Sonya Christian's Blog

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 He began in December 1937, but the first book – The Fellowship of the Ring – would not be published until 1954.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.  

**

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

Last weekend, I traveled to UCLA to speak as a panelist at the California Learning Lab Inspire Convening. The incredible Lande Ajose was our moderator, and I joined Michael Drake, John Perez and Romey Sabalius to discuss “who’s really in charge in higher education.” We talked about the stakeholders and governance structure involved in higher education, and what roadblocks faculty and administrators sometimes face in advancing innovation.

It is always such a treat to get get together with colleagues from across the state to share our experiences

And here’s a photo of the fantastic BC team that attended the convening (as well as John Matsui from UC Berkeley).

Good morning, friends.
It is October 22, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Art students help celebrate Undocumented Student Action Week with sidewalk art

Porterville College celebrates Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) each year on the third week of October with events and activities for our Dreamer Students. 

This year, PC joined the California Community College Chancellor’s office from October 17-21 in presenting a series of webinars and on-campus activities designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by undocumented students and discuss solutions that help them achieve their educational goals.

On the PC campus, many art students took to the sidewalks of the Quad to create artwork featuring butterflies in support of this USAW. Butterflies have become the symbol of USAW and “Dreamer” students.  

The monarch butterfly is significant to the Dreamer because it represents the beauty of immigration.

In effect, the monarch butterfly is known for its migratory patterns; they move from Mexico to U.S and vice versa, depending on the season.

According to the web page, Make the Road Nevada, the monarch butterfly is the perfect symbol for immigrants. “Since being adopted by 11 million undocumented immigrants, the symbol’s meaning has changed to symbolize the resilience and hope in the immigrant community”.

PC Staffers Celebrate Transfer week with their alumni colors

Each third week in October, PC also celebrates National Student Transfer Week. Many PC staff also took part in colors day, wearing the school colors of their respective alma matters. As transfer champions, it’s vitally important that we build awareness of common transfer barriers and the diverse student needs and identities within our transfer populations.

Remember, even though we all went through different pathways to get here, we are all one PC!    

Overcoming Food Insecurity at PC

Porterville College, and in particular the PC Financial Aid Department has been working to solve food insecurity issues among students by instituting several ongoing efforts to curb this problem facing more students every day.

Every month, we partner with CalFresh to provide food to students and the community in “drive-up” events at Jamison Stadium. We also regularly distribute lunches and other meals on campus to students from the Pirates Cove or the Campus Quad. The Pirate Pantry is open at regular times for students to come in and “shop” for food and other staple items in a discreet environment.  And recently, we have started providing between-class snacks for students with “pop-up fueling stations” scheduled at various times each month.     

For more information, visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/basic-needs

For a complete schedule of Pirate Pantry hours, visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/financial-aid/food-pantry

Cerro Coso Community College

CCCC Sponsor at Aerospace Valley Air Show

More than 15,000 peopled attended the Aerospace Valley Air Show, Open House, and STEM Expo at Edwards Air Force Base on October 14-16.

Cerro Coso’s Career Technical Education and Outreach Programs were a sponsor of the event that opened Friday evening just for students showcasing exciting STEM demonstration and impressive air displays.  Saturday and Sunday the event was open to the general public. 

The college promoted STEM, CTE, and dual enrollment programs while also providing information on military and veterans services.

Shout out to all volunteers: Katie Bachman, Denise Allen, Lisa Stephens, Kristin Hanle, Jessica Kawelmacher, Nicole Harper, and the wonderful support of the M&O team.

“A HUGE shout out to Denise Allen for orchestrating the planning for this event,” said CTE Dean Nicole Griffin.  “We couldn’t have pulled it off so seamlessly without her detailed planning, organization, and communication.”

High School Students Turn Out for Career Exploration Day

Cerro Coso’s Ridgecrest campus was even busier than usual on Wednesday, October 19th as the college welcomed 250 high school students from 8 different high schools to Career Exploration Day.

With only a few years left of high school, it’s time for these students to get serious about college and start making plans for their future. This highly successful event is designed to give participants a firsthand look at why Cerro Coso should be their first choice. High school students explored all the college has to offer and were exposed to the wide range of careers available to graduates locally.

The day began in the gymnasium with a warm welcome from Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock and Outreach Director Katie Bachman, followed by a lively visit to college department booths, tours, food, and drawings.

In addition to receiving valuable information on how to prepare for college, students were given the opportunity to spend time interacting with CCCC’s expert faculty and staff, and asked career questions from area employers.

Cerro Coso students provided tours of the campus and answered questions about their personal college experiences.

The Career Fair portion of the event was opened to Cerro Coso students and the public to provide an opportunity for both high school and college students to meet with representatives from a variety of employers and learn about the different careers and vocations available locally.

“A huge thank you to Katie Bachman for her tireless coordination and to EVERYONE who participated and supported Career Day,” stated Vice President of Student Services Heather Ostash.

The sky is the limit at Cerro Coso.  Take flight.  Spring 2023 registration begins in November.  Contact a college counselor today at 760-384-6219.

Coyote Sets Course Record at Mt. Sac CC Invitational

Coyote Christian Schultz set a phenomenal 19.16 course record at the Mts. Sac Cross Country Invitational on October 14^th in Walnut, California. 

He shattered El Camino College‘s David Cardona’s 2010 record of 19:52 by 34 seconds.  

An outstanding performance by Schultz puts Cerro Coso’s new cross-country program on the competitive map. 

Congratulations Christian. 

New Solar Tables Allow Students to Chill and Charge

Members of the Cerro Coso community now have a new place to take a seat and recharge – literally.  Maintenance and Operations is busy installing new solar charged picnic tables around the Ridgecrest and Bishop campuses.  The new tables are a perfect fit for any college student – or anyone who is passionate about sustainability.  The tables are more than just a great place for students and staff to meet.  They also serve as charging stations and Wi-Fi hotspots, made from architectural-grade, eco-friendly materials. The tables feature two wireless charging pads, a multiple type A and type c USB plugs and 110V outlets for charging phones, tables, and laptops.  CCCC investing in our future.

Update from CCCC Safety and Security

The Safety and Security Department at Cerro Coso has been busy with several efforts to increase overall effectiveness. 

They are just wrapping up the first phase of the employee focused Active Shooter/ Assailant training which included 4 Zoom sessions over a 2-week period.  The next phase of the training will begin in November as an in-person and in workspaces event to assess RUN, HIDE, FIGHT strategies.

Additionally, they are working with the Faculty Flex Committee to explore the potential benefits of creating a core safety and security training element to the faculty flex training schedules in the fall.  This effort is in the same thread as their commitment to providing requested security training as an aspect of professional development. 

Safety and Security Manager Kevin King (far right in photo) recently met with the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) on the Cerro Coso IWV campus to discuss the potential of hosting relevant briefing and training events.  They will be looking to host the first of these events at the Spring Faculty Flex.

Bakersfield College

BC Receives Title V Grant for Early College Pathways

BC’s Title V grant proposal has been 1 of approximately 79 funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Hispanic Serving Institution (DHSI) Program. Serving over 10,500 high school students per year, Bakersfield College has the largest Early College program in the state, 77% of which are Hispanic/Latino. Among these 10,500 students, approximately 1,200 high school students participate in pathways that will allow them to complete an associates degree from Bakersfield College by the time they graduate from high school. This grant award will enable Bakersfield College to increase participation, retention, success, and completion rates for high school students who enter Early College pathways in the 9th grade.

The programs are currently available at 7 locations: Wonderful College Prep Academy- Delano and Lost Hills campuses, Wasco High School, Arvin High School, Kern High School District- Career & Technical Education Center and BC Southwest Center, McFarland High School Early College, and Shafter High School. On average, 92% of the students on these associate degree completion pathways are Hispanic/Latino.

BC Recognized as 2022 Champion of Higher Education

BC has been named a 2022 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer, and 2022 Equity Champion of Higher Education for our work in breaking barriers in transfer and  advancing racial equity in education. BC is one of the leading institutions in the state for Associate Degree for Transfer implementation, giving students a pathway to realizing their college dreams.

BC STEM Students Attend Aerospace Valley Air Show

BC STEM/Industrial Automation students attended the 2022 Aerospace Valley Air Show at Edwards Airforce Base, where they met various employers and explored industries directly related to their fields of study. They had a little fun introducing the crowds to Spot and Pepper, the two robots who joined the students on their air show adventures.

African American Health Science Luncheon

On October 11, 2022, Bakersfield College’s Health Science Pathway Team hosted a luncheon for current and prospective African American students to explore health science programs and resources on campus. Steven Watkins, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services, and Carla Gard, Dean of Allied Health, led the day with inspiration and introductions to some of BC’s dedicated leaders:

• Reggie Bolton– Dean of Kinesiology & Athletics (Physical Therapist Assistant included)
• Dr. Charles Daramola-Director of Public Health
• Dr. Tatevik Broutian-Human Biology Faculty
• Dr. Melissa Buggs-Nursing Faculty
• Ronnie Robinson & David Salazar -Radiologic Technology Students
• Crystal Rodriguez-Health Information Technology Faculty
• Jennifer Achan-Executive Director of Financial Aid

What a great day of information and networking!

Renegade Football Claims Victory over College of the Canyons

The Bakersfield College football team played against the College of the Canyons Thursday October 13th and not only won their second straight road contest, but ended an eight-game losing streak with a ten-point victory, 17-7. The Renegades hope to continue this victory trend as they play against the Ventura Pirates at this weekend’s Homecoming game!

In the News

BC rolls out 3-class certificate series on renewable energy

I enjoyed John Cox’s article in The Bakersfield Californian about BC’s new, free certificate series on renewable energy.

“Renewable energy has become a big focus at BC and its parent organization, the Kern Community College District, since the formalization of its unique partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.”

And for those interested in the courses, visit https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/marketing/promotion/modern-energy-certificate-of-completion.

BC shares Measure J progress report, thank-you with Renegade Promenade

Perry Smith wrote about last weekend’s Renegade Promenade event in this article for The Bakersfield Californian.

“We wanted to hold this event because it’s been a long time since the community’s been up to BC with the pandemic and such,” said Cheryl Scott, executive director of the Bakersfield College Foundation, which assists the college by seeking community engagement and support. “And it would not be recognized by people who have not been on campus in the past couple of years.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Cerro Coso Community College celebrated Boss’s Day on October 17. Staff members showered the President’s, Marketing, and Finance and Administrative Offices with fun posters, breakfast, decorations, and gifts.     

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Kylie Campbell shared this post from the Kern Equity Symposium:

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Cerro Coso Community College students in the EOPS program took a trip to El Pueblo, Olvera Street, and visited several museums in October. It was a fun filled day of good food, dancing, shopping of course educational visiting the cultural museums for students in the EOPS/Access Program at Cerro Coso.     

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Here’s one of the photos PC President Claudia Habib shared from last weekend’s Porterville College Foundation swap meet:

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And check out these adorable pictures of Nicole Parra‘s dog, Bailey:

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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