This week Kern CCD celebrated Black History Month with a Breakfast Celebration. We enjoyed an amazing program, great food, and fellowship. Thank you Steve Watkin and the planning team!
The district also recognized Dee Slade, Pastor Hayward Cox, and Nick Hill for their extraordinary service to our community.
And on Wednesday, the Kern CCD Board of Trustees announced that Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke will serve as interim chancellor, and BC Interim President Zav Dadabhoy as deputy chancellor, when I begin my new position in June.
Our Board President, Trustee Agbalog commented:
“Whether increasing student enrollment and achievement, expansion of classes and programs, or development of new innovative projects to build and strengthen our local area workforce, the Board of Trustees knows that it is critical to have the right leadership in place that knows our community, understands the needs of our students, has institutional knowledge and deep understanding of our district and its mission to keep our work going, this is the same type of work that has earned our district statewide and national acclaim,” said Romeo Agbalog, Kern CCD Board President. “The Board of Trustees is confident that Tom Burke and Dr. Dadabhoy will keep Kern CCD at the forefront of driving continuous innovation to meet the academic, workforce and industry needs of our communities,” Agbalog said.
Good morning friends.
It is March 4, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD
Porterville College
CHAP Highlights Mayan Culture at Latest Event
Dr. Ed Barnhart, Director of the Maya Exploration Center, spoke on “Maya Hieroglyphs-The Story of How the Code was Finally Broken” for the latest CHAP event, this past Friday, March 3, 2023, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.
The Porterville College Cultural and Historical Awareness Program (CHAP) was organized in 2002 to enhance students’ awareness of certain important aspects of our society to which they may previously have had little or no exposure.
Maya Exploration Center Director Dr. Ed Barnhart is a renowned American archaeologist who has appeared on History Channel, Discovery Channel, and in multiple documentary films. He is a Fellow of the Explorer Club and a widely recognized authority on ancient astronomy, mathematics, and calendar systems.
During his over 25 years in American archaeology, he’s discovered the ancient city of Ma’ax Na in Belize, mapped over 4,000 ancient buildings, and published over a dozen articles and books.
Cerro Coso Community College
Cerro Coso Outreach visits Burroughs High School
As part of Cerro Coso’s continued effort of increasing visibility, expanding access to our incredible services and offerings, and engaging our local communities—the Outreach department made the first of its scheduled bi-weekly lunch visits to Burroughs High School.
They had so much fun speaking and hanging out with the amazing BHS students. Conversations were had about their future plans and countless Cerro Coso swag items were won thanks to our hypnotic Spinning Prize Wheel.
SSUC Students Give Back
The SSUC Club (Student Services United Club) at Cerro Coso Community College is trying to gather donations now until the end of March for the Ridgecrest Women’s Shelter.
Please scan the QR code or click this link: https://www.amazon.com/…/ls/2YI80CUE8YIIR/ref=cm_go_nav_hz to view list of needed supplies.
Feel free to reach out to Renee Santamaria or Rachel Barksdale with the Access Programs at 760-384-6250 for additional information about giving donations.
Bakersfield College
BC Represented at the Chamber of Commerce Galas
Faculty and campus leaders attended both the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce Gala as well as the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala in February.
BC’s NaTesha Johnson and Professor Olivia Garcia served as emcee/presenter respectively, and we are so proud to see our campus and district represented so well. The partnerships we have forged with these organizations have been a huge part of creating an environment in which our students can learn and become the next leaders of business and entrepreneurship in our community.
BC Student Awarded Law Scholarship
Viridiana Santa Cruz of Bakersfield College has been awarded the $1000 Ruthe Ashley Pathway to Law Scholarship for her outstanding commitment to her education and her passion for the law. Viridiana, a student in the Pre-Law Program, is pursuing her dreams despite the many barriers she has had to overcome. Viridiana was born in Pueblo Viejo, Mexico and moved to the United States with her family when she was just 7 years old. She graduated from Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield and is now a full-time student at Bakersfield College majoring in American Sign Language and Political Science. Viridiana is a single parent to a 6-year-old daughter and works full-time to support her family. Her drive and dedication to her education has not gone unnoticed by her professor, Christian Zoller, who credits her with being an “outstanding student and a class leader”.
BC Alum and Quarterback Hired to Coach Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has assembled his staff of 6 coaches, including BC’s very own Logan Kilgore, who will serve as Quality Control/Passing game Coordinator. From the time he played in high school, Kilgore has been credited with having obvious leadership qualities. During his time at BC he was known for playing a particularly cerebral game of football. His strategy was calculated, earning him 2,512 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.
We are all looking forward to the continued successful career of a fellow Renegade!
Chancellor’s Seminar Series
This week, we continued the Chancellor’s Seminar Series with “Fueling Faculty Fires for Learning: How Side Projects Impact the Classroom Experience.”
Porterville College’s Bob Simpkins led the discussion with panelists Matt Andrasian-Jones (BC), Matt Flummer (PC), Ben Makino (PC), and Yvonne Mills (CCCC).
Check out this video from the seminar:
Bob also shared information about the upcoming TALE Fest, which will be held on April 14.
Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
I’d like to share a few more photos from last week’s Board of Governors announcement:
Kern CCD was out in full force to support Kris Tiner at the CSUB Hall of Fame:
Ricardo Marmolejo, PC’s Director of Equity and Student Success, shared this post:
A huge congratulations to our @PCollegePirates Puente faculty, Dustin, Patty, and Elizabeth on completing year one and earning their stoles during @PuenteProject’s 40th anniversary.
PC’s Puente Team: Patricia Serrato, Dr. Dustin Acres, Dr. Elizabeth Buchannan
Check out this photo of the foothills from the BC Panorama campus at the end of the recent storm. What a beautiful place to be.
And Cerro Coso shared this update after their storms:
Today, our ESCC Mammoth Campus is finally able to dig the sidewalks out from the crazy storms that have occurred the past couple of days. There is currently 10 FEET of snow built up outside the front doors of the campus. Stay SAFE and WARM out there to our Mammoth Lakes students and community
Blast from the Past
In honor of Women’s History Month, I wanted to share this video from Bakersfield College’s Closing Week 2020, when we honored Sandi Taylor with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award:
*****
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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