Like many of you, last Sunday I tuned in for Super Bowl LVII. What a game. I particularly tune in for the performances …. so here they are for you once again ….. sit back and enjoy!
Check out these videos on the NFL’s YouTube channel:

performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph
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Babyface sings America the Beautiful

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National Anthem – Chris Stapleton
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And of course, the Halftime show with Rihanna

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What amazing talent!
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This week, Kern CCD hosted the first-ever Kern Community College Districtwide Conference. Born out of the KCCD Leadership Academy, this conference will provide universal sessions that promote district collaboration and innovation between classified, management, faculty, and adjunct staff.




Colleagues from across the district met at Bakersfield College for a day of meaningful engagement.
Check out the welcome remarks – special thanks to Roger Perez from Porterville College for serving as emcee!
Good morning friends.
It is February 18, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD
Porterville College
PC Athletics has 79 student-athletes named to fall honor roll
Porterville College athletics is proud to announce that 79 student-athletes were named to the fall honor roll by earning a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
Porterville College Director of Athletic Joe Cascio is excited for the success of his student-athletes off the field.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication in the classroom,” said Cascio. “Our entire staff has created a culture where academic success is encouraged, supported, and celebrated. All of our student-athletes have fully embraced that culture.”
Of the 79 student-athletes, 26 earned Dean’s List honors with a GPA of 3.0-3.49 while 53 achieved President’s Honor with a 3.5-4.0 GPA.
A complete list of student-athlete recognized on the honor roll is below:

PC Welcomes New Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations
Please join Porterville College in welcoming the new Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations, Fernando Jimenez!

Fernando Jimenez joins the PC team with over 13 years of experience at a community college campus, supporting maintenance and operations with expertise in custodial management. Prior to PC, Fernando worked at State Center Community College District as part of the administrative team, serving as the on-site district liaison for construction, and maintenance & operations. Fernando has participated in the planning and development of bond projects including academic and Career Technical Education (CTE) buildings.
Additionally, Fernando has coordinated and supported the arrangements of many college-related events such as commencement, extreme registration week, convocation, and other student-related events. Fernando is proud of his role in creating avenues for student success and was involved in Guided Pathways implementation at his previous campus. He worked closely with the Financial Aid department in developing a student worker mentoring program.
Fernando has managed teams of multiple sizes and focuses on a student-centered approach with proactive communication and collegiality. Prior to his years working in higher education, he served on a K-12 campus for 4 years providing leadership and guidance to a custodial department. Fernando has worked in sales in the private industry, including 12 years at Pepsi Co. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the formation and management of a successful distributing business for over a decade.
For many years, Fernando has coached and volunteered in numerous roles, including board member and president, of various Youth Softball organizations.
Fernando joins us with much enthusiasm and a desire to be a resourceful member of the team.
Cerro Coso Community College
CORE Ensemble: Of Ebony Embers – Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance

A chamber music theatre work for actor and trio celebrating the lives of the great African American poets, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay as seen through the eyes of the great muralist and painter Aaron Douglas. The musical score includes works by jazz giants Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonius Monk, and Charles Mingus as well as concert music by Jeffrey Mumford and George Walker.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 6pm to 8pm (Virtual)
Please sign up for this virtual performance today! » www.cerrocoso.edu/ofebonyembers
(You will receive the performance link a few hours before the event at the email used to sign-up.)
Visit the Core Ensemble website to learn more about this performance group.
Work with Naval Security Forces or Ridgecrest Police Department!

Naval Security Forces are doing on the spot interviews during this event, and Ridgecrest Police Department will be taking applications!
Cerro Coso will be there with information about our Module 3 Academy course which starts March 3rd in Ridgecrest.
Where: Kerr McGee Center, Ridgecrest
When: Saturday, February 25th, 10am-2pm
Don’t miss it!
Bakersfield College
Umoja Hosts Step Afrika!

Umoja Community ASTEP at Bakersfield College hosted a Black History Month kick-off event featuring the internationally renowned Step Afrika! The dance troupe traced the history of stepping from Africa to the present day.
Stepping is a percussive dance form that uses the body, such as clapping one’s hands, hitting one’s thigh, and stomping one’s feet to create a beat. It was used by South African mine workers to communicate and by today’s Black sororities and fraternities to demonstrate unity and pride. The full house of faculty, staff, students, and community members were educated about African-American culture and amazed by the jumps, splits, and energetic routines.



Professor Bryan Hirayama’s Commitment to Justice-Impacted Students

Professor Bryan Hirayama is the Faculty Lead for the Rising Scholars Program for Justice-Impacted Students. Recently released students often face a range of challenges in the classroom and college environment, including difficulty adjusting to a new environment, lack of access to resources, and stigma from their past experiences. Professor Hirayama’s leadership in the Rising Scholars Program aims to address these challenges.
Justice-impacted individuals include those who have been incarcerated, detained, convicted, charged, or arrested. To support these students, Professor Hirayama is partnering with the CityServ Network and the Unite Us Network, both of which offer job skills certifications and life skills training to help individuals reach their full potential. In addition to these partnerships, Professor Hirayama is also the advisor for the Free On The Outside (FOTO) student club, which was specifically founded to assist justice-involved students. FOTO provides a supportive and inclusive community for these students, offering them a place to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.
The justice-involved population in Kern County, California is a growing concern, with over 7,000 individuals on probation and many more incarcerated in local jails and state prisons. The support provided by the Rising Scholars Program and Professor Hirayama’s partnerships with community organizations have the potential to make a significant impact on this population, helping to reduce recidivism and provide individuals with the resources they need to succeed outside of the criminal justice system.
BC Manufacturing Technologies Receives Gift

BC’s INDA program has formed a wonderful relationship with the Haas Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation. Students are familiar with Haas Automation name as featured on campus, at Manufacturing Day, and in local facilities our students have toured.
The Gene Haas Foundation has generously given the program a $15,000 donation to support students through course completion and skill development, making it possible for students to enter the workforce with fewer barriers and more confidence. Our partnership with Haas and their monetary support aids us in the fulfillment of the College’s Mission to bring opportunity to every student.
In the News
College district approves $5M contract for planning regional economic roadmap

The Bakersfield Californian reported on the $5 million contract between the Kern Community College District and the state Economic Development Department to develop a plan for diversifying the local economy in a way that promotes sustainable industries while creating quality jobs.

“For many of the residents we serve through our district, this economic and workforce development initiative will have generational impacts on communities that we strive to uplift in all our work,” said Kern CCD Board of Trustees President Romeo Agbalog.
Four Kern schools top in state for dual enrollment
The Bakersfield Californian also reported on our Kern schools that received honors as 2022-23 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools. Arvin, Delano, Robert F. Kennedy and McFarland Early College were all honored.
“I am very grateful for the tireless efforts of the comprehensive teams at both Bakersfield College and Kern High School District in helping tackle the challenges of building such a robust and innovative program that allows our students to leave in a position to realize their dreams,” Arvin High principal Ed Watts said.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
Porterville College’s Ricardo Marmolejo shared this snap with Davis Jenkins at Achieving the Dream’s DREAM 2023 event:

And Kern CCD Early College Director Kylie Campbell at Linked Learning Conference 2023:

Cerro Coso Community College posted these photos from their Student Government Valentine’s Day Event on their Instagram page:





From the PC Twitter Account (@PCollegePirates):
“February is “Boost Your Self-Esteem” Month, and these Wellness Wednesday tips will help you build better mental health habits in your life. Learn more about Student Health and Wellness here: https://www.portervillecollege.edu/student-health-wellness“

From BC Financial Aid:
Thank you to everyone who made our Financial Aid Fest 2023 a huge success! We hope you enjoyed the festivities, food, & community resources. Remember, Beat the Clock, Get the Money! 2023-2024 applications for Financial Aid are being accepted through March 2nd, 2023.

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!
The future is bright at Kern CCD.
-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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