Good morning Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, August 25, 2018….
the day a great American Hero, John McCain, passed away.
Here is one of the many McCain character moments that I love.
Senator John McCain, an American Hero!
Now to get back to Bakersfield College…. woke up to BC featured in The Bakersfield Californian and the Bakersfield Life magazine.
For starters Erin Auerbach‘s piece was published in the Bakersfield Life Magazine.
Renegade Athlete Cameron Robeson
Great piece on the Homeless Shelter
Welcome Week Fall 2018
Enrollments are up for the fifth year in a row! BC’s current FTES has increased by 3.8%! The campus has been hustling and bustling, which is a nice change from the quiet that typically falls over the campus during the summer. Welcome to Fall 2018 – it’s a great day to be a Renegade!
The Office of Student Life and the Outreach & School Relations Department had welcome tents around Panorama campus for staff and faculty Renegades to greet arriving students and be available to help them with campus information and student planners. The tables were at the Administration Building, Red and White Way near the Huddle, and at the Roundabout in P3, the solar parking lot. Student Life also had golf carts roaming the campus offering rides and guidance to students as they walked around campus.
Kristina Whitmore from the Student Success and Equity Office was also driving a cart. They are calling it the “GUBER” ride. I think this meant a Golf Cart UBER – but who knows?!
Kristina Whitmore drives students in a BC cart on Opening Day
Multiple activities were hosted around campus to ensure that students had something to do between classes. Faculty and staff were out and about and the campus was bustling with activities. It was great to see Dean Billie Jo Rice having her morning coffee and sharing about BC’s ISER with Ginger Leblanc out in front of the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library. Just love this photos….great smiles…and so relaxed. We are BC!
Billie Jo Rice talking about the ISER.
Office of Student Life and the Outreach and School Relations department hosted a table near the Administration Building where they were able to help students, answer questions, and talk about BC. The people in the Office of Student Life and your Bakersfield College Student Government Association (BCSGA) understand how overwhelming that first day of the semester can be.
Public Safety had officers conducting high visibility patrols in the parking lots. They, too, assisted students with questions regarding parking permits and where their classes were located on campus. We set up a right-turn-only traffic direction when leaving by the main driveway to assist students and staff to exit the campus easily onto Haley Street. This right-turn-only exit has helped in reducing congestion there.
The Welcome Center was an incredible hub of energy serving students with all sorts of questions and concerns throughout the first week. The camera was flashing non-stop as the Welcome Center crew prepared student ID’s for all our new Renegades. The amazing Steve Watkin, Director of Outreach and Dual Enrollment was also spending time at the front counter to assist students one-on-one.
Savannah Andrews and Ashlea Ward in the Welcome Center
Steve Watkin assisting students at the Welcome Center
I’m the luckiest and happiest college president ever because of the way that BC truly supports our students. On Opening Day, it was incredible to see the helping hands of management, faculty, and staff everywhere! Like Corny Rodriguez, Manny Mourtzanos, Michele Bresso, Bill Moseley and others who I spotted in BC Food Services taking ticket orders or crafting sandwiches.
Corny Rodriguez in Food Service
Management Team including Manny Mourtzanos, Michele Bresso, Khushnur Dadabhoy, and Lisa Kent in Food Services
The Bakersfield Californian highlighted the smooth opening week due to the hard work of our Measure J construction planning team. In the article, “BC delays parking lot work to September, college opens smoothly” Steven Mayer said, “The college’s efforts to convince students, staff and faculty to ride the bus, carpool, ride a bike, or be dropped off may have helped ease the pressure. And administrators postponed plans to close a parking lot for improvements, a decision that likely was met with a sigh of relief from some students.” Students who are mentioned in the article took various modes of transportation to class and that’s wonderful to hear since our team has created partnerships and programs to help ease the commuter transportation burden.
Partnership with Kern Transit
Check out Tamara Baker’s post on Facebook with Tabatha Mills of KGET who helped share the news about this incredible partnership. You can view the story HERE!
Bakersfield College students can ride Kern Transit for FREE as long as they present a valid student ID. Free rides begin in the Fall 2018 semester and will continue through the Spring 2019 semester. Students may ride free on all 100-numbered routes, not just on routes to and from the school, so they can save money commuting all around Kern County! For more information about routes and schedules, visit the Kern Transit website.
Rise and Shine Renegades
Dr. Nicky Damania was out early Tuesday morning sharing valuable information with Claudette Stefanian and the Eyewitness News team to get our Renegades off to a good start! During the four live broadcasts, Dr. Nicky Damania highlighted the Renegade Shuttle Express and the expansion of the service to help students access all our campuses and provided tips for student success as well as sharing the many ways students can get involved.
Bakersfield College’s SGA’s Student Activities Manager, Beth Hilne shared information regarding the 2018-2019 activities planned for students and the community and provided a warm Renegade welcome. The team was out early and clearly committed to sharing information that will set our students up for success! And what a beautiful sunrise over Bakersfield College!!
Two additional bus services provided to students and employees
This year we decided to offer two additional bus services to our students and employees.
#1. A FREE parking shuttle service to bring students into the core of the campus from the parking lots on the south side of the campus. This service will be provided during the crucial first four weeks of the term will help new students navigate the Panorama campus and get to class on time. Thank you to Joseph Luiz of the Bakersfield Californian for helping share the news. You can read his story HERE!
#2. An express bus service between our two campuses — one in the Southwest (Buena Vista and Stockdale) and the main campus on Panorama. The Express runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
This week, I’ve been enjoying my rides to campus using the Express Bus service. Here I am leaving my home walking to Bakersfield College Southwest campus to catch the express bus. When I forwarded the photo to Monika so could upload it for me, she smiled and said, “Did you really walk from home?!”
On my way to catch the shuttle at BC SouthWest.
If you look closely, I’ve still got my comfy walking moccasins on in the photo. The answer is yes! Although, I did change into my more formal shoes as soon as I boarded the shuttle. This week, I’ve enjoyed my morning walks to BC Southwest and I’ve enjoyed riding the Express bus too. It’s wonderful to have a little bit of extra time to brainstorm my day while on the way to BC Panorama while saving parking spots on the main campus for our students. Students come first! #WeAreBC
Renegade Express Shuttle Routes on Panorama Campus
Norma Rojas Mora on Telemundo — Todos Somos BC
Telemundo hosts Norma Gaspar and Jose Gaspar spoke with Norma Rojas-Mora who shared information regarding the new shuttle services available to Bakersfield College students as well as the partnership with Kern Transit to provide free transportation to those students with a valid Bakersfield College I.D. The availability of the shuttles for students who may have obstacles getting to school and Bakersfield College’s efforts to set up students for success through these services were highlighted. The hosts recognized Bakersfield College’s efforts to help alleviate parking concerns for students and the surrounding community. Closing out the segment with our traditional call of “Todos Somos, Bakersfield College.”
BC Southwest Tutoring Team
The BC Southwest Tutoring Center Team was also all hands on deck this week. Maria Wright visited them Wednesday morning and found they had a group of students already identified as “regulars.”
BC Southwest Tutoring Team during Welcome Week.
The enthusiasm of this team is incredible! The Center opened on Monday of this week and they have already done classroom presentations and have students coming in regularly to receive tutoring support in various subjects. #WeareBC and we support our students.
CCCO IEPI Summer Budget Workshop
The Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) Summer Budget Workshop presented by the College Finance & Facilities Division of the Chancellor’s Office was on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 in Newport Beach. Zach Quiroz, Budget Analyst, and Somaly Boles, Manager of Financial Information, joined other community college financial leaders across the state to learn of the new educational and fiscal policies California is using to shape the future of California institutions of higher learning. Here is a selfie they snapped with Chancellor Burke.
KCCD Chancellor Tom Burke with Somaly Boles and Zach Quiroz of BC
Clayton & Libby Rippey
Jerry Ludeke and the BC Archives team does an incredible job of keeping up to date with the most recent news of alumni, former employees and former faculty. It was shared this week that Clayton Rippey’s wife, Libby Hedden, has passed away. Clayton retired in 1980 with 31 years of service within the Kern Community College District. More recently, Clayton and Libby had been living (and both of them painting) in Las Vegas. The Bakersfield Californian spotlighted Clayton and his love of art in a 2016 article titled “Rippeys for sale: Art lovers get rare crack at trove of paintings.”
While Clayton is a nationally recognized artist, we remember him on the BC faculty for 31 years teaching art and both designing and building the iconic Renegade knight mosaic that stands at the Haley-Panorama corner of campus. But, did you know he also created the color Porterville Pirate mosaic in 1960 in a nautical compass and pirate theme? Our well-loved and cherished Renegade mosaic is one of the most well known and iconic parts of Bakersfield.
Have I told you recently that I’m the luckiest and happiest college president ever? It’s because each and every member of the BC community leaves a significant impression and a positive legacy on our campus, just like Clayton Rippey.
Renegade Report
The Renegade Report is an online program from BC Athletics hosted by Ken Calvin, a former BC student athlete and football coach. Check out the great segments below, and follow them on YouTube!
Don Kessler, BC supporter and current Centennial HS trainer and equipment manager and father of NFL QB Cody Kessler
Vayron Martinez, BC Head Men’s Soccer Coach
Jose Lara, Tyler Mendez – BC Men’s Soccer player
Scott Dameron, BC Head Women’s Soccer Coach
Delaney Boyer, Drew Hallum, Brooke McDonald – BC Women’s Soccer Player
Thank you to Athletics Manager of Communications and Community Relations Brandon Urry for keeping the YouTube channel updated!
Football Season Has Begun!
The football team started their season out with a scrimmage this last Wednesday against Antelope Valley College. Our Renegades are ready to start the season and get going on their season started strong. Be sure to keep up with our athletics teams on social media and http://www.gogades.com The first home game is on September 8th at 6:00pm in Memorial Stadium against the El Camino College Warriors.
Bakersfield College vs Antelope Valley Scrimmage
Football Tailgating Themes Announced
If you love to tailgate, please come out and join us for our home football tailgating contests. Each week has a theme and contestants are judged for the chance to win a $500 cash prize! This year’s tailgating themes are:
- September 8th – “BC School Pride”
- September 15th – “Favorite Football Team”
- September 29th – “Americana”
- October 27th – *Homecoming* “Old School BC” – Honoring 30th Anniversary of 1988 BC JC National Championship Team with post-game fireworks
- November 3rd – “Salute to Veterans”
Judging for each day will begin at 4:30pm and end by 5:30pm, and each winner will be required to complete necessary paperwork in order to claim their prize.
In order to make sure that we have a fun and safe tailgating experience, please see the following BC Football rules and regulations:
- Tailgating area is closed at 11:00pm
- Do not block red curb with vehicles or move any barricades
- Please throw away trash in bins provided in the tailgating area
- Do not throw hot coals onto the parking lot (please deposit into the new hot coal containers)
- Follow Public Safety Officer’s directions as to how to park in the tailgating area
- Tailgating is allowed in the tailgating area only
- Guests who do not follow the tailgating rules and regulations are subject to being banned from the tailgating area for the remainder of the football season
Swim Team Announces 4th Annual Free Community Swim Lessons
The Bakersfield College Men’s and Women’s swim team will be hosting the 4th Annual Free Community Swim Lesson and Six-Hour Relay on Saturday, September 15th, 2018 at the BC Pool. The event will last from 8:00am-2:00pm and will feature a free 30-minute swim lesson for each child. Parents will also receive water safety tips! Attendees are encouraged to attend whenever they are able to throughout the day. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to participate.
Math Hub is Open
I was delighted this week to read an email that the Math Hub is open for the fall semester! You may not know this but the Math Hub is run on a drop in basis for all students! This means no appointments are necessary. The environment is conducive for independent studying and students are more than welcome to use the space to work on homework and ask questions. The Math Hub is located in MS 113 (next door to the Planetarium) and is a space where students can come and receive help in any BC math course, Pre-Algebra through Calculus, Statistics/Probability, and Psych B5. Every day the space is staffed with a professional math tutor and peer tutors.
Emails Worth Sharing
Carla Gard and I both received an email worth sharing this week from Abel Guzman who shared an experience that took place at the BC Delano campus. He said:
“Yesterday morning we had a student on the Delano Campus who had a seizure in class. As I came into the class, the student was laying on his side with another student on her knees by his side. As we waited for paramedics to arrive the student helping kept checking on the other student. Once paramedics arrived, the helpful student took a sigh of relief and told me ‘Thank God for the BC CNA class that taught me how to handle this situation.’”
Kren Campbell, Bakersfield College’s CNA Director and Instructor, and her Clinical Teaching Assistants, Robert Vann, and Ashlyne Amanonce, are exemplary educators that collaborate efficiently to build incoming students into outstanding Nurse Assistants at the BC Main Campus and McFarland site. The instructors teach students a foundation that builds them into critical-thinking and caring CNAs. Upon completion of the course, and receiving their CNA certificate, most students are instilled with a desire for knowledge that they satiate by working towards and enrolling in the Vocational Nursing and Registered Nursing Programs at Bakersfield College. The community benefits from an increase in licensed healthcare workers, and this student’s action proves that further expanding the CNA Program in rural settings has a positive and amazing impact!
Delano Chamber of Commerce
The Delano Chamber of Commerce recognized BC’s commitment to post secondary education alongside Assembly Member Rudy Salas on Thursday evening at the “Taste of Delano” Awards, Installation, and Membership Appreciation Mixer. I will cover this event next week when the photos come in.
BC was in full force at the event, including Rich McCrow, Norma Rojas-Mora, Abel Guzman, Michele Bresso, Jaime Lopez, Rachel Lopez, and Juan Torres.
It’s a great time to be at BC!
Lisa Robles
Lisa Robles on BC’s Success and Equity team sent an email Friday morning sharing that she’d recently listed to a podcast featuring the California Community Colleges Chancellor, Eloy Oakley and Executive Director of California Completes, Lande Ajose. Lisa’s email says:
“I was listening to this Podcast last night by Eloy Ortiz-Oakley, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and Lande Ajose, Executive Director of California Competes http://californiacompetes.org/ and I was struck at how much of this work BC is already doing. http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/Portals/0/AudioGallery/ccc18115.mp3
Dr. Ajose spoke about three areas of focus:
1) Coordinating policy to ensure seamless transfer to 4-year schools
2) Expanding our college entry points for returning students who got off path
3) Comprehensive data system so we know how students are performing and identify gaps so we can get the students to completion
In listening to these points, I felt proud of the work we all do for our students. Some examples that jumped were BC’s Finish in 4 project with CSUB to support transfer, our massive expansion of the rural initiatives work, inmate education, and online education to open access points to campus, and how we’ve established the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and trained dozens of data coaches so we’re all better equipped to access and use data.
Although we are making progress, there is still work to do to advance equity:
- 47% of Latinos earn an Associates degree in 3 years and a Bachelors in 6 years compared to state average of 65%
- 38% of African American students earn an Associates degree in 3 years and a Bachelors in 6 years compared to state average of 55%. http://californiacompetes.org/publications/opportunity-imbalance
The Office of Student Success & Equity is wholly focused on reducing inequities and supporting the Chancellor’s Vision for Success through our focus on the momentum points, the oversight of our affinity group Completion Coaching Communities, and by supporting the amazing work of the talented faculty and staff we have right here at BC.
Before I sign off, I want to say that BC is so fortunate to have folks like Abel Guzman and his team in Rural Initiatives reaching students who may never have made it to BC. And Dr. Parks, Julian West, and their team working towards the success of our African American students. Pedro Ramirez and Manuel Rosas working diligently with our undocumented Latino students. And so, so many more.
Though the work in front of us is daunting, I feel more confident than ever that BC is not only up for the challenge, but that we are the best community college in the state with the best, most committed faculty and staff.
Happy 2018-19 to all. I am looking forward to partnering with you to improve student completion and to build a more educated and sustainable community.
We Are BC!
Lisa
It’s Liz Rozell’s Birthday!
Our Vice President of Instruction, Liz Rozell, celebrated her birthday a little early today with the President’s Office! Take a look at the festivities!
BC SouthWest Buzzing!
After years of service with Bakersfield College, most recently at the SW location, Officer Carlos Rios is moving on to another school district. Fernando Lara, BC’s administrator in charge of our Southwest Campus, describes Officer Rios as a dedicated, insightful, and intelligent officer. His presence will be missed at the SW location. Wish you the best, Officer Rios!
Goodbye Officer Rios!
Parking Smart
The Testing and Placement Center accepted my challenge to Park Smart during the beginning of the semester! Thank you!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya —
the luckiest and happiest college president ever
Clockwise from top-left: Cynthia Icardo, Norma Rojas-Mora, Tracy Walker, Danielle Wade
These four women are truly remarkable in volunteering their time out of their busy lives to support the community. All of them were eloquent in their remarks and very inspirational. Norma Rojas-Mora spoke about “opportunity” and that “often those opportunities are the difference between living life in the shadows or living one filled with recognition.” It struck me that one of the greatest gifts we can give one another is the gift of opportunity. Here are excerpts from her remarks at Garden Pathways:
