Sonya Christian's Blog

On Thursday, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges named the eleventh chancellor of the California Community College system.

My colleagues from Kern Community College District colleagues made the trek to Sacramento for the announcement. My Kern CCD family THANK YOU for your love and support.

Here are a few photos from the event.

I will begin my new position June 1, and I hope you continue to follow my blog in this new adventure. Kern is my home and my work will always be connected with the work here.

Here is a selfie snapped by Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales took – featuring the leadership at the state level. Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales, Board of Governors Member & former President Pamela Haynes, Board of Governors President Amy Costa, and Board of Governors President Hildegarde Aguinaldo.

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Last weekend, President Biden declared February 19, 2023, as a Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Incarceration During World War II. It was 80 years ago – February 19, 1942, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal of over 125,000 people of Japanese descent to 75 sites – most from the West Coast.

It is one of the darkest periods in American history, and one we must remember so that we never repeat those injustices.

“I have always believed that great nations do not ignore their most painful moments — they confront them with honesty and, in doing so, learn from them and grow stronger as a result.  The incarceration of Japanese Americans 80 years ago is a reminder to us today of the tragic consequences we invite when we allow racism, fear, and xenophobia to fester.”

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This winter, California has seen a series of storms – and this week has been no exception. Throughout the state, California residents have experienced heavy rains – and even snow, with blizzard warnings issued for mountain areas.

Earlier this month, the LA Times did a feature showcasing the dramatic increase in water level at Lake Oroville – which was at 68% 2 weeks ago, up from 28% a few months prior.

The remarkable photos comparing June 2021 to February 2023 show us just how important – and beautiful – these stormy times can be.

Good morning friends.
It is February 25, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD

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Porterville College

Historic playoff win for PC Men’s Basketball as the Pirates move on to second round play

The Porterville College men’s basketball team have had a solid season with an overall record of 16-12 with its second consecutive postseason in as many years. The Pirates were named the No. 12 seed for the Northern California Regional Playoffs and hosted the No. 21 Monterey Peninsula College Lobos at the Pirates gym on Wednesday.

PC won its first playoff game in 23 years, winning 69-47.

The Pirates starting lineup of Mylo Santos, Cameron Walker, Julio Phipps, Jaylen Foy, and Assad Madassalia dominated the game from the opening tip-off.

The Pirates maintained a lead from early in the game with a strong court presence on both offense and defense, ending the first half up 41-25.

The Pirates strong play cornered the Lobos in the second half as the early Pirates lead began to pay off. The lead entering the second half continues as the Pirates continued to put points on the board and maintain a sizeable distance from the Lobos in points.

The last seven minutes the Pirates were in control with Santos and Sterling picking up a pair of layups. The Pirates’ Justin Sabater ran out to take the ball down the court and as he went for a fast layup he was fouled by the Lobos. Sabater nailed one of his free throws and raised the score to 67-43.

The Pirates’ final basket was thanks to a fast play started by Demir Conliffe. Conliffe made a rebound and passed the ball to Sterling to take it farther down the court. Sterling spun on his heels as he sprinted down the court and he passed the ball to Kiya McQueen. With no one between him and the basket, the guard dunked the final basket on the Lobos for the Pirates win.  The final score was 69-45.

The Pirates next scheduled game is away at West Valley against the Vikings today at 7p.m.

Check out the highlights below:

Join the Umoja Community at PC!

Uplift, Empower, and Unify as a member of our Umoja Community! Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning unity. The Umoja program at Porterville College is part of a global organization that is dedicated to increasing the number of Black, African American, and people of color who earn their degrees, transfer to four-year colleges or universities, and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations.

Providing Culturally Relevant Education

Porterville College’s Umoja Community seeks to promote and uplift by deliberately and intentionally recognizing the voices and histories of our student community. We also take a proactive approach to reaching and serving Black, African American, and students of color at PC. The development of the academic, professional and leadership potential of Umoja students is centered on seven program principles: unity, self, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

For more information, please reach out to Ricardo Marmolejo at ricardo.marmolejo@portervillecollege.edu.

PC kicks off partnership with Tule River Indian Tribe

This past Wednesday, the Tule River Indian Tribe and PC held a joint community event to relaunch, celebrate, and re-affirm our relationship in education. As part of this ongoing commitment, PC will provide the tribe, its members and employees with classes and resources offered directly on the reservation.

This new program will allow us to provide intentional offerings and services to our neighbors on the Tule reservation. We want to provide what the community needs, and by increasing our dialog with the Tribal Council, we will be better able to zero in on those specific needs of the community” said Reagen Dozier, PC Program Director of Title V programs.

The event was held in the Tule Recreation Department’s Gymnasium on the reservation.  Over 200 people attended the meeting with many of them signing up for the new course offerings on the spot.

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Cerro Coso Community College

Student Spotlight: Annika Houck

Annika is currently a Cerro Coso student who is an Art History and Studio Arts major and will graduate with both transfer degrees this May 2023. Annika is part of the Cerro Coso Promise program and is proactive in school activities. Annika is a determined student who always has a smile on her face! We had the opportunity to catch up with Annika to ask her about her time being a college student at Cerro Coso and what her future holds.

“I’ve been taking classes at Cerro Coso since I was a freshman at Burroughs High School so there are many people whom I cannot thank enough for what they have done and continue to do at the college for me and other students. Tanner McGuire is the instructor for all my other on-campus art classes. Art in the academic environment is tricky without the right instructors. I am lucky to have lots of opportunities for artistic experimentation.“

Read the rest at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/news/2023/0222-student-spotlight-annika-houck!

Cerro Coso Enjoys Dusting of Snow

Check out these photos of the Ridgecrest campus from this week’s storms:

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Bakersfield College

Office of Student Life LGBTQ+ Initiatives Partners with Community for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

On February 14th, Office of Student Life LGBTQ+ Initiatives, the Consent Project Club, and Youth Empowerment, collaborated for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) to celebrate and highlight healthy relationships and how love can look different to people.

The youth and club members discussed healthy relationships, healthy boundaries, and what love means to them. After the discussion, they all created a mural together. The Office of Student Life LGBTQ+ Initiatives requested submissions of art of all forms from students to showcase their view of love. 

BC’s Ag Department Attends World Ag Expo

BC’s vibrant Ag Department was in attendance at the 2023 World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA from February 14th – 16th.

This event is well attended by students of all ages, presenting a unique opportunity to generate interest in the program by young learners and adults alike. BC’s Ag department was able to connect with other Ag professionals, and hopes to continue deepening these relationships for the benefit of our future students and program success. 

Dr. Ashley Adams Presents Black History & Reparations Webinar

The Bakersfield College Social Justice Institute will host a webinar with Dr. Ashley Adams from Mills College at Northeastern University on Monday, February 27th from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.  An expert on Black public history and public policy, Dr. Adams’ talk will feature a presentation on Allensworth State Park and contemporary policy discussions related to Black Reparations. 

The webinar is free and open to the public. Register for this free webinar at the BC Social Justice Institute webpage or by going directly to the Zoom registration link.

Carl Bryan Memorial Service

The Bakersfield College Athletics program and the East Bakersfield High School track and field program will be hosting a memorial service for the late Carl Bryan on March 3^rd, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

In honor of Carl Bryan’s 35 years as the voice of Renegade Athletics, the service will take place at Memorial Stadium, a place Bryan called his second home for decades. Any community members who plan on attending should park in Lot 7 and enter through the southeast entrance of the stadium.

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In the News

Ten Minutes With Tipton: Professor Emeritus Richard Goode

Check out The Porterville Recorder’s feature on Professor Emeritus Richard Goode, who taught Earth Science at Porterville College.

“Don’t listen to people who tell you you can’t do it. You can do anything you can put your mind to if you work hard at it. Going to college is not impossible – anyone can go to college. You can start at Porterville College and once you get a college education, doors open up for you and that opens up the opportunity for travel.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Nicole Parra shared this post about the 2023 Trucking with Clean Fuels Conference and Zero Emission Convoy:

I am in Sacramento today, but thankful our KernCCD CREL team is there to take the lead and assist Linda Urata and the great teams at the SJCCC and Project Clean Air!

Thank you to my friends, Avenal Mayor Alvaro Preciado, Arvin Mayor Olivia Trujillo and KernCCD Trustee Yovani Jimenez & all the local electeds and community leaders riding in the Hydrogen bus! Thank you Stacey Shepard, Sara Sullivan and Yesenia Isbell from CREL for all your work helping Linda!!!

“The convoy and conference will showcase the latest in zero and low-emission commercial vehicles and provide the most up-to-date industry and regulatory information for trucking companies and vehicle fleet managers and owners.

The event, organized by the San Joaquin Clean Cities Coalition and Project Clean Air, will feature electric, hydrogen and
compressed natural gas vehicles on display throughout the day in the parking lot, a first-of-its-kind emissions-free vehicle convoy, and speakers inside the venue.”

Robert Simpkins shared this promotion for upcoming Kern CCD TALE Fest, set for April 14th at Bakersfield College:

And here’s a photo from McFarland Superintendent Aaron Resendez.

He says, “BC opened its gym doors to us today, allowed our boys the chance to practice in a big gym ahead of their Valley Championship game against Madera South at Fresno’s Selland Arena.”

Blast From the Past

I came across this great video the BC Executive Team made in July 2020 during the pandemic:

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

The future is bright at Kern CCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings