Tag Archives: #KCCDDaringMightyThings

It’s March – Celebrating Women

Uncategorized March 12, 2022 Leave a comment

On Tuesday – International Women’s Day – the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus gathered virtually for a panel discussion about Student Parents, the second in a three-part series co-sponsored by the Caucus and California Competes.

I wanted to share this short video highlighting some of the inspirational women who have broken new ground for women in higher education, as well as some photos from the Caucus’ first 1 1/2 years. #WomenInspire

Talking about inspiring women, here is one of my favorite people – T Johnson doing what she does …..

Bakersfield College Launchpad welcomes the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Bakersfield” Class of 2022 for “Education Day” hosted by Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Participants toured the Launchpad and learned about the resources and educational workshops for entrepreneurs to help start and grow businesses in our community.  NaTesha “T” Johnson presented to the leaders on the importance of supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses throughout Kern County.

Good morning, friends…
It is March 12, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

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

Porterville College

Porterville College names Women’s Soccer coach, looks to start new program in Fall

We’re excited to announce the appointment of PC alum Amber Hernandez as the Head Coach for the new PC Women’s Soccer team. #WomenLead

Ms. Hernandez has spent the better part of her life playing soccer, jokingly saying that she has “been a soccer player since the moment I could walk”. She brings valuable experience starting up new soccer programs, having served as assistant coach for the first soccer team fielded at Reedley College.

Amber was a member of the Women’s Mexican National Soccer team, she also played semiprofessional soccer with the Seattle Reign. She’s coached younger recreational soccer players for over 9 years, having worked with the South Valley Chivas Academy and the Porterville Soccer League. She comes to PC directly from her position as an assistant coach for the WPSL Fresno Freeze women’s soccer program.

As a graduate of Porterville College and a Porterville resident, Ms. Hernandez looks forward to making a difference in the lives of players in our community. She is particularly excited to start recruiting new players from the area. “For far too long talent here has been kept a secret and hidden, now is time to showcase all that hidden talent! This program will encourage so many young girls, female athletes, and women of all ages to dream big and use their talent to help open doors to their fullest potential.”

PC Athletic Director Joe Cascio is excited about the addition of both Hernandez and the new program. He says, “We are very fortunate to have Amber in charge of reviving women’s soccer at Porterville College. She has an extensive soccer background, strong ties to the community, and a genuine passion for student-athlete success. I’m excited to see her hit the ground running.”

This mother of two holds her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies from National University and a teaching credential in Multiple subjects. She already has big plans for the program in its first years, “My plan is to create a program where female athletes can strive and be successful both on and off the field.”

Scene on Campus: Student Life Club Rush Event

The PC campus continues its “spring back to life” this week as the student life office presented the latest Club Rush in the quad.  Interested students met with club members and advisors to learn about the variety of clubs available on campus.  The event showcased a wide range of cultural, service and interest clubs offered on campus. 

It is also nice to see students gathering in the quad again and taking advantage of events as the weather begins to improve and some of the limitations of the pandemic begin to subside.  According to Vice President of Student Services, Primavera Arvizu, “It is great to see the clubs, students, and club advisors engaging in Student Life again”. #WomenLead

Student artists provide artwork for new Presidents Exhibit

Some Porterville College art students are getting to show off their talent in a new location on campus, thanks to the recent addition of the first “President’s Office Student Art Exhibit”, located inside the PC President’s Office.  The exhibit of student works was created to highlight several pieces of student art on a rotating basis in our administrative offices.   #WomenLead

Dr. Habib thought it would be a wonderful way to highlight student’s incredible talents and show off their artwork to community guests and others that visit the President’s Office on a regular basis.  Thank you to Art Professor Dr. James Entz for organizing this showing of student art.  Feel free to stop by and check out the student’s incredible work the next time you are on campus!

Cerro Coso Community College

CC Holds Virtual Military and Veterans Aid Workshop

Cerro Coso Community College is offering a virtual Military and Veterans Aid Workshop on Friday, March 18th from 12 to 1:30 p.m. viz Zoom. 

The college strives to support, empower, and assist military and veteran students through military-connected transitional challenges; increase student veteran retention and completion; foster the development of skills needed to succeed in their educational goals; and create an awareness of military culture and how to support veterans on campus. 

This workshop will provide a review of military and veteran education benefits such as Tuition Assistance, GI Bill®, MyCAA, and the CalVet Fee Waiver.  Other topics will include academic and Financial Aid resources to ensure students are well prepared or the upcoming term. 

Cerro Coso employees Adeline Windsor and Jessica Kawelmacher, Admissions & Records and Military & Veterans Services; Katie Bachman, Director of Outreach Services; and Alfonso Guzman, Counseling and Military & Veterans Services will be on hand to provide their expertise, direct discussion, and answer questions.   

For more information on Military and Veteran Services at Cerro Coso Community College call 760-384-6291.

Virtual Parent Night March 23

Parents who have questions about their child’s path to college success are invited to attend an upcoming Cerro Coso Community College virtual Parent Information Night and see firsthand what CCCC offers. From career-training programs that include Nursing, Welding, EMT, and Cyber Security, to Associate Degrees for Transfer, and Associate Degree programs, CCCC provides the education and training students need for success in rewarding, high-demand career fields.

Helping parents navigate the college planning and enrollment process, Cerro Coso’s Parent Information Night will enlighten parents of prospective students on college costs and how to pay for college—including financial aid and scholarship availability. Representatives will share details on available resources, enrollment process, transfer requirements, vocational programs, and information on how high school students can earn college credit through dual and concurrent enrollment classes.  Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

Cerro Coso’s Virtual Parent Night will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.  Reserve your spot at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/event/virtual-parent-night-all-sites .

All Cerro Coso Community College campuses are now OPEN.  Contact your local Cerro Coso Community College Counseling Department for assistance. 

Coso Baseball Back at the Dawg Yard

After a week on the road, the Coyote Baseball team returned to the Dawg Yard for some IEAC action on Tuesday as they took on the Chaffey Panthers.   

The Panthers enter the contest with a 1-2 IEAC record, but are traditionally regarded as a top performer in the conference. After a long battle on the ball field, the Coyotes lost to the Panthers with a score of 13-16. 

The Coyotes look to get back to their winning ways against some stiff competition this week, after squaring off with Chaffey on Tuesday, they will travel to Mt. San Antonio college in a non-conference matchup and then return home to host San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday (12:00 noon first pitch). 

#CoyoteSpirit – Go Coyotes!

Bakersfield College

Amazon Presents Check to BC Foundation in Appreciation for Student Assistance in Marking Catalytic Converters

Students and faculty from BC’s Automotive Technology program teamed up with the Bakersfield AMAZON distribution team at Motor City Quick Lube lanes in the Auto Mall to mark and label approximately 150 catalytic converters on AMAZON employee’s vehicles.

Amazon employee vehicles were being vandalized and catalytic converters were being stolen from them at their distribution warehouse. AMAZON was looking for a way to try to reduce the number of thefts that were taking place when they heard about a partnership between BC Automotive Technology students, faculty, BPD, and the District Attorney’s office.  They reached out to BC and found a way to coordinate similar events and provide scholarship opportunities for students working the event.

During the one-day event, students interacted with AMAZON’s security management to learn more about employment options with the company.  

In appreciation for BC’s help, the company provided AMAZON gift cards to the students, the company donated $10,000 to the BC Foundation and each student was given a $150 AMAZON gift card.

Andrew Haney, BC Automotive Professor, stated that the most important experience for students was the opportunity to work with others in the community.  “The skill most learned from this event was the students realizing the benefits of community service, building relationships and the accomplishments that can be achieved when a community works together for a greater cause of good.” 

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Expansion of BC’s Delano Campus

On Friday morning, BC held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility at our Delano Campus. Construction on the new building is thanks to $14 million in state dollars secured by Assemblymember Rudy Salas.

The Delano campus has experienced significant growth of students attending 15 hours of classes per week since 2015. This increase in attendance and engagement created a need for an additional building. The hope is that the new building will be finished and operational in the Fall of 2023.

The program, emceed by Jaime Lopez, was brief with a nice line up of speakers.

Dr. Zav Dadabhoy and Dr. Jessica Wojtysiak talked about the significance of the new building for the community of Delano.

Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg spoke on behalf of the KCCD Trustees beautifully narrating the history and growth of the Delano campus. #WomenLead

I was also really happy that Trustee Yovani Jimenez attended the event.

Our student Marcus Mateo brought it home that he and many of his family members would not have attended college if it was not for the Delano Center. #WeAreBC

The man of the hour, Assembly member Rudy Salas, who brought in the matching $14M for the project concluded the program with heartfelt remarks about his hometown.

More photos

BC’s Community Partnerships Framed by Adult Education, Credit and Noncredit Programs

Bakersfield College is hard at work engaging with community partners to support economic growth and upward mobility. Through our Adult Education and Noncredit education, we are providing high-touch, comfortable environments where adults can walk in, skill up, and reach their potential.

Last fall, BC pioneered a partnership with Chick-fil-A to provide employees with a dedicated, noncredit program of study to develop office and business skills. The sixth cohort of students will graduate soon from BC’s Project HireUp, providing a pathway from homelessness to successful employment. The number of programs and pathways available through this unique partnership with CityServe continues to grow, now including welding, core construction/industrial skills, and occupational safety and risk management. Adult students can also access courses through our JobSpot partnership with the Kern High School District.

In non-credit, our immediate focus has turned to the development and launch of several summer academies. This summer, students can complete Career Development and College Preparation (CDCP) certificates in a wide range of areas. Currently, Bakersfield College offers almost 20 noncredit programs, and nearly 150 courses in 23 subject areas!

BC’s Expanding List of Community Partners includes:

  • Bakersfield City School District – Parent University
  • City Serve & Project HireUp
  • Wonderful Training Academy
  • Farmworkers Institute Education and Leadership (FIELD)
  • JobSpot
  • Edible Garden at the Main Campus/Regenerative Garden at the Delano Center
  • Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealership
  • Education Partners Throughout Kern County

BC Celebrates Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month and More (WHAM) at Bakersfield College has organized an array of programs and special events to celebrate the historical accomplishments of women. 

This year, WHAM chose to emphasize the positive change women can make in the lives of each other and in broader society. This year’s events include a film screening, guest speakers, discussion panels, and much more.
Visit the Women’s History Month information page for a list of all the events and resources.

Renegade Athletics Update

Women’s basketball hosted their first playoff basketball game in seven years against Long Beach City on Thursday evening, March 3rd, in front of a large crowd. Unfortunately, the Renegades came up short and ended their season but Coach Paula Dahl and the entire team wanted to send out a big thank you for the community’s support this season! #WomenLead

Softball has been on a roll! This week the team went against College of the Sequoias and won 11-1. Pitcher Talia Nielson had 10 strikeouts and only one run on Saturday, March 5th. 

Remembering Fernando Alaniz

This February, McFarland High dual enrollment instructor Fernando Alaniz passed away. On Wednesday, a memorial service was held for the popular teacher and girls basketball coach. Steven Watkin, Alma Feathers, and Kylie Campbell were in attendance, and I wanted to share some of the words that Kylie prepared:

“Without the contributions of Mr. Alaniz to the Early College program at McFarland High School, there would have been hundreds of students who did not have the opportunity to get college credit while in high school.

We are grateful of the time and the hard work that Mr. Alaniz dedicated to his students and to this program. Fernando Alaniz Ochoa was a true Cougar Renegade, and the team at Bakersfield College will hold his memory close to our hearts as we continue the work that he helped us begin just a couple of years ago.

On behalf of Bakersfield College, we extend our condolences to Mr. Alaniz family, to all students and staff and McFarland High, and to the community of McFarland. We would also like to present these flowers to Fernando’s wife as a thank you for the mark that Fernando left on the McFarland High Early College program.”

Getting to Know: Melanie Jeffrey

This week, we are getting to know Cerro Coso English Professor Melanie Jeffrey:

For Cerro Coso English Professor Melanie Jeffrey, community college isn’t just where she works. She says it also saved her life.

Growing up in Los Angeles, her family was poor and on welfare most of her young life. In high school, she attended a regional occupation program in cosmetology which landed her a job working in a hair salon straight out of school, which was her first career. 

Fine out more about Melanie Jeffrey on the Kern CCD website.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Marlene Heise sent me this beautiful photo from her visit to Wisconsin:

2 degrees in WI right now.  Sunrise …. no water, only ice in the bay, still beautiful and peaceful!

The KernCCD and BC team was out in full force at the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce installation this week:

Cerro Coso updated their Facebook cover photo – check it out:

New dad Nicky Damania had a warm welcome back to BC:

BC Rural Initiatives Program Director Jaime Lopez was installed into the Greater Lamont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

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

The future is bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

A need for quiet reflection and prayer

Uncategorized March 5, 2022 Leave a comment

I was struck by this post yesterday from the League for Innovation:

“The League wishes you a good weekend on this first weekend of March, which has certainly entered like a lion. Let’s hope it exits like a lamb. #WorldPeace #Understanding #March“

We see these dire images from Ukraine …..

The attacks have led to one million refugees fleeing the country in the span of just 7 days. Millions more are likely to follow in the weeks to come.

As we enter into this first weekend of March, and the first weekend of Lent, I know many of you will be joining the call… Let’s #praytogether #ukriane

I hope you all are able to find moments of peace and reflection this week – and I wanted to share one of mine. I snapped this photo of a beautiful February sunrise, while I was out walking Neo.

My moments of calm and rejuvenation are usually in the outdoors …. breathing, sensing and just being. When I returned from Oregon in 2013, I was happy to see the investments in parks and outdoor spaces in Kern County. Check out this article in The Bakersfield Californian, about more than $9 million in grants that will help upgrade three more county parks – in Bakersfield, Lost Hills, and Mojave.

5th District Supervisor and longtime BC supporter Leticia Perez, whose district includes Heritage Park in Bakersfield – which received the largest grant at nearly $4.3 million – spoke of the importance of parks to the health and well-being of a city’s residents.

I am sure that these communities will greatly enjoy the park updates for years and decades to come – I can’t wait to see the changes!

Good morning, friends…
It is March 5, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

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

Porterville College

Pirates get No. 12 seed for NorCal Playoffs, earn 9 All-CVC awards

A historic season for the Porterville College men’s basketball team ended this week. The Pirates were named the No. 12 seed for the Northern California Regional Playoffs and travelled to face No. 5 Las Positas College for a Round 2 playoff game on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in Livermore.

The Pirates had a tough loss and were defeated 86-76, ending their amazing season.

Porterville put together one of its all-time best seasons in school history under first-year head coach Amaurys Fermin. The Pirates are 20-7 overall and took second place in the Central Valley Conference with a 10-4 mark. Porterville made first playoff appearance since 2003.

We are all so proud of this team for your accomplishments this season!

2021-22 ALL-CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE AWARDS

Porterville Men’s Basketball earned nine All-Central Valley Conference postseason honors:

First Team – Chirrag Sidhu, Isaiah Josue
Honorable Mention – Julio Phipps
Co-Freshman of the Year – Isaiah Josue
All-Freshmen Team – Quame Smith, Chozen Amadi, Julio Phipps
Defensive Player of the Year – Isaiah Josue
All-Defensive Team – Julio Phipps

L-R: Chozen Amadi, Isaiah Josue, Julio Phipps, Chirrag Sidhu, Quame Smith

PC invites community to participate in art show

The public is invited to a new group showing of artistic works from the Porterville Art Association at the Porterville College Art Gallery.

This show brings together a diverse group of artists from the Porterville area.

Early in life, Nat Briones enjoyed drawing family and friends and found a natural affinity for cartooning. He later discovered pastel painting while working as a Merchant Marine, and says “I have visited many beautiful places and cultures [and through it all] my artwork helped me make many friends.”

Ellen Jordan says, “I have loved art in all its forms since I was a child.” And continues, “I find inspiration for my art everywhere.”

Diana Mitchell says of confronting real personal challenges, “[I] decided that art was calling out to me, not only as a great form of therapy, but also as a passion from deep within.”

Joy Collier, a self-described “California landscape artist,” who says, “I was taught, ‘Paint what smiles at you!’ and the subtle moods of the Central Valley and the Sequoias are always smiling at me.”

These artists and others in this group exhibition provide many unique perspectives through their works on display at the Porterville College Art Gallery.

The show runs through March 24, 2022. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm.   

Overcoming Structural Barriers of Racism in Higher Education

Dr. Edward C. Bush, President of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, spoke to the PC community on Thursday, February 24th, as a part of PC’s 2022 celebration of Black History Month.

Besides being an accomplished author of books and publications in respected journals, Dr. Bush is a founding member of the African American Male Educational Network & Development Inc. (A2MEND), which is a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to improving the educational outcomes for African American men and other men of color enrolled in the California Community College system.

As a widely recognized leader in issues relating to equity, diversity, student success and leadership with the California Community College System, the time he spent with the PC community was impactful, inspiring, and refreshingly authentic and genuine.

Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso PTK Chapter Recognized for Outstanding Growth

2019 PTK Induction at Cerro Coso Community College

CC’s Beta Kappa Chi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) was recognized for their efforts to bring life changing benefits and opportunities of PTK membership to even more students on their campuses in 2021.

The recognition is part of PTK’s Reach Rewards program, which celebrates and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters excelling in membership development.

“As the pandemic lingered in 2021, celebrating student success became more important than ever,” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. “PTK membership creates higher self-efficacy, fosters a sense of belonging, and provides a supportive community for learning and self-expression. Our work leads to increased student engagement which is what causes higher rates of student success. I am so proud of our Reach Chapters—they worked exceptionally hard to create spaces where students could connect and support one another—even amid a global pandemic.” 

The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation offers $10,000 in local support of PTK memberships every year. 

A full 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 31 percent of students nationally. Members have access to millions of dollars in scholarships — $1million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $246 million in transfer scholarships to over

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org

The New Student Registration Process & What You Need to Know – Banner 9

Cerro Coso made the transition from Banner Version 8 to Banner Version 9 Self Service. This upgrade will deliver a fresh user experience with a modern look and feel. Features include: increased efficiencies, new tools and improved capabilities. It is anticipated, the upgrade will impact everyone at the College.

The new process is more streamlined and user-friendly.  Registration has been updated with intuitive registration tools and a mobile-friendly design that will show the registration impact on the student’s calendar, making it easier than ever for students, advisors, and administrators to use. Training materials will be made available and the Help Desk is prepared to assist with any questions.

Men’s Coyote Basketball Team Makes Playoffs

Congratulations to the Men’s Coyote Basketball Team and Coach Dugan for making it into the CCCAA post-season playoffs for the first-time in 23 years.

The team lost to Mira Costa 93-70 on Tuesday.

This year’s team has been remarkable to follow as Coach Dugan has assembled tremendous talent on the court this season. In record breaking fashion the Coyote’s 22 regular season wins is the most in school history and the team ranked as high as #10 in Southern California polls and #19 in the state polls, both all time highs for the program.

Congrats on a great season!

Cerro Coso is Here to Stay in Tehachapi

With the existing lease of the Tehachapi Education Center through the Tehachapi Unified School District (TUSD) coming to an end June 30, 2022, Cerro Coso has been engaged in discussions with the TUSD regarding a renewal of the lease. 

Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock said “we are looking at a three-year lease renewal while we investigate opportunities for a permanent new home in Tehachapi.  Our partnership with the TUSD is stronger than ever, and we look forward to increasing early college opportunities by identifying new career technical education pathways that meet the growing needs of local industry partners.  Our message to the Tehachapi community – we are here to stay!”

Bakersfield College

Commencement 2022 Announcement

I’d like to share an excerpt of the announcement from BC President Zav Dadabhoy:

I am delighted to announce that Bakersfield College’s 108th Commencement Ceremony will be held as an in-person ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

We will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2022, and also honor our promise to the classes of 2020 and 2021 by inviting them to join the celebrations in the recently renovated Memorial Stadium. This is our first commencement ceremony on campus since 2018, and marks the momentous occasion we have all been waiting for.

I encourage all eligible students to submit their graduation petition as soon as possible. It is available on BC’s graduation webpage. If students are unsure about their eligibility, please connect with BC’s Student Information Desk, where a staff member would be happy to assist or they may connect with any counselor or advisor.

Download the Graduation Petition

Get Help at BC’s SID

BC Selected by Amazon as an Education Partner for Career Choice Program

Amazon announced this that it is further expanding the career advancement opportunities it offers its 750,000 hourly employees in the U.S. by partnering with more than 140 national and local universities, including Bakersfield College, to provide fully-funded college tuition. The announcement is part of the company’s ongoing enhancements to Career Choice – an Amazon upskilling program designed to help frontline employees grow their skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere.

Find out more about the Amazon Career Choice Program.

BC’s Citizen Leadership Center Now Offering Free Leadership and No-Blame Problem Solving Certificate

BC’s Citizen Leadership Center’s purpose is to give citizens the tools and know-how to exercise their power beyond the ballot, equipping them with the pragmatic, problem solving skills needed to work together despite their political differences. BC strives to develop new leaders who know how to work with people with whom they disagree and are skilled at identifying practical solutions.

This certificate through the Citizen Leadership Center will teach you your legal rights as a citizen leader who can bring solutions. Learn to get in the game of government decision making with a successful practitioners’ method called No-Blame Problem Solving. 

Sign Up for this free course

Check out this preview of Power Civics:

Renegade Spotlight on Gina Herrera

BC Adjunct Art Professor Gina Herrera recently had an opportunity to showcase her art from Bakersfield to Bel Air.

She received an email from Universal Studios in November inquiring about her sculpture work. “I thought it was a hoax, but I answered with curiosity. To my surprise it was a legitimate correspondence and 3 days later I was driving down to LA to drop off my sculptures,” Gina shared. 

On February 24th Gina’s sculpture was featured on Bel-Air, Episode 5: PA to LA. You can watch this TV series on Peacock TV. Gina reflected, “I am extremely fortunate to be a featured artist on Bel-Air”.

Herrera teaches Art classes at multiple locations and online for Bakersfield College. You can learn more about her work on her personal webpage or on Instagram at Instagram.com/gina.herrera1/.

Renegade Athletics Update

Women’s Basketball made it into post season, but lost a tough game against Long Beach City on Thursday at the Gil Bishop Sports Center. The Renegades were defeated, 69-59.

The Renegades wrapped up their 2021-22 season with an overall record of 19 wins and 7 losses and a first time playoff berth in seven years. Six teammates will be saying goodbye to BC but nine will hopefully be returning to the team. Congratulations on an amazing season!

Conference Awards:

  • Kathleen Rodriguez (Third Team All State)
  • Julie Hernandez (First Team All Conference)
  • Angie Gonzalez (First Team All Conference)
  • Kathleen Rodriguez (First Team All Conference)
  • Elise Enriquez (Honorable-Mention)

Men’s Basketball wrapped up their season last Thursday, defeating LA Valley with a score of 59-41.

Conference Awards:

  • Tyrell Coleman (First Team)
  • Rahmel Davis (First Team)
  • Eloy Medina (Honorable-Mention)
  • Deandre Pemberton (Honorable-Mention)

Renegade Softball also had an amazing weekend and won both games. Pitcher, Talia Nielson, didn’t allow a single run in the second game over Ventura.

Getting to Know: Cathi Jacob

This week, we are Getting To Know Cathi Jacob, who is an accounting manager at the Kern CCD District Office.

“Jacob, a 21-year employee of the Kern Community College District, is an accounting manager in the district’s finance office. In fiscal year 2020-21, she oversaw reporting for 187 grants and restricted funding accounts that totaled $57 million. As the district’s grant funding has increased in recent years — last year grant funding it increased 20 percent over the previous year — Jacob’s role ensuring every dollar is accounted for and reported accurately has taken on increasing importance.”

Black History Month Breakfast

On Monday, the Kern CCD held a Black History Month Breakfast, inviting partners throughout our community to our district office.

In the News

Community Voices: Hard Fun is a Process

The Bakersfield Californian published a piece thoughtfully written by BC Academic Technology’s Matt Andrasian-Jones. Matt shares what he learned was “hard fun,” but what does this concept have to do with BC’s Academic Technology Department? You’ll have to read to find out.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Kern CCD Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg was featured along with PCC President Erika Endrijonas in this week’s Twitter Equity Avengers:

Porterville College President Claudia Habib shared this update from the CEO Symposium:

Bakersfield College Industrial Automation shared these photos from their visit to McFarland Junior High School –

“Thank you @MJHS_of_MUSD for hosting us. We had a great time at your beautiful campus.”

I loved this video from Yellowstone National Park, celebrating the park’s 150th anniversary – just beautiful:

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

The future is bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

KernCCD stories of our people

Uncategorized February 26, 2022 Leave a comment

This is a sad week. Hundreds of individuals have lost their lives in Ukraine, with many more to follow. I have been heartbroken by the stories and images coming from the region.

Journalist Tim O’Brien shared a series of photos last night as cities across the globe showed their support for the people of Ukraine.

While it may seem small, these symbols of peace and solidarity strive to be beacons of hope and peace, reinforcing that across the globe, across borders, across ethnicities or religions or beliefs, at our core we are all connected and must show love and compassion to one another.

Good morning, friends…
It is February 26, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

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

Porterville College

PC Breaks ground on Allied Health Building

This past Thursday, Porterville College held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new building that will significantly expand the school’s ability to provide health education to meet the growing community need.

The $21 million building will be the on-campus home for PC’s Nursing, Psych Tech, and EMT programs. Once completed, it will allow PC to move those programs from small portable classrooms to a state-of-the-art facility.

The project is being funding by bond measures G and J, approved by the voters for facility improvements.

In her opening remarks to the crowd gathered for the ceremony, PC President Dr. Claudia Habib stated, “There will be more than enough room to increase the size of these programs to meet the growing need for health care and emergency response professionals in Tulare and Kern Counties.”

Trustee John Corkins offered comments in his usual casual and humorous style.

Kim Behrens, Associate Dean of Health Careers for PC said, “I’m most excited about growing our current programs and adding new programs. When we brought Nursing to Porterville in 2003, we moved from the administrative building into the temporary classrooms with the hope of [eventually] being able to build a new building. That dream is finally coming true 20 years later.”

Afterwards, guests were able to view plans and see a “walkthrough” video from the architect showing off the ambitious designs for the building. Immediately following the program, the ceremonial “first shovels” of dirt were dug to kick off the construction phase of this project.

The building will be 23,000 square feet with classrooms, offices, and support spaces.

Pirates surge to No. 15 in state rankings with second-place CVC finish

Porterville’s impressive play under new head coach Amaurys Fermin isn’t going unnoticed. On Monday, the Pirates climbed five spots to finish out the season in second place in the Conference, at No. 15 in the latest California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) State Rankings.  The Pirates finished the year with an impressive 20-7 overall record.

Alberto Laureano scored a season-high 26 points to help lead Porterville College to an 88-82 win at Reedley College in its Central Valley Conference finale on Friday.

The Pirates faced a must-win game at Reedley last Friday to ensure its second-place Central Valley Conference showing. PC held a slim 41-40 lead at halftime and was able to pull out the victory.

The Pirates secured the second-place finish just before their eighth straight win (vs. LA Harbor on Wednesday). This was a make-up of an earlier non-conference game that was originally scheduled for late December. The Pirates can now focus their attention on the postseason as PC will likely earn an at-large bid into the Northern California Regional Playoffs.

Men’s Basketball Makes the Most of Closure on the Grapevine

This week, after being named number 15 in the state in the CCMBCA Coaches Poll, the Pirates men’s basketball team took a well-deserved snow break during a detour on the way to their game with LA Harbor. 

After being unavoidably redirected because of a closure on the Grapevine, the Pirates took the opportunity to do some team building and spent time playing in the snow.  It’s this team spirit and ability to get through challenging situations that makes these men so great at what they do.  We can’t wait to see what they do in the playoffs. Go Pirates!

Check out these great photos:

Cerro Coso Community College

CCCC Covid Update

The changing regulations of California’s approach to the pandemic are again evolving. Last week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the expiration of the statewide indoor mask requirements for vaccinated individuals.

Management and staff are monitoring the situation and will make adjustments upon careful consideration of additional information, health organization announcements, and positivity rates. Since the original order for Californians to wear face coverings went into effect in 2020, the mask requirement has changed multiple times in response to rising and falling COVID case rates.

The American College Health Association (ACHA) has stated that comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way to return to a safe, robust on-campus experience in fall 2022.

Tread safely, Coyotes.

Coyote Softball Looked to Bounce Back at Home

Emily Curtis up to bat

On Thursday 2/17/22, the Lady Coyotes took on regional rival, the Porterville Pirates in CCCAA softball play. The game, a non-conference contest, still was a significant piece of the developmental puzzle for the Coyote 2022 spring season.

The Coyotes dropped two difficult losses earlier in the week to Santa Barbara City College during a double header where the team just wasn’t able to keep the momentum rolling. The Coyotes showed a lot of grit as Emilia DeSanctis pitched 14 complete innings and the team battled through difficult weather to stay focused through the end, but ultimately could not string enough runs together to keep up with the Vaqueros.

The team has had a bit of the injury bug early in the season forcing Coach Gray to shuffle players around the field, but he believes that as the early season develops, frustration will pay off  as the schedule unfolds leading into conference play. As the Coyote Softball team continues to heal and players hit their stride there will be much to cheer about, as the team has shown signs of progress with Kyla Collins hitting .433/13 H/1 2B/1 3B/1 HR. Defensively Sara Calderas has held down outfield play, and in the circle, Emilia DeSanctis has 47 IP with 36 Ks.

Celebrating Five Decades of Student Success

In 2023, Cerro Coso Community College will celebrate 50 years of helping thousands to realize the dreams of a college degree, transfer preparation, career, new skills, and personal development.  

The College officially opened in the fall of 1973, and within the year began expanding its service area to include the present region. CCCC now serves the largest geographic area of any community college in the state of California. 

The 50th Anniversary of the college’s founding, provides the school with an opportunity to reflect on the last five decades and to honor the staff, faculty, and students who have helped shape the institution.  It will also be a time to celebrate what lies ahead as the college looks forward to the next 50 years as the leading provider of an accessible, affordable, and high quality.

A 50th Anniversary Task Force is being formed to establish a 50th Anniversary theme and logo; and plan year-long activities that increase the awareness of the people, history, and impact of CCCC.  All current students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, trustees, donors, foundation members, corporate partners, and friends are encouraged to participate in the planning process. 

For more information, or to share ideas, please email 50anniversary@cerrocoso.edu.

Bakersfield College

BC has a SMARTER Strategy

In statewide news, last week Governor Gavin Newsom announced California’s new “endemic” strategy to combat COVID-19, marking a shift away from the pandemic approach. The new strategy is summarized in the acronym:  “SMARTER”: Shots, Masks, Awareness, Readiness, Testing, Education, and Rx (pharmaceutical treatments). Charles Collom, BC’s Director of Student Health and Wellness, shared that BC has been using the SMARTER strategy for more than a year to keep our community safe:

S: Vaccinations (“Shots”) have been provided at no cost to students, faculty, staff, and our local community since early 2021.

M: “Mask” wearing has been part of our campus protocol since the Spring 2021 academic semester.

A: Contact tracing and completing the Daily Health Checker (“Awareness”) has been a part of our campus community response to drive awareness since the implementation of the KCCD Campus Pass app in January 2021. Awareness also leads to understanding various prevention strategies, such as social-distancing, symptom checking, and our shared responsibility to care for one another on campus.

R: Cleaning supplies and PPE (“Readiness”) continue to be ordered, stocked, and distributed by our M&O team, who continue to provide sanitization and safe filtration of indoor spaces. Additionally, our intentional sanitization protocol and cleaning efforts continue to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.

T: Free COVID-19 PCR testing (“Testing”) continues to be available at no cost to the campus and community in our Fireside Room and drive-through testing facility.

E: Information sharing (“Education”) is facilitated by BC’s COVID Response Team to scale down broad epidemiological trends and information into readily available and easily digestible information which is relevant to our campus community. Campus-wide presentations and quick turn-around on data ensures that our community is well informed and up to date.

R: Any student who believes they are at risk from COVID-19 or may be infected, can contact BC’s Student Health and Wellness Center for evaluation and treatment (“Rx”). Employees may contact Human Resources for similar resources as needed.

Congratulations to the Newly Tenured Renegade Faculty

Reaching tenure is a major milestone in a faculty members’ career. The following Bakersfield College faculty members received tenure and were recognized at last week’s KCCD Trustees Board Meeting: Allison Ament, Radiologic Technology; Fabiola Butcher, Communication; Ashley Choate, Biological Science; Jeffrey Eagan, English; Bonnie Hammond, Electronics; Christina Howell, Behavioral Science; Maryam Jalalifarahani, Engineering; Francisco Llamas, Social Science; Rudy Menjivar, Business Management; William Rockey, Biological Science; David Rohac, Behavioral Science; Kellie Smith, Radiologic Technology; Sara Wallace, English; Emily Wilson, Biological Science; and Jamal Wright, Social Science.

Allison Ament
Fabiola Butcher
Ashley Choate
Jeffrey Eagen
Bonnie Hammond
Christina Howell
Maryam Jalalifarahani
Francisco Llamas
Rudy Menjivar
William Rockey
David Rohac
Kellie Smith
Sara Wallace
Emily Wilson
Jamal Wright

Bakersfield College Alumni Hall of Fame Nominations

The BC Foundation, in conjunction with the BC Alumni Association, are excited to announce that nominations are open for the 2022 Bakersfield College Alumni Hall of Fame!  

We all know BC alums who have gone out in the world and achieved great things. We’re looking for your help in identifying these examples of Renegade excellence! Nominees may include alums who earned their associate’s degree, those who transferred directly to a four-year university, or alums who attended classes for continued education (without earning a degree).  Posthumous nominees are also welcomed. If you would like to submit a nomination, please visit the BC Alumni Hall of Fame Nomination form.

Nominations are open until 5:00PM on Friday, March 18th. Selected individuals will be honored at a gala set for June 23rd at Seven Oaks.

BC’s ENCORE Program Sets Students on Path to Success

BC’s ENCORE program has been up and running with student-participants since last year, giving disadvantaged youth the opportunity to receive a career-focused education. The program is still open to eligible candidates for the 2022 academic year and any interested and eligible youth are welcome to still apply.

One of the successful graduates of the ENCORE program, Mariana Jimenez, is currently preparing to take the NREMT state certification exam after completing the Emergency Medical Technician Certificate program through Bakersfield College’s ENCORE program.

“When I came across the advertisement for the ENCORE program, I thought this is my chance for having a good career I can rely on. I was stuck in a hard place working in the grape fields and feeling hopeless, switching jobs out of high school. I could not figure out how I could make it into college without any help or assistance” she said.

Learn more about BC’s ENCORE Program.

Celebrating the Life of Jack Hernandez

In November 2021, the Bakersfield College campus community lost a legend – Jack Hernandez.

Check out this 3:23-min video from the Board of Trustees meeting in November 2021

It is hard to put into words how tremendous his impact on Bakersfield College and our Bakersfield community has been over the past 60 years. He joined Bakersfield College as a faculty member in 1961, and served the academic community at BC in several prominent roles until his retirement in 2017. He was also a prolific writer, penning Community Voices pieces for the Bakersfield Californian or writing one of his many poems which have been published in this blog. He will be greatly missed.

Please join us April 1st, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.  in celebrating the life and legacy of Jack Hernandez.

Sonya and Jack Hernandez.

BC, CCCC Team Up to Offer Clinical Medical Assistant Courses

Multiple courses necessary to earn a Clinical Medical Assistant certificate are now open for registration and will be held at Bakersfield College’s Delano campus and at BC Southwest. The courses are being made available in cooperation with Cerro Coso Community College through the Kern Community College District.

These core courses also satisfy requirements for the Administrative Medical Assisting Certificate. 

Courses start March 14th, 2022. More information about the courses is on the Cerro Coso website. Online registration workshops will be held to assist new or returning students with enrolling or learning more about the certificate. Interested individuals should register for one of the Zoom workshops.

Black History Month Breakfast

On Monday, February 28, at 8 am, the Kern CCD will be hosting a breakfast event to celebrate Black History Month.

The event will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/LKuan1rll4M – please tune in!

Getting to Know: Amaurys Fermin

The best way to build the spirit of collaboration and partnership across Kern CCD is to get to know one another. So, working with the communications teams at the three colleges, I am launching a series called “Getting to Know” where we will profile an employee of the district.   #KernStories

Let’s #gettoknow Amaurys Fermin, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and a kinesiology instructor at Porterville College. 

As I shared earlier in this blog post, the Porterville College Pirates have had an incredibly successful season. Amaurys joined the team in July, and has put together an amazing group of young men who are headed to the playoffs – PC Men’s Basketball’s first playoff appearance since 2003!

You can read more about Amaurys Fermin on the KernCCD website. #KernStories #Gettoknow our people.

Thank you, Roger Perez, for organizing this profile.  Thank you, Stacey Shepherd, for the write up.

In the News

Community Voices: BC expands opportunities for students to become more worldly

BC adjunct faculty member Yuki Takeuchi-Chan penned this piece in The Bakersfield Californian about the new AA degree in Japanese that BC offers – the program graduated its first student in May 2021.

“Learning a new language is a special and life-changing opportunity. Sometimes, these opportunities can take you to unexpected places. A Rotary international scholarship placement brought me from my hometown of Nagano, Japan to Bakersfield in 2003.“

Women lead charge in latest BC production

I enjoyed this piece from Stefani Dias in The Bakersfield Californian about BC’s spring production of “The House of Bernarda Alba.”

Director Cody Ganger shared how she changed her original show plans after seeing “so many fantastic young women audition.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Bakersfield College’s Industrial Automation partnered up with The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters last Friday to keep SPOT’s Kern County Tour momentum going. SPOT is the robotic dog and newest addition to the Industrial Automation Lab’s robots I have written about in previous blogs. Industrial Automation students had the opportunity to meet the Globetrotters team prior to the game and coordinated a special Bakersfield script for the evening show. The INDA team had the privilege to sit courtside with the Globetrotters and participate as part of the show to introduce SPOT to the community.

I spotted this fun video on Krista Moreland’s Facebook – check out this screenshot:

Cerro Coso’s Caitlin Fabel got her first college home run this week!

Sondra Keckley shared that she and her husband Kurt had paid off their house, 20 years to the month they moved in. She shared these great side-by-side pics recreating their move in:

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

The future is bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

KCCD spreading Umoja (Unity) across our communities

Uncategorized February 12, 2022 Leave a comment

Congratulations Dr. Paula Parks

Norma Rojas-Mora snapped this picture of Paula at yesterday’s Hall of Fame event and I felt it was appropriate to start my blog with the person who taught me the word Umoja and the importance of unity.

Dr. Parks inducted into the
CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame

Also, KCCD was well-represented at last week’s Community College League of California Annual Legislative Conference in Sacramento. Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Yovani Jimenez met with colleagues from around the state to discuss the importance of our California Community Colleges and the road ahead to support students.

Nan also presented with Dr. Martha Garcia, president of College of the Desert.

One highlight of the conference was the legislative town hall featuring Assemblymember Jose Medina, whose work on AB 927 – which makes the Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program permanent – will be transformational for so many of our students, and for the communities we serve.

Working together and building partnerships to improve our students’ lives – that’s what we do at the Kern Community College District!

Good morning, friends…
It is February 12, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KernCCD.

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

Porterville College

PC Returns to In Person Instruction on the 14th

PC President Dr. Claudia Habib informed the campus community on Feb 9 that PC will be returning to in person instruction starting Monday, Feb. 14th.

In a letter to the campus community, Habib stated, “I am optimistic that with everyone’s help, we will manage conditions on campus and continue to provide the safest environment for our students, faculty, and staff. Currently, Tulare County’s Positivity Rate is at 22.1%. This number reflects improvement on pandemic conditions over the past several weeks, and I hope it continues trending this way.”  She did add a bit of reality to that optimism, stating, “It is, however, essential to remember that COVID isn’t over, and there are still new cases in our community every day. For that reason, department staffing will continue to adapt with flexible schedules as needed.”

Students, faculty, and staff continue to use the KCCD App every day to support a successful return. Thank you to our students, faculty, and staff for continuing to take these essential steps to keep yourself and our community safe.

For more information on PC’s COVID-19 protocols at our website: https://www.portervillecollege.edu/healthy-return-campus.

PC Promotes Umoja Program at PC

PC is spreading the word about a fantastic program created to provide resources and support for African American and other students.

Umoja, which is a Kiswahili word meaning unity, is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African Americans and other students.

Students participating in UMOJA receive academic advising, culturally relevant professional and personal development resources, support for their academic success, access to a multi-college and university network, peer mentorship, and access to the PC UMOJA Village.

If you would like more information or are Interested in joining our Umoja Community, visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/are-you-interested-joining-umoja

#ShowUsYourRedPIRATES

The Pirates face Fresno City College

The PC Men’s Basketball team grabbed a critical win against Fresno City College on Wednesday (74-65).  Join our Pirates as they head back home for the next step towards a winning season this Saturday, February 12, versus West Hills Coalinga at home!

The Pirates were ranked 28th going into this week in the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Poll. Cheer on the Pirates as they fight to finish the season in the top 30 for the state.

Spectators are allowed in the gym for this game (thank you for wearing your mask and protecting our student-athletes), so SHOW US YOUR RED, Porterville!

Communications Instructor Dr. Jonathan Hernandez
shows his incredible school spirit at Wednesday’s Game!

Cerro Coso Community College

How About Them Coyotes

The Cerro Coso men’s basketball team entered their home court on Wednesday night with a season long goal of pursing the playoffs in focus. But in order to do so, they would need to go through conference rival, San Bernardino Valley College. SBVC came into the Cerro Coso Gym as the #1 team in the IEAC and ranked #8 in the CCCAA coaches poll with a record of 9-2/17-4.

From the very tipoff, Cerro Coso controlled the tempo and won in the “little parts” of the game. Josh Miller (21 pts) won the tip and from there the Coyotes would roll on to a big 96-87 win over the Wolverines. Cerro Coso’s high energy performance was led by the hardnosed play of Kyren Gardner (17 pts) who really stepped up for his teammates Wednesday night by fighting for rebounds, playing strong on defense, and attacking the basket to keep the Coyotes on pace. Nathaniel Jackson also proved to be a key to the victory as he helped to keep a stingy SBVC defense out of rhythm with some shifty ball movement and cashing in on 20 points. 

With the win, Cerro Coso moves to 17-5 overall and 8-3 in conference and will travel to Palo Verde this weekend and face the pesky Pirates.

Cerro Coso returns home next weekend for their final home series when they face College of Desert on February 19 and 20.

Valles says CC Guides You Toward Bigger Goals

Meet Cerro Coso Promise student Geraldine Valles.  Originally from Laredo, Texas, Valles followed her boyfriend to Ridgecrest when he was picked up to play Baseball for the Coyotes.  Vales, an athlete herself, has been playing on the Women’s Volleyball team for two years.  She plans to graduate this May with a transfer degree in Liberal Arts Math and Science.  Her goal is to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin next fall and major in exercise science and psychology.  Ultimately she would like to become a sports psychologist to help athletes reach their full potential not only on the court/field but also mentally.

Valles says the Cerro Coso Promise program has not only helped her focus on helping others at Cerro Coso and in the community of Ridgecrest, but has also helped her financially with books, transportation, and tuition.  She believes other students should apply for the promise program “because it gets you involved at Cerro Coso by meeting new people, helping out around the campus, and has a great financial impact on college expenses.”

Her favorite memory of Cerro Coso “has been forming relationships with not only her fellow students but also faculty and staff.  Especially, Ms. Connie…she has always motivated me and made me feel like Cerro Coso is my home, she always asks how I’m doing and it’s great to always see her around campus to catch up whenever we can.

Valles encourages others to consider Cerro Coso because, “they have the best faculty and staff to help you throughout your college journey.  They helped me tremendously.  Even though, when I got to Cerro Coso Covid-19 had just started, the college implemented great ways to connect to professors and offered new technological advances for many subjects.

For the first time since launching in 2017, the Cerro Coso Promise Program is opening up for new applications this spring offering students up to two full-years of tuition-free education.  The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation (CCCC Foundation) launched the program in 2017 to ensure that no deserving student is denied the opportunity to earn a college degree or certificate.  Besides covering two full years of tuition-free education, the program helps with textbooks, counseling, and the kind of hands-on support that is helping student within the Kern Community College District service area develop an education plan to meet their career and academic goals. 

What makes this program unique is that it is not based on personal income and is open to all full-time students…new, returning, continue students who meet the criteria. 

The Cerro Coso Promise program provides access to community college education for students who might otherwise have been excluded due to financial barriers. 

Information and application for the Cerro Coso Promise Program is available on the college website at www.cerrocoso.edu

The Cerro Coso Promise is funded through the support of generous donors and the statewide California College Promise.

Students attending Cerro Coso Bishop and Mammoth Lakes campuses are eligible to apply for the Inyo or Mono Promise. 

5th Graders Attend Cerro Coso College Day Virtually

As they approach middle school, now is an ideal time to get fifth graders thinking about higher education.  What does a day in the life of a Cerro Coso student look like?  That and many other college related questions were the focus of the 5th Grade I’m Going to College Day held virtually on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022.

Cerro Coso is no stranger to technology, and now our society is better equipped than ever before to connect with each other virtually and that includes fifth graders. Unable to hold the event for the last two years, CC Outreach Director Katie Bachman leveraged college and local school technology to hold the event virtually and helped elementary school students embrace the new normal.  Three area elementary schools participated in the three-hour event via Zoom with 146 5th graders in attendance.  Activities allowed the 5th graders to experience college in a playful, creative, and collaborative way that would inspires them to pursue a higher education. 

Instructors and staff offered engaging sessions to help those in attendance learn about the educational options available to them at Cerro Coso.  Dr. Sean Hancock opened by welcoming and encouraging the students to consider their future as a Coyote at Cerro Coso.  Paralegal Professor Dawn Ward held a fun “Who Did It” session, English Professor Melanie Jeffrey’s led classes in Mad Libs, Counselor Karee Hamilton shared how high school students can earn a degree before graduating high school through the college Dual/Concurrent Enrollment program, Ashley Nichols familiarized students with the Library with some fun activities, and Cerro Coso students talked about student life on campus and their experiences at the college. Not sure what they want to do after high school?  That’s okay, Jennifer Marshall showed students how the CC Career Center can help. 

Each child will receive an “I’m going to college” t-shirt, share the Kern Pledge with mom and dad, and will sign a Kern Pledge banner indicating they intend to be responsible citizens by going to college or directly into the workforce. 

The experience is one they will never forget and stresses the importance of going to college long before they are ready to go.  “You have BRAINS in your HEAD. You have FEET in your SHOES. You can STEER yourself any DIRECTION you CHOOSE.” – Dr. Seuss

Cerro Coso Holds Evacuation Drills

Knowing what to do and where to go in an emergency can save lives. The week of January 31 through February 4, Cerro Coso exercised a series of Emergency Evacuation drills at all campus locations. 

Everyone in a building that was being evacuated was instructed exit the building in the quickest and safest route and travel to the closest evacuation assembly area. 

These drills are held every semester so everyone in the buildings knows and understands the evacuation plan and knows what to do in the event of a real emergency.  They also provide an opportunity to identify areas of concern to be addressed, and alter plans accordingly.

Keeping everyone fully trained is the best way to ensure an evacuation drill is effective at fulfilling its purpose. 

Bakersfield College

Umoja Celebrates Black History Month

BC’s Umoja Community kicked off Black History Month with their 4th annual conference. CSULA professor/performer Funmilola Fagbamila engaged attendees in a conversation on building coalitions in the Black community. The chat was on fire with comments and questions from BC students, BC faculty, and community members. Please consider joining one of the remaining events this month, including:

Congratulations to Olivia Garcia, KCHCC’s Newest Chair

This past weekend, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards dinner and welcomed in the new Chair of the Executive Board, BC’s Professor of History, Olivia Garcia.

With Corny Rodriguez and Paul Beckworth.

Bakersfield College was also recognized with an award, which was accepted by KCCD Trustee President, Romeo Agbalog.

Ralph Bailey congratulated Olivia and KCHCC President Jay Tamsi, who received a Humanitarian Award, on his show:

BC Art Professor Speaks to Liberty High School Students

Joseph Tipay, Professor of Art, presented to the Hispanics in STEM Club at Liberty High School just before the holidays. In addition to discussing his professional accomplishments, Joseph shared about being a first-generation college student, being system impacted, growing up facing adversity, and failing early in his college career.

After the presentation, students shared inspiring stories about their own journeys and dreams for the future. Joseph noted, “I’ve done panels and large Zoom conferences, but these intimate conversations are often the most impactful.” Tipay teaches Art classes in the Rising Scholars Program and at other BC locations. You can learn more about his work at Joseph Tipay Art.

Chancellor’s Seminar Series

Last week, the Chancellor’s Seminar Series focused on budgets with a session called “Dollars and Sense of Budgeting”.

Mike Giacomini shared insight into the process at Bakersfield College:

Lisa Couch spoke about Cerro Coso Community College:

And Arlitha also discussed Porterville College:

You can catch up on all the Chancellor’s Seminar Series at https://www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/chancellors-communications/chancellors-seminar-series.

In the News

Meet Cerro Coso’s Dean

The Loop published this article about Cerro Coso Dean of Career-Technical Education Nicole Griffin, who spoked at the monthly Tehachapi Mountain Branch AAUW (American Association of University Women) of Tehachapi meeting.

Her talk described the transformative power of education for all, especially women and those in marginalized groups. 

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Check out these photos Diego Gutierrez Monterrubio shared from his figure drawing class:

“We’re getting art show work ready! My Figure Drawing class was FIRE last night! I’m happy their enthusiasm and morale has them creative from beginning to end.“

Porterville College shared this from the KCCD Leadership Academy:

“What a wonderful and inspiring day sharing about PC projects and programs with the KCCD Leadership Academy!“

The Cerro Coso Learning Assistance Center shared this beautiful snapshot from campus:

“It’s a great day to close the textbooks and take a walk through campus.
Or, gather your things and find a spot to study.
Happy Friday!“

Spotted John Means with Dolores Huerta on Facebook

I loved these beautiful flowers that BC Astronomy Professor Nick Strobel shared:

“The first of our California Poppies are blooming along with our African Daisies.“

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

The future is bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

February here we come

Uncategorized February 5, 2022 Comments: 2

Check out this article in The Bakersfield Californian by Julie Plata, faculty at Cerro Coso Community College, about Black History Month and its beginnings – did you know that before Black History Month was celebrated nationwide, Bakersfield began honoring Black History Week?

Carter G. Woodson began the idea in 1926, choosing a week in February because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and Frederick Douglass on February 14.

His idea didn’t take hold nationwide until February 1970, when the first Black History Month was celebrated (President Gerald Ford declared it a national observance in 1976).

But in 1953, Bakersfield Mayor Frank Sullivan joined mayors across the country honoring the celebration on a city level, and he issued a proclamation officially acknowledging Feb. 15 to 20 as Black History Week.

“Beginning today, citizens of Bakersfield and surrounding areas are asked to join the nation in giving recognition and showing appreciation” for both the efforts of African Americans and their contributions “in the fields of religion, education, science, music, art, law, entertainment, athletic and national leadership.

Today, our KCCD colleges celebrate Black History Month with resources and events: At Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College.

Good morning, friends…
It is February 5, 2022.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.

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

Porterville College

Baseball puts first win of 2022 on the board against Barstow

It may not have been the perfect start to the season that new Porterville College head coach J.L. Buchanan envisioned. After taking over the program in late 2020, Buchanan and the Pirates were unable to play in 2021 because of the pandemic. But after making the long-awaited return to the field (for the first time since March 2020) with a disappointing opening day loss, the Pirates rallied in their next outing to bring home the first win for the Pirates under Buchanan with an 11-2 win over Barstow Community College on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Porterville’s bats came alive on Saturday as the Pirates totaled 12 hits, including three from Luca Dincola. He went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI to lead PC at the plate.

Dincola’s two-run single in the bottom of the third inning scored Chris Ortega and Daniel Clancy with the go-ahead runs. The Pirates went on to score five runs in the third to erase an early 2-1 deficit.

J.T. Edmunds also had a big game at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI and a pair of walks from the lead-off spot. Tyson Tellez (2 for 3) added two hits and drove in a run.

Aaron Hernandez pitched well in the start. He allowed two runs and three hits over four innings. He struck out 7 and walked four. Ryan Blondell picked up the win in relief as he closed out the contest with five dominant innings. He struck out 10 and walked two.

PC, returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 8) when the Pirates hit our home field again for a 1 p.m. game.

ASPC has important discussions with new “Mental Health Mondays” project

The PC Student Government organization, known as the Associated Students of PC (ASPC) has started posting a new series of videos on Instagram they are calling Mental Health Mondays. 

In this series, they plan to bring awareness to mental health issues at Porterville College by sharing their own experiences, by discussing solutions to everyday problems, and by having conversations on important issues and hardships faced by students every day at PC. 

Each Monday, the group plans to share videos that relate to mental health awareness in some way.  ASPC President Carlos Rodrigues hopes that other students will jump into the conversation and help others just by engaging with the Porterville College student life community. 

Rodrigues recently kicked off the series with a video of his own. He was joined in the following week by ASPC Vice President, Lorena Villa.  Each shared their story in hopes that someone would relate to their journey and know that there is hope and help at PC.

Every Monday, we will see new video testimonials, discussions, tips and more on this very important topic.  Videos will be posted to the PCStudentLife Instagram account.  If you would like to see more, you can follow PCStudentLife on Instagram or watch one of the videos below.

PC Celebrates Black History with events and offerings throughout February

Porterville College is joining in the Black History Month celebration with several events and offerings in February, including: 

February 17th at 1pm:
Join us for a discussion on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as we present: “Real Talk”, a Black History Month Panel Discussion from the PC Family.

February 24th (time TBA):
Join us for a thoughtful discussion from Guest Speaker, Student Mentor, and Ph.D., Dr. Edward Bush. 

All Month Long:
Visit our Black History Month Website at https://www.portervillecollege.edu/celebrating-black-history for a curated collection of media content, articles, and information that explores the diverse culture and contributions of African Americans throughout history.

From PC TimelyCare:
We are excited to offer two special yoga and meditation sessions for Black History Month.  These sessions, which are FREE to all students, serve to create a safe space for Black students and allies, while also celebrating Black professionals in health and well-being.  We can’t wait to see you there! You can register for these sessions HERE.

For more information on these and other Black History Month events, please visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/celebrating-black-history or follow @pcstudentlife on Instagram.

Cerro Coso Community College

Collaboration Equals Innovation

Cerro Coso Community College and Bakersfield College hosted a student information session via Zoom last week to introduce students to the Medical Assisting program at Cerro Coso.

Jackie Stoner, Vanesa Hernandez and Kylie Campbell from Bakersfield College coordinated the event for BC students interested in health careers to assist them with exploring Cerro Coso’s online program.

Matthew Wanta led the information session along with BC’s Dean of Nursing, Carla Gard.

With a high demand for Medical Assistants in the Bakersfield area, Cerro Coso’s program is certainly gaining the attention of the Bakersfield community.  Designed around the Model Curriculum established by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office for preparation for the State Exam for Medical Assistants (CCBMA), the program provides students with the opportunity to develop the necessary administrative and clinical skills not only needed to be an effective medical assistant, but also to attain state certification. 

Terri Hack (CTE Career Counselor) and Jennifer Marshall (Job Development Specialist) also presented an overview of the student services available at Cerro Coso.

More than 100+ students were in attendance!   Cerro Coso is excited to be able to launch another late-start cohort of Medical Assisting this spring.

Coyote Basketball Earns #2 Position in IEAC

Cerro Coso Basketball picked up another huge win on Wednesday as they traveled to Chaffey College to take on the Panthers in Inland Empire Athletic Conference (IEAC) conference play. Although the final score at 76-69 ended up closer than Coach Dugan would have preferred, the Coyotes maintained control of the game from the opening tip. As always, the talented Panthers kept the contest close through the first half, knotting the score up at 24-24, but an explosive Coyote offense returned for the second half by extending the lead to 20 points at times and never let go until the final buzzer. With the win, the Coyotes move to 16-4 overall and 7-2 in IEAC play. A Copper Mountain loss to SBVC on this night has also moved Cerro Coso into sole possession of second place. The current IEAC playoff race is as follows:

IEAC Men’s Basketball Standings:

  1. SBVC 7-1
  2. Cerro Coso 7-2
  3. Copper Mountain 6-2
  4. MSJC 5-3

The Coyotes currently control their own destiny, but Coach Dugan knows he will need to prepare the team for a tough finish, as they will host SBVC at home on February 9 and then travel to play Copper Mountain on February 16. Both contests are likely to hold playoff implications for all teams.

#Onlyus #MakeYourMark #HowlYes #CoyoteSpirit

Cerro Coso Admissions & Dream Act Workshop

The Cerro Coso Community College student body is made up of a variety of students from many different backgrounds.  At Cerro Coso we honor and celebrate the wide variety of students we serve.

The College is holding an Admissions and Dream Act Workshop on Thursday, February 17th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. via Zoom to provide a step-by-step demonstration on how to apply to Cerro Coso Community College and the California Dream Act.   Admissions Technician Jessica Kawelmacher will guide the demonstration and will be available to answer questions, she will share best practices for admissions and the AB 540 residency process, which includes undocumented students. 

A Financial Aid representative will be available to provide an overview on the California Dream Act application.  The California Dream Act is a state-based financial aid program for eligible undocumented students and can help ease the financial burden of attending college.

Cerro Coso Counselor Jesus Gaytan will also be available at the workshop to answer questions and translate information. 

For more information on the admissions process at Cerro Coso contact the Admissions & Records Department at 760-384-6374.  For information on the California Dream Act contact the college’s Financial Aid Department at 760-384-6221.

Bakersfield College

BC Expands Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Opportunities

Last December, Bakersfield College was accepted into a select cohort of 52 California Community Colleges to participate in the Military Articulation Platform (MAP), which allows colleges to create, approve, store, and adopt articulations that credit veterans for prior learning outside the classroom. Through this process, BC’s student veterans will get the credit they deserve, validating their experiences and learning completed while in the service.

Students who have acquired skills through military training, industry training, state/federal government training, apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, or other industry-based experiential learning, validated volunteer and civic activities (e.g. Peace Corps) can be awarded credits toward their degree or certificate.

BC’s MAP offers specific credit in targeted college programs based on military occupation and zip code, and students can upload their JST (Joint Service Transcript) in MAP and immediately see the college credits they qualify for at regional MAP-enabled colleges. The MAP Cohort kick-off will begin in mid-February.

MAP is a statewide and multi-agency collaborative effort of the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges (ASCCC), the CCC Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), ACE, CalVet, and local and regional legislators.

To learn more about BC’s Credit for Prior Learning opportunities, visit the Credit for Prior Learning webpage.

Spot the Robot in the News and at the Condors

I shared about Spot the Robot, BC’s Industrial Automation program’s newest robot, in my January 22nd, 2022 blog. Sport was also the topic of a news story from  KBAK EyeWitness News last week.  Spot the Robot will continue making rounds about town with an appearance at The Condors game, Saturday February 12th at 7 p.m., for Robotics Night. 

Industrial Automation (INDA) can be described as interconnected equipment, technology, and systems working together to maximize production, assure safety, use resources efficiently, and ensure product quality. BC offers a Certificate of Achievement, Associate’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Automation and Spot, along with other robots, play an important part of lessons.  Find out more about the program and how you can apply on the BC website’s Industrial Automation Program.

CLCA Scholarships Awarded to BC Students

Two Bakersfield College Agriculture Students received scholarships from Kern County California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). The students were each presented with a $500 scholarship at the Kern County CLCA meeting last Thursday. A warm congratulations to Susan and Rose on their achievement! 

Student Life and BCSGA Celebrate Cake Day

The Office of Student Life and BCSGA hosted a pop-up for National Chocolate Cake Day this past Thursday. Students enjoyed delicious chocolate cake treats and received information about the services offered by the Renegade Pantry. We had two full Welcome Weeks hosted by the Office of Student Life this year, and National Chocolate Cake Day was a sweet grand finale – the icing on the cake!

Renegade Innovation Fund

BC Employees, it’s time to submit your Renegade Innovation Fund application! The deadline is Monday, February 7th, 2022, by 12:00PM. The Renegade Innovation Fund was established to support student activities, classroom equipment, travel, and so much more, with a focus on INNOVATION.  For more information on general guidelines, procedures, and reporting, as well as the application, please refer to the BC Foundation website.

If you have any questions, contact Alyssa Cross at alyssa.cross@bakersfieldcollege.edu. 

Chancellor’s Seminar Series

Last week, we continued the Chancellor’s Seminar Series with “IT Infrastructure and How It All Works” on January 25. We heard from Todd Coston, Eddie Alvarado, Mike Campbell, Jay Navarrette, and Brett Redd as they talked about the ways IT works together to provide services throughout the district.

You can see videos from all the Chancellor’s Seminars at https://www.kccd.edu/chancellors-office/chancellors-seminar-series.

I also shared my Chancellor’s Brief. This brief focused on Adult Education:

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Porterville College professor Jonathan Hernandez shared this look at campus:

“Beautiful day in THE VILLE“

The Bakersfield College Renegade Room held its first service of the Spring 2022 semester:

PC President Claudia Habib posted this from last weekend’s vaccination clinic:

“Thank you California Farmworker Foundation and Adventist Health for hosting a vaccination clinic on campus today. There is still time to get your vaccinations or booster. Apoyando a nuestra comunidad ofreciendo vacunas contra el COVID.#MaskAndVax#BoosterDose @PCollegePirates“

The Renegade Chorus performed at the BC Women’s Basketball Game:

“Last night the Renegade Chorus sang the National Anthem at the BC Women’s Basketball game! We’ve only had two rehearsals so I am incredibly proud they would step up and learn the arrangement and be willing to give their time to do this. I love working with such amazing tenors and basses. Come and join us on Thursday nights at 5:45 pm!!! #realrenegadessing #bcrenegadechorus“

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

The future is bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KCCDDaringMightyThings

Sonya Christian's Blog