I hope you are having a restful and beautiful Easter weekend. A few years ago, I shared an Easter Message from Andrea Bocelli at his Easter Sunday performance on April 12th 2020 from the Duomo Cathedral, Milan.
Today, I’d like to share his rendition of Amazing Grace from that day:
Good morning California. It is April 19, 2025. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Hartnell College Launches Climate and Environmental Resilience Ambassadors (CERA) Program with NOAA Grant Support
Hartnell College is proud to introduce the Climate and Environmental Resilience Ambassadors (CERA) Program, an innovative initiative designed to empower students as leaders in climate adaptation and environmental resilience. Funded through a $2 million subaward from California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the program will equip students with essential skills and hands-on experience to address pressing climate challenges. Hartnell’s work is part of a larger $71.1 million dollar project entitled Climate Resilient Monterey Bay, sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, and focused on bolstering climate adaptation efforts in the region.
El Camino Faculty Member Honored for Leadership, Dedication to Student Success
The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) recently named El Camino College counselor and Transfer Center Coordinator Dr. René Lozano as the recipient of the 2025 John Vasconcellos Faculty of the Year Award. This award is presented each year to a faculty member whose leadership at the campus or district level significantly benefits faculty.
10-year-old girl set to be Crafton Hills College’s youngest grad
Crafton Hills College is about to see its youngest scholar walk the graduation stage.
Alisa Perales is set to become the youngest graduate at the Yucaipa, California, college with two associate degrees at the age of 10.
The whiz kid from San Bernardino, who will take the title with degrees in multiple sciences and mathematics, is on track to receive her diplomas with a GPA “close” to 4.0, according to California Community Colleges.
Celebrating Thingyan with singing, poetry, music, and fundraising to support earthquake relief in Myanmar, bringing together joy, community, and compassion.
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From Napa Valley College:
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year’s ¡Viva Mariachi! Festival an unforgettable celebration of culture, music, and community at Napa Valley College! From the matinee to the evening concert, your energy, support, and enthusiasm filled our Performing Arts Center with joy and celebration.
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From Ventura College:
New ASVC officers pose with the President!
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From Santiago Canyon College:
Big win for SCC! Our Model UN team earned its 6th straight Outstanding Delegation award at #NMUN2025 in NYC! Shoutout to: Jenna Darwish & Sabine Farhat – Outstanding Paper Elyse Halbreich – Committee Chair + NMUN-DC Staff
And From the Home of the Renegades
Garden Fest 2025
Bakersfield College is excited to host Garden Fest 2025 on Saturday, April 26 on BC’s Panorama Campus. This annual gathering is one of the most anticipated community events of the year, and the 2025 iteration promises to be one of the best ones yet!
The BC Horticulture Department coordinates the event each year with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate agriculture and support the academic mission of the department. More than 100 vendors will participate, offering everything from crafts, home décor, fresh fruit and veggies, gardening products, plant sales, food, and much more. There will also be activities for the whole family throughout the day, including seminars and cooking demonstrations.
Scott Simon (top right) and Ina Jaffe (center left) pose for a picture with other NPR Chicago Bureau staff. Kevin Horan/Jacki Lyden
Here is an excerpt:
She made people who can be easily overlooked and lumped together as “seniors,” vivid, unique, and compelling. Jaffe used her skills and stagecraft to bring us stories that will play on in our hearts.
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I have been tracking the medal tally for the Olympics ….. At this time the US is fifth with respect to the number of gold medals and first in terms of overall medals.
This week, the US Women’s Gymnastics Team defended their gold medal.
Just two days later, Simone won her second women’s All-Around gold medal, while teammate Suni Lee, who took gold in Tokyo, earned a bronze. At the last Olympics, Simone Biles withdrew from competition, and at that time, it seemed her gymnastics days were over.
And Suni Lee – since her All-Around title at the Tokyo Olympics, she was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases that sidelined her training. She was able to stage a comeback for this Olympics.
Both these young women displayed amazing strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The US Men’s team also medaled, taking the bronze and ending their 16-year drought.
Meanwhile, swimmer Katie Ledecky won her record-breaking 13th Olympic medal in the women’s 4x200M freestyle relay. She joins Michael Phelps, as the only swimmers to win 13 Olympic medals. She is now the most decorated American female Olympian.
I actually watched the Ledecky 1500 live, a rare treat given my crazy schedule. Pretty darn incredible.
I also went to the movies after a very long hiatus. My daughter was visiting before her big trip and we saw Deadpool and Wolverine – yes, an odd combination.
I am a big Wolverine fan … well who isn’t…. also a big fan of Hugh Jackman…. well, who isn’t. And Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine – absolutely a moment that takes your breath away 🙂
And then there is Deadpool – I enjoy the Ryan Reynolds portrayal of Deadpool with sharp, irreverent, sarcastic and witty banter with the head flips to the side to speak directly to the audience. I also enjoy the playful commentary on superhero tropes and pop culture references with the Reynolds charisma and mischievous charm. But the sprinkling of regular doses of crude humor .. not so much 🙂
Would I recommend the movie? Absolutely.
Let me know if you saw the movie and what you think of it….
Check out the trailer
Good morning California. It is August 3, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Porterville College Hosts Jump Start Academies
The Porterville College Career Education Division hosted three Summer Jump Start Academies this past month, giving Porterville area high school students a first-hand look at some of the career pathways available at PC. These Summer Jump Start Academies were designed as stand-alone four week project-based internship programs focused on in-demand careers in Tulare County. They provide a curriculum designed specifically for incoming Central Valley high school seniors (current juniors) with an interest in learning more about careers in Hospitality, Technology, Health and Safety. The classes run from 8 am until 1 p.m., 4 days a week, and the students get paid to participate in most cases.
LA Southwest College Dual Enrollment Graduate Featured on Telemundo, La Opinión
Elias Cruz is an extraordinary graduating senior from Stella High Charter Academy who earned two associate degrees as part of the dual enrollment program with LASC. This fall, he will be the first in his family to attend college.
Sandia Donates Advanced Manufacturing Machines to Las Positas College
Sandia National Laboratories recently donated two cutting-edge manufacturing machines complete with full attachments to the advanced manufacturing and transportation program at Las Positas College. The donation was part of a broader movement to adapt to the new economic challenges facing the United States.
At Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney’s Restaurant, Ingredients and Compassion for the Community Are Locally Sourced
Patrick Mulvaney is president of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Check out this feature about the restaurant he owns with his wife, Bobbin:
For Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney, the long-married couple whose restaurant Mulvaney’s B&L is on the top of almost everyone’s fine-dining list in the Capital Region, two words seem to coexist as a single mission statement: nourish and nurture.
“If you own a restaurant and you love what you do, you become part of the community,” Patrick says over an intimate twilight dinner for three: the Mulvaneys and a very fortunate magazine writer. It’s a Tuesday, one of the industry’s traditionally least-populated nights. But the Mulvaneys’ restaurant — a onetime City of Sacramento firehouse and later a building-and-loan institution (hence the B&L in its title) — is bustling. It usually is; thousands of people have frequented Mulvaney’s B&L since it opened in 2005.
New Report Highlights Promising Practices to Close the Equity Gap Among Adult Learners
The California Community Colleges and the California Department of Education released a new report that offers specific practices to better meet adult students’ needs and close persistent equity achievement gaps. The California Adult Education Program (CAEP) is the largest adult education system in the nation serving 481,200 students.
This week, Proyecto Éxito hosted the Éxito Summer Academy at Camp Whittier in Santa Barbara. Students bonded while learning about career and transfer opportunities as well as building community among one another.
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From Coastline College:
Coastline College makes waves at California Community Colleges 11th Veterans Symposium, sharing and showcasing its own veteran services best practices with Veteran Centers from across the state.
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From College of Marin:
In the spring, College of Marin (COM) was proud to celebrate the second cohort of Certified Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide students who completed over 200 hours of training in eleven weeks. Alumni from cohort one offered these emerging professionals great advice ahead of their official completion saying: “ask questions, work hard, believe in yourself, and don’t give up!
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Performing Arts Announces Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion Concert
Bakersfield College’s Performing Arts Department has announced details for a special concert presented by students and musicians in the Afrocuban Folkloric Percussion summer class. The concert will present traditional Afrocuban music telling the stories of Yoruba folklore. This unique opportunity will take place Sunday, August 4 at 2:00 PM in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre. Admission is free and open to the public.
I began my week at the celebration of life for Delaine Eastin. She was a true pioneer for California education, and was the first – and only – female state superintendent.
The Westminster Church in Sacramento was packed. Daisy Gonzales opened the program with inspirational comments followed by a series of speakers and singers giving us sneak peeks into the life of a legend. Delaine must have loved Louis Armstrong’s A Wonderful World ….. two your women perfectly performed the song. Let’s take a moment to listen to A Wonderful World, enjoy the melody and the uplifting words.
I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world
… I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright blessed day The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world
Later in the week, I spoke at the annual Online Teaching Conference. I was especially excited to have the opportunity to mobilize our faculty and colleges in expanding and improving our online presence. My talk focused on the intersection of AI, OER, and Online.
After the online conference I stopped by the UDW rally at the Santa Ana Zoo and joined four of our colleges (Saddleback, Santa Ana, Santiago Canyon, and North Orange Continuing Ed) to advance our low-income worker pathways demonstration project.
At home – I had a mother duck and baby duck visit this week!
Good morning California. It is June 29, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Cerritos College Alumna Helps Create Endowment to Support Single Parents Pursuing Nursing
The Cerritos College Foundation announced that alumna Sharon Reichle created an endowment to fund scholarships for single-parent students in the nursing program. Sharon committed $125,000 to be paid over the next five years and $25,000 yearly thereafter until her passing. She has also included the Cerritos College Foundation in her estate plan.
Orange Coast College’s Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of Community Health Worker Program
Orange Coast College conferred certificates to the inaugural cohort of 18 students who completed the Community Health Worker program on Friday, May 17. Generously funded by the Samueli Foundation, Orange Coast College has developed a program that addresses the urgent need for certificated community health workers in the health and nonprofit sectors. These workers are crucial in filling service gaps for at-risk individuals and connecting those underserved by the traditional healthcare system with culturally competent health and social services.
Citrus College offers textbook alternatives to decrease student costs
With rising higher education expenses and inflation impacting the cost of living, many students are finding it increasingly difficult to pursue their academic goals. In an effort to remove one of the financial obstacles facing students, Citrus College faculty members have begun using open educational resources/zero textbook cost (OER/ZTC) options in their classrooms.
Golden West College Receives $2M+ To Expand High School to Bachelor’s Nursing Pathways
On Thursday, April 4 the CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved a grant of $2,040,000 through its Provider Workforce Development Initiative to the Coast Community College District (CCCD) to expand the Running Start to Nursing pathway at Golden West College (GWC) and develop a K–12 pathway to the Radiologic Technology Certificate program at Orange Coast College. The Coast District is matching the grant with $2,710,000 in statewide Strong Workforce grant funds, for a combined $4.75 million.
Bridging Pathways: Strengthening Community College Transfer
Save the date for the AICCU 2024 Annual Meeting, October 8-9 in Sacramento. AICCU President Kristen Soares and I will discuss strengthening the relationship between the independent higher education sector and community colleges to improve transfer pathways.
This past week, we hosted our annual Career Exploration camp for local high school students at our Garden Grove Campus! Students developed skills and were introduced to various career educational fields. The event was a great success!
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From Tina Maria King at San Diego College of Continuing Education:
I enjoyed spending the past few days with the Black CEOs of the CCCS. We covered personal wellness, financial education, Yoga, box breathing and more techniques to keep us whole and healthy. Thank you @drshaunharper for hosting a phenomenal retreat at @uscraceequity!
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From Hartnell College:
The Umoja team accepted a proclamation from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for the Salinas Juneteenth Celebration. Hartnell student Sierra Bryant accepted the recognition from Supervisor Luis Alejo. We honor the efforts of Dr. Kendra Cabrera and Ms. Aysa Guillory.
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And check out this great video from Antelope Valley College:
Blast from the Past
Going back to 2020, here are my remarks to Kern County graduates:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The Bakersfield College Student Government Association (BCSGA) and A2Mend hosted a special event honoring and celebrating Juneteenth. Students, faculty, staff, and community members were invited to participate in the celebration which included food and fellowship, all while emphasizing the significance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Beautiful week of winds, rain and thunderstorms. Has the awaited El Nino finally arrived …. Happy to see California getting drenched… well, for the most part.
Here are a few photos of vibrant skies which I snapped while I, as a loved one always said, walked between the raindrops.
This week, I was at the League legislative conference, where I participated in a panel with CSU Chancellor Millie Garcia.
At the general session, I presented a proclamation to retiring Peralta Community College District Chancellor Janett Jackson.
Her remarkable career took her from IT professional to tenured faculty, then Vice President of Instruction, President of a college, and finally Chancellor of a district. In addition to a long career in education, Dr. Jackson is also a military veteran having served in the United States Army National Guard as an enlisted service member and a military officer for more than 30 years. Her military career included multiple tours of duty serving in the Middle East and she retired with honors at the rank of Colonel.
Finally, I participated on a panel with Dr. Michal Kurlaender, UC Davis, and Dr. Jennifer Laflam, American River, moderated by the wonderful Kate Chang who leads this work on UN’s Sustainable Development Goal
We covered a range of topics including quality education, equity, community, and sustainability. I found myself energized by my fellow panelists as well as with the attendees who are committed to values and behaviors that we represent as community college educators.
And Billy Joel is back after 17 years with Turn the Lights Back On.
Good morning California. It is February 3, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Santa Rosa Junior College Holds Ribbon Cutting for Lindley Center for STEM Education
Named after current Santa Rosa Junior College Trustee W. Terry Lindley, the new 95,000-square foot Lindley Center for STEM Education will modernize and expand a number of programs, and provide new hands-on learning activities to support students in their educational journey.
And check out this video from NASA Astronaut Colonel Nicole Mann:
Lassen Community College Celebrates New RN Program
Lassen Community College Nursing staff and the first Registered Nursing class celebrated the momentous occasion of the new program with a Lassen County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
Palomar College Uses Innovation to Better Serve Students
For 40 years, Palomar has maintained a food pantry to meet the food security needs of thousands of students and employees. It was a little over five years ago that the College opened the Anita & Stan Maag Food and Nutrition Center, providing a comfortable stigma-free environment to shop for perishable and non-perishable items and other basic needs. The college also hosts monthly farmers markets and offers free snacks at “grab ‘n go” refrigerators at all sites. During the spring 2024 semester, access to these services will expand considerably as Palomar launches a new secure storage locker system.
Embracing AI: Navigating Job Evolution and Thriving in the Future Workplace
N2N Services Inc founder & CEO Kiran Kindrithala and Foothill-De Anza Community College District Chancellor Lee Lambert wrote a piece for (ET) Magazine about the future of AI.
“The advent of AI has ushered in transformative tools, such as AI Companions and ChatGPT, showcasing unparalleled capabilities in understanding and processing information. While there’s a legitimate concern about the automation of many traditional roles, this shift also signifies a broader cultural and professional transformation. Individuals should not merely fear job loss but rather embrace the chance to evolve into more skilled content creators, strategists, and decision-makers.“
Check out the new California Community Colleges podcast aimed at engaging & inspiring current and prospective Black and African American students and their influencers.
Spotlight on Parenting Students
Here’s a video from the Center for the Study of Social Policy about “A Day in the Life of Parenting Students Who Participate in CalWORKs”:
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Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media
From Chaffey College:
A warm thank you to all who participated in our first Unity in Community event! It was an uplifting celebration, embracing intersectionality and diversity at Chaffey College.
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From Yovani Jimenez:
Community college trustees under 40 from across California coming together to make a difference!
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From Palo Verde College:
We’re thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the newest class of Nursing students at Palo Verde College! Your journey into the world of healthcare is about to unfold, and we couldn’t be more excited to have you on board.
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From Coastline College:
Coastline’s Esports Lab is officially open! Thank you to everyone who came to our Grand Opening Ceremony.
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And check out this video from Citrus College:
The Citrus College Beta Nu Eta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society recently created a video highlighting chapter activities throughout the fall 2023 semester. Enjoy!
And From the Home of the Renegades
Renegade Nexus Hosts Outreach To Promote Auto Insurance Program For Students
The Renegade Nexus welcomed a special guest to the Panorama Campus for an outreach event highlighting the California Low-Cost Insurance (CLCA) program. Paul “Doc” Nigh brought his Back to the Future DeLorean replica for students to view and take pictures of. “Doc” was also available to answer questions and discuss his unique vehicle.
This Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to thank all of our nation’s veterans. To our active-duty military, military veterans, military reservists and dependents – thank you for safeguarding our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
Community colleges have a key role in supporting student veterans as they transition to civilian life. With an estimated 1.8 million military veterans living in California, many are looking to our community colleges for debt-free education and skills training. Each year, approximately 55,000 veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents enroll at a California community college, and can access the many services we provide, including veterans resource centers, priority registration, tutoring, food pantries, credit for prior learning and more.
For this Veterans Day, the American Legion with USAA offers suggestions for how we can “Go Beyond Thanks.” Let’s take a moment to quietly reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of veterans, and to consider how we can all find ways to serve those who serve our country.
Today, I would like to introduce you to Dr. Blas Villalobos, a member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
Dr. Villalobos served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999- 2003. During this time, he was deployed to Iraq where he served as a Squad Leader. He earned several awards during combat operations including: The Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars; and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
After his military service, Villalobos attended Long Beach City College. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California.
“We don’t fight to hold ground. We fight to win.” This was said by a Navy SEAL as he reflected on his numerous combat engagements in the current conflicts overseas. As I look back on another Veterans Day at BC, I think about what we have come from. I look back with pride at 102 years of Bakersfield College history and how BC alumni have fought in every conflict since World War I.
I laugh when I read about World War II veterans coming to BC in the late 1940s when it still on the BHS campus, and the high school administrators’ anxiety about the smoking, and bad language the student-veterans used on campus.
I am proud that those vets were called “DARS,” by administrators, which stood for Damned Average Raisers, because they did so well in class that they skewered all the grading curves. The tide of student-veteran involvement has ebbed and flowed over the decades. It was very active in the years after the Vietnam War, with the Veterans Club“running the campus,” as the late Vernon Valenzuela remembered. I saw it resurrect in 2010 thanks to the OIF/OEF veterans agitating for a veteran space. Not only has the club resurrected, it has thrived. Now, BC has a new Veterans Education Advisor, a new veterans’ student development class, plans for a larger space for the veterans lounge, and a college president who values what you bring to the table.
After your years of service it is now your time, as Bakersfield College student-veterans, to move forward. You have a great responsibility. You have a great responsibility to you; A responsibility to use your military experience to better yourself, your family and your community. You have a responsibility to get educated, and pursue your goals in a timely, productive manner. It is indeed frustrating at times. It isn’t easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. But, you aren’t everyone. You are the real 1%. Only 1% ever served in the military. If you are part of that elite percentage, then college is simply another challenge to overcome before the next challenge. The fact that you are at Bakersfield College says this about you: You don’t fight to hold ground. You fight to win.
From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of all of you winners.
Thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day. Job Well Done!
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I started my week at the California State Assembly for the Dual Enrollment Oversight Hearing.
I ended my week visiting the Home of the Renegades – Memorial Stadium for the last Bakersfield College football game. It was so much fun…. here are a few photos
Good morning California. It is November 11, 2023. Veterans Day. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coastline College Veterans Service Coordinator Earns Veteran of Distinction Award
To commemorate Veterans Day this year, Representative Michelle Steel is awarding Coastline College’s Veteran Services Coordinator Tom Boscamp the Veteran of Distinction Award from her Congressional District. Boscamp, a U.S. Army veteran, is being recognized for his tireless service in aiding active duty and veterans in starting and completing their education at Coastline.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, College of Alameda opened its doors to a remarkable event, “My Sister’s Dynasty and My Brother’s Legacy,” a groundbreaking educational summit designed to empower Black and Multi-Ethnic students. This special event, hosted in collaboration with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Office of Equity, brought together a diverse group of speakers, presenters, and attendees.
Butte College Dual Enrollment Student Takes Top Honors at National FFA Convention
Joe Schohr, a sophomore at Gridley High School who is concurrently pursuing his education at Butte College, took top honors at the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. The National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) is a highly competitive contest that recognizes exceptional FFA members for their ability to recite and interpret the National FFA Creed and respond to challenging questions.
Folsom Lake College Celebrates Enrollment Milestone
Folsom Lake College, a member of the Los Rios Community College District and a leading institution of higher education in the Greater Sacramento region, is thrilled to announce a momentous achievement in its history. The college has reached a significant milestone with its enrollment surpassing 10,000 students.
StateScoop: How 1 Billion Data Points Could Improve Career Outcomes for California Students
In late October, California’s Cradle-to-Career office — which manages a statewide education and workforce data project — collected its first data installment with more than 1 billion data points across 200 different categories, including K-12, college admissions, post-college employment opportunities. Officials told StateScoop it’s a vital step towards building the first longitudinal data system in the state.
Smiles, hugs, and tears this week at Delta as we dedicated our newly renamed forums in honor of Filipino American historian Dr. Dawn Mabalon, longtime counselor and mentor Tony Fitch, and the legacy of Campesino farmworkers.
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And a Veterans Day Message from San Diego College of Continuing Education President Tina King and Retired US Navy Commander Edgar Lucas:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC at the 37th HACU Conference
Bakersfield College had a presence with faculty, staff, and administrators at the recent 37th annual Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference in Chicago, Illinois. This event serves as a crucial platform for collaboration, fostering discussions on policy matters, emerging trends, and impactful opportunities that significantly influence Hispanic community education.
The Workforce & Economic Mobility Blog blog shares approaches to workforce and economic development, with a goal of supporting economic mobility for our community while staying committed to the health of our people and the health of our environment.
In the Bhambi & Christian blog, Dr. Brijesh Bhambi join together joined together with the goal of facilitating healing and conversation in our community.
