
We had an OER Session where Christie Howell, Ronnie Wrest, Maria Wright, and Chris Cruz-Boone discussed how to incorporate OER into courses and the benefits it provides to students. Melissa Myers showed faculty how to use Canvas Data Analytics to get more information on student participation within Canvas. It was a great week with a mixture of online and in-person classes.
Adjunct Faculty Seminar
Sixty of our adjunct faculty came together Wednesday evening for the first in-person Adjunct Faculty Seminar since Covid.
These faculty learned about the persistence project, played Kahoot with facts about BC, and heard about how to serve their students with accommodations.
CEVSS Awards Banquet
The Bakersfield College Veteran Resource Center CEVSS program hosted its inaugural awards ceremony and banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of our student veterans for the Spring 2022 semester. Students were awarded for highest GPA of the semester, highest overall GPA, most improved, and most inspirational student.
Independence High School adds their first Dual Enrollment Course for Fall 2022
Beginning this Fall, Independence High School students will be enrolling in their first Dual Enrollment course on their campus. The students are extremely excited to begin taking college courses through our Early College Program.
Blast From the Past
It was 8 years ago (!) that the ALS Bucket Challenge was sweeping the nation. Here’s the entry from Bakersfield College – Sandi Taylor, Jennifer Marden, and Anthony Culpepper joined me.
In The News
Thanks, Kern County, for voting for Measure J
BC Chemistry Professor Deborah Rosenthal wrote this Community Voices piece for The Bakersfield Californian about BC’s new Science and Engineering building, built with Measure J funds.
“I would like to thank the community for voting yes on Measure J. The building is stunning, and more importantly, functional. If I may speak for my colleagues, we will fill it with encouragement and support for the students to pursue and reach their goals.”
Enjoyed this article from California Community Colleges Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales:
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Kern CCD Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Kay Meek and I had a good time at the Aspen Board Fellowship:
I loved seeing this student share a picture with professor Olivia Garcia:
And check out this video from CC President Sean Hancock:
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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
#KernCCDDaringMightyThings
Tagged: #KernCCDDaringMightyThings, Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, Kern Community College District, Porterville College, Sonya Christian
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