As April 2023 comes to a close ….. roses everywhere:







And here is photo #5 of the tree that I’m watching leaf out that I mentioned in previous posts. The story of the tree again – over the last five years I have been watching a beautiful tree in our neighbor’s front yard go through the cycle of shedding leaves in the fall, going dormant in the winter, coming back to life in spring, and providing glorious shade in the hot summers. I enjoy this tree each morning and evening during my Neo walks. I have started taking photos to chronicle its annual rebirth.





Good morning friends.
It is April 29, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.
Porterville College
PC recognized for Excellence in Equitable Placement two years in a row

We are once again very excited to announce that Porterville College will be recognized by The Campaign for College Opportunity as one of 56 California Community Colleges honored at the upcoming Excellence in Placement Award Ceremony for implementing landmark placement policy AB 705. This will mark the second year in a row that PC is receiving this prestigious honor.
Porterville College will receive the following honors at the ceremony, scheduled for May 31st:
- Campuswide Transfer-Level English Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of their students to enroll directly into transfer-level English coursework.
- Campuswide Transfer-Level Math Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of students to enroll directly into transfer-level math coursework.
- Equity Designation: Latinx Transfer-Level English Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of Latinx students to enroll directly into transfer-level English.
- Equity Designation: Latinx Transfer-Level Math Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of Latinx students to directly enroll into transfer-level math.

Equitable placement practices have proven to be highly consequential for increasing access to transfer-level coursework, maximizing student success, and closing equity gaps. By starting in transfer-level English, completion rates have more than doubled for Latinx students. In math, completion rates have quadrupled for Latinx students.
Honoring the “PC Spirit”

Porterville College Faculty, Staff, and Administration gathered on Wednesday, April 27 for the annual Porterville College Staff and Faculty Service and Retirement Awards. This event serves to honor those staff members retiring this year as well as those celebrating service milestones.
PC employees filled the cafeteria to share stories, thank each other, and remember the fond times working together. It has become one of those rare opportunities for our faculty and staff to take a moment and enjoy each other’s company while honoring all of the hard work we do to ensure student success on campus.

This year PC introduced a new tradition to this event. The presentation of the PC Spirit Awards from President Habib. The PC Spirit Award was created to honor and celebrate the outstanding contributions of those dedicated faculty and staff members who embody the spirit of Porterville College.
Congratulations to our first “class” of PC Spirit Award Recipients: Jodie Logan, Joe Tanguma, Jay Navarette, Dustin Acres, Jeff Jacobs, and the entire Maintenance and Operations Team!




Cerro Coso Community College
Save the Date: Commencement 2023!

It is the most wonderful time of the year, Graduation! You have worked hard to complete your degree or certificate, and Cerro Coso is excited to celebrate your accomplishments! Cerro Coso Community College is excited to bring back our annual celebration with an entirely in-person graduation ceremony this spring!
Cerro Coso Community College’s 49th Annual Commencement will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11 am at the Dr. Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex in Ridgecrest. Graduates must RSVP to participate. We ask graduates to submit their online RSVP by Tuesday, May 9.
For more information, visit the Cerro Coso Community College Commencement page.
Outreach at Mammoth High School

Cerro Coso held an outreach event at Mammoth High School this week.
As part of CCCC’s commitment to providing accessible higher education to our community, they offer college-level courses and programs right in Mammoth. This opportunity will help local students save money on tuition and stay close to home while pursuing their dreams. Call 760-872-1565 for more information!


Bakersfield College
BC Partners with Self-Help Enterprises to offer Courses to Residents and Community Members

Self-Help Enterprises is a nationally recognized community development organization whose mission is to work together with income-eligible families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. Self-Help Enterprises’ service area is comprised of nine counties – Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare County – in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the world’s most productive agricultural area. The organization primarily assists families with lower income levels within rural communities and makes it their goal to foster educational programming as the foundation for building sustainable futures for generations to come.


Bakersfield College has formed a partnership with Self-Help Enterprises to bring college courses to their Madison Place apartment complex, with the goal of further expansion across the organization’s service area. Residents and community members will have the opportunity to take courses during flexible hours outside of most individuals’ employment schedules right where they are. Bakersfield College is proud to be a contributor to a program which will serve a disproportionately impacted group of individuals to upskill and improve their life trajectories.
Public Safety Training Events



The Public Safety Training Pathway had two awesome events the past two weeks Bakersfield College Public Safety Pathway proudly hosted a panel discussion and recruitment event Thursday April 20th , 2:30pm-6:00pm at the Bakersfield College Fireside Room.
Industry partners from Shafter, KCSO, Kern County Probation, and BPD participated in the recruitment event. The panel included Chief Probation Office TR Merickel, Lt. Brandon Rutledge from Sheriff Office and Assistant Chief of Police from BPD .
Thank you, Dr. Tommy Tunson for moderating this event and to the BC Criminal Justice faculty for coming out and supporting the event. Also thank you Dominica Rivera, Fabiola Johnson, Natalie Castanon, Rachel Rivera, Jessica McGrath and Graciela Magallanes for all the support to make both the events a success.
Umoja Tours HBCUs

in Washington, DC. They are wearing their shirts from the tour company,
Heritage Empowered.
Over spring break, Umoja Coordinator Dr. Paula L Parks took three Umoja students on a life-changing trip to visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They toured colleges in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania as well as two museums.
Said Jordyn Davis: “This trip changed how I view my college education for the better. . . It made me excited to learn again.”

Laila Diaz, a studio art major, said her favorite college is Bowie State because the campus buildings have a more modern feel and the art department is strong.
All three BC students said they enjoyed making connections with students from Las Positas College and visiting the cultural sites.
“I feel like so much more is possible. . . I’m more prepared for my upcoming years in college,” added Jordyn, who wants to be an attorney.
Leadership Academy

I’d like to recognize the participants in the 2022-2023 KernCCD Leadership Academy. The Academy is our development program for faculty, classified, and managers.
From Bakersfield College:
Amalia Calderon, Anna Melby, Denice McCauley, Derek Robinson, Domenica Trinidad, Gilbert Ayuk, Jennifer Grohol, Kimberly Arbolante, Mirian Fuentes and Nicole Alvarez
From Cerro Coso Community College:
Jaime McClure, Kevin King and Sarah Land
From Porterville College:
Kristin Plunk and Manuel Caceres
From the District Office:
Becky Beed and Betsy Lopez
Thank you to all, and congratulations on completing the academy! Applications for the 2023-2024 KernCCD Leadership Academy are now open. Submission deadline is May 12. Please check your email for details.
This important program offers you the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of our district – from our trustees to student success initiatives to accreditation to business operations to legislative efforts and more. On the journey, you’ll develop lasting relationships with your cohort members, and connect with our chancellor, vice chancellors, college presidents, trustees and others. You’ll visit each of our campuses and attend a conference in Sacramento. It is the ultimate professional development opportunity!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email leadershipacademy@kccd.edu. Trudy Gerald would love to discuss this great opportunity with you!
In the News
Romeo Agbalog & Dario Diaz Talk KCCD’s Early College Program With McFarland High School


Ralph Bailey of Kern Radio welcomed KernCCD Board of Trustees President Romeo Agbalog and McFarland High School Principal Dario Diaz to discuss KernCCD’s Early College Program.
Check it out at https://www.kernradio.com/2023/04/26/romeo-agbalog-dario-diaz-talk-kccds-dual-enrollment-program-with-mcfarland-high-school/.
Community Voices: Participate in graduation — you won’t regret it
BC Journalism Professor & Renegade Rip Faculty Adviser Erin Auerbach wrote this piece for The Bakersfield Californian about the importance of taking part in commencement ceremonies.
“But for people who only see their AA degree as the first small step in a process of much bigger things to come, they still need to revel in this moment. Importantly, they should also let their families and/or closest friends celebrate with them.“

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
In Anaheim at the ASCCC (Academic Senate for California Community Colleges) Plenary Session, with incoming Senate President Cheryl Aschenbach:

And the BC Team at the ASCCC:

Then it was off to San Diego for the CACCRAO Conference (California Association of Community College Registrars and Admissions Officers):





And the CREL Team at the 2023 Kern County Career & STEM Expo:



From PC President Dr. Claudia Habib’s Twitter account (@PortervillePrez)
Over $200,000 in scholarships were awarded this evening by The Porterville College Foundation @Foundation_PC @PCollegePirates it was inspiring to hear the students’ dreams and goals for the future. Thank you to all the generous donors who support our students. #StudentSuccess

From Cerro Coso Community College‘s Facebook page:
Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the backbone of our college! Thank you for keeping our campus running smoothly and supporting our students and faculty every day.
Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated










******

That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!
The future is bright at Kern CCD.
-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor
#KernCCDDaringMightyThings