The Bakersfield Californian is moving from 7 days a week paper to 5 days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
The Bakersfield Californian’s history can be traced to Kern County’s first newspaper, the Weekly Courier, which was first published August 18, 1866. It got its present name in 1907, and it moved to its downtown location in 1926.
I remember being heartbroken when the headquarters moved away from downtown. I would drive up and sit and look at the building.
California celebrated its 174th birthday this week! California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The first capital was in San Jose – but the city’s facilities were not suited for a proper capital, and the unusually wet winter led to the dirt roads becoming muddy streams.
Former General and State Senator Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo donated land in the future city of Vallejo for a new capital; the legislature convened there for one week in 1852 and again for a month in 1853.
The capital then was moved to the small town of Benicia, but there was no room for expansion.
The state’s capital was finally moved to Sacramento in 1854.
As for me, the big event this week was the AI Summit on September 10th hosted by the Chancellor’s Office and Foothill DeAnza at the DeAnza campus. We brought together over 420 educators, innovators, community college leaders and industry and philanthropic partners to share perspectives and experiences in the work of AI and gen AI.
Chancellor Lee Lambert and I opened the summit and briefly shared about the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity. Three members of the Board of Trustees attended the event.
BOG member Bill Rawlings moderated the closing plenary panel with Lark Park, Secretary Stewart Knox, and Secretary Amy Tong. Adrienne participated in a breakout panel.
Here is a fun picture with BOG member Bill Rawlings and Adrienne Brown.
Bill Rawlings, Adrienne Brown
I was thrilled to talk to three trailblazers in the field of AI and higher education – three women – Safiya Nobel, Beth Rudden, and Jennifer Chayes. Each of them with a wealth of experience and a vision for how AI can reshape learning for generations to come. And each of them is center stage when it comes to shaping the future of teaching and learning for students, faculty and the current and future workforce.
Good morning California. It is September 14, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Ohlone College, Ignited Collaborate to Expand Opportunities for English Language Learners in Computer Science with $491,271 NSF Grant
Ohlone College is proud to announce the receipt of a $491,271 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program. The grant, awarded through the NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education, will support the project titled “Expanding Opportunities and Instructional Innovations for English Language Learners in Computer Science.”
Miramar College Receives Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Grant From National Science Foundation For Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative
The three-year grant will fund the college’s Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative to support future automotive technicians. It will also prompt faculty members at the college to provide ideas to improve technician education. The Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative, according to Principal Investigator Martin Kennedy and Co-Principal Investigator Ryan Monroy, professor of Automotive Technology at San Diego Miramar College, will make education on zero-emission vehicles a reality for technicians and independent repair shops in the region.
El Monte Union Honors Río Hondo College For Invaluable Partnership In Student Empowerment
Río Hondo College and El Monte Union High School District celebrated its longstanding partnership and collaboration to create pathways that empower students to achieve their academic and career aspirations at EMUHSD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 4. Over the last six years, Río Hondo College and El Monte Union have partnered to establish free dual enrollment opportunities for EMUHSD students, including the Early College Academy (ECA) at South El Monte High, allowing them to get a jumpstart on higher education by earning college credit in high school.
In Case You Missed It
Rowena Tomaneng Selected to Serve as Deputy Chancellor of the California Community Colleges
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office announced Rowena M. Tomaneng has been selected to serve as deputy chancellor.
Tomaneng has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education. And her expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, and high impact practices that lead to student equity, student success and civic engagement, will play a key role in her new responsibilities.
Behind the Desk: Perspectives of Black Community College CEOs
Diverse Issues in Higher Education published the first in a collective 12-month series by California Community College’s Black CEOs. Dr. Jamal Cooks of Chabot College, Dr. David M. Johnson of Merritt College, and Dr. Tina King of San Diego College of Continuing Education shared their thoughts –
College presidents, superintendents, and chancellors are entrusted with administering the critical work at the community colleges. In recent years, the number of Black educators filling these ranks of CCC administrator has risen dramatically. Presently, there are 29 Black presidents/superintendents/chancellors leading institutions across the state, which constitutes more than 20% of the CEO workforce in the CCC.
New Report on the ‘State of Apprenticeships in California’ Released by California Community Colleges
The new report, researched and analyzed by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit working to drive transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems, notes the number of apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards grew 11%, with 93,798 apprentices registered in 2023 versus 84,217 in 2018. And the most significant increases in apprenticeships over the last five years were in manufacturing (473%), health care (400%), barbers and cosmetologists (95%) and IT (45%).
#MidAutumnFestival Recap! Mission on Thursday celebrated how this festival is embraced across China (Zhong Qiu Jie), South Korea (Chuseok), Taiwan (Moon Festival), and Vietnam (Tết Trung Thu)! It was a beautiful cultural journey!
*****
From Feather River College President:
Dr. Dianne Van Hook was honored as an “alum” by @FeatherRiverCol Board upon her retirement after 36 years w/ @canyons. Dr. Van Hook had her first admin job at FRC. Congrats on the retirement – we you for all that you did for @CalCommColleges students @CCTrustees@Comm_College
*****
From San Joaquin Delta College:
Thanks to #Stockton Mayor @kevinjlincoln for touring Delta’s electron microscopy program on Tuesday – the only program of its kind in the United States!
*****
From Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu:
In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth and #HSIsweek, here are some photos from Monday’s “Café Con Tu Comunidad de Moorpark College” event, where Moorpark College faculty, students, and employees gathered for coffee, cocoa, pastries and community. #MoorparkCollege#WeareMC
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a Series of Events & Activities
Bakersfield College is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant series of events and activities designed to honor and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community. Running from September 16 to October 23, students, faculty, and community members are invited to participate in these events, which include guest lectures, games, art, panel discussions, and more.
The festivities begin Monday, September 16 with a kick-off event that will feature live performances, a keynote speaker, and a “Taste of Hispanic Culture” appetizer bar. The event will take place in the Fireside Room and promises to be an educational and entertaining time and a perfect way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at BC.
This week, we had the Board of Governors retreat. Thank you so much to the Santa Monica Team team for your hospitality!
I also spoke at the ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) Summit at the College of the Canyons:
Last weekend I was in Cabo … loved waking up to this:
Beautiful Cabo:
Desert Rose:
At home, too, it’s a season of roses:
It’s also commencement season – with exercises for some of our community colleges happening this weekend!
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 May 4, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Chico State, Northern Community Colleges Streamline Transfer Process
Chico State President Steve Perez and leadership from Butte College, College of the Siskiyous, Feather River College, Lassen Community College, Shasta College, Woodland Community College and Yuba College signed Memoranda of Understanding to formalize dual admission and streamlined transfer for students interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree at Chico State. This guaranteed admission and accompanying support mechanisms lay the groundwork to simplify and ease transfer students’ pathways to pursue four-year degrees, credentials, and further education within their region.
Celebrating College of San Mateo’s HSI Status and Black Excellence
On April 22, 2024, as part of California Community College’s Black Student Success Week, CSM’s Title V Grant team hosted an event to celebrate their designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) while spotlighting Black excellence in higher education.
Calbright College Launches Project Management Program
This spring, Calbright College launched its new Project Management program. This skills-based program will serve as an entry point into project management-based careers, which have an expected job growth rate of 10.5% over the next decade and can span multiple industries.
San Joaquin Delta College Invites Public to View “Eyes of Science”
San Joaquin Delta College is the only community college in the U.S. to offer training in electron microscopy. With magnification of 100,000 times or greater, these powerful microscopes are known as the “eyes of science” because they are used for critical research in many scientific fields. Graduates of Delta’s electron microscopy program have landed high-paying, in-demand jobs at laboratories across the country. SJDC recently held an open house showcasing their electron microscopy program.
Expanding Horizons: How California’s Community Colleges are Shaping the Future of Education
In a recent episode of the Capstone Conversation, hosted by Jared Asch, a special three-part series on community colleges and local education was kicked off with Tom Epstein, a member of the California Community College Board of Governors. The series explores the unique roles and innovative programs within the California community college system, emphasizing their efforts in local education and community engagement.
Wishing a Happy 21st birthday to Board of Governors member Casey Chang! Casey celebrated this milestone with her fellow BOG colleagues during a retreat.
*****
From Moorpark College:
Jamaal Brown hosted an exhilarating trivia-style Black History quiz competition at Moorpark College. The Black 365 Knowledge Bowl, a fast-paced, buzzer-beating event challenged participants to answer a series of questions related to African American history. The spirited contest crowned the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl Champ and was an inspirational celebration of Black history and achievements. The hour-long event was designed to entertain and inform attendees with rich historical content and stories of prominent Black individuals.
Winner of the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl: Student -Wren Grant. Special recognition to Tristin Fowler Counseling Service Specialist (Black Student Success) for organizing and implementing this event.
*****
From Reedley College:
2024 STEM Conference! Over 500 students from our local elementary, middle and high schools on our campus today. Lots of workshops and a lot of fun!
Blast from the Past
As we begin commencement season, I wanted to share my Welcome Remarks from the Bakersfield College 2021 Virtual Commencement:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Receives Generous Donation of 2023 Lincoln Aviator Thanks To Jim Burke Ford
Bakersfield College’s Automotive Technology Program has received a generous donation of a 2023 Lincoln Aviator from local dealership, Jim Burke Ford Lincoln. This contribution marks a significant enhancement to the College’s training fleet, providing students with hands-on experience with the latest in automotive technology.
One year ago, February 23, 2023, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors announced the 11th chancellor and I started my new position 5 months later.
*****
On Tuesday, I was at Cerritos College, sharing the roadmap of Vision 2030. Thank you President Jose Fierro for the invitation. And thank you to the members of the Board of Governors, Adrienne Brown and Paul Medina, who joined me.
I also joined President Jose Fierro for a President’s Hour where every month he spends time hanging out with students and the campus community.
Adrienne Brown, Sonya Christian, Jose Fierro, Paul Medina
On Wednesday, I presented at the Assembly Subcommittee on Education Finance hearing, along with CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia and UC President Michael Drake.
With Chanelle Win and Linda Vázquez
Chanelle Win, Diablo Valley College and UC San Diego student and Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, also spoke on student perspectives. She was joined by San Jose State student Dominic Quan Treseler and UCLA student David Ramirez.
I shared with the subcommittee that enrollments were on the rise at the California Community Colleges. We have bounced back to serving over 2 million students for the first time since 2019, after a steep enrollment decline. We increased over 100,000 students from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023.
To put this growth in perspective nationally and statewide –
National picture – from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, CA CCs accounted for 50% of the student headcount growth for all community colleges in the country. In California – from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, CA CCs accounted for 89% of the growth in undergraduate student headcount.
*****
I always enjoy this view overlooking the river.
And a beautiful walk to the Capitol …. early spring already in California in February.
Also this week, the California Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships, Career Ladders Project, and The Education Trust–West presented the 2nd Annual California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference at the Westin Long Beach.
Here’s Aisha Lowe at the summit along with Ben Chida, and Mike Munoz. The panel was moderated by Lange Luntao from Ed Trust West.
*****
I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing pictures and videos from across our California Community College system as we celebrate Black History Month.
From San Diego City College‘s Cultures Day – African Diaspora Celebration:
Don’t forget – Black Student Success Week is scheduled for April 22-26, 2024. This year’s theme is Building a Better Future Together: the Urgency is Now. The 2024 Black Student Success Week will focus on innovative approaches to ensure Black and African American students succeed in community colleges.
Good morning California. It is February 24, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Southwestern Community College District and CETYS University System Forge Cross-Border Educational Alliance
In a groundbreaking partnership aimed at enhancing educational opportunities in the cross-border region, the Southwestern Community College District (SWC) and Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS) University System have officially joined forces. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the diverse educational needs of the community on both sides of the border. As a part of this collaboration, SWC students can attend CETYS at the same rate as Mexican citizens.
Cuesta College RN Students Achieve 100% Exam Pass Rate, #1 National Ranking
Cuesta College’s Registered Nursing (RN) graduating class of 2023 ranks number one for students passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which allows nursing graduates to be licensed as a registered nurse in the United States.
FRC & Sierra Pacific Industries Partner Up With New Commercial Driver’s License Program
In an effort to meet local labor market demand, Feather River College is now offering a Commercial Driver’s License program. Through a valuable collaboration with Sierra Pacific Industries, Feather River College will have access to one of SPI’s manual semi-truck and trailers to utilize as a training tool for students interested in a career in transportation and trucking.
Cal Matters: Community college bachelor’s degrees have been a win-win. California should offer more
Two years ago, a UC Davis research center devoted to community college issues published a study indicating that having even limited authority for Community College Baccalaureates, or CCBs, has been hugely beneficial to students in terms of both availability and cost.
EdSource: Enrollment at California’s community colleges surpasses 2 million
Enrollment across California’s 116 community colleges was up more than 8% this past fall, surpassing 2 million students for the first time since before the pandemic.
Alongside great staff from Los Angeles Valley College Dual Enrollment program@lavcdualenrollment. Thank you for the great work you all do in advancing opportunities for students in the SFV area from the Burbank Unified School District and my alma matter the Los Angeles Unified School District. I’m glad to have run into you all. #GoLACCD#GoLAVC
*****
From Hartnell College:
Hartnell was at today’s College and Career Fair at the King City High School ! Here are some action shots of todays event!
*****
From Fresno City College:
Women in Engineering 2024 for female high school students designed to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers. Thank you Chevron for the gift of $75,000 to the college. We’ll use this to support STEM education.
Blast from the Past
Check out this video highlighting everyone who worked so hard to get Measure J passed for the Kern Community College District in 2016:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Transfer Pathways and International Student Services Host Open House
The Office of Transfer Pathways and International Student Services welcomed students, faculty, and the campus community to its open house on Tuesday, February 20th. University representatives from CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, and the University of LaVerne were also present. The new Transfer Pathways and International Student Services Center is located in the east wing of the 2nd floor of the Center for Student Success (CSS) building on BC’s main campus.
Last Saturday, I walked out of the gym after my Saturday morning class and spotted this bird.
I texted a friend who is a bird watcher and she immediately came back with gray hawk. She then checked in with a raptor expert and came back with hybrid falcon.
What do you think?
Gray HawkHybrid Falcon
Then on Sunday, I enjoyed watching the 76th Tony Awards. Kimberly Akimbo received top honors for Best Musical, while Leopoldstadt took Best Play.
I love musicals.
Check out the opening performance with host Ariana DeBose.
This week I also had my first Consultation Council meeting as California Community Colleges Chancellor. Great group of talented and dedicated folks. Our time is now!
***
On Monday, we celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived on the island of Galveston, Texas, to take command of the federal troops who went there to enforce the emancipation of its slaves. He issued General Order No. 3, which enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas.
Now, Juneteenth is a federal holiday – first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
Here is excerpt from an email I sent to our staff :
“This celebration allows us to foster a deeper understanding of our shared history and promote empathy and unity among our colleagues. Linked here is a short video featuring renowned Harvard historian, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., further explaining the significance and history of Juneteenth.”
And wishing all the dads out there a very happy Father’s Day tomorrow!
Paul Christian, Sonya Christian
Good morning California. It is June 17, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges
Woodland Community College, Feather River College among Community College Innovation Challenge winners
The Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; participate in an Innovation Boot Camp; and compete for cash awards.
Norco College Rocketry Team AR 51025 Competition Update and Video
In Fall 2022, Norco College Rocketry collaborated with the Flabob Airport Rocketry Program by taking weekly classes and worked diligently to educate themselves on rocketry fundamentals and techniques. On March 4th, the team successfully launched and retrieved their rocket “Vector” and performed a static fire in the Mojave Desert. After Vector, the team began preparations for our competition rocket for the FAR 51025 Competition.
Re-imagined Hiring Event Hosted at Butte College Career Center
This spring, the Butte College Career Center partnered with SynEd to launch a new pilot to connect students completing certificate and degree programs in accounting and business with employers hiring for those skills. The career center modeled the event after SynEd’s Appointment with your Future.
De Anza College Receives MESA Grant for Underrepresented Students
De Anza has been awarded $1.55 million in state funding over the next five years for a new cohort program to support historically underrepresented students who want to transfer in STEM majors.
The new MESA (Math, Engineering and Science Achievement) program will build on strategies that proved highly effective with De Anza’s Math Performance Success program, which has used dedicated counselors, embedded peer tutors and additional support to improve student success rates in Math – particularly for Latinx and Black students.
LAist: America Needs Pilots, But Training Is Pricey. Community Colleges Are Stepping In
A commercial pilot license is also a necessary step toward flying for an airline, and those pilots should have some leverage when they hit the market. According to analysts with consulting firm Oliver Wyman, while the gap between supply and demand of pilots has improved from projections in 2022, there may be a shortfall of up to 24,000 pilots by 2026.
Still, pilot training programs can get expensive, as students navigate an array of fees. That’s left affordable community college programs an opening.
And thank you to Assemblymember Mike Fong for sharing this photo of us after we met in Sacramento this week:
Blast From the Past
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $13.5 Million Investment to Equitably Grow Solar Energy Workforce
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced 12 projects, whose work will span more than 13 states, selected for negotiation to launch training partnerships that expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as create career pathways with thousands of good-paying jobs.
Kern Community College District (Bakersfield, CA): In partnership with IBEW, this project will provide solar installation career-track training and electrical apprenticeship readiness training with opportunities for union membership for participants from disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley of California. (Award: $1,000,000)
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.
