Sonya Christian's Blog

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.

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.

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. 

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/.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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:

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.

***

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.

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. 

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!  

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!

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

Just got back from a great Saturday morning walk with Neo – the super moon was bright and clear. Search #NASAmoonsnap to view some great photos of the last super moon for the summer. I also was delighted to make a wish when I spotted a shooting star, probably the last remnants of the Perseid Meteor Shower from last night. Life it not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

At Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting, I was happy to swear in our new Student Trustee, Shehrazad Barraj. I look forward to working with you this coming year!

Steven Watkin and Kylie Campbell also briefed the Board of Trustees on the Kern CCD Early College Program.

Other members of the Kern CCD Early College team took a photo with the Board of Trustees. In addition to Steven and Kylie, we saw:

• Alma Feathers, Bakersfield College
• Jackie Stoner, Bakersfield College
• Berenice Arellano, Bakersfield College
• Ref Rodriguez, Porterville College
• Chad Houck, VP Finance and Administrative Services, Cerro Coso Community College
• Kristin Hanle, Dual Enrollment Manager, Cerro Coso Community College 

I am excited to see more great things coming from this team as we work to expand our Early College program!

Good morning, friends.
It is August 13, 2022.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

Porterville College

Campus comes to life as students return for Promise Program orientation

Porterville College welcomed its newest class of PC Promise Students to campus this week. Over 150 students attended the in-person orientation for students taking part in this program.  It was the first in-person orientation for the program since the pandemic.

During the four-day orientation, students received tours of campus, listened to motivational speakers and attended panels providing tips for success from our financial aid staff, faculty, and student ambassadors.

As part of the program, they receive free tuition and books as well as academic and employment help. The Porterville College Promise Program serves first-time college students through their first year with a comprehensive plan of financial and academic support.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these amazing students!

Guided Pathways Teams Kickoff

Porterville College continued its great work on Guided Pathways this week with a kick-off retreat for our New Academic and Career Pathways Teams. These are pathway specific teams used to guide students through their academic journey at Porterville College.

Representation from across the campus, including faculty, counselors, advisors, classified staff, and administrators were in attendance to work on pathway goals and action plans for the Fall semester. There was amazing dialog and great work was done on behalf of student success.

The group was joined by PC’s Guided Pathways Coach Al Solano, who has helped to build the structure and implementation model being used.  We’re excited to take pathways to another level this year at PC!

Cerro Coso Community College

Mammoth Lakes Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza – Cerro Coso Was There

As the sun set on a cool and rainy day on Thursday, August 4^th, beer and music lovers found themselves flocking to the Woods at Mammoth Lakes to enjoy one of the biggest parties of the summer.  After two years away due to the pandemic, one of the city’s most beloved festivals, the Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza, returned for a four day-long event. 

Over 85+ craft breweries/cideries pouring beers and ciders from around the country, the annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza is the best craft beer and music festival in the West, and Cerro Coso was there.  Katie Bachman and Chandler Petrovich staffed the college information booth passing out information and answering questions to thousands of attendees.    

Featuring more than 20 bands on two stages performing blues, rock, R&B, and soul.  Headliners included: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Taj Mahal Quartet, Allen Stone, Eric Gales, Donavon Frankenreiter, and the Main Squeeze.

The festival featured top quality acts, sold out concerts, adoring and positive attendees, it was just so good to get back to seeing and hearing live music in a wonderful setting and connecting with people. 

A great way to escape the heat, the mood was one of joy, happiness, and excitement, for Cerro Coso is a great place to meet incredible people, connect with the people in the community we serve, and share all that Cerro Coso has to offer in a fun and festive environment. 

Quality maintenance is a sustainable approach

Dedicated to providing safe, quality, and educationally sound learning environments for students and staff, the Maintenance and Operations Department at Cerro Coso plays a vital role in the success of our students.  These are the unsung heroes that work behind the scenes to keep our campuses clean and in working order.  Our M & O crew has been very busy this summer preparing facilities for the start of fall classes. This is the team that continued to work on campus despite the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of our employees, students, and families and prepare for our reopening this summer. This includes a large branding project in the gymnasium, cleaning and waxing floors, and system testing like the fire alarms. 

Over the last several months the M&O and IT teams have worked to integrate the current School Dude maintenance software with our single sign on for KCCD websites to implement “Event Manager.”  The program is now live and ready for use.  This program will be utilized by all departments to schedule meetings and events in a much more detailed and efficient manner.  It is a one stop shop for reserving space across the campuses.  Classes and athletic practices will be added to fill in the calendar.  The current event planning form will no longer be utilized along with the master calendar or facilities calendars.

Please join us in recognizing our Maintenance and Operations team for the exceptional job they do to keep us safe and in working order in support of our mission. 

Welcome New CC Professor Frank Guevara

Cerro Coso Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. Frank Guevara will be joining the college as a Professor for Child Development beginning Fall 2022.    

Dr. Guevara is a father to 9 children and male role model to many others.  He and his wife are foster parents, so they have many children under their roof and were fortunate to adopt several children to create a unique family.  His wife holds degrees in Special Education and Social Work so the two have built a life around supporting children from challenging backgrounds.

He lives by the motto “the biggest room is always the room for improvement.”    

“My philosophy of teaching asserts that students are entitled to quality instruction in an active and stimulating learning environment,” said Guevara. “My standards of excellence- set high, yet attainable – are used to facilitate optimal student learning, and the development of tools which will enable students to be successful in the field.  I also encourage students to self-evaluate individual progress to facilitate the mindset of a reflective practitioner.

When asked how he engages students in the classroom, he said…”often students are less motivated or disinterested when they cannot connect with the course topics.  So, I look for opportunities to highlight the practical implications to their professional work – to demonstrate why this topic is meaningful to them as educators.”  Dr. Guevara believes students comes to class with a different set of skills and unique goals for themselves, so success will take all shapes and sizes – from a student completing their first course, learning a new strategy to support children’s development, or overcoming a personal obstacle.  “It’s all about moving forward and not giving up,” he said. 

He received his doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University, having completed his graduate studies in Child Development at San Jose University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Stanford University.  He recently completed an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Arizona Global Campus. 

“As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, going on cruises, and volunteering in the community,” he concluded.

Fall 2022 classes begin August 22, 2022.  Register today at www.cerrocoso.edu or call 760-384-6219. 

Bakersfield College

BC Hosts Rural Express Enrollment Events in Several Kern Regions

Bakersfield College works hard to make their academic opportunities available to as many students as possible in Bakersfield, Kern County and beyond. In an effort to reach students that are not in the immediate Bakersfield area, BC is hosting several Rural Express Enrollment events to help prospective students get registered and begin their educational journey. These Express Enrollment events provide an opportunity for attendees to receive more information about programs and classes, complete a BC application, speak to advisors and enroll in courses. 

If you are interested in the event, or want more information, please visit the Rural Express Enrollment Event information page.

BC Conducting ‘Flex Week’ Professional Development Workshops

The Fall 2022 Semester is just around the corner, and to help prepare our faculty for the new school year, BC is hosting Flex Week Aug. 15th-18th. Each morning will start with Wellness Walks led by Paula Dahl from the Athletic Department. From there, Faculty will have the opportunity to learn from colleagues who went to the Online Teaching Conference on all aspects of teaching and learning. Everyone can learn more about managing their time with Planner in Microsoft Teams. There will be sessions on Supporting our Students in multiple ways. 

For Faculty who are interested in attending, please visit the Vision Resource Center.  You can also reach out to Pamela Rivers for more information or help with registration.

BC Hosting In-Person New Student Convocation

We are so excited to announce that BC will be hosting an in-person New Student Convocation for the first time in two years! The event will take place August 16th, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm in BC’s Outdoor Theater.  All new students and their parents are invited to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out campus services, meet faculty and staff, get an introduction to Student Organizations, enjoy a free dinner, and much more! 

It is always an exciting time to welcome new students into the Renegade family and equip them with quality resources to continue their academic journey. We hope that all new students and their parents are able to attend. For more information, visit the New Student Convocation Web Page.

Opening Day at Bakersfield College

The beginning of the Fall Semester is rapidly approaching, and one of BC’s long-standing traditions is to host an Opening Day ceremony to celebrate the new school year. This year’s Opening Day will take place on August 18th in the Renegade Ballroom (Campus Center, 3rd Floor) at 8:00 a.m. There will be breakfast, opening remarks from President Zav Dadabhoy, and guest speakers to help inspire faculty and staff for the upcoming year.

Teaching & Learning Experiences

Porterville College History Professor Rebecca Baird penned the most recent entry in the Teaching & Learning Experiences (TALE) Blog.

“One of the questions I really began to ask myself was whether I wanted my students to focus on due dates or the course content.  Clearly there were students who were unable to achieve those due dates and now received a zero and could no longer turn in the work.  Was it that important to me to punish them harshly for missing an assignment? Or was it more important for them to learn about Reconstruction, or World War II, or the 1960s, albeit slightly past the due date?”

You can find all the TALE Blog posts at https://kernccdtaleblog.org/blog/.

Kern CCD employees that want to contribute a piece can visit https://kernccdtaleblog.org/submissions/ for more information.

In the News

Place-based learning program launched for Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College nursing students

23ABC covered the pilot Dedicated Education Unit that will allow nursing students at BC and CCCC to complete clinical work hours at Adventist Health hospitals in Bakersfield, Delano, and Tehachapi.

“This is a way to expand the high quality instructional opportunities we offer our nursing students, while leveraging partnerships with local hospitals and their talented nurses, said Carla Gard, dean of Instruction for Nursing and Allied Health at Bakersfield College.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Here’s a photo from our Energy Team planning session:

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Kimberly Bligh shared about Bridge to BC:

“Bridge to BC 2022 Last Day Photo. To think we started in 2014 with 140 students and hit our 3,000 goal this year is unfathomable! My highest previously was about 1,800. Knowing that these students, who have completed Bridge, have twice the persistence rate for fall to spring… twice the persistence rate Fall to Fall…twice the completion of transfer level math in English in their first year… And.. almost 100% FAFSA completion rate and awards…..plus…  twice as likely to complete 15 units in the first semester and 30 units in the first year … well it just makes me remember why I do this every summer instead of taking a vacation LOL Bridge to BC supports our community and supports our society and just is just downright amazing for all the families who these students touch. I am blessed and privileged to be the Director of Bridge over the past decade. Bridge students are AMAZING  as are all of the talented and compassionate student peer mentors, academic advisors and counselors, financial aid staff lead by Isabel,  and all of the Bridge to BC support  staff including  Outreach, Student Life,  A and R , College Safety, Cafeteria, Maintenance and Operations, and MORE!  It’s takes an entire BC  Village that makes Bridge happen! We ARE BC!“

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Dr. Claudia Habib shared this post about Promise Days at Porterville College:
Excited to meet and welcome a group of freshmen students this morning at #PromiseDays2022 . Students are eager and excited to be #Pirates . Our amazing staff is preparing them for a successful experience at @PCollegePirates #Orientation #Onboarding #StudentServices #ASPC

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Abigail Solis, Central CA Director of External Affairs for the Governor’s Office, shared that she was “excited about the innovative, equity focused work” we are doing:

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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

#KCCDDaringMightyThings