Sonya Christian's Blog

Puerta Vallarta and soccer …. it does not get better than that.

The chant came from deep in one corner of the stadium, ringing out loud and clear for a few moments
before fading back into the general cacophony of the night.
“It’s called soc-cer!” the United States fans bellowed at their England counterparts. “It’s called soc-cer!”
Andrew Keh, New York Times.
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yc8987f3

A week ago, I was fortunate enough to make my first visit to Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta lies on Mexico’s western coast and is bordered by the jungle-clad Sierra Madre mountains. It is an absolutely stunning location, defined by the natural charms of its beaches and the splendor of the mountains. In many ways, it reminded me of home.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations – tourism accounts for roughly half of the town’s economic activity, and about half of the work force is employed in tourism. But beyond the numerous resorts, there is a beautiful countryside dotted with banana farms, mango farms, and avocado farms. Livestock and fishing also provide important contributions to Puerto Vallarta’s economy.

During my visit, I also had the opportunity to check out Las Caletas, a lovely beach hideaway in the middle of the jungle, accessible only by boat.

John Huston, father of Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston, was among the first foreigners to notice and enjoy this place. He was seeking isolation and time away from the business of daily life, and he leased the land in the 1970s – living there for almost 2 decades before his health forced him back to the United States.

Las Caletas is a gorgeous, 1000-yards-long beach, broken up into 4 smaller beaches.

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

Happy Thanksgiving 20222. I have much to be thankful for.

Good morning, friends.
It is November 26, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Porterville Scholarship Program

You’re not too late! It’s still scholarship application season! Porterville College is holding scholarship workshops this week to help you with the application process!

Applications are open until November 30.

Upcoming workshops:

• Monday, November 28: 2-3 pm
• Tuesday, November 29: 12-2 pm
• Wednesday, November 30: 2-3 pm

For more details on eligibility and scholarship workshops, visit www.portervillecollegefoundation.org/scholarships.

Become a Pirate in a Week

The Porterville Adult School is hosting two events this week to provide enrollment assistance to anyone who wants to become a Porterville College student.

On Tuesday, join us for in-person application and orientation from 10 am to 3 pm.

On Wednesday, check out the resource fair, which will have information about health careers, job development, financial aid, Extended Opportunity Program & Services, Next Up and more!

Don’t Miss Kirtley King Exhibition!

The public is invited to see the exhibition, Kirtley King: “Incomprehensibilities of Gallimaufry”, at the Porterville College Art Gallery.

Kirtley King describes his artworks in this way: “Visually this gallimaufry is exemplary of the emotive experiences of my object reality.” And then goes on to say, “This work is a project attempting to visually bridge the gap between the corporeal experience (sensual) and the psycho-emotive experience (emotional). These images begin to build structures that pull at the collective unconscious in interesting ways… through pattern, reflection, and surrealistic styled dreaminess. The source material for the images are flowers, landscapes, and cityscapes and they all end up feeling very different visually and that intrigues me. The flowers (both alive and dead) take on strong iconographic quality and tend to be the more sense relating pieces, the landscapes seem to breed the strongest dream quality, and the cityscapes have a very graphic quality where angles become monolithic… I hope you get close to these works to see the way image is constructed in your mind through the pattern, reflection, and dreaminess.”

Kirtley King is both an artist and an educator. Photography is usually his medium of choice.

There will be a video interview with the artist, available for viewing in the gallery during the times of the show (in lieu of an artist reception).

The show will run through December 1, 2022.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm. Parking is free.

Please contact Jim Entz at 791-2257 with any questions.

Cerro Coso Community College

Happy Thanksgiving from Cerro Coso Community College

I wanted to share the Thanksgiving message that Cerro Coso Community College President Sean Hancock sent:

Greetings,

Thanksgiving week is upon us.  For many of us, this is a time to embrace the wonderful people in our lives whom we cherish, and to reflect on our many blessings.  It also means that we are moving quickly towards the final academic push – projects, papers, exams, and end-of-the-year tasks. 

For many this is a time for simple pleasures like connecting with family, sharing a great meal, and enjoying some football rivalry.  For others it can be stressful, overwhelming, and lonely.  Please take this time to rest, reconnect, reach out, and engage in those activities that promote both mental and physical wellbeing.

The last two years have been challenging.  Yet, I saw this college come together for one another and for our communities in more ways than anyone could have imagined.  You transformed the institution to give our students the best educational experience possible, despite all obstacles. 

I am incredibly grateful to each of you for your courage, dedication, and support for our students and each other. The passion, tenacity, and resiliency that so uniquely defines the Cerro Coso community warrants joyful acknowledgement. To the students, thank you for choosing Cerro Coso, you give us purpose.  To our community members who have invested in Cerro Coso, thank you for your friendship, and your unwavering support of our programs and services.

The start of 2023 isn’t far away and it brings with it great promise! I look forward to working alongside you as we continue our mission to improve the life of every student we serve.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.

Coyote Spirit in Action

Thanksgiving is a time to express our gratitude for the good things in life, be it close friends and family, opportunities, good health, or even a healthy harvest.  It’s also a time when people like to give back. 

For Cerro Coso students it was a chance to help those in need have a nice holiday. 

Through the generosity of donors, the Coyote Cupboard held a food distribution on Friday afternoon at the Desert Dog Pet Store for the community.

One thing that every college campus wants is an environment of happy, engaged students.  Being involved in worthwhile community service projects, like the Coyote Cupboard, alongside earning a degree can help make that happen. 

In today’s society, it is easy to get wrapped up in the material aspects of the season.  What is truly important this Thanksgiving is not only to be thankful for all the things we have – but to give back to those who many not be as fortunate. 

Serving Up Thanksgiving

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Coyote Cupboard at the Ridgecrest campus offered up a heartwarming reminder of what this season of giving is all about.

Every Thanksgiving, student volunteers gather at the Coyote Cupboard to serve a community Thanksgiving dinner, all free of charge for students and employees.

Student volunteers helped serve up the feast complete with turkey and all the fixings.

“We appreciate how hard our students work, and the staff that work hard to support them. This is a small gesture in light of all that, but it comes with our heartfelt gratitude,” said Outreach Director Katie Bachman.

Men of Worth Entertain Local Audience

In 1986 Scotsman Donnie Macdonald and Irishman James Keigher came together to perform Scottish and Irish Folk music, combining traditional and contemporary styles.

The two have been performing at Cerro Coso Community College for 16 years.  It was a real pleasure for the CCCC Foundation to reengage with the residents of the Indian Wells Valley on Friday, November 18^th, at the first concert to return to the college since the pandemic. 

Men of Worth did not disappoint.  It’s clear that after 30 years these two are still enjoying what they do.  They’re funny guys – not only expert musicians but extremely engaging performers; spiking their traditional tunes with wonderfully told tales about their homelands and plenty of unscripted comic interplay.

Donnie Macdonald comes from the Isle of Lewis off the west coast of Scotland.  Writing tunes and original songs in both his first language Gaelic and in English, Donnie presents the music from his native Scotland with passion and humor.  Donnie performs on vocals, octave mandolin, tenor banjo, concertina, and bodhran.  James Keigher comes from County Mayo in the west of Ireland.  He is a singer, writer and collector of traditional and contemporary folk music.  James was raised in Charlestown, a small rural community, steeped in traditional music and stories.  He performs on vocals, guitar, mando-cello, and bodhran. 

The name “Men of Worth” was chosen from the title of a Scottish Folk song written by the legendary Scots singer/songwriter Archie Fisher.

Performing concerts and festivals, with 12 albums to their credit, Men of Worth continue the very tradition from which they’ve evolved.  Men of Worth are an international act and have earned much respect and success in over 30 years of touring together.

Bakersfield College

National Communication Association Conference

Last weekend, Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone (aka Dr. CCB) and Professor Chris Holland presented papers at the National Communication Association (NCA) Conference in New Orleans. Dr. CCB’s paper about our department’s shared stories of hope during the first two months of the COVID-19 crisis was awarded “top paper in the community college division”! Chris Holland presented her analysis about queer, specifically asexual, representation in video games. Both also volunteered for the Kendall Hunt Publishing’s Day of Service at NCA and assembled boxes of classroom supplies with notes of encouragement and decor as well as giant size Scrabble boards for teachers.

The Scars You Can’t See: Breaking the Stigma 

On November 5th, BC’s Health Science and Public Safety Training Pathway collaborated on a successful event, “The Scars You Can’t See; Breaking the Stigma”.

This seminar was a great show of commitment to forging a path toward mental stability and mental health education for our first responders and frontline workers. Speakers representing law enforcement, firefighters, and nurses spoke about their internal struggles and the tools they used to overcome them.

Attendees heard from Brian Smith (Retired Assistant Chief, California Highway Patrol), Jason Sautel (Retired Lieutenant, Oakland Fire Department), Ben Vernon (San Diego Fire-Rescue Engineer), and two of BC’s very own – Jennifer Arrington (Nursing Clinical Instructor) and Derek Robinson (Program Director, Public Safety Training Programs).

Industrial Automation Hosts Kern VEX Robotics Competition

In early November, Industrial Automation hosted the Kern VEX Robotics League Competition – a worldwide robotics competition held year-round that gives high school students the opportunity to compete at the regional, state, and national levels.

Over 200 local high school students competed in this match hosted by BC as their teams tried to advance to the league finals.

Students and their families had the opportunity to explore the new Industrial Automation Robotics Lab and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree program.

Young Women Empowered for Leadership Fall Forum

On November 4th, Dr. Paula L Parks collaborated with KHSD educational partners and served as a panelist for the third annual Young Women Empowered for Leadership (YWEL) Fall Forum.

YWEL is a gathering of young ladies throughout the Kern High School District focusing on education, support, and encouragement. This year’s theme “It’s in Our DNA: Women in Education” was presented to over 140 KHSD students.

The collegiate panel also included CSUB’s Dr. Tracey Salisbury and BC adjunct faculty Ms. Kalisha McCabe.

In the News

Porterville College Band shows versatility in concert

Jamie A. Hunt wrote this article for The Porterville Recorder about the Porterville College Band:

“I’m excited and thrilled to get the opportunity to direct the ensemble at PC,” said [adjunct band director David] Green. “It’s a challenge to rebuild the band program coming out of the pandemic, but I couldn’t be prouder of the work and efforts of the ensemble members.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Here’s PC President Claudia Habib, Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock, and Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg at the Community College League of California Annual Convention:

Norma Rojas-Mora hosted the Latina Leaders academy:

Nora Dominguez presented at the Latina Leaders Academy:

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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

Tolkien once remarked that one of his objects in writing The Lord of the Rings was
“the elucidation of truth, and the encouragement of good morals in this real world, by the ancient device of
exemplifying them in unfamiliar embodiments, that may tend to ‘bring them home.’”
From the Tolkien Letters

Are you a J.R.R. Tolkien fan?  I recently rewatched the three Lord of the Rings movies and thoroughly enjoyed them.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (Ronald, to his friends) was a major scholar of the English language, and from an early age shared remarkable linguistic gifts – mastering Latin and Greek and a number of other languages while also making up his own languages for fun.

He eventually became a professor at Oxford. He said that one day as he was grading exam papers, one student had left a page blank. Inspired, he wrote on the page, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”

Tolkien then decided he needed to take that thought further – what is a hobbit, why does it live in a hole, what kind of hole? In creating answers to these questions, he wove a tale he told to his younger children. Eventually he wrote it down, with additional details, and it became The Hobbit, published in 1937.

After the success of The Hobbit, he was persuaded to write another story. He began in December 1937, but the first book – The Fellowship of the Ring – would not be published until 1954.

The Hobbit was not originally part of Tolkien’s larger mythology – his Legendarium, with origins dating back to 1914 when he began writing poems and story sketches, drawing maps, and inventing languages to create a unique mythology.

Do you like Gollum?  Check this out:

Who is your favorite Lord of the Rings character? Drop a comment with your answer.

Good morning, friends.
It is November 19, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Advisors use beautiful days and lunch as incentives

In a unique effort to get more students into advising appointments, the counseling and advising office began offering weekly appointments in the quad for students.  Each Monday of the month, students are invited to join their counselor or advisor in the quad for an “open air” advising appointment. 

Not only does this provide a refreshing new atmosphere for advisors and students to meet (especially on a beautiful fall day like this past week), but it also provides a unique incentive for students to create their all-important educational plan.  Each student who creates a comprehensive educational plan during these weekly appointments will receive a free lunch as well. 

These appointments are offered each Monday from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, contact the advising office at 559-791-2939. 

The return of PC RegFest marks the start of open enrollment for Spring

Open enrollment for the Spring 2023 semester began this past Wednesday.  In an attempt to remove barriers for students, the student services department is offering PC RegFest for three additional days this week. 

RegFest offers support for ANYONE looking for help with registration at PC with on hand counselors, educational advisors and other support staff to assist new and returning students with registration, applying for support resources, etc. for the Spring 2023 Semester.

PC Regfest was available to the public from 9am to 4pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this past week on the PC campus.

Club Fundraisers kick off the holiday season at PC

Tis the season for fundraisers on the PC Campus.  It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays as several student clubs have begun sharing their holiday spirit by kicking-off their annual fundraisers in support of different causes. New club “Together We Can” and the PC Rotaract club started off the season with the first fundraisers of the year this week. 

Together We Can, which is a club devoted to assisting the families of those who are incarcerated in our local prisons, held a professional photography fundraiser this week with the help of professional photographer, and wife of club faculty advisor Jeff Jacobs, Lindy Jacobs.  Ms. Jacobs donated her time and talent and offered to take professional photos for students in their first “Campus Photo Booth”.  The booth was a hit and many students sat for holiday portraits, headshots, or just fun photos with their friends in the campus quad.   

Later in the week the Rotaract club started it’s annual winter food drive to support St. Anne’s food pantry in Porterville.  They are asking for non-perishable food donations to be dropped off at various food box locations around campus.  They will continue accepting donations through December 9^th at various locations on campus. 

Cerro Coso Community College

Hospital Connects with Nursing Students Over Tea

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital nursing administrators hosted a tea for Cerro Coso nursing students on November 16th to encourage partnership and build connections.

A nursing shortage is currently challenging the healthcare systems across the country that will continue to impact hospitals for years to come.  An aging population, increased demand for services,  expanded insurance coverage, as well as rising rates of chronic disease are fueling the growing need for nursing staff.  “We need our LVN’s,” said  Celia Mills, MSN, VSN, RN, PHN, RRH Administrator of Care Coordination and Community Health.

Partnerships between hospitals and colleges help to grow prospective hiring pools. 

“We have all been right where you all are,” encouraged Mills.  “This is truly the hardest level of nursing.  As you move into the profession your passions take you in different directions, and you will seek additional education, because your desire to help others only grows stronger.”

The tea served many purposes: to encourage nursing students in their studies, to inspire passion in the chosen profession, and to share success stories that motivate and help build important connections with future nurses. 

“It was very kind of the nursing administrator’s to take the time out of their busy schedules to recognize and meet one on one with our nursing students offering encouragement and building meaningful and lasting relationships that will meet local workforce needs,” said Dr. Sean Hancock. 

Spring Open Houses at Cerro Coso

Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC) held Open House’s at all of it’s campuses this week. 

“This event offers a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in Cerro Coso to come and see what the College has to offer, ask questions, and get all their early registration and financial aid completed in one day,” said Christine Small, Director of Counseling Services at Cerro Coso.

In-person events were held at the Bishop campus on Monday, Mammoth Lakes Campus on Tuesday, Ridgecrest Campus on Wednesday, and at the Tehachapi Campus on Thursday.  Participants were give the chance to Learn about Cerro Coso Community College, Connect with the education counseling team, Explore the campus with campus tours, Apply for Financial Aid with a trained technician, and Enroll in spring 2023 courses.

Take flight at Cerro Coso Community College this spring.  Registration is now open for spring 2023 classes.  Call the Education Counseling Department today at 760-384-6219 for more information.   

Shropshire New DAII in M&O

Meet Constance Shropshire, who goes by Connie, the new Department Assistant II in the Maintenance & Operations department.

For CC Ridgecrest employees, Connie is a familiar face from M&O 😊.

A Ridgecrest native, Connie spent a number of years living in Montana but eventually returned to her hometown to be with family!

Connie has taken several BSOT courses at Cerro Coso and holds many certificates in this field of study.

For fun, Connie and her husband Tyler enjoy camping, fishing, and the great outdoors! She also loves to spend as much time as she can with her three granddaughters.

“I enjoy my work and this campus immensely!” she says, and is excited to bring her knowledge of the maintenance and construction field into her new role as DA II for Maintenance & Operations.

A motto Connie lives by is “always remember to fall asleep with a dream and wake up with a purpose.” She finds “happiness in what is put in front of [her] and tries to show others kindness, acceptance, support, and love in all things.”

Congratulations Connie! You are a valued employee at Cerro Coso and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals!

CC Welcomes Barry to Counseling

Amanda Barry is the new Department Assistant II in the Counseling department.

Amanda is another familiar face around the Ridgecrest Campus we see often at the “One-Stop.” 😊

Born and raised here in Ridgecrest, Amanda moved to South Carolina to live for 12 years.

She relocated back to Ridgecrest last year and is currently one semester away from graduating with her A.A. in Business Office Technology from Cerro Coso Community College. She also holds an A.S. in Criminal Justice from Tri-County Technical College.

Amanda loves to color! She states she has several shelves of Disney coloring books and supplies… “it’s a very serious hobby LOL!”  Coloring promotes mindfulness and relieves stress.  She also enjoys hiking and playing racquetball.

Amanda’s motto in life is “Don’t wait until you have reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.”

Welcome to the Cerro Coso team Amanda.

Bakersfield College

Entree to Employment Dinner

On November 8th, the BC Career Education Department hosted the Biannual Entrée to Employment dinner. Packing the Renegade Room with guests, Vocational Nursing students and industry partners showed up for a fine dining experience served by our very own culinary students.

This event is designed to highlight social etiquette, professional experiences, workforce expectations, and many other industry-related conversations. Students complete an etiquette workshop preparing them for this opportunity to boost their confidence in situations combining professional dining and networking.

Partners from Adventist Health, Bakersfield Behavioral Health, Encompass Health, Kern Medical, Kern Health Systems, and Kern County Human Resources were in attendance. We are so fortunate to have collaborative opportunities with these leaders to help develop a skilled workforce.

Pathway Preview Event Hosted by Outreach and Career Ed Departments

The Outreach and Career Education Department hosted over 1,000 local High School seniors for our first-ever Pathway Preview event on November 4th. Students were given a campus tour of pathway programs and labs, and new pathway programs were debuted as well.

Counseling and advising representatives as well as faculty from each pathway were available to talk with students about their prospective majors and how to begin their journey.

The event also featured a resource fair that offered students opportunities to interact with various student services. 

A Cozy Christmas Fundraiser for BC Chamber Singers

For the first time since COVID-19, the BC Chamber Singers are hosting their holiday fundraising event on Saturday, December 10th! Attendees will enjoy yummy food, pictures with Santa, and a silent and live auction with incredible items to purchase before the holidays.

This year’s event is called “A Cozy Christmas” and the Chamber Singers hope you will feel right at home in the BC Conference Room with family and friends as they perform solos, small group numbers, and full choir pieces that will fill your heart with holiday spirit.

The 2:00PM show will feature cookies and cocoa, and the 6:00PM show will  include dinner.

Ticket sales end on December 2nd, so purchase your ticket here today.

2022 Ag Career Expo

On October 28th, the Agriculture department held its annual Agriculture Career Expo hosting over 220 high school students. Agriculture faculty and industry professionals including Grimmway Farms, The Wonderful Company, and Tasteful Selections partnered to coach students on how to pursue an education tailored to the field.

Students participated in several different breakout sessions in disciplines such as Mechanized Ag, Plant Science, Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, Agriculture Business, Agriculture Education, Occupational Safety, and Natural Resources.

These events are critical in linking our students with real connections to the industry.

Kern CCD at NACEP

Last week, Craig Hayward, Steve Watkin, and Kylie Campbell represented Kern CCD at the National Alliance of Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team was joined by Naomi Castro from Career Ladders Project and was able to get to know fellow dual enrollment leaders from our state and across the country. 

Craig, Kylie, and Noami were recognized for the research grant they were awarded by NACEP’s Research Commission in 2021 to complete a study titled “Where Are They Now? A Study of Dual Enrollment Students in the Kern Community College District”. The team was invited to be on a panel at this year’s conference with other research grant recipients and also to lead a packed breakout session to share their research methods and findings. You can check out the research brief for yourself here. 

This piece is a great representation of the transformative work that our colleges are doing through Early College. The brief highlights some great findings, including that the percentage of Black and Latinx students who participate in dual enrollment through Kern CCD going to college right after high school is higher than state and national average and that dual enrollment is having intergenerational influence on the families in our community. 

TALE Blog

Check out the latest post from the Kern CCD TALE Blog – “Opening Doors with Open Educational Resources” from Porterville College’s Clara Hodges Zimmerman.

“In April 2021, I responded to a call from a colleague at Berkeley City College for collaborators on a project funded by ASCCC Open Educational Resource Initiative (OERI) to write a textbook-style advanced-level OER for students who were learners of English. It was a year into the pandemic and I was back to teaching after having a baby in October. To be honest, I was feeling a little isolated and disconnected from my vocation (although maybe that was just the sleep deprivation!). So, I eagerly emailed back my enthusiastic response and joined eight other community college ESL instructors from around the state interested in filling a gap in the OER/ESL world.“

Read it at Opening Doors with Open Educational Resources – The TALE Blog (kernccdtaleblog.org).

In the News

Bakersfield College’s Renegade Pantry provides more than food for BC students

23ABC did a piece on BC’s Renegade Pantry. Check it out at https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/bakersfield-colleges-renegade-pantry-provides-more-than-food-for-bc-students.

“Our numbers are astronomical right now,” said (BC Assistant Director of Student Life Leonardo) Ayala. “Right now, every week right behind me here in the pantry, we have a thousand unique students who are coming through at least once.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Pink Ladies Auxiliary Gives Scholarships to Nursing Students

June Wasserman, Scholarship Committee Chairwoman of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, presented Jan Hoagland Vocational Nursing Scholarships to Cerro Coso nursing students (pictured l to r) Tamara Williams and Valerie Lucero.

These graduating Cerro Coso Community College vocational nursing students each received a $500 check from the Pink Ladies Auxiliary. “We only wish we could have awarded one to every nursing student,” said Wasserman.

Founded by Jan Hoagland in 1958, the Pink Ladies Auxiliary raises money to fund these scholarships. Their efforts support Ridgecrest Regional Hospital’s mission to provide outstanding healthcare in our community. 

Kern County Women in STEM visit BC

Kern County Women in STEM visited the Bakersfield College campus this week and toured the new Science & Engineering building.  Afterward, they enjoyed a networking lunch sponsored by the BC Foundation. 

You can find out more about the group on their LinkedIn page, or sign up for the group at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUbabDqhEvZ1mfDRLJrcF-OPX5P0TE8KZHQc7fPT8tWrWfmw/viewform

Mayor’s Ball

Here are a few photos from Steven Watkin at the Mayor’s Ball:

BC Nursing Students

Bakersfield College Nursing students volunteered at Golden Empire Gleaners food bank warehouse this week:

KernCCD at Community College League of California Conference

Here’s Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Porterville College President Claudia Habib:

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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

Kern CCD Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke was recognized at the ACBO conference.

Tom Burke’s wisdom, leadership and fiscal prudence has made the Kern Community College District a model of fiscal stability for the entire state. Since joining the district in 1997, Tom Burke has been a champion for higher education in the San Joaquin Valley. During his tenure as Chancellor, Tom streamlined district office operations, collaborated with K-12 schools on cradle-to-career educational initiatives, and helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for facilities renovations at our three colleges.

I started at Bakersfield College as a math faculty in the early 1990s and Tom joined us in 1997 as the Business Officer for the College. His intelligence and practical approach to problem solving with a keen mind for numbers has time and time again helped the district.

Tom has been a steady rock for the college and the district over two decades and is one of the “go to” leaders statewide particularly in matters related to finances.  Tom’s warmth and his open, honest, unassuming style has served our district well when situations got heated. 

As President of BC, I reported to Chancellor Tom Burke for five years.  He was a great boss … he unified the colleges within the district…. He was always kind no matter what….. he was wise in his counsel … and constant in his support.

We all know Tom as an extremely smart guy…. And when we remember him we automatically smile and say, “he is one of the good guys.”

Good morning, friends.
It is November 5, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Halloween on Campus

Halloween came to the Porterville College Campus in “spooktacular” fashion this week. The PC Staff and Faculty got into the holiday spirit by taking part in the Student Services Annual Halloween Throw Down Office/Department Decoration Contest. 

Each department went all-out to transform their areas into Halloween spooklands with matching costumes and themes – ranging from Disney villains to an interactive crime scene investigation and everything in between.

The decorations and costumes were judged by students on Halloween day with the first-place winner receiving a pizza lunch and the honor of holding on to the coveted Halloween “Broom” Trophy for a year, along with bragging rights.

This year, the trophy went to Admissions & Records for their fantastic recreation of the “Upside Down” from the Netflix show Stranger Things.  Congratulations to all of our participants for their fantastic creativity and Halloween Spirit!  Go, Pirates!

Some of the other entries:

Students take advantage of the first “Fall” day of the season

Art Professor Jim Entz made the campus quad his classroom for the afternoon and took his class out to paint the emerging fall colors. The great Fall weather made this the perfect opportunity to spend time outside creating. 

It is always wonderful to see the campus come alive with activities such as this. 

6^th Annual Transfer Fair Returns to Campus

PC Held the 6^th annual transfer fair for students on Thursday, November 3 in the PC Quad.  It is the first time that the Transfer Fair has been able to be held in person since before the pandemic in 2019. 

Over 18 4-year transfer schools were represented throughout campus and spoke with Porterville college students who are interested in transferring after graduation from PC.  Students were able to get personalized attention from the schools of their choice, asking questions and collecting swag from what they hoped could be their future alma maters.

Vice President of Student Services Primavera Arvizu says, “Transferring to a four-year university is a time to learn and grow. Exposure to a diversity of ideas, people, and activities is crucial to a well-rounded education. The staff, faculty, and administrators at Porterville College are dedicated to supporting [our students] well-being, growth, and success.  We are committed to assisting students in taking the next step to transfer. We wish [every student] the best on this next adventure in transferring with success.”

Cerro Coso Community College

Boo to you from our Crew

Nothing like a little Halloween dress up to chase those Monday morning blues away.

No. Halloween is not a national holiday but that doesn’t mean we cannot have a little fun.

Cerro Coso employees expressed their inner ghosts and goblins by wearing costumes and enjoying some bewitching treats. 

“”It’s a great way to have some fun and relieve some office stress,” said Chandler Petrovich one of the event organizers. 

Events like this boost employee morale while fostering a fun, creative work environment. 

“I’m always amazed at the creativity displayed this time of year,” said PIO Natalie Dorrell. 

Fangs for the memories and nightmares!

Too Cute to Spook = Trunk-or-Treat

Children and parents attended the Parks and Recreation’s Trunk or Treat event at the Kerr McGee Center on Friday, October 28^th. 

Welcoming the likes of dancing bumble bees, Superwoman and the littlest Spider-Man you’ve ever seen.  All of them were ready to fill up their pails with sweet treats. 

Recognizing there are not a lot of events like this in the community, “It’s an opportunity for people to gather, feel safe, make some memories for their family, and for Cerro Coso to engage with the community” said Outreach Director Katie Bachman.

Attendees enjoyed music, games, and even food while collecting candy. 

A Safe Halloween is a Happy Halloween!

Hocus Pocus Under the Stars in Tehachapi

The Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) invited the public to enjoy a unique viewing experience of the Halloween classic 1990’s version of Hocus Pocus against the beautiful backdrop of the night skies in Tehachapi.

Drive-in movies virtually a thing of the past, movie goers were encouraged to bring family, friends, blankets, and lawn chairs to the Tehachapi Campus quad on Friday, October 28^th.   

Hocus Pocus is the story of the Sanderson Sisters, a frightening trio of witches.  After teen Max lights the black flame candle on Halloween night, he accidentally brings the ancient women back to life.  The sisters immediately set out to resume their interrupted campaign of hunting children across Salem, Mass.  Max, his littler sister Dani, and friend Allison do everything they can to stop the menacing witches from wreaking havoc on their town. 

It was fun for the whole family!  Funded by the SGCC, the event was FREE and popcorn and treats.

Mexican Consulate Provides Vital Services at ESCC Bishop Campus

The Mexican Consulate was at the ESCC Bishop campus from October 24^th-27^th. 

They completed approximately 370 appointments, and already have a wait list for their visit next May. 

Serena Johnson of Inyo County Health & Human Services said, “They helped Inyo and Mono residents receive critical documents that help them open bank accounts, hold jobs, receive medical care, and go to school.”  

Holding the Mexican Consulate locally is a great way to reduce the need for travel to Fresno to provide these important services. 

A special thank you to Julie Metz, Adjunct Faculty of English, for putting this together for the communities! 

CC Welcomes Two New Program Coordinators

Meet Ian Seiter one of the new Program Coordinators for Outreach at the Ridgecrest Campus. 

Originally from San Diego, Ian has lived in many other cities including Vancouver, New York, Kansas City, and now calls Ridgecrest home. 

Ian has a sense of humor and says he is a simple man who “wakes up in the morning and ‘washes’ his face and ‘brushes’ his teeth just like everybody else.”

He loves being around family and friends and says, “it’s for them as much as for myself that I refuse to stop learning and try to go to sleep at night knowing that I’ll rise the next day a better version of myself.”

Ian has a Bachelor’s degree in English from San Diego State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Hunter College. 

For fun he enjoys reading and writing, and is a big fan of horror movies, playing and watching ice hockey “Let’s go Rangers,” traveling, and tropical escapism. Ian and his wife love to cook and host get-togethers for old friends and new ones. 

His motto in life is…”Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett.

Welcome to the Cerro Coso family Ian.  

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Ivan Ibarra Pimentel is also a new Program Coordinator for Outreach.

Born in the state of Michoacán in Mexico, Ivan’s family migrated to the Central Valley (Fresno Area) when he was just 8 months old.  He lived in Reedly, CA for 22 years until he and his siblings were able to help their parents buy their own house.

Soon after, Ivan moved to San Diego where he attended UC San Diego and achieved his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus on Internal Relations, and a minor in Chicano Studies. Eventually, he would like to go back to school and obtain a Master’s degree in Student Affairs.

A first-generation student, Ivan is naturally passionate about being a resource for students who want to pursue higher education and/or explore new educational opportunities.

Ivan’s wife is from Bakersfield and graduated from UC Berkeley.  The two met in Florence, Italy during a study abroad trip. Their first conversation was about being from the Central Valley, having a passion for education, and surprisingly she knew his older sister who was in her last year at Berkeley. What a small world! “We’ve been together ever since.”

For fun, Ivan enjoys hiking and watching nature and history documentaries. He took a class in “Craft Brewing in San Diego” which made him a fan of craft beers.

“Each One, Teach One,” was his high school yearbook quote and is significant to Ivan because it represents the idea that knowledge is powerful but without action, it is useless.

Welcome to Cerro Coso Ivan. 

Bakersfield College

BC Ag and Culinary Attend Fundraiser and Network with Industry Leaders

On October 8th, BC Agriculture attended the Kern County Farm Bureau’s Bounty of Kern fundraiser. BC’s Agriculture department was able to network with industry leaders. Everything that was served at the fundraiser dinner was grown right here in Kern County. As the 2nd largest agricultural producing county in the nation, we feel deep pride in being able to cultivate our own food and support our community.

Department faculty were thrilled to get reacquainted with former BC students in attendance and see them thriving in industry.Later in the month The Grimm Family Foundation hosted the Edible School Yard fundraiser “Toast & Taste the season”. This was a wonderful evening where BC’s Culinary Arts students had a chance to display their culinary knowledge with excellent tastings and pairings.

Veterans Appreciation Month

Bakersfield College is continuing the annual celebration of Veterans with events beginning November 9th and continuing through the end of the month. Each week includes a featured speaker or event for student veterans. This month is dedicated to show honor and appreciation to all current and past members of the Armed Forces who have given their time and service to defending our country’s freedoms.

Manufacturing Day 2022

BC’s Career Education, STEM, and Industrial Automation departments hosted over 1600 students for Manufacturing Day at BC Main campus on Friday September 30th, 2022. This interactive event started at BC’s Outdoor Theater and moved through campus to various presentations on manufacturing-related programs, laboratory tours, and hands-on demonstrations. Over 30 industry employers participated and answered questions at their informational booths, and showcased various products and machinery related to the manufacturing industry to get students engaged and excited about modern manufacturing. The event raised awareness about what modern manufacturing looks like in Kern County and hopefully inspired the future generation to pursue careers within the industry! 

BC Swim Hosts Standard Middle School

Since 2007, Bakersfield College Athletics and the BC Swim Team have been giving back to the community through their Elementary Swim Program (ELSP). The program grew to support several elementary schools and even Bakersfield Parks and Recreation. This summer Standard School District joined the program and 500 of their students participated in a learn-to-swim program taught by BC Swim Team members. Swimmers learned basic competitive swimming skills and the 6 week program culminated in a swim meet where 150 elementary students were able to showcase their new skills in front of coaches, families, and even members of the BC swim and soccer teams who attended to cheer them on. 

TALE Blog

Porterville College’s Leslie Pelon penned the newest entry in the Kern CCD TALE (Teaching and Learning Experiences) Blog, “Building Community 15 Minutes at at Time.”

She shares that when we went into lockdown in spring of 2020, she was looking for ways to connect with students, and began one-on-one virtual meetings with her students.

“After starting to require these meetings, I have seen my students’ success improve drastically. They do better on the assignment when they meet with me because I can explain it to them and answer questions one-on-one. They show up to student/office hours more often throughout the semester. Because my student has had the chance to get to know me, they have been eager and willing to ask me for help and share their insights. And best of all, I have seen them feel more confident participating in class and engaging with their peers.”

In the News

Promise of equity shines through at economic summit

John Cox wrote this article for The Bakersfield Californian about last week’s California Economic Summit. He wrote about a panel that featured Kern CCD’s own Norma Rojas-Mora, as well as Raji Brar, Krystal Mae Raynes and moderator Connie Perez-Andreesen.

“Panelist Norma Rojas-Mora, born in Mettler, told her story of living on a ranch, her mother working in a packing shed, when a teacher said to her, “Kids like you don’t go to UCLA.” So she made it her goal to do so, and did.“

Bakersfield College edible education garden to ‘cultivate a better future’

Ishani Desai wrote in The Bakersfield Californian about the first edible education garden on Bakersfield College’s Panorama Drive campus.

BC professor of environmental horticulture Lindsay Ono said gardening allows students to watch their labor transform from a seedling into beautiful flowers and “learn by doing.”

“We get to experience the culmination of our labors and our patience to taste the sweet flowers of nature’s fruits,” Ono said.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Here’s Kern CCD Board of Trustees President Romeo Agbalog, Kern CCD Early College Director Kylie Campbell, and McFarland Superintendent Aaron Resendez:

Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock shared this post:

Grateful to Girl Scout Troop 3312 for collecting food in support of the Coyote Cupboard!!!

PC President Claudia Habib shared this update:

Many inspiring moments @CCCOLEGAS #ColegasConference2022 I am very proud of my team @PCollegePirates
Our presentation was well received: “Unearthing our voice: Sembrando semilla”. I am humble by the reaction of the audience who were inspired by our stories #RepresentationMatters

And congrats to BC Volleyball Head Coach Carl Ferreira, who secured his 500th win on Friday, October 28th against conference opponent Glendale College, 3-0.

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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

#KernCCDDaringMightyThing