Yesterday, September 25, was National Daughters’ Day.
Here’s to my beautiful, smart daughter, who does extraordinary work caring for children and their loved ones during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
So proud of the person she is, the work she does, and the heart she brings to it every day.
I got my Covid vaccine yesterday. Ninth vaccine so far since 2020. I encourage everyone to keep up on their boosters.
Here’s a throwback to my first Covid shot back in 2020:
Sunrise photo – I haven’t done one of these for awhile:
Another one:
This week was the Collective Equity Institute
Hildy got this video of the recognition of – “Warrior Lady for the California Community Colleges”
Good morning California. It is September 26, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
$900,000 Philanthropic Investment will Kickstart New Air Traffic Control Program for Orange Coast College Students
An Orange Coast College Foundation donor has made a strategic philanthropic investment of $900,000 in Orange County’s workforce to kickstart a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) program. The program will create a direct, local educational pathway into one of the nation’s most critical and in-demand aviation professions. The generous gift will fund specialized facilities, state-of-the-art air traffic control simulation equipment, classroom renovations, curriculum development, and instructional technology needed to launch the program. Introductory ATC courses will begin this fall, with the full curriculum available in Fall 2027.
Berkeley City College and LBNL Partner to Expand Quantum Workforce Readiness
Berkeley City College and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have launched the Boosting Employment Readiness in Quantum (BERQ) program, a three-week summer initiative that introduces community college students to the rapidly advancing fields of quantum information science and technology while preparing them for careers in the emerging workforce.
Measuring – and Proving – the Effectiveness Of Non-Degree Programs at Calbright College
Certificates and other non-degree credentials are the fastest growing sector in higher education, for very good reasons. They’re faster, cheaper, and often more career focused than traditional college degrees. This makes these types of certificate programs particularly ideal for working-age adults looking to upskill, reskill, and pivot careers.
Ruby already spoke two languages when she arrived in the United States. Now she speaks three.
A mother and Syrian war survivor, Ruby became acclimated to her new country by taking free, noncredit English language classes at Citrus College.
So can you.
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From San Diego College of Continuing Education:
SDCCE celebrated Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at Harbor View Campus with an afternoon recognizing the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities!
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From Ohlone College:
Happy #DeafAwarenessMonth and #InternationalDayofSignLanguages! Today, our Ohlone College Deaf Center hosted our Deaf Awareness Month and Welcome Back event with our ASL club to celebrate the achievements of our Deaf community.
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From Norco College:
The Trailblazers Scholars Program kicked off the students’ Trailblazers experience!
First up, we had a warm welcome from Anita Bailey, one of our dedicated counselors.
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And check out this video from Santa Rosa Junior College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Kern CCD Board of Trustee member Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg shared this from Loteria night at BC:
Lotería night at BC was a blast! Huge congrats to our big winner from last week’s BC Padrinos Lotería Fundraiser. Thank you for supporting the cause!
An epic day, an epic month, an epic year – July 28, 2026. Much love to my amazing family, friends and colleagues.
A friend sent this to me…
It is always a treat to visit my daughter and to visit Toronto.
July 28 began with a visit to St. Peter’s Cathedral on Bathurst Street, followed by a short walk to Nadège Patisserie on Bloor … both just a pleasant stroll from my daughter’s place.
Founded in 2009 by fourth-generation French pastry chef Nadège Nourian, who grew up in Lyon, Nadège has become one of Toronto’s favorite destinations for authentic French pastries, bringing a little taste of France to Canada.
And then… my favorite.
The croissant.
American croissants and French croissants have developed different personalities over the years. The American version is a bit more bread-like. The French croissant is flakier.
As I happily worked my way through mine, Eisha pointed out that a respectable collection of croissant flakes had found their way into my hair.
When I visit my daughter in Toronto, one of my favorite places is Lake Ontario.
I have now seen it in the middle of winter and in the middle of summer, and I love both.
No matter the season, Lake Ontario has a way of inviting you to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.
And …. my daughter is always finding fun things for us to do. Here are a few photos from the day.
Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away
Good morning California. It is August 1, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Norco College Team Takes First Place at National 3D Printed Aircraft Competition
A team of Norco College engineering students earned first place at the 10th Annual 3D Printed Aircraft Competition, hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington on July 11. Competing against 21 colleges and universities from across the country, the team outperformed institutions including Virginia Tech, Tennessee Tech, Texas A&M University, and Purdue University. Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, the students designed, manufactured, tested, and refined a primarily 3D-printed aircraft in preparation for the national competition.
East Los Angeles College’s Zero Textbook Cost Program Saves Over $4.7 Million in 2025–2026
East Los Angeles College’s Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) program delivered significant financial relief to students during the 2025–2026 academic year, with an estimated $4,780,800 in savings generated across all four terms. The program saw strong participation across all terms, with 727 ZTC course sections offered in Fall 2025 and 623 in Spring 2026, representing the two largest terms by section count. Summer 2025 and Winter 2026 contributed 199 and 116 sections, respectively.
HealthRIGHT 360 Invests $15,000 to Support Behavioral Health Training Course at City College of San Francisco
HealthRIGHT 360 announced a $15,000 investment in City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to support HLTH 99: Group Counseling for Treatment and Recovery, a required course in CCSF’s Addiction and Recovery Counseling Certificate Program. The course, which is offered on a limited basis due to funding constraints, is a prerequisite for students seeking certification as Addiction and Recovery Counselors.
Commentary: Not every California student can afford to transfer. Community college bachelor’s degrees could help
Since the implementation of state Assembly Bill 927 in 2021, students have faced an unexpected barrier to expanded educational opportunist — one that runs in direct opposition to the bill’s intent.
The bill authorized community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, so long as those programs don’t duplicate those offered by a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC).
Yet as community colleges have looked to expand bachelor’s degree programs to meet workforce needs, many proposals have faced opposition from CSU campuses, stalling the growth of new degree offerings.
CSU leaders have argued that bachelor’s degree programs should not duplicate existing university offerings, and have expressed concern that expanding community college degrees could blur the distinct missions of California’s higher education systems.
Those concerns deserve consideration, but they should not outweigh the needs of students who cannot realistically access a CSU campus because of cost, work or family obligations.
The real question is not which public system awards a bachelor’s degree. It is whether California is giving students a realistic opportunity to earn one.
As Folsom Lake College prepares to launch its Puente Program in Fall 2026, co-facilitators–Counselor Celina Navarro and English Professor Josh Fernandez–recently completed the week-long Puente Summer Institute at UC Berkeley.
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From Cañada College:
Cañada College officially deepened our partnership with Pal Center signing an MOU (partnership agreement) to strengthen youth pathways to higher education in North Fair Oaks and Redwood City. Our missions have always been aligned: empowering students and families to transform their lives through education.
This MOU also serves as a formal recommitment to an even deeper level of partnership, allowing Cañada College to be more present, more mindful and more active in our community. Thank you to the Pal Center team for co-creating this partnership with us. This is just the beginning.
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From Santa Rosa Junior College:
Congratulations, HEP Class of 2026! Nearly 40 students graduated this week from the SRJC High School Equivalency Program. The program will begin its 15th year at SRJC, and during the past years has enrolled more than 1,100 migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families with the goal of obtaining a High School Equivalency Certificate. Over 95% of SRJC HEP graduates have matriculated into English for Multilingual Students (credit/non-credit) pathways or into other credit classes.
The SRJC HEP program serves students in Sonoma and Napa County. Most students are heads of household who work long hours, holding two plus jobs to sustain their families. After obtaining their high school equivalency, they pursue higher education and improve their economic status.
Funding for SRJC HEP is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education.
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And check out this video from KEYT-TV showcasing Santa Barbara City College’s Summer Jazz Seminar:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Bakersfield College Hosts ‘Bridge to BC’ to Jump Start Student Success
Each Summer, Bakersfield College invites more than 3,000 incoming students to participate in Bridge to BC. The interactive, one-day, in-person course is designed to help new students prepare academically, socially, and personally as they transition to college.
During the program, students get a tour of the campus, participate in workshops that introduce various student resources like Canvas and STARFISH, learn about the BC website, meet one-on-one with an educational advisor, and much more. Bridge to BC first launched in 2014, making this the 12th year that the program has been offered. Since its inception, more than 20,000 students have participated in the program.
More than 3,000 new students are expected to attend Bridge to BC this Summer. We are excited to welcome these new students and look forward to supporting them throughout their academic journey. Thank you to all the Bridge to BC directors, coordinators, instructors, mentors and everyone who helps make this program a huge success.
Russia’s recent wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine has struck not only residential areas and infrastructure but also sites of deep religious and cultural significance. Among the locations damaged was the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century monastery complex and one of the holiest sites in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
The attack damaged the complex’s iconic Dormition Cathedral and sparked a fire, prompting widespread condemnation from Ukrainian officials and international organizations.
The strike has renewed concerns about the broader toll of the war on Ukraine’s cultural heritage. According to UNESCO, more than 500 cultural sites have been damaged or destroyed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
My daughter, Eisha Christian, was in Kyiv with a medical team from Sick Kids. Right now as I am writing this blog, she is on a flight from Warsaw to Toronto after finishing two weeks in Lviv and Kyiv in Ukraine.
There she is in the picture below … looking through a surgical microscope, her hands healing someone else’s world.
Here is a post from Pope Leo XIV urging for an end to this war:
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This week I traveled to Baltimore for the CCC HBCU pathway.
Pam Haynes, Walter Kimbrough, Arynn Settle, Sonya Christian
A view of Baltimore –
Another –
And at night –
Then back home to my boy Neo.
And what a treat! The ducklings have finally arrived… waited for so many days.
See if you can spot one of the ducklings trying to fly up to the mother from the pool.
Good morning California. It is June 20, 2026. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Columbia College Participates in Regional “Every Drop Counts” Project Advancing Interdisciplinary Research on Impact of Microplastics in Water
Columbia College is participating in the collaborative initiative Every Drop Counts, a Central Valley–based project focused on investigating the impact of microplastics in water systems and their effects on biological processes. As part of the project, students studied macrophages—immune cells responsible for removing foreign particles—to better understand how microplastics interact with living systems in the Central Valley. Student teams from Columbia College, Modesto Junior College (MJC), the University of California, Merced (UC Merced), and California State University, Stanislaus (CSUS) presented their research findings at UC Merced on April 15, 2026, and at CSUS on April 18, 2026.
Napa Valley College Opens Hospitality Training Center
On June 2, Napa Valley College held a ribbon cutting for the Donna Altes Hospitality Training Center, the final part of the new Napa Valley College (NVC) Wine Education Complex. The newest building in the complex features a demonstration tasting bar, a space designed to simulate hospitality and tasting-room scenarios, as well as flexible event space for training, lectures and special events.
Foothill College Hosts Research and Service Leadership Symposium 2026
On May 21, students from Foothill and a variety of other schools filled the campus to showcase their research at the 9th annual Research and Service Leadership Symposium. This yearly event is meant to provide a space for students to create and showcase either individual or group research projects in any kind of field, from the creative arts to the sciences, with the ultimate goal of expanding learning beyond the classroom and celebrating student passion and curiosity.
California’s Career Passport to connect qualified workers to employment, with or without a four-year degree
California is continuing its push to open more doors to good-paying jobs by building the California Career Passport – a digital tool designed to better connect workers with employers based on skills, not just degrees.
When implemented, this tool will help more Californians move into in-demand careers and strengthen a workforce that reflects the full range of talent across the state. The Career Passport pilot will involve real users as part of a structured evaluation phase. The four selected vendors will participate in testing that will generate direct user feedback and technical performance data to inform final vendor selection. This approach reflects a commitment to responsible procurement that evaluates solutions based on how they perform in real-world conditions, with real Californians. The pilot demonstration will run from June 17, 2026 to August 24, 2026.
Building Momentum Towards Transfer: EdInsights’ Researchers Partner with Sacramento City College to Identify Supports for Student Success
EdInsights collaborated with Sacramento City College to design and conduct a study following the academic journeys of over 10,000 first-time students. Sacramento City College, a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, serves over 21,000 students, with nearly 30 percent being first-generation college students. The composition of Sacramento City College’s student body underpins the importance of understanding the experiences of students from various disproportionately impacted groups.
College and district leaders and EdInsights researchers worked together to identify research questions and connect the analysis to ongoing institutional priorities and strategic planning related to transfer and equitable student success. Together, we identified factors that we suspected could be linked to transfer momentum attainment, including demographic and educational characteristics.
This week, we welcomed proud Oxnard native and 11-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Julian Gooden to campus.
Students from the Global Empathy Training Academy gathered in our STEM Center to watch Julian’s Emmy Award-winning documentary, “Above the Tide,” followed by an engaging Q&A session where Julian shared insights about his career, creative process, and journey in the film industry. The event was also attended by OC Acting President Cynthia Herrera, MC President Julius Sokenu, other college and district leaders, and community partners from the Ventura County Office of Education.
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From Ohlone College:
Cheers to the Ohlone College Deaf Center for hosting our Student Recognition Celebration!
Our Deaf Center honored our graduates, recognized the #ASL Club officers, celebrated university transfers, acknowledged the Deaf-Centered Interpreting Preparation Program (DCIPP), and celebrated the accomplishments of our students. Cheers to bright futures for our Deaf Center students!
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From Copper Mountain College:
What an incredible day at the annual Judge Bert Swift Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the athletic programs at Copper Mountain College!
Because of the generosity of our players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, we raised significant funds to help support our student-athletes and the future of CMC athletics. Thank you to everyone who came together to make this event such a success.
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From Gavilan College:
Three MESA students represented the college at the Spring 2026 Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM in Atlanta, Georgia. Through this experience, they connected with researchers, universities, and industry professionals, while exploring opportunities in STEM fields.
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And check out this video highlighting Mt. San Antonio College’s aircraft maintenance program:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Recognized for Educational Excellence at Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
Bakersfield College received the Educational Excellence Award at this year’s Beautiful Bakersfield Awards ceremony. The annual event honors individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions in 2025. The Educational Excellence Award recognizes ‘educators, projects, or institutions advancing educational opportunities and achievement across all levels in the community’.*
A big week for America. Vaccines roll out across our country
Dr. Eisha Christian, receives her vaccine.
Definitely a tear-filled moment when I received this photo from my daughter … pretty special young woman.
On Monday, Dec 14th, Gavin Newsom traveled to LA to be present when the first Californian, Helen Cordova, a nurse at Kaiser Pemanente received the vaccine.
Dr. Brijesh Bhambi was among the first to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Bakersfield.
But it is still important that we remain vigilant in maintaining our pandemic safety. While the vaccine has arrived and those at highest risk have begun receiving it, there is still a long road before everyone will be able to be vaccinated. Do you want to know when your turn will be up…. check out the graphic below.
So please – know that hope is here and the end is in sight, but continue to wear your mask and maintain social distancing to keep us all protected until we all are able to be vaccinated.
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Saturday, December 19, 2020 … a great day to be a Renegade.
Let me help you start this holiday season with music from our choir from the last several years when they did the Culinary and Caroling dinner event. Plus I loved that Jack and Eileen Pierce did a family caroling program this year to spread some good Christmas cheer. Relax with some hot chocolate and sink into this glorious music.
The Pierce family spreading Christmas cheer:
CARE/CalWORKs Holiday Celebration
Thanks to the generosity of BC staff, faculty and community members, over seventy-five CARE/CalWORKs students received gifts for their children in the mail this past week. All donors received the following thank you video.
Outreach and Early College Get Into the Holiday Spirit
The Outreach and Early College team got into the holiday spirit at their virtual holiday party! The team played games, exchanged white elephant gifts, and even had an ugly Christmas sweater competition. The highlight of the party was a game in which each person had 5 minutes to prepare a holiday themed snack. The team member then presented their holiday snack and 3 judges assigned scores. You can check out the winner of the holiday snack challenge in the picture below! The team also took a holiday photo opportunity to show off their festive holiday attire.
The Outreach and Early College team want to wish the entire BC family a joyous and happy holiday season!
Executive Office Holiday Fun
Our Executive Office team also got into the holiday spirit this week during our Zoom meeting.
I especially loved Catherine Rangel‘s background, where she made our Vice President of Student Affairs, Zav Dadabhoy (and huge Green Bay Packers fan), into a Raiders-supporting Elf on the Shelf.
Winter Campus Closure & Spring 2021
Bakersfield College’s operational winter closure will begin Monday, December 21, 2020, and offices will remain closed through Friday, January 1, 2021. Services will resume regular operating hours on Monday, January 4, 2021.
But don’t worry, our Student Information Desk will be open for limited hours on select dates to continue to assist students during the closure. Staff will be available December 21-23 and 28-30 from 10AM to 2PM.
Returning and new students are encouraged to connect for assistance with enrolling for the spring 2021 semester. Enrollment is now open and courses begin the week of January 16, 2021.
And check out these great new offerings at BC – don’t forget, you can connect with the Student Information Desk to sign up!
Spring Back To College
Project HireUp has added a couple more no-cost skills certificates for this Spring! Basic Internet Skills, Customer Relations, and Digital Marketing for Small Business will be offered this spring. All courses are offered online and run 2-4 weeks, 4-5 hours per day.
This week, we had the last President’s Virtual Forum of the semester. On Wednesday, we heard about a new non-credit course offering, PSYC B61NC: Psychological Resilience Skills Training. This new course will help all employees have the mental capacity tools needed when confronted with traumatic and stressful events.
We heard from Helen Acosta, Rich McCrow, David Riess, and Isaias Hernandez. You can see all their videos on the COVID-19 Resources page on the BC website.
Here’s a clip from Isaias Hernandez:
3 Renegades Picked for Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Internmatch Program
This semester, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center selected three Bakersfield College Renegades to join a group of students currently enrolled at various Central Valley California Community Colleges to participate in the Internmatch program. Congratulations to Isabel Alcocer, Grisel Martinez, and Felipe Nebesyj!
The opportunity is organized by Alese Campbell, Central Valley and Mother Lode Regional Director of Employer Engagement Business and Entrepreneurship. In collaboration with Campbell, several Bakersfield College students have already participated in this internship for two consecutive semesters.
Norma Rojas-Mora Featured in COVID-19 Task Force Videos
BC Community Relations Director Norma Rojas-Mora has been featured in several videos encouraging Bakersfield residents to practice social distancing. The campaign is part of the Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force, a partnership between Kern County Public Health and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The task force also launched a health and wellness hotline this week to help individuals dealing with COVID-related stress. Proud of the work you are doing Jay Tamsi.
In addition to being featured in the 30-second ad spot, Norma also made a testimonial in Spanish for the partnership.
A Better BC: Photos from Measure J
On Thursday, December 10, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Mike Giacomini and Food Service Manager Fidel Cabuena went through a socially-distanced tour of the new Campus Center, Science and Engineering building, and the second phase of renovations to Memorial Stadium. Earl Parsons collected photos of the tour, and the full gallery is available to view on Smugmug.
A painter puts the first layers of coating on the BC sign
Fidel Cabuena and Mike Giacomini pose at the third floor of the new Campus Center
The construction crew is busy at work putting the finishing touches on the third floor convention hall, which will have a full catering kitchen built in.
An exterior view of the Campus Center coming from the Library.
Spotted on Social Media
Matt Jones shared a new art project he’s working on called Daily Discern & Draw using everyday objects:
Sondra Keckley has a cozy view of her fireplace:
The Student Success & Equity Team, Kara McDonald, Abraham Castillo, Isabel Castaneda, Maria Wright and Stephanie Vega had some fun with Lesley Bonds:
The Jones Art Gallery also shared some great art this week. This piece is from the Panorama Invitational. It was created by Savannah Rosas of Foothill High:
Athletics
BC Athletics Nike Team Store
BC Athletics Nike Team Store
BC Athletics has launched the Nike Renegade Team Store in conjunction with Eastbay, their team uniform supplier.
To access the store click the image or the link below. Items available for purchase include T-shirts, Long-Sleeves, Polo’s, Hoodies, Sweatshirts and more in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Now is the time to show your Renegade pride and get that piece of Nike BC Renegade team gear you’ve always wanted. The store is open from now until Jan. 1, 2021. Items will ship once the store closes.
All proceeds from sales will directly benefit BC Athletics.
This last week our Head Wrestling Coach, Brett Clark announced that he is stepping down from his position leading the program to pursue opportunities to teach and coach out-of-state. Coach Clark has been a constant strength for the program the last seven years as his teams have won three conference titles and he was named conference coach of the year each of those three seasons as well.
After being a BC student athlete in the 90’s, Coach Clark returned to campus as both an assistant and then head wrestling coach to guide and mentor countless Renegade student athletes, with many of them going on to win individual conference and state championships.
We are sad to see such a good coach leave the Renegade family, but we wish Coach Clark and his family all the best in their new endeavors.
Good morning from Portland Oregon.
Gorgeous sunrise.
Enjoying the fresh air after a bout of rain…. 52 degrees… a beautiful day in Oregon and a great day to be a Renegade.
Last week, across campus, the hustle and bustle signaled the gearing up for Spring 2018. Every office and every department is excited to welcome students back to our hallways and classrooms.
Let me start by bragging about some serious talent we have at BC. This week, I worked on a video project with Manny de Los Santos, Monika Scott, Jennifer Serratt, and Dylan Wang. Just great creative talent, all working together to get a great product.
Talent in action
Welcome Center is Gearing Up
The Welcome Center at BC is getting ready for a busy week of helping students last minute to register for classes. Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9AM to 5PM, everyone is encouraged to come by the BC Welcome Center for help to register for the classes you need for Spring 2018.
My Favorite restaurant featured in the Californian
I shared my excitement almost exactly a month ago that Felix Adamo stopped by to take some photographs during a lunch meeting at Don Perico. I loved sharing in my blog post that Felix was a student photographer for the 1975 Raconteur when BC won the Rosebowl championship. So here is the piece with photos from Felix Adamo that Monika requested. The link to the actual Californian article is provided at the end.
Sonya Christian, Jennifer Johnson, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg at Don Perico. Photo by Felix Adamo.
As a rookie Math Faculty at Bakersfield College in the early 90’s, I discovered, then fell in love with the Chile Verde, Chicken Fajitas and the avocado pico de gallo at Don Perico. I was new to teaching and still new to the United States, and I loved exploring the food and scene of Bakersfield and Southern California.
I still remember clearly the first time I walked through the lunch buffet line at the little restaurant on Oswell, the food, a rich color, a variety of flavors and mouthwatering aroma…..It somehow reminded me of my hometown of Kollam in the southern tip of India, and Don Perico quickly became my favorite spot to grab a warm meal close to BC, and close to my heart.
For very many years now, I’ve been known to recommend Don Perico to friends and colleagues. And the lunch buffet is still my first choice when I get food off-campus – and not just for the food. The staff and servers treat you like family. For decades before her retirement, Amelia greeted me by name and always with the largest smile. I would look forward to my visits to also see her and catch up on stories about her family.
I had moved away from Bakersfield for ten years, but when I returned for the most important interview of my life, I knew I needed to prepare and put myself in the right frame of mind. Of course I went straight to Don Perico, walked through the door, and there was Amelia with a big smile! “Sonya! Where have you been?” she asked. That was the meal that kept me going through my interview to become BC’s 10th President. At times when I found myself with my picture in the Californian, Arturo, at Don Perico, would greet me with a smile let me know “I saw you in the news…..and that was a nice photo of you!” Great warmth, great caring.
CSUB_Sonya
The years go by, and Amelia has since retired, but the new faces still welcome me just as warmly with a smile, and it remains my favorite for many reasons… the food, the atmosphere, the friendly staff, and it just feels like home.
Thank you Amelia, thank you Arturo and thank you Don Perico for being the place with great food, warm smiles, and the place where before you know it they greet you by name.
Sue Vaughn, BC’s Director of Enrollment Services, got the opportunity to be interviewed about our “high-tech, high-touch” institutional philosophy in a report by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
The report, titled “The State of College Completion Initiatives at US Community Colleges,” examined the changes BC has made in the last five years to better serve our growing population of over 30,000 students, 55 percent of whom are the first generation in their family to attend college. The article highlights our Achieving the Dream and Pathways projects, Multiple Measures, Summer Bridge and Completion Coaching.
Sue Vaughn at Bakersfield College’s Opening Day
“At the institutional level, [BC] is engaged in efforts to change its developmental education approach,” the article says. “The use of technology in tandem with in-person support allows for more frequent touch points with students.”
We’re honored to be one of many case studies featured in this report, and we’re inspired by the work other institutions are doing to make higher education a reality for everyone in America.
The list also highlighted former BC student and Arvin Mayor Jose Gurrola’s efforts to close the gaps in his city’s fiscal deficit, and Aera CEO Christina Sistrunk’s partnership with GlassPoint Solar to promote renewable energy. I’m so grateful for Aera’s investment in our STEM Success Center, and it is amazing to watch her efforts to move the company toward sustainability.
Mayor Jose Gurrola
The article also highlighted CSUB’s search for a new president to succeed Horace Mitchell this spring, and we’re looking forward to building a relationship with whoever the university chooses later this year. BC has played an integral part in thousands of people’s lives across Kern County, and some of this campus’ biggest advocates are making huge waves that will ripple throughout our community in 2018 and the decades to come.
Lots of Reasons to Watch the Skies in 2018
Nick Strobel
Nick Strobel’s most recent article highlights the many things we can look forward to in the skies above in 2018. He mentions lunar eclipses, meteor showers, satellites, and more. Astronomy is a truly wondrous thing. It was Mark Twain who said in the voice of Huckleberry Finn, “We had the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made, or only just happened.”
Take some time to look above. In the article Nick says, “Saturday night in the pre-dawn sky low in the southeast you’ll see the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter among the dim stars of Libra. When the waning crescent moon passes Mars and Jupiter in the early morning hours of Jan. 11, all three will fit in the same field of view of your binoculars.”
Truxtun Avenue Roads Improvement Project
Trustee Bill Thomas
The groundbreaking ceremony for the $6.9 million project to widen Truxtun Avenue took place Friday at Jastro Park. The project, which will add two lanes of traffic on Truxtun between Empire Drive and Elm Street, is another traffic decongestion effort supported by the Thomas Roads Improvement Project (TRIP), made possible by retired Congressman and now KCCD Trustee Bill Thomas.
While commuters will be inconvenienced by the construction, in the long run it will help reduce the traffic congestion at Truxtun Avenue and Oak Street, one of the busiest intersections in town.
I’d like to thank Trustee Thomas for his dedication in securing funding for roads in Bakersfield. The city wasn’t initially built to sustain the level of growth we’ve experienced in the last twenty years, but TRIP is working to make life easier for hundreds of thousands of motorists in the area.
Social Media gems:
I loved this picture of Tom Moran and his daughter Mallory
A Fun video of Carlos Barbaran December in Denver
So what about Neo?
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya — the luckiest and happiest college president ever
(walking to Powell’s Books)
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.
