Sonya Christian's Blog

It was 235 years ago today – September 17, 1787 – that the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. On February 29, 1952, Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day, commemorating that historic signing.

Of the 42 delegates who attended most of the Constitutional Convention meetings, only 39 signed the final document. Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, refused to sign, partially due to the lack of a Bill of Rights.

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution – the Bill of Rights – was created two years later, on September 25, 1789. It was ratified on December 15, 1791.

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer, at 81. The youngest was Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey, who was 26.

Six of our founding fathers signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution: George Read, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson.

George Washington established the first Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 26, 1789 – as a day for the public to give thanks for the constitution.

And today, I am thankful for the Nineteenth Amendment – The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Check out this quick read ….. my Sep 5th Viewpoint publication in the Community College Journal reflecting on Women’s Equality Day https://www.ccdaily.com/2022/09/how-much-has-changed-in-equality-for-women/

Good morning, friends.
It is September 17, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

PC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Writer & Poet Speaker Series 

We are extremely excited to welcome bestselling author Reyna Grande for the PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series.  Ms. Grande will join students, faculty and the community on Tuesday, September 20^th from 11:00am to Noon.  

Reyna Grande is the author of the bestselling memoir, The Distance Between Us, where she writes about her life before and after she arrived in the United States from Mexico as an undocumented child immigrant. The sequel to that novel, A Dream Called Home, was released in 2018. She will discuss her work and her unique perspective on the “American Experience” via her virtual presentation on the 20^th. 

Her other works include the novels, Across a Hundred Mountains, Dancing with Butterflies, and A Ballad of Love and Glory, and the anthology Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival and New Beginnings.  

She has received an American Book Award, the El Premio Aztlán Literary Award, and a Latino Spirit Award. In 2012, she was a finalist for the prestigious National Book Critics Circle Awards. 

The young reader’s version of The Distance Between Us received an International Literacy Association Children’s Book Award in 2017. Writing about immigration, family separation, language trauma, the price of the American Dream, and her writing journey, Reyna’s work has appeared in The New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, CNN, The Lily at The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, among others. In March 2020, she was a guest on the Oprah’s Book Club television special. 

This event will be delivered via zoom and all are invited. You can register for this event in advance at  https://tinyurl.com/yckhz5jh. 

PC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage  

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage each year from September 15th through October 15th.

This month-long celebration, started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and then expanded to a 30-day period in 1988, is used to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success and change for our society.

Join us on the web to explore curated galleries, museum links, infographics, and learn fun facts about the history of this important month (i.e. why does it start in the middle of the month?). You can visit our celebration page here: https://www.portervillecollege.edu/hispanic-heritage-month. You can also visit https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ for more info on this year’s national celebrations.

Porterville College CHAP Celebrates Constitution Day with “The Vice Presidency: A Built-In Constitutional Crisis”

The Porterville College Historical Awareness Program (CHAP) continues it’s celebration of 20 years with an all new Fall Schedule of programming. The 2022-2023 theme is The Anthropocene.

The Anthropocene Epoch is an unofficial unit of geologic time, used to describe the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. The 2022-2023 calendar of CHAP events all cover topics related to the Anthropocene – beginning with our first event of the season on September 19th.

Join us on Constitution Day, September 19th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, as CHAP hosts “The Vice Presidency: A Built-In Constitutional Crisis,” a lecture by Leslie Pelon, Adjunct Instructor of History at Porterville College. Ms. Pelon’s lecture will explore the history of the Constitution through the lens of the Vice Presidency. The lecture will be held inside the PC Theater, located on the Porterville College Campus.

Leslie Pelon spent her childhood in the Bay area until moving to Porterville in 2000. She attended Westfield, Bartlett, and Porterville High School, and took classes at Porterville College. After graduating from Porterville High School, she went to Brigham Young University where she studied History and English literature. After ten years in Utah and Maine, she returned to make her permanent home in Porterville with her husband and two children.

She spent several years substitute teaching at Porterville High School while pursuing a Master’s in History from Southern New Hampshire University. Her thesis focused on women preachers of the Second Great Awakening. Since earning her Master’s Degree, she has been teaching History classes at Porterville College.

• Event: “The Vice Presidency: A Built-In Constitutional Crisis”
• Date: Monday, September 19, 2022
• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Where: Porterville College Theater (100 E. College Avenue, Porterville, 93257)

For more information on the CHAP program, you can visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/chap

PC Cross Country teams open season at Fresno Invitational 

The 2022 Porterville College men’s and women’s cross-country seasons are officially underway.

This past Saturday, the Pirates competed against over 15 of the state’s top teams at the Fresno Invitational. The event, hosted by Clovis Community College, was held at Woodward Park in Fresno.

On the women’s side, freshman Krissta Kunze competed in her first collegiate event for the Pirates and finished up the 3.1-mile course with a time of 28.44.2, good for 65th place overall.

The Pirates men’s team had six competing at the event. Leading the way was freshman Adrian Martinez. He cleared the four-mile course with a team-best time of 26:37.6 to finish in 97th place overall.

He was followed by freshman Peter Gomez at 29:40.3, freshman Ty Robinson at 30:47.1, freshman Sal Renteria at 31:05.8, freshman Brandon Pulido at 38:14.9, and sophomore Carlos Rodriguez at 38:14.9.

Up next for the Pirates is the Bakersfield Invitational / SoCal Preview meet on Friday, Sep. 23. The event is set for a 9 a.m. start at the Kern County Soccer Park in Bakersfield.

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Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso Saddened by Loss of Dr. Mary Retterer

I am sharing this note from Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock on the recent passing of former Cerro Coso President Dr. Mary Retterer:

It is with genuine sadness that I share the passing of former president Dr. Mary E. Retterer on Thursday,

September 8, 2022 in Gardnerville, Nevada.

Dr. Retterer became Cerro Coso’s sixth president on July 1, 2007 after serving as interim president for one year. 

She retired in June of 2010.

I am sad that I will not have the pleasure of meeting this dynamic leader whose’ wealth of experience in community colleges had such a positive impact on this college, and the communities we serve.  It is my understanding she assisted the college in receiving a $250,000 grant from the State of California to strengthen Career Technical Education (CTE) programs through “Project Lead the Way,” in partnership with Sierra Sands Unified School District and the Naval Air Weapons Center, to meet the future workforce needs of our region. She was here when the Mammoth Lakes Foundation broke ground for student housing, and when we held our first Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony. Dr. Retterer led the college through a very important accreditation review, and created a collaboration between the college and the IWV Water District on a large scale water conservation project on the Ridgecrest Campus.  She was an expert fundraiser and started many of the college’s signature events like the Star Party and Denim and Diamonds to help support the college and our students.  Her accomplishments were many and her legacy will live on is so many ways at Cerro Coso Community College.

She once referred to Cerro Coso as a “diamond in the dessert” and stated how proud she was of the people within as she looked to an exciting future here.  She noted your tremendous creativity and looked to “harness that creativity and turn it into growth and improved service to all of our communities.”  She was an essential part of our institution’s history, and spent a lifetime being an influential advocate for education.  I had hoped to personally meet Dr. Retterer at some of our 50^th Anniversary activities beginning next year, and am sad that I will not get that opportunity. 

Like myself, Dr. Retterer was a former community college student and earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Craft Hills College, California.  She transferred to California State University, San Bernardino, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration with a concentration in accounting; and a Master of Business Administration Degree, with a concentration in accounting.  She earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Community College Leadership Program from the University of Texas at Austin.   

An active member of the local community, Dr. Retterer served as a Rotarian on the China Lake Rotary Club and a member of the local Elks lodge.

We honor the legacy of Dr. Retterer, and mourn her loss alongside her husband Richard, family, and friends.    A celebration of life will be held for Dr. Retterer at the Elks Lodge in Gardnerville, Nevada next week.   

Ridgecrest commemorates 9/11 with Parade of 1000 Flags

More than 1000 community patriots took to the streets of Ridgecrest on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. carrying flags in memory of those lost and first responders of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in 2001.

This signature event draws people from near and far and is noted to be one of the most patriotic events of 9/11 commemorated anywhere.  Cerro Coso was proud to show their support with a large showing of students, employees, and family members carrying flags. 

Flag bearers were led by Travis Combs, Bagpiper, and the Burroughs High School band, followed by a host of VIPs which included: NAWC Grand Marshall Captain Jeremy Vaughan, Captain Weinwright, Director Harlin Kooima and elected officials Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Senator Shannon Grove, Assemblyman Vince Fong, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, Sheriff Donny Youngblood, Supervisor Phillip Peters, and Mayor Eric Bruen.  

Many of the students and children in the parade were not yet born at the time of the attacks, but they need to know and understand the significance of one of the darkest days in America’s history. The annual parade helps etch that into their memories.

The Parade of 1000 Flags began with a march down China Lake Boulevard to City Hall where the flags were posted in Freedom Park followed by a program at the gazebo.

A signature event for Ridgecrest, the Parade of 1000 Flags is a strong symbol and image of what the community stands for: a patriotic community with a strong presence of the US Navy and the role it supports in the defense of our country.

A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday night a 7 p.m. in the park.  Kern County Fire Division Chief Bill Steers presented the Bell Ceremony and Fireman’s Prayer.  Several hundred attendees lit candles at the close of the program as a tribute to those who were lost. 

United we stood as 9/11 responders toiled and families searched in 2001.

We will never forget!

Hernandez and Gomez to lead this year’s SGCC

The Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) are ready for a great year!  Meet the new president and vice president of the SGCC for the 2022-2023 academic year, Justin Hernandez and Fatima Chavez Gomez. 

Justin is serving as president of the SGCC this year.He is currently pursuing his degree in psychology and plans to transfer and continue his education next fall.  “This year I plan to make a positive difference and to continue having a welcoming environment to both the campus and to student life.”

“I joined student government to get involved in our campus as well as get an experience from this,” said SGCC vice president Fatima.  “I plan to make this year a fun and an exciting year where students can learn what our campus is all about!”  Fatima is majoring in history and also plans to transfer to continue in that field of study.

Cerro Coso Community College students can purchase a Coyote Card sticker each semester at the time of registration. The Coyote Card sticker is placed on each students identification card. These funds support the Student Activities Program which benefits the college and contributes to the welfare of all students. Possession of a Coyote Card sticker may qualify an individual to serve as a club representative or a student Senator, to hold office, to join college student organizations, and to receive student discounts at various merchants in the community. Members are also entitled to reduced or free admission to various on-campus and off-campus events sponsored by the SGCC.

The SGCC gives students the opportunity to foster skills like leadership, communication, teamwork, organization, and public speaking – all skills need to succeed in college.  Not only do these skills help students in class but they are also valuable if students are interested in co-op programs and on job applications.

Students wanting to civically engage and share their own voice on campus are encouraged to join the SGCC.  Contact Tyson Huffman at Tyson.huffman@cerrocoso.edu for more information.   

Constitution Day Lecture by Professor Jones

In September of 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history: the United States Constitution.

Every year, the Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) commemorates that historic day by hosting an event to inform students on the importance of the Constitution and the freedoms our founding fathers secured for us. 

This year the SGCC hosted a lecture by Political Science Professor Matt Jones on the thought provoking question “Is the Constitution Racist and Outdated”.  An argument that has divided many.  Dr. Jones shared the arguments he believes to be the case and presented evidence in support of that belief. 

Thank you to Dr. Jones and the SGCC for providing this thought provoking lecture. 

Couch Recognized by KCCD Management Association

For the month of September, the Kern Community College District (KCCD) Management Association unanimously voted to acknowledge and recognize the work, leadership, and achievements of Lisa Couch, Budget Analyst at Cerro Coso Community College.

Couch’s nominating colleagues wrote, “Lisa has provided leadership and stability in times of great need, both past and present,” said Bonita Steele, Management Association president. “Lisa supported the college community during campus renovations – always a tough gig – and through two major earthquakes. In addition to the COVID 19 pandemic and even without these extraordinary events, Lisa has been a steadfast collaborative colleague known throughout the district for her expertise.  More recently, Lisa supported Business Services when two vice president of finance positions became vacant.   She helped Bakersfield College and Porterville College complete their tentative budgets, assisted them in wrapping up the prior fiscal year, coordinated and collaborated with classified and management staff, and assisted the Interim CFO with the district tentative budget process.  She is now helping to onboard and train two new vice presidents of finance.  For her expertise and collegiality the Management Association is proud to honor Lisa Couch as our September 2022 Manager of the Month.”

“On behalf of all members of the KCCD Management Association, we express our ongoing appreciation for Lisa’s leadership,” concluded Steele.

The KCCDMA is comprised of all managers, administrators, supervisors, and confidential management staff by virtue of their position. The Association is self-funded and functions separately from District or college operations. The Association conveys the needs and interests of its members, as well as provides ongoing professional development and networking opportunities.

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Bakersfield College

Transfer Day 2022

Bakersfield College hosted Transfer Day this week in the Renegade Conference Room on the Panorama Campus. Students had the opportunity to review information booths of more than 40 colleges and universities from around the country.

This is the first time Transfer Day has been in-person since 2020, and the response was incredible. Hundreds of students visited throughout the day and were able to talk to school representatives, get swag, and walk away with valuable resources that can further their academic journey.

BC Participates in Kern County College Night

Kern County College Night took place earlier this week and BC was well represented throughout the event. Thousands of prospective students came to Mechanics Bank Arena to preview several colleges and universities.

Bakersfield College had a strong presence throughout the night with more than 100 staff and administrators on hand to provide support, answer questions, and hand out promotional materials and swag! The BC Drumline and Cheer Squad were also there to lend their talents and enthusiasm to the evening. 

Industrial Automation Program to host Manufacturing Day 2022

The Industrial Automation Program at BC is hosting Manufacturing Day on Friday, September 30th from 9:30AM-1:30PM in the Simonsen Outdoor Theater. They have invited local high schools and community members to come and experience this unique event which will include presentations on manufacturing-related programs, laboratory tours, and hands-on demonstrations.

Attendees will also get to interact with industry employers who will be available throughout the event at their information booths. They will showcase various products and machines, share resources and answer questions. Attendees will also be able to register with various participating employers to tour an industrial facility on select dates through the end of October.

For registration information, please visit the Creators Wanted Manufacturing Day webpage.

Nursing Students Meet with Local Healthcare Employers

Several of BC’s Registered Nursing students had multiple opportunities to meet with local healthcare employers to learn more about the industry and the nursing hiring process.  On August 30th, several healthcare employers came to BC’s Panorama Campus and gave presentations about their company, hiring expectations, and information on how to apply.  There were representatives from Adventist Health, Bakersfield Heart Hospital, Kern Medical Supply, Dignity Health Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospitals.

On September 6th, more than 40 Registered Nursing students had a meet and greet with Kern Medical Center. The event consisted of a hospital tour, nursing residency program presentations, a nurse panel and an overview on the hiring process.

Panorama Creative Music Summit 2022

The Bakersfield College Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Programs are proud to present the 6th annual Panorama Creative Music Summit. The event will feature two weeks of workshops, masterclasses and free public performances featuring world-renowned musicians and industry professionals.

All are invited to the two free public concerts on September 28th and October 5th at 6:00PM in the Simonsen Indoor Theater.  There will be special performances from Grammy winning performers, producers, composers and singer/songwriters. If you are a fan of live music, then you will definitely want to attend one or both of these exclusive performances.

For information and performance schedules, please visit the Panorama Creative Music Summit event page.

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In the News

KCCD’s new energy lab looks to support ‘Carbon Valley’

Did you catch this front page story by John Cox in Monday’s edition of The Bakersfield Californian about the California Renewable Energy Laboratory?

“Part of the vision has already been outlined, with plans for three centers of excellence devoted to clean energy and grid resilience, clean transportation and the California Resources Corp. Carbon Management Institute.

Each is expected to perform a range of educational activities, workforce development and “technology transfer” efforts that will commercialize new technologies. There also will be “living laboratory” demonstration projects to include a carbon-capture project at Bakersfield College and a microgrid system at BC’s Weill Institute downtown.“

Community Voices: BC helps students develop a vibrant community

BC’s Student Government President and Kern CCD student trustee Shehrazad Barraj wrote this Community Voices piece for The Bakersfield Californian about her experiences in student government.

“I learned a lot, not just about parliament, but about myself, and my community, and all WE can do for our community. With my time in BCSGA, I went from being nervous and reserved, to being outgoing, to being a student leader and team player! The BC community is here to support, sustain and encourage us on our journey to success.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Representatives from Bakersfield College and KCCD District office attended the HOPE Latina Empowerment Conference on Friday in Bakersfield. The day’s activities included discussions on estate planning, renewable energy, and education accessibility. Early College counselor Josie Guillen gave the lunchtime remarks on dual enrollment and Early College. The day closed with this group picture of the BC and KCCD attendees. 

Kern CCD Trustee Yovani Jimenez shared these photos from the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mexican Independence Day celebration:

Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock shared this photo:

“Grateful for having heard from Assistant Secretary of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Dr. Amy Lloyd at this morning’s keynote for the Rural Community College Alliance! Joined by Corey Marvin, Heather Ostash, and Chad Houck.“

Porterville College President Claudia Habib has been sharing updates from her experience with UC Davis’ Wheelhouse Institute:

“Thank you UCDWheelhouse for providing a great learning experience. I Enjoyed every minute, every robust conversation, reflexión, camaraderie and laughter with these amazing leaders.“

Check out this post from the BC Cheer Team:

“We are honored to showcase Sally Hill (Payne) as our first “Where are They Now? BC Cheer Alumni Edition,” alumni cheerleader!! Swipe to learn a little more about this lovely lady!! We LOVE you Sally“

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I hope you are all keeping cool the best you can this Labor Day weekend, with temperatures soaring as a heat wave grips much of California. The San Francisco Chronicle published this piece explaining the science behind the heat dome causing these uncomfortable and often dangerous temperatures.

Here is a tidbit about Labor Day:

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. That event was planned by the Central Labor Union. In the years that followed, 23 more states adopted the holiday. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a national holiday.

The original founder of Labor Day is disputed – there are disagreements on if the first person to propose Labor Day was Peter J. McGuire (cofounder of the American Federation of Labor) or Matthew Maguire (secretary of the Central Labor Union).

I did not know the reason so many of our national holidays fall on Mondays….The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 changed several holidays to always be observed on Mondays, so federal employees would have more three-day weekends. The Act, signed into law on June 28, 1968, moved Washington’s Birthday Memorial Day and Columbus Day so they would always be on fixed Mondays.

There are now 5 federal holidays that always fall on Monday:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• George Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day)
• Memorial Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day

Well, my weekend will be quiet reading and doing Neo walks early in the morning to miss the heat.

Good morning, friends.
It is September 3, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Former Student Talks About Law Enforcement Careers with PC Students

Former PC student and current California Highway Patrol Officer Cory Chapman visited our Intro to Administration of Justice students this week to talk career exploration in the CHP and law enforcement.

The students were given the opportunity to hear about his experiences, to ask questions about the CHP, and to learn about some of the over 1000 jobs currently open for recruitment in the agency.

Officer Chapman also discussed some of the requirements of a career in law enforcement, along with the details of being a CHP Officer and the difference between the Highway Patrol, Police, and Sheriff Departments.

He highlighted the importance of continuing education to the students and how various levels of education will allow someone to earn higher pay and find more opportunities for advancement within law enforcement.

Innovative PC Experience Program featured in Inside Higher Education

A unique virtual exchange program spearheaded by PC Business Instructor Dr. Elisa Queenan was highlighted in a recent article from Inside Higher Education. The program allowed students from PC to interact daily with students in Iraq by using technology like Zoom, Slack and WhatsApp to maintain close connections over thousands of miles. Something that would have been unheard of just a few years ago.

Queenan is co-teaching the class with Elizabeth Flynn and they have their students with the students in Iraq work together on a project that involved the United Nations’ sustainability goals. Working on this type of project or making connections with people in other countries would have been impossible for many of our students without the use of technology.

“[My students] have very little money. They have very few connections,” said Dr. Queenan, “[Now], they all talk about how incredibly empowered and confident they are to move forward with different ethnicities, different religions, different cultures, how bold they feel about being able to tackle problems that before they would have thought were completely outside of their realm.”

You can learn more about the program and our use of technology to provide world-wide connections for our students in the complete article at https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/08/31/virtual-exchanges-enhance-access-global-learning.

CSU Arts Program Provides Enrichment for PC Students

Submitted by Diran Lyons, PC Professor of Art

Porterville College students Jakeb Marshall, Christian Rivera, and Ayla Mora joined art students from all over California to attend a CSU Summer Arts course titled Art > Anthropocene < Action from June 27 – July 10, 2022. The class focused on a diverse range of environmental topics such as deforestation, wildlife die-off, natural disasters, and climate change as content for works of art. Drawing upon the leadership of course coordinator William Raines, the lectures of art historian Dr. Ron Graziani, and feedback from world-class visiting artists like Charles Gaines, the students experienced the powerful interaction of art and science as these multidisciplinary fields relate to creative experimentation, innovation, and activism. 

Alongside their talented classmates, Marshall, Rivera, and Mora worked diligently to synthesize their thoughts on environmental issues and how art might play a proactive role in improving our ecological state of affairs. Their efforts culminated in an exciting exhibition at Fresno State’s Conley Art Gallery, where tremendous strides as makers and thinkers were on full display.

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Cerro Coso Community College

Star Party and Barbecue Slated for Sept. 23rd

It’s Astronomical Barbecue and Star Party time again at Cerro Coso Community College.

The community loves this family friendly fundraising event where they enjoy great food, children’s activities, outdoor games, music, and exposure to the beauty and wonders of the night skies.

This year’s signature event will be held at the Ridgecrest Campus on Friday, September 23, 2022 in the fountain area.

Mark your calendars for this fun-filled fundraiser to benefit Cerro Coso Community College and the Dr. Alexis Shlanta Observatory.

A barbecue dinner will be held in the fountain courtyard from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and the Star Party will get underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Observatory. For those desiring transportation, golf carts will be running continuously to the Observatory and back. Major stars and constellations will be pointed out by college staff, students, and enthusiasts from the China Lake Astronomical Society. There will be telescope stations set up inside the Observatory compound for public viewing and education.

Star parties have been an important part of the amateur astronomy scene for many years. All are invited to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

Tickets for the event may be purchased online at Ticketspice or the college website at www.cerrocoso.edu.

New this year is the option to purchase beer and wine. Dinner will include a grilled tri-tip sandwich, salad, beans, drink, and dessert for $20.

For more information on this family evening of fun, call the College at 760-384-6262.

The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation is a 501©3 non-profit organization that provides more than $100,000 in scholarships to CC students every year.  They also support the Cerro Coso Promise, special grants, Phi Theta Kappa, and other programs and services of the college.   For more information on the CCCC Foundation contact Natalie Dorrell 760-384-6252 and on the web at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/foundation .

Cerro Coso Community College Participates in the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA)

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA of 1989 – also known as the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act – requires higher education institutions to establish policies that address unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs for faculty, staff, and students.

CCCC acknowledges its legal obligation to conduct an annual review of compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and authorized an administrative review to determine if the college fulfills the previously mentioned Federal Regulations requirements.

All members of the Cerro Coso community are encouraged to review the information on the following pages.  This information is distributed on an annual basis.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program

• Standards of Conduct
• Legal Sanctions
• Health Risks
• Drug and Alcohol Help Resources

Keenan Safe Colleges offers both an employee training portal and a separate student training portal.

Barksdale Returns as Access Counselor

Rachel Barksdale began working at Cerro Coso in the fall of 2014 as an Access Program Assistant.  This is where she developed a passion for working with students, specifically, students with additional barriers in obtaining their goals.  Access Program counselors Anna Mora and Penny Talley recognized her compassion and empathy for students, understanding of student needs, and heart for helping others over come life and academic hurdles, and encouraged Rachel to go back to school to get her master’s degree.

With a strong support system of family, friends, and husband, she returned to Cerro Coso this fall as the new full-time Access Program Counselor at the Ridgecrest Campus replacing Penny who retired in December of 2021. 

In addition to her job at the college, Barksdale works part-time as a mental health therapist at the Ridgecrest Crisis Stabilization unit where she assists children, adolescents, and adults with mental health crises.  

Her motto in life is “be kind, you never know the positive impact you may have on another, just by being kind.”

Cerro Coso is excited to welcome Barksdale back.  She made a big impact on Access Program students before and will continue to do so now as a counselor. 

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Bakersfield College

Science & Engineering Building Grand Opening

BC is excited to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the new Science & Engineering Building on the Panorama Campus. The event will take place Wednesday, September 7th at 9:15 a.m. We hope that everyone can join us as we celebrate the opening of this beautiful, brand new facility.

Bakersfield College’s Distinguished Speaker Series Returns

Bakersfield College hosted several in-person events as part of their Welcome Week festivities. One of these events was the return of the Distinguished Speaker series which had been on hiatus since the pandemic.  The guest speaker of the first installment of this year’s series was Aron Ralston, author, wilderness protection advocate, and motivational speaker.

Ralston authored the New York Times best-seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place which tells his inspirational story of survival after being trapped under an 800-pound boulder for six days without water, means of communication or hope of escape. In 2010, his story was made into the feature film 127 Hours, which was nominated for six Academy Awards including best picture.

Ralston delighted attendees as he shared his story of tragedy, escape, his journey since his life-changing experience, and how he was able to transform “boulders into blessings.”  He also shared his experience with prosthetics, being invited to popular talk-shows, and speaking to thousands worldwide as a motivational speaker. It was amazing to hear first-hand Aron Ralston’s story of perseverance and triumph.

Transfer Day 2022

Bakersfield College will be hosting Transfer Day 2022 in September, which will showcase educational programs of more than 40 colleges and universities. Attendees will get the chance to learn about transfer opportunities and meet campus representatives from Cal State Universities (CSU), University of California (UC) schools, and several other in-state and out-of-state private colleges and universities.  It will be an incredible time for our BC students to plan for their academic journey beyond Bakersfield College.

For more information and a full list of participating schools, visit the Transfer Pathways Webpage.

BC Hosts Student Involvement Festival

This week also saw the return of the Student Involvement Festival. Traditionally, this was the largest event of Welcome Week with hundreds of students and dozens of information tents with information on how to get involved at BC. 

This year’s festival was an amazing success. It featured music, vendors, free swag, resources, and a water slide. Hundreds of students were able to get information about how to be more involved at BC, and how to enhance their educational experience.

BC Kicks Off the Football Season with Home Opener

The BC Athletics Department and football team are excited to welcome back fans to Memorial Stadium this weekend as the 2022 season is set to begin. The Renegades will be taking on LA Pierce on Saturday, September 3rd at 7 pm. (Note: The original kickoff time at 6 PM, but due to high temperatures this has been pushed back to 7 pm. Gates will open at 6 pm.)

This season will feature specific theme nights for our community heroes in Kern County. For the home opener, the Renegades will be honoring first responders, who will receive free admission to the game when they wear their uniforms or show specific ID. For more information about the game, including tickets, parking, tailgating, and more,  please visit the Renegade Athletics Website.

We hope to have a packed stadium to honor our community heroes and cheer on our Renegades!

BC Foundation PANORAMA Newsletter

The September issue of PANORAMA, the BC Foundation’s Newsletter, is available now at https://www.supportbc.org/homepage/panorama-newsletter/september-2022.

Highlights this month include:

• Students are back on campus in full force!
• New Science & Engineering Building is the hot spot on campus
• Homecoming Week activities have something for everyone
• Inaugural Renegade Promenade: Alumni, Family, & Friends Day at BC
• and more!

Find out more at https://www.supportbc.org/homepage/panorama-newsletter/september-2022/.

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USDA Hosts Community Listening Session in Lamont

Kern CCD hosted the USDA’s Rural Development team at a community listening and informational session at the David Head Center in Lamont. At Wednesday’s event, which was titled “Advancing Equity”, USDA Rural Development Specialist Sally Tripp explained all of the housing, education and business development opportunities available to residents of Arvin and Lamont. Rural Development Staff members went on to facilitate small group discussions with community members about the high-priority needs in the area.

Participants at the “Advancing Equity” event at the David Head Center included Trustee Jovani Jimenez, Dolores Huerta, and Arvin Mayor Olivia Trujillo.

In the News

Channel 23 Features BC’s Renegade Pantry

BC’s Renegade Pantry was featured on a Channel 23 for the wonderful service they are providing for students who are experiencing food insecurity. The story features two BC staff members who play an integral part in operating the Renegade pantry; Isabel Varelas, Pantry Coordinator, and Caitlin Davidson, Program Manager for Basic Needs. Their hard work helps distribute food to hundreds of BC students on a daily basis.  

The pantry also provides other goods including clothing, cleaning supplies, infant nutrition items, and other household items. BC is proud to offer this service to their students in need, and the hope is that it can assist them in reaching their educational goals.

Link to News Story (Channel 23): https://www.turnto23.com/lifestyle/education/bakersfield-college-pantry-looks-to-help-students-overcome-food-insecurity

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

I loved this post from Nicole Parra:

“We have started our mornings- the last 2 weeks- up at 545 am for a 2.5 mile walk. I meditate, organize my thoughts & plan my day-while Bailey is seeing the sights. She does walk close to a mile, but then she is ready for the backpack Thank you to my family & friends for welcoming me- so kindly- back home, especially my work family. I am so happy.”

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh posted about the 26th Annual Hispanic Business Conference & Expo hosted by the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Here are a few pics of the Kern CCD/Bakersfield College team.

And check out this new video from Cerro Coso Rocks:

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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

In 1971, a joint resolution of Congress designated  August 26^th of each year as Women’s Equality Day. Here’s to all women!

Good morning, friends.
It is August 27, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Students Return to Campus for Start of Fall Semester

Energy and excitement were in the air as students returned to in-person learning for the Fall semester at Porterville College this past Monday.

Student Ambassador for PC Veteran’s Services Alicia Vargas expressed her excitement over the return to campus, she said, “It’s so exciting to see people on campus again. I’ve never seen this many people here.”

Leona Fitch is studying business administration. She’s trying to teach her children to “Never give up,” and says it’s all possible. “This is a great college, and the professors work with you to achieve your goals.” The 48-year old returning student is in her second year at PC.

Elizabeth Keele, Health Careers Division Chair and Assistant Professor, was excited to have students back on campus. She said, “Every day is a learning experience”. She then went on to express how excited she was to see the progress on the new Allied Health Building’s construction firsthand. 

For the opening two weeks of the semester, the PC Student Services Department hosts multiple information and resource booths across campus for students.  Many faculty and staff members took time each day to answer student questions, provide information on programs and services, and just get to know the people we serve every day.

PC Information Systems and Business Instructor Jim Carson said, “I’m just excited to see the school bustling again. This will be the first time in two years I’ll be in front of a live classroom.” Carson has been teaching on-line instruction only since the beginning of the pandemic.

CFF Hosts Vaccination Event on Campus for Students

The California Farmworkers Foundation made a stop on the PC Campus on Wednesday to provide a free vaccination clinic to students. The Clinic provided first, second, and third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations as part of our welcome week activities to start the Fall semester. 

Each student who received a vaccination was provided with a $50 gift card.

The California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) was formed to offer and create opportunities that would enable Farmworkers that reside in California to develop personal and professional skills. They model 5 areas with their services: Education, Health & Wellness, Workforce Development, Immigration Services, and Community Engagement. They provided these free vaccinations as part of their community engagement efforts for Tulare County.

Parking is Now Free on Campus for Porterville College Students

As part of our effort to remove barriers to education for our students, parking permits are no longer needed to park on campus for the Fall semester. Permit regulations will NOT be enforced for the Fall by our campus security and permits will not be sold. All other parking regulations are in effect and will be enforced (as outlined on the Porterville College website), but students no longer need to pay to park while attending classes, visiting the library or computer labs, or coming to campus for any reason.  Please contact Porterville College Public Safety with any questions at (559) 791-2440.

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Cerro Coso Community College

CC Welcomes students back to campus

And welcome, new students!

The past two years have been a test of patience and persistence for all. 

As the new semester at Cerro Coso gets underway, we invite all students to be an active part of our campus communities.  Each one brings a unique background and experience that is just as important to share and engage with as what we have to offer in the classrooms.  

One of the best ways to dive into the fall semester is to plug into campus life.  Stay in the know by reading the weekly communication with important dates and events in the Student Need to Know, sent to all college assigned emails.  The college offers a number of resources like financial aid, computer loans, free healthcare, food, job and career coaching and placement, and so much more.  Need help? Just let someone at our One Stop know and they will guide you to the right place for help. 

Outreach Director Katie Bachman and Promise students met students at the entrance to the Ridgecrest Campus to welcome them back with a friendly face, help them navigate the campus, provide refreshments, and offer information on the many, many resources available to help students succeed.   

The world might be coming back to normal but things will never be the same again.  Let’s make it better!  It’s a great time to be a Coyote.

Coyote Cupboard Relocates and Expands

In order to better support students experiencing food insecurity, Cerro Coso Community College has relocated its food pantry on the Ridgecrest campus.  The Coyote Cupboard has been around for a long time, but now the pantry is available for students to walk in and take a limited number of items off the shelf. The pantry will also have snack items, small meals, sandwiches and more for students to pick up and have a quick bite if needed as well.  Its new home is in West Wing Room 145 across from the fountain on the first floor.  This location provides students with open access during open hours and is more centrally located to where students gather in the Student Center and outside courtyard.

All students will be asked to check in with a student worker before entering the pantry, regardless if you are taking items home or just picking up a snack or meal. A student worker will guide students through the pantry, provide a bag, and whatever else might be needed from the pantry.

The Coyote Cupboard held a soft opening on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 11am-3pm.  Located in Room 145 of the West Wing, across from the fountain on the first floor. The hours for the Coyote Cupboard:  Monday & Wednesday: 8am-11am and 3:30-5pm; Tuesday: 8am-11am; Thursday: 11am-3pm; and Friday: Closed

Students are asked to check in with a student worker at the front desk and provide their Student ID, and household number.   #CCCares. #WorkingTogetherToEndCollegeHunger

Ludwigsen New Librarian in Tehachapi

Jewell Ludwigsen is the new Librarian for the Tehachapi campus of Cerro Coso.

She spent the last nine years serving as a Librarian with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Ludwigsen moved to California from Tennessee after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2010.  She spent the majority of her life living in different places like Tennessee, Illinois, Brazil, and Chile, but considers Tennessee her home state.

Excited to engage and assist students at the Tehachapi campus in their educational journey, Ludwigsen is also looking forward to collaborating with educational staff and students to provide the best library and information services to the Cerro Coso community.

Ludwigsen holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, and a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.

Welcome to TEAM Cerro Coso Jewell!

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Bakersfield College

First Day of Fall: Growing to Keep Up With Rising Needs

On Thursday afternoon, the majority of our 62 new faculty came together to start their BC journey. They were welcomed by President Zav Dadabhoy, VP Imelda Simos-Valdez, and Associate VP Jessica Wojtysiak. Dean Rebecca Farley spoke on the culture of BC and the purpose of our New Faculty Seminars.

We played New Faculty Bingo; Matthew Maddex and Lourdes Aboytes were the envy of everyone when they won dinner for two at the Renegade Room. Thanks, Chef Alex!

New Faculty got an introduction to DSPS and Financial Aid, learned about HR policies, and heard about resources available to our students. This dynamic group will be a force at Bakersfield College. 

Welcome to our 62 newest Renegade Faculty!

Campus is bustling with activity as students have returned for the Fall term.

Industrial Automation Early College Summer Academy

The Bachelors program in Industrial Automation had another successful Early College Summer Academy. Over 50 Early College students from Kern County had the opportunity to take one of the lower division courses from the program in a four-week semester.

Students also participated in four different facility tours with industry partners to witness firsthand what they’re learning in the lab to apply in industry. The four facility tours included Phillips 66 in Taft, Wonderful pistachios and almonds in Lost Hills, Target Distribution Center in Shafter, and Walmart Distribution Center in Shafter. This is the second year for this thriving academy.

Flex Week is a Wrap/Adjunct Faculty Seminar

So much amazing learning took place this year at over 80 workshops with a wide variety of topics, including “Canvas as an Engagement Tool”, where Mallory Gardener walked participants through a Canvas Murder Mystery.

We had an OER Session where Christie Howell, Ronnie Wrest, Maria Wright, and Chris Cruz-Boone discussed how to incorporate OER into courses and the benefits it provides to students. Melissa Myers showed faculty how to use Canvas Data Analytics to get more information on student participation within Canvas. It was a great week with a mixture of online and in-person classes.

Adjunct Faculty Seminar

Sixty of our adjunct faculty came together Wednesday evening for the first in-person Adjunct Faculty Seminar since Covid.

These faculty learned about the persistence project, played Kahoot with facts about BC, and heard about how to serve their students with accommodations.

CEVSS Awards Banquet

The Bakersfield College Veteran Resource Center CEVSS program hosted its inaugural awards ceremony and banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of our student veterans for the Spring 2022 semester. Students were awarded for highest GPA of the semester, highest overall GPA, most improved, and most inspirational student.

Independence High School adds their first Dual Enrollment Course for Fall 2022

Beginning this Fall, Independence High School students will be enrolling in their first Dual Enrollment course on their campus. The students are extremely excited to begin taking college courses through our Early College Program.

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Blast From the Past

It was 8 years ago (!) that the ALS Bucket Challenge was sweeping the nation. Here’s the entry from Bakersfield College – Sandi Taylor, Jennifer Marden, and Anthony Culpepper joined me.

In The News

Thanks, Kern County, for voting for Measure J

BC Chemistry Professor Deborah Rosenthal wrote this Community Voices piece for The Bakersfield Californian about BC’s new Science and Engineering building, built with Measure J funds.

“I would like to thank the community for voting yes on Measure J. The building is stunning, and more importantly, functional. If I may speak for my colleagues, we will fill it with encouragement and support for the students to pursue and reach their goals.”

Enjoyed this article from California Community Colleges Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales:

Let’s finish the historic reform of remedial education and make good on our promise

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Kern CCD Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Kay Meek and I had a good time at the Aspen Board Fellowship:

I loved seeing this student share a picture with professor Olivia Garcia:

And check out this video from CC President Sean Hancock:

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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

We are wrapping up another event-filled summer and getting ready to start our next school year, welcoming new Pirates, Coyotes, and Renegades into our classrooms. This week, all three of our colleges held activities welcoming students, faculty and staff back in anticipation of fall semester.

I was happy to be able to spend part of Thursday morning at Porterville College and Bakersfield College and to join Cerro Coso virtually for their opening day.

On Wednesday, the California Resources Corporation presented the Kern Community College District with a check for $1.94M to establish the CRC Carbon Management Institute to facilitate community education, workforce development, learning labs & student academies as Kern County defines its role in the new carbon economy. I am so excited to see how this gift will help as Kern CCD continues #DaringMightyThings.

The Bakersfield Californian covered the donation in this article.

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I also wanted to share this video from 2016 of Teresa McAllister‘s father, Bob Martin, who passed away this July. In it, Bob talks about his experience watching the first touchdown at Memorial Stadium.

Good morning, friends.
It is August 20, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Faculty and Staff prepare for big fall at PC

The PC Faculty and Staff began gearing up for a BIG return this fall with our annual Fall Convocation and Flex day festivities which were held this week.  The two-day annual faculty development “Flex” event started with a morning-long Convocation kick-off on Thursday morning. 

Trustee John Corkins was at the event, as well as dignitaries from the Porterville City Government, the Superintendents from both Porterville High School Districts, and the entire PC Faculty, Staff, and Administration.

This year’s theme centered around strengthening PC and community connections and our strong “Pirate Family” roots as we return to a campus full of students, faculty, staff, and administrators for the first time in years.

Opening remarks came from myself and Trustee Corkins. PC President Dr. Claudia Habib and PC Vice Presidents Primavera Arvizu and Dr. Thad Russell then highlighted our past year’s successes and created excitement for the future with a look at plans and goals for this year. 

PC Student and Rotaract President Hector Hernandez shared a student perspective on the return to campus with a moving presentation to all those in attendance and Ana Gutierrez, our keynote speaker, helped us think about how we can align education to innovation that creates new jobs and growth for our economy.

Check out the presentation video from the event:

Native American student orientation draws standing room only crowd

The Native American student orientation was a big hit this week at PC. Native American Services Program staff Katherine Figueroa and Jackie Escareno held an orientation for incoming Freshmen of Native American Descent this past week to a full house. 

The orientation provided important information, resources and supplies for the members of our Native American Services programs.  They outlined important benefits available to them and ensured that they know about important upcoming dates and milestones that they shouldn’t miss as they start their academic journey at PC. 

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Cerro Coso Community College

CC Rocks Welcome Back

The sounds of a new school year with smiling faces, eager minds, and optimistic enthusiasm filled the air at the Cerro Coso Rocks event held the Thursday before school started at the Ridgecrest Campus.

A blissful vibrancy resonated as students returned to pick up class schedules, attend orientation, get their IDs, tour the campus, learn about all the resources available to them, and take the time to just have some fun. They even had the opportunity to interact with President Hancock over ice cream and meet administrators and staff.

The fall 2022 semester marks the full in-person return of students, staff, and faculty at all Cerro Coso campuses.

Chatter and laughter filled the halls that sat mainly dormant for the past 30 months.

Cerro Coso is ready to safely and enthusiastically welcome everyone back on campus.

All sessions were held via Zoom for those around the service area not available to attend in person.

“The college has been busy preparing an exciting and engaging academic experience that will help our communities thrive,” said Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock. “As our students begin their classes this fall, they will see that there is an entire Cerro Coso community that is supporting them throughout their journey.”

It’s a great time to join the Coyote Pack! 

OVCDC Partnership a Win for All

The Owens Valley Career Development Center (OVCDC) hosted Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock and CTE Dean Nicole Griffin at their center in Bishop. 

OVCDC is a Tribal organization providing career education, family literacy, language, and temporary assistance to Native Americans in seven California Counties: Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings Tulare, Ventura, and Mono.  A dedicated American Indian organization operating under a consortium of Sovereign Nations.  The program provides the opportunity for improvement in the quality of life by focusing on education and self-sufficiency while protecting, preserving, and promoting their cultures.   

Their career education programs work in partnership with Cerro Coso in offering support to Native American students in six academic departments, leading to certificates awarded by the college.  They also offer support to those students pursuing continuation to an A.A. or A.S. degree beyond the completion of the certificate.

The Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Board of Trustees (referred to as OVBT) was established by the “1962 Land Ordinance” which was approved April 5, 1962 by the majority vote of tribal members residing on the Big Pine, Lone Pine, and Bishop reservations.  The OVBT was delegated to promote the general welfare, safeguard tribal interests, conserve and develop tribal lands and resources.  Throughout the years the OVBT has received Federal grants to administer social and economic programs for the three reservations.

The OVCDC was established in 1976 by the OVBT to oversee various tribal, federal, and state funded grants and programs.    

Since 2007, OVCDC has been a strong partner of Cerro Coso Community College, supporting nearly a 100 students each semester enrolling in Cerro Coso courses. 

Cerro Coso Students Present Research at Native Bee Conference

Two Cerro Coso students, Danielle Armstrong and Elajae Lee, presented at the Native Bee Research Workshop held at the College of the Canyons (CoC) on Sunday, August 7, 2022. The conference is part of the Campus as a Living Lab (CALL) initiative organized by CoC and funded by NSF.

Danielle and Elajae conducted their research over the summer, capturing, pinning, photographing and identifying bees, determining floral hosts, and data analysis. Their research indicated the large diversity of native bees in the desert environment, and the majority of these preferentially associate with native floral hosts and are ground nesting. Native bees are naturally diverse (over 1600 species in California) and not only do they provide stability to the terrestrial ecosystem, they can buffer against factors that threaten honeybee pollination (Plan Bee!). However, native bees themselves are also under threats from various sources including pesticides and land use changes.

Danielle and Elajae’s findings showed the importance of planting and maintaining native flowering plants, and of establishing areas withminimal mowing, uprooting and pesticide spraying to provide suitable habitats for native bees. Their results will contribute towards the CoC CALL application for the next phase of NSF funding. Danielle and Elajae were mentored by Profs. Claudia Sellers and Guck Ooi.

Campbell has Passion for Teaching

New full-time Business Professor Dr. Deanna Campbell, has always loved school and has worked in many aspects of education over the years.  She spent the last 16 years serving as site director for Cerro Coso’s Bishop and Mammoth campuses.

She is currently working towards a master’s degree in counseling, with only two more courses left. “I could not imagine being more excited to return to full-time teaching this fall, especially for Cerro Coso!”

Born and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, Dr. Campbell left after high school and never looked back.  In the years since, she has lived in 20 different cities in five different countries including, Birmingham, UK; Taos, NM; Shanghai, China; New York City, NY: Singapore, and now Bishop, CA.  She enjoys playing in the mountains – trail running, mountain biking, skiing, white water kayaking, climbing, and canyoneering.  She also loves playing in the ocean – sailing, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and swimming. 

Her teaching philosophy is adopted from bell hooks’ Teaching to Transgress: To hear each other…to listen to one another, is an exercise in recognition.  “I engage students by learning about them, figuring out how to connect the course topic to their own experiences and interests, recognizing that not all course topics are as important to them as they are to me,” she said, “and showing that I care about their success!”  Campbell says she is really excited about working more closely with the students in the community and supporting them in pursuing their academic and career goals.  “I am also very excited about learning from other faculty members to better support our students,” she concluded. 

Dr. Campbell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; Master’s Degree in International Studies from the Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania; MBA in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and a Doctorate in Education in K12 & Higher Education Administration from the Rossier School, University of Southern California (Doctoral Thesis: Perspectives of Native American Community College Students).  

Cerro Coso Community College – Your Hometown College!  

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Bakersfield College

Renegade Nexus

Bakersfield College recently introduced a new program called Renegade Nexus. This unique support hub is designed to connect students to critical on-campus and community resources that promote academic achievement and holistic student wellness.

To better support BC’s students, the Renegade Nexus will provide access to:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• Hygiene items
• Mental Healthcare
• Physical Healthcare
• Transportation
• Technology

If you know a student that you would like to help get support, please refer them to the BC Renegade Nexus Referral Form. A staff member will reach out to provide information and resources to the student.

BC’s New Science & Engineering Building Nears Completion

The brand new Science & Engineering building on the Panorama Campus is nearing completion. One of the recent completions was interior painting, and, of course, there was plenty of Renegade Red throughout. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is coming soon, and we hope you can join us on campus to celebrate the opening of this beautiful facility. 

The building is a direct result of the passing of Measure J which provided funds for many campus improvements, including the planning and construction of the Science & Engineering building.  We are so excited that this three-story space will equip thousands of current and future students to succeed in academics, careers, and beyond.

Fall Welcome Week  Events and Activities

The first day of the Fall Semester is August 22nd, and Bakersfield College has several events and activities planned to celebrate everyone’s return to campus.  Throughout the week there will be Welcome Tents on campus to help students find their classes, assist with the campus map, planners and more. They will also be accepting  donations of school supplies as part of the ‘Stock the Locker’ program, which gives those supplies to BC’s veteran students. If you bring a donation, they will hook you up with a free BC swag item!

The rest of  Welcome Week will include a staff versus student volleyball, a screening of the movie ‘127 Hours’ starring James Franco, special guest speaker Aron Ralston, a panel discussion (and free tacos) with the BC Student Government Association, and much more. 
For more details and an entire list of Welcome Week activities, please visit the BC Student Events page.

Opening Day at Bakersfield College

Bakersfield College hosted opening day on Thursday August 18th, and staff, faculty and administrators were invited to celebrate the beginning of the new school year. The event featured several staff and faculty members sharing welcome messages and updates. BC President Dr. Zav Dadabhoy welcomed everyone and shared his excitement about the upcoming school year and all the new things happening on campus.

Attendees were invited to take a quick tour of the new Science & Engineering building so they could get a preview of the new facility and its many state-of-the-art features. 

New Student Convocation

On Monday the BC Office of Student Life, in partnership with many other departments on campus, hosted New Student Convocation. The heat did not spoil the Renegade Spirit shown at this event with over 1200 new students and their family members in attendance! I enjoyed the faculty and staff processional with over 50 participants. The students orgs community and campus departments held a welcome fair outside the outdoor theater with over 40 tables.

Check out this 47-sec video of the Choir.

Thank you to all those who supported. BC Office of Student Life hopes to see you at all of their upcoming Week of Welcome events including Distinguished Speaker Series, BC Blood Drive, Student Involvement Festival, and so much more!

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Cerro Coso, Bakersfield College team up to bring opportunities to McFarland area

Exciting things are happening in McFarland! Cerro Coso and Bakersfield College have collaborated to bring Cerro Coso’s Administrative Medical Assisting (AMA) and Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) Certificates to our McFarland population and surrounding areas. We had a full house on the evening of August 9, 2022, packing 59 future students into the clinical lab classroom at the McFarland Learning Center.

Matthew Wanta continues to break barriers with his impressive drive to create new opportunities for students, across Kern County and beyond, who are interested in healthcare professions. One thing we can say, Matt makes it happen! It has been remarkable to see what he has done so far and we are looking forward to what the future brings for our students.

A special recognition is in order for Vanesa Hernandez, the Title V Advisor for Bakersfield College. Her recruitment effort was outstanding; taking flyers to businesses in McFarland and Delano, emailing and calling students and using Ocelot messaging to reach as many students as possible. She is such a valuable part of this team as she strives to make her students and team successful. As her background is in Financial Aid, she presented on the Resources and Financial support available to students. 

Students had the chance to meet the CMA instructor, Mr. Charles Tam, as he participated in our workshop. He provided great advice and encouragement to the group. Students have the potential to complete the Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate in two semesters, preparing them for quick and satisfying employment!

This collaboration has been very successful and we look forward to our work together in providing quality education to students and in our communities. Go team!

Teaching And Learning Experiences

The TALE Blog (Teaching and Learning Experiences) has a new post this week, from Porterville College Counselor Ana Ceballos. She wrote about her experiences in life, and the bonds she built with some of her PC colleagues in recent years.

Check it out at https://kernccdtaleblog.org/2022/08/17/having-each-others-back/!

In the News

Community Voices: Vaccinated. Boosted. And infected.

I enjoyed this piece from Dr. Brij Bhambi, published in The Bakersfield Californian.

Here are some of his suggestions for treatments:

PC holds Convocation and Flex Day

The Porterville Recorder published this piece by Jamie A. Hunt about Porterville College’s Convocation and Flex Day.

[President Claudia ]Habib said now is the best time to talk about PC’s “great legacy” as it celebrates its 95^th anniversary. “I invite you to prepare for the next century. How would the future look like for our students?

“It is said that ‘We live in the future that we see.’] Therefore, we need to imagine together the future for our students.”

Coaches discuss outlook for fall sports at BC media day

BC held its annual fall media day on Wednesday, and The Bakersfield Californian wrote about it in this article.

Bakersfield mayor Karen Goh was on hand to offer her support:

“That’s what makes Bakersfield College’s over-100-year history so wonderful, is that you are a part of our community,” Goh said. “And so to Reggie, to (BC broadcaster Ken) Calvin, to all of you, to all of you Renegades, I just wish you the very, very best. I’m looking forward to an amazing season.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Snow Cone Social Welcome Students in Tehachapi

A free snow cone on a hot summer day in Tehachapi?  Yes please? That is how the Tehachapi Campus chose to welcome new and returning students to the upcoming fall semester.  Students were invited to drop it, get their id’s, pick up their schedules, tour the classrooms, enjoy some sweet treats, say hello to the staff and faculty, and get the information they needed on all the resources available to help them succeed in college. 

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Here’s Thad Russell and Robert Simpkins at Porterville College’s Flex Day:

Dr. Claudia Habib (@PortervillePrez) shared this on Twitter:
“It was great to meet student leaders from @PCollegePirates @cerrocoso @BAKcollege during their leadership retreat. With their enthusiasm and involvement students will have a very engaging academic year @KernCCD #ASPC #StudentGoverment”

And here is President Sean Hancock at Cerro Coso Rocks:

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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