Christmas evening watching a catamaran coming back to dock after spending the day out on the water. My last adventure sailing was on a much smaller Cat off the coast of Cape Cod visiting a few exquisite sandbars embraced by the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic.
But a few days made a huge difference – by this weekend, the peaceful waters have given way to monstrous waves and flooding pummeling the California coast.
Thursday saw 20-foot-plus waves that swept away and injured several people. High water, dangerous rip currents, and large waves are expected this weekend – please take extra care if you are near the coast.
Good morning California.
It is December 30, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion
Today, I’m continuing my tradition of looking at past blog posts. Today I’m looking at blogs from 2020-2023.
2020
Jan 5, 2020 A look back as we look forward
It was April 30th, 1953, that Bakersfield College broke ground and began construction on this empty, barren, dirty, and dusty 153-acre lot on the Panorama Bluffs. The thriving, alive, and robust BC campus we have today is because forward thinkers had a vision of providing for future generations. Breaking ground on our beloved campus, overlooking the prolific Kern River oil field was just the beginning of a rich history at 1801 Panorama Drive.
Read more: https://sonyachristianblog.com/2020/01/05/a-look-back-as-we-look-forward/
*****
Feb 29, 2020 Celebrating Leap Year & showcasing Sterling Silver 2020
We had a beautiful reception at the Seven Oaks Country Club last weekend as part of our 12th-annual Sterling Silver Dinner, which the BC Foundation puts together to honor and recognize the exceptional support that members of our community provide to BC every day. Proceeds from the Sterling Silver Dinner help fund scholarships for students, providing vital opportunities to make higher education a reality for thousands of Renegades.
*****
March 28, 2020: Let the times guide our creativity
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=201179094503031
As we complete our first full week away from on-campus activities, I am struck by the enormity of the situation we are facing. I am taking some time to reflect on the enormous amount of work that the faculty and staff at Bakersfield College have done to shift the entirety of our operations online. It has been a huge undertaking, and required much flexibility and speed. Our entire campus community’s ability to react to the rapidly changing situations has been nothing short of remarkable.
*****
July 25, 2020 Let’s keep our community healthy! Wear masks. Do physical distancing. Regularly wash our hands.
*****
August 29, 2020: Bakersfield College – A Peace Garden of Learning, Reflection & Renewal
Have you met Dr. Naina Patel? Well, she is a quiet force in our community promoting peace and wellbeing. I got to work alongside Naina last year as she she was coordinating the Gandhi celebrations here in Bakersfield. During these celebrations, we had the fortune of having Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Arun Gandhi speak to the students in our Early College Program in Delano. What a treat! Check this out in my October 5, 2019 blog titled – Live simply so others can simply live https://sonyachristianblog.com/2019/10/05/live-simply-so-others-can-simply-live/
» Read more!
2021
Feb 27, 2021: BC – the week of vaccinations
I was so excited to see how many of our BC faculty and staff were able to get their COVID-19 vaccinations this week. Vaccinations are the first step to getting back to seeing each other in person – and every person I see getting their shot brings a smile to my face as we find hope to end this pandemic.
I’ve especially appreciated some of the notes that have been shared.
“After nearly a year away, I almost cried when I saw Michael Korcok! I was so happy to see my hallmate in person for the first time since March 16th 2020.” – Helen Acosta
Read more https://sonyachristianblog.com/2021/02/27/bc-the-week-of-vaccinations/
*****
March 27, 2021: Bakersfield College – Bakersfield’s Disneyland
I woke up on Monday, March 22, to this headline in The Bakersfield Californian, written by its executive editor, Christine L. Peterson:
‘Today is a victory’: BC hosts first mass drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Kern
“They’re not celebrating at Disneyland quite yet, but you might have thought those at Bakersfield College on Sunday had already arrived at the happiest place on earth.
Cars and trucks lined up to make their way into the parking lot abutting University Avenue for a poke in the arm in the form of one of 1,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses.
The event was dubbed the first mass drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Kern County, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who wasn’t smiling.”
*****
June 19, 2021: Carnaval del Barrio as BC opens
This week, Bakersfield College officially welcomed students back to campus with an Ice Cream Social and vaccination clinic on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And look who visited us ……
Read more https://sonyachristianblog.com/2021/06/19/carnaval-del-barrio-as-bc-opens/
*****
July 3, 2021: KCCD Daring Mighty Things. Happy Fourth.
On July 1st, I started my new position — deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and messages from friends and colleagues. We do live in a very special community.
And on my first weekend in my new role the country celebrates new beginnings — our nation’s birthday.
*****
October 30, 2021: KCCD – We #GetItDone
One of my favorite moments this week was listening to the “get out the vaccine” project testimonials about work funded from a grant that UCLA received. I was so pleased that they immediately reached out to BC-KCCD to be a sub grantee. Norma Rojas did the heavy lift of getting volunteers to make vaccinations available in every part of our county. Thank you Leticia Perez for brining in community groups to help with this effort. Special thank you to Halls Ambulance for being available as part of the mobile team going out to rural communities.
2022
Feb 26, 2022: KernCCD stories of our people
Remembering Jack Hernandez
In November 2021, the Bakersfield College campus community lost a legend – Jack Hernandez.
Check out this 3:23-min video from the Board of Trustees meeting in November 2021
Read more
*****
March 12, 2022: It’s March – Celebrating Women
Bakersfield College Launchpad welcomes the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Bakersfield” Class of 2022 for “Education Day” hosted by Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Participants toured the Launchpad and learned about the resources and educational workshops for entrepreneurs to help start and grow businesses in our community. NaTesha “T” Johnson presented to the leaders on the importance of supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses throughout Kern County.
*****
June 26, 2022: Kern CCD Everywhere
This past week was a crazy week of travel….. First to ACCT (Association of Community College Trustees), then one day in Bakersfield and off again to a presentation at the Spencer Foundation.
*****
September 24, 2022: The wisdom of ‘love thy neighbor’
Hundreds of state and municipal policy leaders joined clean energy advocates at the 13th annual California Climate and Energy Forum this week in San Diego. This year’s event, which was organized by three of California’s Regional Energy Networks and the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, was focused on Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice.
Kern was there in full force – Norma Rojas-Mora moderated the panel with Dave Teasdale, Exec Director of the 21st Century Energy Institute; Traco Matthews, CAPK Chief Program Officer; and Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin grant writer.
2023
February 25, 2023: California Community College System names the eleventh chancellor
On Thursday, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges named the eleventh chancellor of the California Community College system.
My colleagues from Kern Community College District colleagues made the trek to Sacramento for the announcement. My Kern CCD family THANK YOU for your love and support.
*****
July 29, 2023: California Community Colleges – acting with urgency and leading with courage
This week began with my first Board of Governors meeting, on Monday morning. We officially kicked off Vision 2030, our roadmap for California Community Colleges.
*****
September 9, 2023: A week of enjoying colleagues
This week was a short week with the Labor Day weekend. I was here in Bakersfield and attended an event at Bakersfield College to celebrate Michael Carley from Porterville College, who was the recipient of this year’s Kern CCD Jack Hernandez Phronesis Award. Michael did a fantastic lecture on Humility, Empathy, and Faith.
Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.
That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!
With much hope and joy,
Your Chancellor,
-sonya
#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora
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A lot of good things are going to happen in 2024!
Happy to see your comment Nick. Yes, looking forward to 2024 with great anticipation.