Definitely the week before a major transition.

On Sunday, I headed out to Lake Tahoe with the Kern Community College District Team for ACBO’s spring conference.

I spoke to the group about upcoming priorities for California Community Colleges, given that the state will be dealing with some financial difficulties in the next couple of years.

Kylie Campbell and Mike Giacomini presented on Dual Enrollment at the District, and did a fantastic job showcasing the work that the District has done in expanding this program.

Statewide, only 6% of 9th graders are participating in dual enrollment in CA, which means we have a huge opportunity with the remaining 94% of 9th graders that we can reach as early as this Fall. I am excited to support this work throughout the California Community College System, and work to provide opportunities for students across this great state. And of course, Kern is at the forefront of this work.

Our time is now!

Also, check out the article by Emma Gallegos of Ed Source.

Christian believes that community colleges, which serve California’s “most vulnerable students,” have the potential to not just change the socioeconomic fortunes of its students but to help the state address issues such as health care and climate change. She wants to see colleges make the bold changes their communities need.
“We just make things happen,” said Christian. “We don’t look for something external to give us permission to do what is right.”

You can read the full piece here: https://edsource.org/2023/enroll-every-9th-grader-in-a-college-course-says-californias-incoming-community-college-chancellor/691065

Whenever I talk about Dual Enrollment, I find myself thinking about how this work began with a partnership with Wonderful Academy, and then McFarland went wall-to-wall because of the bold leadership of Superintendent Aaron Resendez. The beautiful moments of our lives become wonderful memories to enjoy. Here are a few.

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As I flew into Reno for this work, what a view as we were landing:

The Truckee River, which flows through Reno on its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake, was full and flowing fast.

As I took time to walk around a bit to check out the sights and sounds in Reno, I stumbled upon the musical Anastasia playing at the Pioneer Center. The music of “Anastasia” features a blend of catchy, Broadway-style show tunes and heartfelt ballads. It includes well-known songs from the original film, such as “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December,” as well as new songs specifically written for the musical. The music captures a sense of romance, adventure, and longing, reflecting the emotional journey of the characters. Thought would give you a taste with this piece from Youtube “Once Upon a December.” The cast of characters at the Pioneer center were different … the song and the setting the same. Just beautiful!

Back in Bakersfield I was enjoying taking time at home, though I headed to KCCD to wrap up some transition work. The garden is bursting with springtime blooms which seem to be plentiful because of the heavy rains this past winter. In 2013 as BC’s new president, I purchased about 20 Renegade Red and White rose plants that were bred specifically to commemorate the centennial year. Those plants are now 10 years old and they flower with a vigor and intensity that is indescribable. The sheer number of roses have been weighing down the plants so I have been regularly clipping them for vases indoors. Thank you Lindsay Ono and BC’s Ag department for the Renegade Red and Whites. #WeAreBC

And when my busy schedule resumes in June, I will miss hanging out with Neo in the backyard.

Good morning friends.
It is May 27, 2023. Memorial Day.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Memorial Day – Let’s Remember.

Three years after the end of the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic – an organization of Union veterans – established Decoration Day as a day for the nation to put flowers on the graves of those killed in the war. Major General John A. Logan declared the commemoration should be May 30, likely because flowers would be in bloom across the country.

That year, an observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery, with speeches and flowers strewn upon the graves of soldiers.

The practice spread throughout the country, with many state legislatures passing proclamations designating May 30 as Decoration Day. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday, with the date placed on the last Monday in May.

I was browsing my previous post and saw this message from Paul Beckworth Memorial Day 2018

Read more in the blog post:
https://sonyachristianblog.com/2018/06/03/remembering-celebrating-and-planning/

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In the News

LTCC, El Centro High partnership celebrates first justice-involved college grad

LTCC’s Rising Scholars Program for the justice involved & its partner, El Centro High, are celebrating its first college grad.
Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Twins graduating from ‘Adult High School’ program after dropping out 50 years ago

This week, a set of twin sisters – Carol Baker and Carolyn Baker-Lowery graduated from MiraCosta College’s Adult High School, 50 years after they dropped out.

Check out the story from 10news in San Diego!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

President of Bakersfield College, Pastor Steve Watkin, did the opening prayer at the Bakersfield City Council.

Kylie Campbell shared this post during our travels this week:

“Look what @sonyachristian and I found at @flyLAXairport! A 20+ ft tall sign promoting the opportunity for high school students in CA to earn college credit through #DualEnrollment! Great work, @CalCommColleges! Made my day! @IcangotoCollege“

In honor of Classified School Employee Week, a few of the photos I’ve seen celebrating our California Community College classified employees:

And to my classified colleagues and friends with whom I have worked side-by-side for a long time. Thank you!

And from the Home of the Renegades…

CAPK Graduation

On Friday, May 19th, Bakersfield College in collaboration with CAPK (Community Action Partnership of Kern) celebrated the first cohort of graduates who completed the BC Applied Leadership Program in the BC Fireside Room. 17 CAPK administrators and leaders on every level committed themselves to the rigorous and innovative program born from Bakersfield College’s very own Dr. Maria Wright, former Senator Dr. Jean Fuller.

This will be the first of many cohorts to come!

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Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers. I hope you have an enjoyable and restful weekend.

Check out this 23-sec video of a hummingbird from Sunday  morning in the garden when I was having my morning coffee on the porch.

My mom loved hummingbirds. Mom, this is for you!

This week, Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke comes back to lead the Kern Community College District.

Welcome back home, Tom!

In the meantime, I have been reflecting on my time as Kern CCD Chancellor, and Bakersfield College President, and looking over some of my past blog posts.

But first – a heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates celebrating commencement this weekend! Your years of hard work have paid off, and I wish you all the best in all of your endeavors in the future.

Graduates, remember at KCCD, we Dare Mighty Things

Good morning friends.
It is May 13, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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A Look Back

As I finish my time as Kern Community College District Chancellor, here are some memories from my blog over the past 2 years. Would you carve out sometime to click on the links and walk down memory lane with me?

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July 3, 2021: My first blog post as Kern CCD Chancellor

KCCD Daring Mighty Things. Happy Fourth.

I was thrilled to share with you all the generous gift of $7 million gift that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett gave to Porterville College.

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August 28, 2021: Welcoming students back to campus for Fall 2021

Times that call for compassion and love

I shared updates from Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College as our colleges welcomed students back to campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

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September 26, 2021: Peace & Expanding Early College Offerings

Join us in imagining and making it so

I shared my reflections on the UN International Day of Peace and the Bakersfield College Peace Initiative.

My remarks from BC’s virtual International Day of Peace gathering:

I also shared this update from Bakersfield College’s Early College Program, which announced a new Early College option to McFarland High School freshman to earn a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Automation in five years!

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October 30, 2021: Honoring a PC Alum

KCCD – We #GetItDone

I shared about PC alum Jim Howell, who shared his 100th birthday with Porterville Rotary.

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November 13, 2021: Honoring our Veterans

Veterans thank you for your service

Every year, I look forward to my Veterans Day post where I honor our student veterans. In 2021’s post, I shared an excerpt from an email from Jenny Frank, manager of Veteran Services and Programs at Bakersfield College:

“Through their service, they have been honed into warriors and possess a warrior spirit. A veteran’s experiences and their duty to protect our country can create challenges to finding the sometimes-elusive peace they seek, beyond those of the average citizen.”

I also shared from events that our colleges held:

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December 18, 2021: Ending My First Semester as KernCCD Chancellor

KCCD Trustees recognize Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke

The December 2021 Kern CCD Board of Trustees meeting recognized Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke for his years of service to the District.

Here are the remarks from his wife, Tina:

(And thank you Tom for saying yes to stepping back in as Chancellor of the Kern Community College District)

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January 22, 2022: Spring Semester & MLK Day Breakfast

KCCD Colleges welcoming students back – Spring 2022!

I attended the MLK Day Community Awareness Breakfast, where keynote speaker Michael Bowers called for a move From #BlackHistory to #BlackFuture.

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February 22, 2022: Visiting DC

KernCCD team in DC

I traveled to DC with a team from Kern CCD for the Community College National Legislative Summit.

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March 26, 2022: Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver 2022

The  Bakersfield College Foundation’s 14th Annual Sterling Silver event returned to in-person, after 2020’s televised recognition celebration.

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April 9, 2022: Remembering Jack Hernandez

April 2022 — Season of roses and poems

In April, we celebrated the life of Jack Hernandez, who passed away in November 2021.

And a video announcing the Jack Hernandez Phronesis Award & Jack Hernandez Lecture Series:

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May 14, 2022: Commencement

Kern CCD graduates largest class of Coyotes, Pirates, and Renegades

We celebrated graduates at all three of our colleges. Commencement weekend is always one of my favorites!

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July 23, 2022: Welcoming Visitors to Kern CCD

Exciting times at Kern CCD

Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of Small Business Advocate, and the California Energy Commissioners Siva Gunda and Patty Monahan visited Kern CCD.

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August 27, 2022: Starting Fall 2022

Kern CCD celebrates Women’s Equality Day

Our Kern CCD campuses welcomed back students for another wonderful semester. Bakersfield College held a welcome session for incoming faculty.

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September 10, 2022: STEM Building Opens

Grand Opening of STEM Building – Thank you for voting Yes on J!

Bakersfield College celebrated the official grand opening of its newest addition on campus and a crown jewel of the Measure J infrastructure bond, the 71,061-square-foot Science & Engineering Building that will house several disciplines like biology and geology, as well as a high-tech robotics lab.

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October 29, 2022: Community Economic Mobility

Kern – Creating our Future

Bakersfield was on display as host for the California Economic Summit on Thursday and Friday, hosted by California Forward. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Kern CCD held a Pre-Summit Institute, “Community Economic Mobility: A Focus On Energy and Climate Resilience.”

The events provided a gathering of statewide leaders working for regional approaches to economic prosperity, giving all Californians access to their California dream.

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November 26, 2022: Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 2022. There is much to be thankful for.

One of the things I was thankful for was the generosity in our community. Check out these photos from the Coyote Cupboard, which held a food distribution on Friday afternoon at the Desert Dog Pet Store for the community.

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December 17, 2022: Winter Retreat

Kern CCD starting the holiday season

On December 6^th and 7^th we had our Chancellor’s Winter Retreat which included Chancellor’s Cabinet and other administrators across the district.  We heard presentations on Early College, Rising Scholars, Supplemental, Adult Learners, and several other projects.  The session helped to focus the teams as we built our workplans for the spring semester.

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January 8, 2023: Celebrating Early College

Rain bathing CA in glee

Bakersfield College and Arvin High School welcomed 60 new 9th grade students into the Early College program, joining the other 10th – 12th grade students who are also working on earning an associates degree while in high school.

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February 25, 2023: My Next Chapter

California Community College System names the eleventh chancellor

I was so thankful for those from our Kern CCD family who made the trek to Sacramento when the Board of Governors announced my appointment as the next California Community Colleges Chancellor.

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March 11, 2023: Women’s History Month

Kern CCD Celebrating Women’s History Month

Kern CCD hosted several events for Women’s History Month 2023.

On March 21st at Bakersfield College’s event center, we will be Celebrating 50 years of Title IX: Women in Athletics and Education. (Check out more in my March 25 blog.)

On March 30 at the Weill Center, we will host the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Panel, moderated by Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller. (Read more in my April 1 blog.)

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April 22, 2023: Teaching & Learning Exchange

Teaching and Learning Exchange (TALE) at Kern CCD

Kern Community College District hosted the inaugural KernCCD TALEFEST. The Teaching-and Learning Exchange Festival was created to celebrate and support Kern CCD educators through the sharing of teaching-and-learning stories and the discussion of strategic new directions in a festive, positive environment showcasing achievement and innovation, peer-learning opportunities, and building district-wide mutual understanding and connections – in support of the goals of continuous improvement toward ensuring student learning and achieving student success with equity. 

It has been an amazing two years, and I am so thankful for this time spent helping students in our Kern Community College District.

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Remembering Hannah Douma

It is with a heavy heart I share this email from BC Communications/Journalism professor John Harte, about the passing of a truly remarkable student, Hanna Douma:

It is with profound sadness and a broken heart that I share with you the passing of one of the finest photography students to ever study at Bakersfield College. Hannah Douma, a beautiful, funny, sweet and remarkable young lady who battled through autism and became a photographer of stunning vision and drive, passed away yesterday after a four-year battle with cancer. She was 28.

Hannah started in my press photography class in 2016, then moved to Kris Stallworth’s black and white photo class. She was in Jeff Huston’s digital photography class when she was diagnosed with thymoma, a rare bone marrow cancer, and had to withdraw from Jeff’s class. She then developed leukemia, which is what took her life. 

Hannah embraced her photography throughout her illness, and made thousands of photographs with a skill and beauty I have never seen in my 26 years at BC. I am stunned and inspired by the caliber of images she made as she fought so hard for her life.

Hannah’s parents have given me permission to publicly share her photography, and I have made this slide show to showcase it. If you have a few minutes, please give it a look. She is one of the most remarkable photography talents to come through BC, and she was such a sweet young lady, taken from us way, way too soon.

In the News

A guide to earning college credit while in high school

Emma Gallegos wrote this guide for EdSource going over some of the ways high school students in California can earn college credits.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Lizette Navarette shared this update from ATC 2023:

We reach our @CalCommColleges Vision goals and meet our commitments to students through strong partnerships! TY
@ccleague for inviting us – great turnout for the Partners in the #VisionforSucces session at #ATC2023

Andra Hoffman, LA Community College District Board President, was named California Community College Trustees (CCCT) board president.

Women’s Caucus at the League Conference

Neo in the backyard while I am returning phone calls in the evening.

And From the Home of the Renegades…

BC’s Women’s Wrestling Finishes Off First Season

The Bakersfield College women’s wrestling team competed at the inaugural CCCAA Women’s Wrestling State Championship in Norwalk, CA at Cerritos College. Ten CCCAA teams competed, and although the BC team did not have a full team competing for each weight class, they did have three athletes place in the tournament, including a first All-American. Athletes Chloe Espericueta and Diana Cardenas both placed 6th in their weight class, while Galilea Chavez took 2nd place securing the All-American title. BC hopes to continue their first-year success and bring on new recruits next season.

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at Kern CCD.

-sonya
joyful and grateful

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings

This past week Kern CCD was proud to co-host the inaugural California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference here at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center. The event was completely sold out and more than 450 dual enrollment equity champions filled the ballroom where I gave the opening remarks on Tuesday morning. Kylie Campbell organized the event with the Career Ladders Project and Education Trust West.

A special thank you to Sandra Hernandez, member-at-large for the Tejon Indian Tribe for kicking the event off with a land acknowledgement and an encouraging message for our crowd.

Great lineup of speakers and panelists, including Ben Chida from Governor Newsom’s Office, Chris Nellum from The Education Trust–West, Linda Collins & Dr. Naomi Castro from Career Ladders Project, Sherrie Reed from California Education Lab, Olga Rodriguez from PPIC, Dr. Craig Hayward, Dr. Angelica Garcia from Berkeley City College, Dr. Keith Curry from Compton College, and Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud from RSSC. The event was emceed by Kylie Campbell, and also featured breakout sessions by high school and college partnership from across the state that highlighted work being down to reach underrepresented and marginalized student populations. We even had national guests from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) and DualEnroll.com. This was truly the dual enrollment event of the year here in California.

We had a great showing from Kern CCD leadership – Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Yovani Jimenez, and Christina Scrivner and college Presidents Dr. Zav Dadabhoy, Dr. Claudia Habib, and Dr. Sean Hancock as well as incoming interim BC President Steven Watkin. Our colleges were well represented with administrators and faculty showing their support for equitable early college opportunities here in Kern County, and I am grateful to those who presented our practices to others from across the state–thank you, Kylie Campbell, Berenice Arellano, Alma Feathers, Lupe Aguirre, Jacqueline Stoner, Jesus Oropeza, and Helen Acosta for presenting.

Thank you to the CDE and College Futures for recognizing the 2022-2023 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools during our lunch. It was amazing to see each high school recognized for their incredible work, including four high schools from our partnerships here in Kern CCD.

The conference also included a very special student panel, which had attendees laughing and crying at points, but ultimately motivated them to do the hard work of removing barriers and increasing access for their students.

Several attendees then went on trips  to really see where the dual enrollment magic happens– at our high schools. Thank you, Arvin, East, CTEC, Delano, Wonderful, Wasco, and McFarland High Schools for hosting our guests. We are so grateful for our partnerships with you and were proud to show off the work that you are doing.

Arvin:

McFarland:

Here are some quotes from the event pulled from Twitter. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

“We must meet this moment and the historic funding opportunities in California to bring K12 and postsecondary together in support of our young people through a mindset of ABUNDANCE.” – Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

“We need a system that realizes advancing equity can’t be left up to a single person. Individuals are not enough. We need systems to be better. – Dr. Christopher Nellum, Executive Director, The Education Trust—West“

“I think I just breathe and I disrupt things… Now it’s just at different tables. – Dr. Angelica Garcia, President, Berkeley City College“

“I have a sense of urgency, I wanted it yesterday. – Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Founder & CEO, RSS Consulting“

“When we build relationships with our partners I can ask my local superintendent, ‘What can we do TOGETHER to serve more Black students?'” – Dr. Keith Curry, President, Compton College

“We have to disrupt the institutions and the replication of policies of exclusion AND we have to protect and nurture these public institutions. This is a contradiction in our work. We have to be fiercely maternal as we protect them even as we reform and remake them.” – Linda Collins, Founder & Executive Director, Career Ladders Project”

“One area of dual enrollment I would like to see improved is ACCESS.” – Yolanda Bailey, Dual Enrollment Student, Shafter High School & Bakersfield College

“Keep doing the work you are doing and thank you!” – Emilio Duran, Dual Enrollment Student, Wasco High School & Bakersfield College

“I will remember today as one of the best days in my career. Thank you for coming to Bakersfield to talk about two things near to my heart–dual enrollment and equity!”  – Kylie Campbell, Kern CCD

To learn more about this event you can visit https://www.kccd.edu/CADualEnrollmentEquityConference.

Trustee Romeo Agbalog on the Ralph Bailey Show

Good morning friends.
It is May 6, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Undocumented Student Services Information Dinner

Thinking about enrolling in college? We can help! Join us to learn more about Porterville College Undocumented Student Services and the opportunities we have for you.

May 17 2023 | 5-7 pm | Porterville College Cafeteria (100 E College Ave, Porterville)

Event resources include:

• Counselors/Advisors
• Registration for Summer/Fall 2023
• Immigration Services
• Financial Aid/DREAM Act Services

For more information and to reserve your seat, contact:

• Jocelyn Nava, (559) 791-2224 (jocelyn.nava@portervillecollege.edu)
• Rosaura Baca, (559) 791-2312 (rosaura.baca@portervillecollege.edu)

Nursing Students Brunch

In April, Sierra View Medical Center hosted a brunch event for Porterville College Nursing Students graduating this May.

Students learned about nursing careers at Sierra View Medical Center while having the chance to win giveaways and raffle prizes.

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Cerro Coso Community College

The Band is Back Together

After a several-year hiatus, the Cerro Coso Community College Band welcomed music lovers back on campus. The concert, which closed out with a montage of songs from “The Blues Brothers,” was conducted by Debra Veit. The concert also featured the premiere of an original piece by local musician Jordan Covert.

This is just the beginning of live concerts making a return to Cerro Coso, so keep an eye out for future shows!

42nd Annual Access Awards Ceremony

Students in Cerro Coso’s Access Programs were recognized for their achievements at the 42nd Annual Access Awards Ceremony. The students included in the photos here are just a handful of the many who achieved their educational goals with support from Access Programs.

Also recognized at the event was Dr. Guck Ooi, our 2023 Access Faculty of the Year.

Cerro Coso’s Access Programs include five separate programs designed to help students overcome barriers in obtaining their education. Services include assigned counselors and support teams, book vouchers, networking and leadership training, and much more.

Congratulations to everyone involved, including staff and faculty. We are proud of all of you!

Cerro Coso to host Yard Game Zone at A Night on Balsam

Cerro Coso Community College will be providing free fun activities for Night on Balsam attendees, such as Jenga, Connect 4, Ring Toss, and Cornhole!

Friday, May 19th, @ 6:00pm on Balsam Street, Downtown Ridgecrest

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Bakersfield College

Renegades are Transferring

The spring semester for many students is a season and period of excitement as they look forward to graduation. The semester is also a period of preparation and anticipation for our BC Renegades who applied to transfer and received their well-earned offers of admission letters and communication from their respective four-year universities. Way to go Renegades and congratulations!

BC Recognized on National Arbor Day

Bakersfield College celebrated National Arbor Day with a small ceremony. BC’s campus locations have been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as Tree Campus Higher Education. It was also announced that BC has been recognized with the ArbNet certification from the Morton Arboretum as the second community college with this designation.

Parent University Graduation Celebration

Bakersfield College recently celebrated the inaugural Parent University graduation in collaboration with the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD). The evening honored 58 parents who completed an Introduction to Early Care and Education Certificate of Completion (non-credit) offered by Bakersfield College; the program is designed to provide opportunities for parents of children attending BCSD schools. The event took place on Thursday, April 20th at the Historic Fox Theater in Downtown Bakersfield.

In the News

Bakersfield College graduate reflects on time as Renegade

23ABC’s Kallyn Hobmann sat down with BC Student Government Association President and Kern CCD Student Trustee Shehrazad Barraj to talk about graduation.

Check it out at https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/bakersfield-college-graduate-reflect-on-time-as-renegade

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Check out these photos from the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus welcome reception at the annual CCLC Trustees Conference. Kern CCD Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Yovani Jimenez were in attendance:

From PC President Claudia Habib:

Congratulations to ZeroNox and the Jospong Group from Ghana🇬🇭 for this unique international partnership #CleanEnergy #Sustainable #Renewable #CleanTransportation
@PCollegePirates
is proud to contribute to this partnership #Curriculum #Workforce Transformation through innovation.

And from BC Agriculture Professor Chris McCraw:

Congrats to Jesus Rojas, 4th overall in the Ag Ambassadors Job Interview contest! Well done!!

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