Tag Archives: Jean Fuller

McFarland Early College Launch Oct 29, 2026

Uncategorized November 1, 2026 Leave a comment

Happy Halloween all!

The sound of work…

For the past two weeks, we have had some flooring and painting work going on at home. Which meant that for two weeks, my house was no longer quite my home.

There were workers coming and going, tools everywhere, furniture moved out of place, music playing loudly, and conversations happening at a volume that suggested everyone needed to be heard over everyone else. At times, I wondered whether we were renovating the house or hosting a music festival…. I found myself actually enjoying the whole production.

The camaraderie among the workers…They talked constantly. They laughed. They teased one another. The music kept playing. And through it all, the work got done. There was a rhythm to it, a kind of choreography that comes from people who know their craft and know how to work together.

This Saturday marked the end of the two weeks, the floors looked beautiful, the walls were freshly painted, and the house was finally back in order.

And then the workers left.

The tools disappeared. The music stopped. The conversations faded. The house became quiet again.

I enjoyed the quiet.

But I have to admit, I missed the noise and chaos a little.

It was the sound of people enjoying their work. And what a lovely sound that is.

California has lost an extraordinary leader, and the California Community Colleges has lost a distinguished alumni.

Dolores Huerta attended San Joaquin Delta College, where she prepared to become a teacher. What she witnessed in the lives of farmworker children inspired a lifetime of advocacy for dignity, justice, and opportunity.

On a personal note, as an immigrant who has come to call California’s Central Valley home, I have seen firsthand the lasting impact of her work on families and communities across the region. She understood that lasting change begins when people find their voice and come together to shape their future.

Her life reminds us of the transformative role of education and the difference one person can make.

On behalf of our California community colleges, I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and all who mourn her passing.

Also, for stories on Dolores Huerta read Michele Siqueiros’ piece in the LA Local –

Remembering Dolores Huerta: A force of power and love

McFarland Early College: From a Bold Idea to a Statewide Movement

On Thursday, October 29, we celebrated a wonderful milestone at McFarland High School in Kern County – the launch of California’s Early College Demonstration Initiative and the McFarland Early College Hub.

This moment was especially meaningful to me. In 2019, McFarland High School and Bakersfield College came together around a bold idea: What if every high school student could begin college in ninth grade and graduate with a meaningful head start toward a certificate or degree?

The state has invested in this idea to see if we can scale the McFarland wall-to-wall dual enrollment into a statewide model.

The initiative will support the expansion of early college opportunities across California, with the goal of ensuring that every high school student can earn at least 12 college units before graduation. Over the next three years, we aim to reach 5,000 to 7,000 students and save families more than $42 million in college costs.

And the students are already showing us what is possible. McFarland graduates have earned associate degrees before receiving their high school diplomas. Students are pursuing pathways in public health, business, welding, and media. They are discovering their interests, building confidence, and beginning to see college as something they are already part of.

It was wonderful to celebrate alongside so many people who believe in the power of education to transform communities.

My thanks to McFarland Unified School District Superintendent Aaron Resendez, McFarland High School Principal Dario Diaz, and McFarland trustees Liz Gutierrez and Jim Beltran for their leadership and for joining us. Dario went big with the set up at McFarland High School. It was truly incredible. Aaron vision and steady leadership right from the beginning was what made this idea a reality. Romeo Agbalog was on the Kern District Board and was all in right from the state. We missed former Senator Jean Fuller who has been a true champion. Steve Watkin was leading out outreach program.

A special thank you to the Kern Community College District trustees who attended — Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Kay Meek, Yovani Jimenez, and Danny Diaz — and to KCCD Chancellor Sean Hancock for their continued commitment to making college accessible to students while they are still in high school.

We had Pam Haynes from the Board of Governors join us and a great group from the Chancellor’s Office.

We were also delighted to have John Mendiburu, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Senator Melissa Hurtado, and former Assemblymember Rudy Salas with us. Their presence reflected the broad community support that has helped make this work possible.

And there was a wonderful connection to McFarland’s history. Jim White, the legendary cross-country coach whose story was brought to the big screen by Kevin Costner in the film McFarland, USA, joined us for the celebration. If you have not seen it, the movie is streaming on Disney and Amazon Prime. Maybe one of these rainy weekends, you should settle down and watch the movie.

McFarland has long been a community that reminds us what happens when someone believes in the potential of young people. It was special to have him there as we celebrated another chapter in that story.

And perhaps that is what makes McFarland such a fitting place for this movement to grow. A community known nationally for a coach who saw extraordinary potential in his students is now helping California rethink when and how students begin their college journeys.

What began in McFarland is now helping shape what is possible for students across California. This is Vision 2030 in action.

We brought back Kylie Campbell to lead the implementation of the Statewide Early College Demonstration Project.

In the news:

Good morning California.
It is October 31, 2026
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

San Bernardino Valley College’s First Bachelor’s Degree Off to Successful Start

San Bernardino Valley College’s first bachelor’s degree cohort is off to a running start in the fall 2026 semester.

The new bachelor’s degree in water resources management drew more than 100 applicants for fall 2026, leading the program to expand from 20 spots to 35.

The program aims to supply new workers in the local water industry, where more than a third of employees are expected to retire within the next decade, according to a 2024 SBVC labor analysis. The Inland Empire ranks among the top regions nationally for water-related careers, with strong salaries and persistent demand for qualified candidates.

» Read more!

Lemoore College and Fresno State expand transfer opportunities
with opening of Fresno State Success Center

Lemoore College and Fresno State are strengthening their partnership to expand educational opportunities for Central Valley students with the opening of the Fresno State Success Center on the Lemoore College campus. The new center provides students with direct access to Fresno State resources, guidance and support as they prepare to transfer and continue their education. By bringing university services directly to Lemoore College through the Bulldog Bound transfer program, the partnership is designed to simplify the transfer process, strengthen academic pathways and help more students pursue bachelor’s degrees.

» Read more!

Chaffey College Black and Brown Minds & Mattering Conference Celebrates Superheroes

Star Rivera-Lacey, deputy chancellor and provost for the Riverside Community College District, delivered her message of resilience and strength to about 450 higher education leaders, students and community members at Chaffey College’s Black and Brown Minds & Mattering Conference on Oct. 23. The conference, focusing on the theme of superheroes, included a variety of workshops on supporting and lifting up communities of color, as well as keynote presentations by Rivera-Lacey and Nikkolas Smith, artivist and bestselling author.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

Report: 6.4 Million Adults Are California’s Untapped Workforce

Nearly half of the 6.4 million California adults of prime working age who hold a high school diploma but no college degree have already taken college courses, and three in four are employed, according to a new analysis that urges the state to remake its higher education system around them.

The report, “Untapped Opportunity: Meet California’s 6.4 Million Potential Graduates,” was released this month by California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy, a nonpartisan research and policy organization based in Oakland. It profiles residents ages 25 to 54 who finished high school or earned an equivalent credential but never completed an associate degree or higher, a group the organization calls “potential graduates.” The study refreshes a statewide portrait California Competes first published in 2021.

» Read more!

*****

Inside California’s decadelong higher education expansion in prisons

In 2014, then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation to fund community college courses inside jails and prisons, part of a slate of criminal justice and prison reforms to reduce the rate of people returning to prison after serving their sentences. More than a decade later, California’s higher education offerings in prisons now include 13 bachelor’s degree programs with nearly 500 graduates to date, with plans for further expansion.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Los Angeles City College:

Los Angeles City College (LACC) welcomed more than 3,500 Los Angeles Unified School District students and family members to campus on Tuesday, September 29, for the LAUSD Region West College & Career Fair, one of the region’s largest events focused on helping students explore their options after high school.

*****

From Monterey Peninsula College:

A name that honors a legacy.

Today, we celebrated the official ribbon-cutting and dedication of The Walker Center (Building 10), named in honor of the late Laurence E. “Larry” Walker, Sr. An MPC alumnus and first-generation college student, Larry dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to expanding educational opportunities, supporting student success, and making sure every student had the resources they needed to thrive.

Now home to MPC’s Welcome Center, student programs, and support services, The Walker Center will continue the work Larry was so passionate about: helping students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. We were honored to celebrate this special milestone alongside the Walker family and our campus community.

*****

From Citrus College:

We had a gourd time in the Campus Mall today! Students got into the fall spirit with pumpkin painting, games, friendly competitions, seasonal treats, music and more at Pumpkin Palooza! Thank you to the Pride Center, Black Scholars and Rising Scholars programs for hosting this festive event and bringing our campus community together.

*****

And San Joaquin Delta College shared that alum Robert Gasser would be playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in this year’s World Series. His efforts helped his team secure their franchise’s first World Series championship.

And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Receives $100,000 Grant to Support Students Pursuing Healthcare Careers

Last week, Bank of America hosted their annual Community Roundtable and Celebration in the Renegade Event Center. The event brings together local community members and businesses to discuss public relations, charitable contributions and strategizing, and more. During the event, the BC Foundation received the 2026 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Grant for $100,000 to support the Aspiring Medical Professionals Pathway.

Karen Zuber, President of Bakersfield Local Market at Bank of America, was excited to announce the recipient of the grant. “We are so honored to present this year’s Neighborhood Builder Award to the Bakersfield College Foundation,” she said to the attendees, “we thank you for believing in students, we thank for believing in the community, and for helping create opportunities that can change the course of a person’s life.”

» Read more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

2026 Sterling Silver on March 14th

Uncategorized March 22, 2026 Leave a comment

But before I jump into my week, let me start with Sterling Silver, last Saturday, March 14th. It was wonderful seeing friends and colleagues.

With Kate Pluta, Nick Strobel and Janet Tarjan:

It was great connecting with Ravi and Naina Patel. I got to know the two of them very well when we worked on the Peace Gardens at BC and the Regenerative Farm project. The won the philanthropist of the year award at this year’s Sterling Silver.

Talking about the Patels, here is a blast from the past….

In 2020 the Pease Garden was established. Here is a 10-min video where the committee introduced this project to the campus. The speakers in this video include — Sonya Christian, Krista Moreland, Emma McNellis, Naina Patel, Lisa Elzy Watson, Hansa Patel, and Neeraj Rama.

And Corny Rodriguez was recognized with the Sterling Silver Service award. A

Always happy to see Mayor Karen Goh.

Talking about Corny, here is a blast from the past…..

Check out this video celebrating Corny on his retirement:

Back to Sterling Silver. Here is a photo with Romeo Agbalog, Kay Meek & Jean Fuller:

Was so happy that Jean Fuller was able to make it. Here is throwback to when Jean was recognized with the Service award.

Here is the video of Kylie introducing Jean Fuller and her work with Early College.

And another selfie with Kate, Nick & Janet –

Thankful that Janet snapped these pictures.

Here is one with Rudy Salas.

Rudy Salas brought significant resources to Bakersfield College when he was in the Assembly. He received the 2020 Sterling Silver Service Award. Check out this blast from the past. A 3-min video.

And with Yovani Jimenez

And with Norma Rojas-Mora and Gabby Gonzalez

Now, let’s move to this week…. started in Sacramento…

Spring has sprung in Sacramento. Snapped photos of azalea on my walk back with a friend from Zocalos.

More flowers –

And calla lilies –

And dogwood in bloom –

Closed out my week in San Diego.

What’s not to love about San Diego

And at night –

And the icing on the cake – when I met up with Daisy Gonzales and we did our usual walk by the waterfront.

Then it was off to the CEO symposium. Here’s a pic with Anthony Culpepper and Rowena Tomaneng:

This week was also the Rising Scholars Program Convening.

Rising Scholars now spans 104 colleges, supports students in 147 correctional facilities, and connects them to 90 on campus programs that help them continue their education after release.

Chelsea Esquibias, senior advisor at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, started the event with a welcome and network address.

Board of Governors Member and Former President Pamela Haynes held a fireside chat moderated by Assistant Vice Chancellor Erin Larson, with panelists Tyee Griffith, program coordinator at the Prison Education Project and Matthew Caddell, Student Government President/Student Trustee at Chaffey College.

Michael Redding, deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor for public safety at the Office of the Governor, gave the keynote address on ‘Public Safety and Higher Education.’

Good morning California.
It is March 21, 2026.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Cloverlane Foundation Funds New “Jaws of Life”
for Allan Hancock College Fire Academy

 A generous donation is helping Allan Hancock College strengthen hands-on training for the next generation of firefighters.   The Allan Hancock College Foundation received a $25,000 donation from Cloverlane Foundation to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art “Jaws of Life” extrication system for use in the college’s fire academy, along with other essential equipment for fire academy students.

» Read more!

Rep. Juan Vargas secures additional $500K in funding
for San Diego College of Continuing Education

U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52) has secured $500,000 in federal funding for critical utility and water infrastructure improvements at San Diego College of Continuing Education.  The investment will upgrade critical campus infrastructure, strengthening SDCCE’s ability to provide hands-on workforce training to approximately 30,000 adult learners each year.

» Read more!

Long Beach City College Opens New Building MM to Help Students Build the Future

Long Beach City College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus to celebrate the grand opening of the new Building MM complex. The facility supports the city’s growing Space Beach sector and serves as the new home for the Architecture, Anthropology, Carpentry, Horticulture, HVAC, and Plant Science programs, preparing students for careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and construction industries expanding across the region.

» Read more!

In Case You Missed It

He was an undocumented immigrant. Now he runs LA’s community colleges

When Alberto Román was a boy growing up in the Mexican state of Durango, his father was often far from home. Most times, he’d be gone for months.

Román’s father, Javier, had a third-grade education. And when work was scarce in Mexico, he’d venture north to the United Sates and take whatever job he could find.

Román missed his father terribly, and he relished the time alone with him. When his father would return to Mexico, they’d hike to a majestic statue of the revolutionary Pancho Villa, where Román and his father could also look out at their city.

Román did not know it then but, soon, that view would become a memory. When he was eight, his father returned; but, this time, Javier took his son, his daughter, and his wife with him back to the U.S. The family settled in Rialto, in California’s Inland Empire. Suddenly, Román had a new home and new challenges to contend with.

» Read more!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Mission College:

Mission College’s Rising Scholars program is partnering with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office on an initiative to revitalize the Elmwood Men’s Library, supporting education, personal growth, and second chances for incarcerated students. Last week marked a major milestone as decades-old furniture was replaced and new furniture donated by Mission College was installed.

*****

From Ventura College:

From galaxies to black holes, Ventura College welcomed a full crowd for an inspiring two-day astronomy experience.

We honored 100 years of science at VC with stargazing, interactive space simulations, and a vibrant evening of discovery for all ages

Dr. Cameron Hummels from CalTech lectured on black holes as part of the American Astronomical Society’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectures Program, a nationally recognized initiative that brings leading astronomers to colleges across the country.

Thank you to the Ventura County Astronomical Society for setting up the all the telescopes for the star watching party.

*****

From Ohlone College:

This year’s #WomenInSTEM Dinner was one for the books! Thank you to Ohlone College MESA and our Society of Women Engineers student club for connecting women leaders in #STEM with our Renegades. Cheers to bright futures and #WomensHistoryMonth

*****

From Mt. San Jacinto College:

Enjoying pizza slices and conversations with the president!

And From the Home of the Renegades

Bakersfield College Beach Volleyball Makes History with First-Ever Home Matches

Bakersfield College’s beach volleyball program made history on Friday, March 6, hosting its first-ever home matches on the college’s newly constructed beach volleyball courts. The Renegades rose to the occasion, defeating Cuesta College 3-2 and Glendale 4-1 to sweep the day.

The milestone marked a significant moment for BC athletics, with the new courts giving the program a permanent home to compete and grow. The wins extended what has been a strong start to the season. BC has now won five straight and sits at 8-4 overall on the season.

All home events this season are free and open to the public.

» Follow results and see upcoming schedules!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.
See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy,

Your Chancellor
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

CA Community Colleges – Serious work with a light touch

Uncategorized August 5, 2023 1 Comment

Last Saturday, I saw Oppenheimer … an excellent movie… I believe one of Christopher Nolan’s very best. I have a low tolerance for long movies. This one is 3 hours… and I was immersed in each and every moment.

Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer.

Christopher Nolan is a highly acclaimed filmmaker known for his unique storytelling style, intricate narratives, and visually stunning films. The phrase “non-linear storytelling” is ofter used by film critics to describe his work. Nolan’s films often delve into complex philosophical themes and human psychology. Existential questions, the nature of reality, time, and identity are recurring motifs in his work.

He was born on July 30, 1970, in London, England. Nolan’s work has left a significant impact on the film industry, and his films have achieved both critical and commercial success.

Watch the trailer… very powerful. The movie, even more so. Definitely a must see.

Btw, did you recognize the high profile star cast? Were you able to pick out Robert Downey Jr?

*****

On Sunday, I caught Bakersfield College’s performance of The Addams Family Musical. It was spectacular. Brian Sivesind, this was truly a remarkable feat. Thank you!

I loved these photos that Brian shared on Facebook:

The orchestra was fantastic. Thank you Scott Dirkse! We have a remarkable lineup of talent in our Performing Arts program at Bakersfield College

And check out this photo from Yovani Jimenez of some of the KCCD trustees and supporters attending the show:

Dr. Bill and Sharon Baker, Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller and Russell Fuller, Trustee Christina Scrivner and her two daughters, Trustee Yovani Jimenez. Not in the photo, but in attendance was President of the Board, Trustee Romeo Agbalog.

*****

This week I spent time in Sacramento, with an apprenticeship meeting co-hosted by the Labor Agency and the Chancellor’s Office. Together we are hoping to convert our California Community College apprenticeship experiences into Apprenticeship Pathways. And thank you Secretary Stewart Knox for your partnership. Stay tuned for more to come.

–

Talking about apprenticeships, check out this blog post from March 2023. It is only a 6-minute read. https://workforceandeconomicmobility.com/2023/03/10/earn-and-learn-expanding-work-based-learning-opportunities/

*****

On Wednesday, we had a well-attended – 1200 attendees! – webinar to roll out Vision 2030. I was joined by some amazing presenters:

Cassandra Flandre-Nguyen, President SSCCC. Our student was absolutely fantastic. After her presentation, and when I came back on, the only word that I kept repeating was “wow.”

Andra Hoffman, President, CCCT

Julianna Barnes, President, CEO Board and Chair, League Board

Manuel Payan, CSEA

Manuel Velez, Vice President, ASCCC

Lizette Navarette, Executive Vice Chancellor

Good morning California.
It is August 5, 2023.
A good day to be a Community College Champion

From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Calbright College Granted Accreditation Through
Distance Education Accrediting Commission

On Friday, July 28, Calbright College was granted initial accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), more than a year ahead of the April 1, 2025 deadline outlined in the College’s founding legislation. 

» Learn more about Calbright’s accreditation!

RCCD Celebrates Closing Celebration for Inaugural Cohort 1 of Californians for All, College Corps Program

The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) marked a momentous occasion as it celebrated the closing celebration for the inaugural Cohort 1 of the Californians For All, College Corps Program. The program was initiated with an inspiring introduction from Director Darci Manzo Piron, who highlighted the significance of College Corps as a pioneering state-sponsored service and career development program.

» Read more about the program!

Santa Barbara Summer Bridge Programs Offer Jumpstart to College

This summer two of Santa Barbara City College’s innovative programs welcomed local students to experience college-level coursework and gain confidence and motivation to seek higher education in their lives.

» Read more about SBCC Summer Bridge!

College of Marin hosts 10,000 Degrees summits

10,000 Degrees, a San Rafael-based organization dedicated to empowering students to enter and graduate college in Marin and seven other Bay Area counties, held its annual ‘College Opportunities Summit’ on August 1, and the ‘High School Readiness Summit’ on August 3 at College of Marin, Kentfield Campus.

» Learn more!

In Case You Missed It

Community College League: Sierra College Student Trustee
to Attend Yale University

The Community College League of California did a feature on SierraCollege’s 22-23 student trustee Maya Moseley to chat about her experience as a student trustee and her acceptance into Yale.

Sierra College student Maya Moseley had no idea that her community college journey would end with a Yale acceptance. But let’s rewind— how did she end up there?

» Read the feature!

*****

EdSource: What to know about bachelor’s degrees at California Community Colleges | Quick Guide

EdSource’s Michael Burke wrote this quick guide to bachelor’s degrees at California Community Colleges.

The relatively low price tag of a community college baccalaureate degree is also attractive to many students. (Specific details about the costs can be found later in this guide.) When the Legislative Analyst’s Office conducted an analysis of existing community college baccalaureate programs, “the most common benefit” they heard from students was the low cost of the programs. “Many had considered enrolling in private programs offering the same degree, but were hesitant to do so because of the cost,” the LAO wrote.

» Read the article!

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Rowena Tomaneng posted this from the AACC Board Retreat in Washington, DC:

Day 2 #AACC Board Retreat, DC– great dialogue w/#NasserPaydar, Asst. Secretary for Postsecondary Education @usedgov, on Impact of SCOTUS decision on Affirmative Action on #CommunityColleges! Honored to rep @CalCommColleges at the national level w/#SunnyCooke #MichaelGuitterez

*****

From Dr. Julius Sokenu at Moorkpark College:

“We are incredibly grateful for Assemblywoman @jacquiirwin for a $500,000 donation to the construction of The @Moorpark College Amphitheater. Thank you for supporting our shared vision to bring greater opportunities for culture and the arts to our community.”

*****

From Evergreen College:

Did you catch us on @liveinthebaytv this week??
Thank you @kron4news for the feature and for spotlighting our amazing school and staff, Professor Dr. Peter Miskin!

Check it out at https://www.kron4.com/live-in-the-bay/sponsored-enroll-in-evergreen-valley-college/.

And From the Home of the Renegades

Exciting things await at BC this fall; celebrating 110 years of excellence

Bakersfield College is buzzing with excitement for the start of a new academic year. This year, however, is extra special as we celebrate a momentous milestone — BC’s 110th anniversary of serving the community since our founding in 1913.

» Read more about this week at Bakersfield College!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Remember – our greatest challenges enable us to do our greatest work.

That’s all for today.

See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

April 2022 — Here we come

Uncategorized April 2, 2022 Leave a comment

While clear blue sunny skies are lovely, it’s always nice to take the time to appreciate the beauty when the clouds roll in as well:

On Tuesday, I was so excited to announce at our 6th AWE Webinar that our community was selected for two US Department of Energy grants through the Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) — on Carbon Capture and Sequestration and Microgrids. Kern CCD partnered with the county for one and with the city for the other along with numerous other partners.

Here is my announcement from Tuesday:

Once again, the Kern Community College District is at the forefront of innovation as we work toward sustainability and securing a better economic future for all in our region.

Check out this article from John Cox in The Bakersfield Californian about the grant.

This week I was invited to meet US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

It was wonderful hanging out with Chancellor Eloy Oakley and other CA higher ed leaders – UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz, Compton College President Keith Curry, Cerritos College President Jose Fierro, University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman, and Long Beach City College President Mike Munoz, as we discussed ways the US Department of Education can support our most disadvantaged students.

Women in Leadership Panel

On Tuesday, the Kern Community College District hosted the 3rd Annual Women in Leadership Panel. Moderator Jean Fuller led a discussion featuring Martha Flores, Porterville Mayor; Wendy Avila, Kern County Superior Court Judge; and Brenda Lewis, CA Board of Education Member and former Kern High School District Superintendent.

It was so inspiring to hear these accomplished women speak about their roles and how their histories led them to where they are now.

And the panel discussion:

Here are some fun photos.

Good morning, friends…
It is April 2, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

Porterville College

PC Hires New Gear Up Manager, Begins to move program to the community

PC welcomes the new Gear Up Program Manager, Gloriann Garza.

Gloriann migrated with her family to the central valley from the island of Puerto Rico when she was just 7 years old and has lived in the area ever since.

She is a first-generation student who earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Educational Counseling from CSU Bakersfield.

For the past 10 years, she has worked for her Alma mater as a Financial Aid Counselor, and most recently as a University Outreach Counselor.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded program designed to elevate the academic achievement, college attendance, and graduation rates of first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, and underserved students.

GEAR UP works in partnership with educational and community institutions to provide students and families with individual and group advising, academic and tutoring support, college and career exploration opportunities, skill building workshops, enrichment programs, college visits, and educational field trips. Porterville College was awarded the GEAR UP Grant in the Fall of 2021.

The Porterville College GEAR UP program is partnered with Porterville Unified School District and Earlimart School District to provide exclusive services to the Class of 2028.

Two PC students Qualify for Phi Theta Kappa All-California Community College Academic Team

Erica Coon
Javier Corona-Rosas

Porterville College Students, Erica Coon and Javier Corona-Rosas have all been selected to be a part of the 2022 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-California Academic Team. This year, 114 students were selected out of the millions of community college students enrolled in California schools.

Ms. Coon was ranked among the top 75 community college students in California which put her onto the All-California 2nd Academic Team. Mr. Corona-Rosas was ranked among the top 100 students, placing him on the 3rd team. They join two students from Bakersfield College, to represent the Kern Community College District in the All-California Teams this year.

The purpose of the Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team Program is to provide recognition at the state level for our top community college students.

Grades, leadership, and community service determine selection to the All-California First, Second and Third Teams. The students selected represent some of the best of over two million students enrolled in California’s 116 community colleges. Students have undoubtedly faced many additional and unprecedented challenges over the last two years. The 2022 winners should be exceptionally proud of their achievements during these difficult times.

To view the team selections and rankings, click here. Please join us in congratulating these fine students for this outstanding collegiate achievement.

Sandra Cisneros will discuss recent works for PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series

Sandra Cisneros is a poet, short story writer, novelist, and essayist whose work explores the lives of the working-class. Her numerous awards include NEA fellowships in both poetry and fiction, the Texas Medal of the Arts, a MacArthur Fellowship, the PEN/Nabokov Award for International Literature and the National Medal of the Arts, awarded to her by President Obama in 2016.

Ms. Cisneros will discuss her work with the Porterville College community as the next guest speaker in our PC Writer and Poet Speaker Series on April 21st from 12pm to 1pm.

Her novel, The House on Mango Street has sold over seven million copies, has been translated into over twenty-five languages, and is required reading in elementary, high school, and universities across the nation.

She will be discussing her new book, Martita, I Remember You/Martita, te recuerdo, a story in English and in Spanish, that was published in 2021. In the fall of 2022, a new collection of her poetry, Woman Without Shame, her first in 28 years, will be published by Knopf Publishing.

Cisneros is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico who earns her living by her pen. You can register for this upcoming event at via zoom at https://tinyurl.com/3v8m6xnr. It is open to everyone.

Cerro Coso Community College

CC Garden Club – Seed Planting Success

Alan Esparza and Elajae Lee

Many students participate in college clubs to extend their learning opportunities and make new friendships.  The Cerro Coso Garden Club provides a great way for students to learn about gardening and gain hands-on experience growing their own food, and tasting the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. 

A successful garden club experience requires planning and patience, and most of all, a spirit of adventure. 

Novice and experienced gardeners know that no matter how well you plan, Mother Nature will add her own variables like scorching hot days, cabbage worms, and even freezing rain. 

The Cerro Coso Garden Club is experiencing great success with their garden.  Promise student Alan Esparza and PTK President Elajae Lee are actively involved in the garden club project. Professors Guck Ooi, Claudia Sellers, and Sarah King, all have been working very hard to bring the club to life and produce food items like carrots, onions, arugula, and so much more.  The idea is to provide fresh produce for students, faculty and staff on a regular basis and continue to work closely with the Coyote Cupboard.  Fresh produce days are coming and will be available campus wide very soon.  Donations will be helpful when anyone takes an item — all donations will go back to support the Garden Club and Coyote Cupboard.

Gardening is a wonderful learning experience. It is also an exercise in patience, trial and error, and working with uncontrollable variables like the weather.  Whatever they cultivate will be a worthwhile learning experience for CC students. 

Take Control of Your Future – Register for Summer and Fall Classes at Cerro Coso

No matter where you are on your educational journey, Cerro Coso Community College has a program designed to meet you where you are. 

This is the time to focus on your future and take steps toward achieving your goals.

Open registration for summer and fall classes will begin April 13, 2022.  The new student registration process delivers a fresh user experience with a modern look and feel.  Features include: increased efficiencies, new tools, and improved capabilities.  The upgrade launched March 1, 2022 and those registering for classes will notice changes to the registration process, and there are lots of resources available to help understand how to use the system. 

On campus offerings this summer include Kinesiology and Welding.  Online classes include Administration of Justice, Paralegal, Web Management, Art, Spanish, Sociology, and a lot more.  A complete listing of summer and fall classes is available online at www.cerrocoso.edu .  Plan today to secure a class schedule that works best for you. 

Summer is a great time to get a head start on your college journey.  For more information contact the Cerro Coso Counseling Department at 760-384-6219 or email them at counseling_forms@cerrocoso.edu.

Need help paying for college?  Cerro Coso has lots of resources to help pay for college.  Contact the college Financial Aid Office for assistance with FASFA, State Financial Aid, Scholarships, Finish Line Scholars, Promise and more at 760-384-6221 or email at cc_faid@cerrocoso.edu.   Summer classes begin June 6, 2022 and Fall classes begin August 22, 2022.  There is something for everyone at Cerro Coso Community College.  Your hometown college.      

Find Out How Your Student Can Earn College Credit While In High School

Getting a head start on college credits during high school will save money, impress college admissions departments, and offer greater degree flexibility. Earning college credits in high school is a great way for students to take initiative, strengthen their chances of admissions, explore their interests, or try something new.  By gaining credits towards a degree while still in high school, students can graduate faster, spend less money, and position themselves for success. 

Cerro Coso Community College is hosting a virtual Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Programs Workshop for parents of high school students on Tuesday, April 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

If you are the parent of a junior or senior in high school, find out how your student can get a head start in earning college credits before they leave high school, ultimately making their college experience more affordable, efficient, and enriching.

Cerro Coso Community College offers dual and concurrent enrollment classes for high school students throughout its service area.

Parents are being asked to pre-register for the Zoom workshop at www.cerrocoso.edu.

For more information contact the College Outreach Office at 760-384-6150 or email outreach@cerrocoso.edu.

Registration for summer and fall 2022 classes begins April 13. 

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield College Honored with Shafter Education Award

Bakersfield College was honored with the education award at the annual Shafter Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet last week for our work with the City of Shafter to reopen the community library in January. The library was closed at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, when it was part of the Kern County Library system.

The City of Shafter has since taken over the operation of the library and has partnered with Bakersfield College to staff and operate the facility. In preparation for the re-opening, a significant investment has been made in new books, with a focus on children. The city also provides classes, tutoring and access to computers at Shafter Learning Center, co-located at library, and Bakersfield College also offers classes, registration events and counselor support at the center through our Rural Initiatives program. Bakersfield College is proud to help provide our rural communities with the same access to educational resources as their big city counterparts.

Thank you to Kern CCD Trustee President Romeo Agbalog, who accepted the award.

Industrial Automation’s Robotic Dog SPOT Continues Tour of Kern County

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Industrial Automation’s robotic dog SPOT as he continued his tour of Kern County.

On March 9th, SPOT along with Industrial Automation program manager Carlos Medina and faculty Dr. Paul Murray, were interviewed on a local TV show “Do The Math.” On the show, they discussed how SPOT ended up at BC, other robots in the program, how SPOT enhances the programming learning experience in BC classrooms, and more. It was a wonderful time showcasing SPOT’s features and functions.

On March 22nd, SPOT joined the Agriculture Department at Farm Day in the City at the Kern County Fair where he was able to interact with elementary students and challenge them in a push up competition.

It is amazing to see young students in Kern County having the opportunity to interact with BC faculty and staff, and to see first hand how education and creativity can produce amazing designs like SPOT.

BC Alumni Association to Host Fundraising Event

The BC Alumni Association will be hosting the “Kern County Premium (KCP)” Fest at the Temblor Brewing Company on Saturday, April 23rd, 6:00PM – 10:30PM. The event will feature live performances by Mento Buru and DJ Mikey, and will feature drink specials for attendees. The event is open to all ages and is 5 dollars to attend.

The KCP Fest will benefit the Bakersfield College Alumni Association. It will be a great opportunity to reconnect with BC friends and family, while raising funds that will benefit future Renegade students and alumni. We hope to see you there. For more information visit the BC Alumni Association Facebook page.

BC Hosts Grad Fair

Bakersfield College’s 108th Commencement is quickly approaching.  To help eligible students prepare for the ceremony, BC hosted a Grad Fair on the main campus this week. Students had the opportunity to get all of their graduation materials including regalia, invitations, mementos, rings, portraits, and more.

It truly is an exciting time for our students as they have the opportunity to participate in the first in-person commencement celebration in several years.

In the News

PC orchestra director to perform at Grammys

The Porterville Recorder published this piece about Dr. Tianna Heppner Smith, the Director of Band and Orchestra at Porterville College, who will perform at this weekend’s Grammys, taking place on Sunday at 5pm.

“Music has been a passion of mine since I began in my local program in sixth grade and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said. “I love performing, I love being a pedagogue and helping students and novice string instrumentalists improve on their instruments.”

New 150-tree arboretum beginning to take root at Bakersfield College campus

Steven Mayer wrote this article in The Bakersfield Californian about a new arboretum on BC’s campus.

“One of the concepts behind the Bakersfield College Arboretum is to create an outdoor living laboratory for the students of horticulture, forestry and plant science to have an eyes- and hands-on learning experience,” said Melissa Iger, a certified arborist who heads the Tree Foundation of Kern.

Fun Photo and Spotted on Social Media

PC President Claudia Habib shared this from the Porterville College Plant Sale:

Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock was also spending time with his college’s garden:

Vice Chancellor of Educational Services John Means was recognized at the Kern Education Pledge Convening. This was his last KEP meeting and he was honored with a very nice resolution on a plaque presented by Mary Barlow. 

Cheryl Scott shared these photos from the KernCounty STEMposium & Career Expo:

====================

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

The future is bright at KernCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

Renegades creating history every step of the way

Uncategorized February 20, 2021 Comments: 2

This week, Michael O’Doherty, one of our Foundation Board members, sent me this picture:

Renegades control rebound, 1963”
Courtesy Los Angeles Public Library
Michael O’Doherty

“Live in Black and White on the wall of Vons in the Marketplace is this action shot of Renegade Basketball.”

One of the things I love best about Bakersfield College is how connected it is throughout the community. I love the interaction between the campus and Bakersfield – BC truly is a community college. That sense of community pride strengthens our students, faculty, staff and administration as we all work toward our common goal of helping our students achieve their educational goals.

And I love the notes and emails that people share with me when they see BC being represented throughout the community. Keep those notes coming.

Btw, Have you seen this picture at Vons?

Good morning Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, February 20, 2021 … a great day to be a Renegade.

KHSD Expanding Early College Partnership with BC

The Career Technical Education Center on Old River Road, home to several of our Early College courses at KHSD.

The Kern High School District is offering a select number of students the opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree. With BC’s Early College program expanding into the Kern High School District, students can get a 2-year head start on their baccalaureate degree, and all books and transportation will be provided to them free of charge.

Check out the news story from 23ABC:

Applications for KHSD parents to enroll their students in Early College end on March 26. For more information, visit the Early College website.

Thank you Dr. Jean Fuller and Trustee Romeo Agbalog for your leadership in the #EarlyCollege movement.

Learning Together with the Library

The BC Library continued its series of conversations around cultural competency during the All-Campus Virtual Seminar on Thursday. English professor Pam Boyles and history professor Erin Miller discussed their thoughts about the video titled “Fighting Racism Without Shaming”, featuring Moral Courage Project founder Dr. Irshad Manji.

Thank you to Mindy Wilmot for moderating the discussion, Todd Coston for serving as our emcee, and Earl Parsons for providing the programming support for the Virtual Seminar Series.

Check out the video below:

You can find videos from previous Learning Together seminars, as well as other virtual forums, on the President’s Events page. (Check the Virtual Forums tab!)

Recognizing Robert Tafoya

This week I saw a wonderful article from Jose Gaspar in the Bakersfield Californian honoring Judge Robert Tafoya, who retired February 5 after being appointed to the bench by Governor Gray Davis in 2002.

I’m not sure if you are all aware, but Judge Tafoya was the person behind creating Bakersfield College’s inmate education program. I remember when Chancellor Emeritus Sandra Serrano called me about working with Kern Valley State Prison to create an educational opportunity for inmates, with a goal of providing opportunities for these individuals while reducing recidivism rates.

After this phone call, I pinged Rich McCrow, then director of the Delano campus. Rich put his head and heart into building this program — and Bryan Hirayama was the first faculty member to teach at KVSP.

The program began at Kern Valley State Prison in Spring 2015. The pilot course, COMM B1 – Public Speaking, had 27 students enrolled.

Our first Inmate Scholars cohort of 17 students graduated in August 2019.

I am grateful for Judge Tafoya and Chancellor Serrano for seeding this work that has made such a profound change in these inmates’ lives.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

On Friday, Kern County Public Health announced that more sectors will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines beginning next week. It’s been reassuring seeing members of our Bakersfield College community being able to get their vaccines as well.

Di Hoffman, one of our nursing faculty, shared that she got her vaccine this week:

If you have photos of yourself or loved ones getting vaccinated for COVID-19, please email them to earl.parsons@bakersfieldcollege.edu or president@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

I’d also like to share another video from our February 2 Virtual Forum with Dr. Michael Saag. In this clip, he talks more about the vaccine rollout process and our ability to scale up our supply and distribution:

Mars Rover Perseverance Watch Party

On Thursday, NASA successfully landed a new rover, Perseverance, on Mars. Astronomy professor Nick Strobel hosted a Zoom watch party for our Renegade community. Before the landing, he shared lots of great information about Perseverance’s mission and about Mars.

The Perseverance mission is looking for signs of possible past life on Mars, as well as collecting rock and soil samples and testing oxygen production in the atmosphere to prepare for potential future human travel to the Red Planet.

Nick also wrote about the Mars Perseverance mission in his February 21 Bakersfield Night Sky column.

Opening Day Spring 2021

This week, I’m sharing two videos from Day 2 of our Spring Opening Day celebration.

We opened the day’s production with this photo roll from Fall semester:

And please enjoy this performance of “Stomp on the Fire” from the Bakersfield College Chamber Singers:

Check out all the videos from our 3-day Opening Day production on the Spring Opening Day website.

Spotted on Social Media

BCSGA shared this picture of Maya Angelou’s visit to Bakersfield College in the 1970s:

Librarian Mindy Wilmot shared this throwback photo:

Professor Buggs’ Level 2 RN students celebrated completing their first round of clinical:

Shannon Musser tuned into BC’s Perseverance watch party with her kids:

The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce had this positive message to share:

Athletics

Head Coach Spotlight – Casey Goodman, Renegade Softball

Our Renegade Coaches are the glue that keep their teams together. All of our coaches spend countless hours behind the scenes preparing their teams for competition and life. This week we’re shining the spotlight on Casey Goodman, who leads our softball team.

Coach Goodman has been at BC since 2017 and has already won two Western State Conference (WSC) Championships and been named the 2019 WSC Coach of the Year. Coach Goodman played college softball at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where as a player she earned multiple post-season awards and has since been inducted into the ULM Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

We are proud to call Coach Goodman a Renegade and know she’s still yet to accomplish many great things in her coaching career!

====================

That’s all for now.
Until next time.

With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya –
the luckiest and happiest college president ever