At the end of our second day of the annual Admin Council Retreat, we surprised our fabulous Vice President of Instruction Liz Rozell with a gathering to recognize and celebrate her time at BC as she enters into retirement. Liz has bold vision, contagious energy, unrivaled work ethic, and …that gorgeous smile! Liz stepped up to be VP at a very crucial point at BC when we were in the middle of implementing Guided Pathways, AB 705, curriculum review, accreditation, development of new instructional programs, BC-Southwest, the growth of dual enrollment, inmate scholars and more.
Liz Rozell being honored for her retirement at 2019 Closing Day
On Friday evening, I enjoyed cheering for Senator Jean Fuller and Grimm Family Educational Foundation CEO Barbara Grimm Marshall as they were inducted into the Bakersfield City School District Hall of Fame. At the BC table we had Kern Community College District Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Romeo Agbalog, his wife, Lilly Perez Agbalog, and Bakersfield College employees Steve Watkin, Kylie Swanson, Norma Rojas-Mora and Michele Bresso — celebrating the service of Jean and Barbara, partners in BC’s Early College Program that enables high school students to earn simultaneous college degrees. Jean Fuller, a BC alumna, challenged Hall of Fame audience members on the spot to contact local high schools and ensure they are participating in Early College. We are BC!
L to R: Lily Perez-Agbalog, Trustee Agbalog, Norma Rojas-Mora, Michele Bresso, Jean Fuller, Sharlet Briggs, Kylie Swanson, Trustee Gomez-Heitzeberg, and Steve Watkin
Plaque for Jean Fuller and BCSD Hall of Fame
Jean Fuller speaking at BCSD Hall of Fame
Kylie Swanson and Jean Fuller
Trustee Nan Gomez Heitzeberg, Lily Perez-Agbalog and Trustee Romeo Agbalog
Trustee Romeo Agbalog, Jean Fuller, Trustee Nan Gomez Heitzeberg
Sonya Christian, Jean Fuller, and Sharlet Briggs
Special thanks as well to the Bakersfield Californian for their coverage last April when inductees were first announced.
Admin Council Retreat – Day Two
2019 Bakersfield College Administrative Council
On Tuesday the college administrative council gathered for the second part of our summer retreat.
Todd Coston organized different sessions on: Dealing with Difficult People and Having Hard Conversations by Stephanie Baltazar and Brett Redd, How to Facilitate Team Building and Effective Meeting Facilitation by Manny Mourtzanos and Steve Watkins, and Best Practices for Running a Screening Committee & Conducting Classified Staff Evaluations by Todd Coston and Monika Scott. Thanks to all who participated in these retreats.
Billie Jo Rice and Liz Rozell presenting on our administrative reorganization. Thank you Fernando Lara for this picture that captures the transition from one VP to the next.
Tamara Baker turns to share with the group how her team completed the group activity.
Eileen Pierce, Abel Guzman, Tommy Tunson, and Angelica Perez work on a team building activity.
Dean of Instruction, Manny Mourtzanos speaks to the room full of BC’s managers
The talented and fearless Manny De Los Santos taking the admin council group picture
Umoja Community students went on a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in Georgia and Alabama. Umoja Coordinator Dr. Paula Parks selected four outstanding students who are interested in transferring to an HBCU. The grant-funded tour included visiting cultural and historic sites, with Heritage Empowered as the tour operator.
On the same block was the Center, Dr. King’s childhood home, and the visitors’ center.
The steps include Dr. King’s words: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream”
The exhibits included influences on Dr. Martin Luther King, such as Mahatma Gandhi, who led a successful nonviolent movement in India.
The students and Dr. Parks. At the very back is where Dr. and Mrs. King are buried.
Freedom walk
At the historic Ebenezer Baptist church where Dr. King preached alongside his father.
Earl Parsons poem published to local literary journal
Earl Parsons from MPR recently had a poem published that he wrote about local candy company, Dewar’s, mascot. Congrats Earl! Here’s the poem:
Currently we have 15 (!) Measure J projects underway here at BC. Check out the photos below to see the construction happening at the Campus Center, Veterans Resource Center, and Memorial Stadium. I’m so proud of the work that we are doing here to upgrade our campus for our students and community.
Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium
VRC Construction
VRC ConstructionVRC ConstructionCampus Center Construction
New Scoreboard at the Pool
The new BC Pool scoreboard
We have a new scoreboard at the BC pool! Thank you to M&O for coordinating this and helping to continually beautify and update our campus!
Kern EDC 31st Annual Dinner
BC’s Tom Gelder, Heather Pennella, Norma Rojas-Mora and Tamara Baker attended this year’s Kern EDC Annual Dinner held at JEH Ranch. It was a great chance to catch up with fellow community leaders and show support for economic development in our region. Not to mention, the river looked exceptionally beautiful this year with all of the rainfall that we’ve had!
Kern EDC Dinner Program
Kern River and JEH Ranch
Tom Gelder and Rick Kreiser
Heather Pennella, Lori Kreiser and Karen King
Tom Gelder, Rick Kreiser, Lori Kreise and Heather Pennella
Tamara Baker and Jenifer Pitcher
Arvin Chief of Police Scot Kimble, his wife, Norma Rojas Mora and Pawan Gill
Patty Canessa and Norma Rojas-Mora
Student Deployment Spotlight
In a past blog post, I talked about BC student Elaine Moreno’s deployment to Baghdad. We have created a page on the BC website dedicated to Elaine’s story while she is overseas, where we will post updates as we receive them from Elaine. Make sure to keep up on the web link below to see Elaine in action!
Flex week is coming up and the only thing missing is you!
Fall Flex week is just around the corner and we want to make sure that you are prepared. We are gearing up for Flex week workshops August 19th-21st and we have a wide variety of sessions to meet your professional development needs. Sessions run from 8:00 am to 4:30 all three days and range from Active Listening to creating your own escape room in Canvas. Whether you are a faculty member looking to improve your technology skills or a staff member who wants to understand data, we have something for everyone.
Brandon Urry presenting at Spring 2019’s Flex Week
Below are just some of the workshops being offered, along with a brief description. For a full list of workshops, check out Upcoming Workshops.
Canvas possesses a little known utility for individualizing instruction called Mastery Paths. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use mastery paths and use it to build an escape room.
How often do we stop to actively listen within our daily communication exchanges? In today’s society, it is easy to be inundated with words, noise, and impersonal communication distracting us from the real meaning of messages and stories. It is always the right time to actively participate in listening. This workshop will focus on best practices to actively listen to your students, your colleagues and yourself throughout the semester.
Are you wanting to create Badges to incentivize your students in your class? Are you wanting to track your students’ progress through your course modules…or maybe just create friendly competition? If yes, come to this session where Matt Jones will show you how to set up a badging account, link it to your Canvas Course, and Create Badges.
The goal of this workshop is to introduce grants to the novice and to (hopefully) inspire the veteran grant writer. Grants can be a mystery, where do you find these elusive things called grants? How do you know if you should even apply? What do all these terms mean? What is my timeline? In this interactive workshop Michelle hopes to dispel a few of the mysteries and ease your mind on applying. Michelle Miller-Galaz, is the Director for Grants and Resources at KCCD.
Join us for a presentation on Jobspeaker the online and mobile platform to connect BC students to employment on and off campus. Learn about the benefits to students and how you can help promote in your area.
Fun Photo: Professor Scratchy
Our own Krista Moreland and her cat, Professor Scratchy both could not wait for the summer term to begin at BC. Krista said, “Professor Scratchy is ready to help out!”
Renegade Athletics Up Eleven Spots in Latest CCCAA/NATYCAA Standings
Renegade Athletics has finished the 2018-2019 academic year with a #19 finish in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and National Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup Standings. Out of all SoCal schools, the Renegades finished 12th. The ranking moves them up 11 spots from the 2017-18 spot of being tied for #30, and the year before that (2016-17) of being tied for #50. Congrats to our athletics department coaches and staff!!
Renegade Volleyball to Host Five Camps This Summer
Renegade Volleyball is excited to announce the dates for their 2019 summer volleyball camps.
There will be a total of four camps intended for 8th-12th graders with a minimum level of experience. There will also be a coaches clinic.
Camp #1 will focus on setting and run July 22-23 from 2pm-4pm each day.
Camps #2 will focus on attacking and run July 2223 from 5pm-7pm each day.
Camp #3 will focus on serving, SR passing and defense and run July 25-26 from 2pm-4pm each day.
Camps #4 will focus on attacking and run from July 24-25 from 5pm-7pm each day.
The Coaches Clinic will take place on Saturday, July 27th from 9am-2pm and focus on building a championship caliber team through vision, goals, athlete behaviors, team chemistry, technical skills and on-court demonstrations.
More Renegade Student Athletes Moving On To The Next Level
With the five Renegades who signed this week, we now have a total of 36 student athletes who will be continuing their careers at the four-year level. The four this week include:
Kylee Fahy from Renegade Softball is headed to Texas A&M Texarkana
Jacob Whitby and Derek Crawford are headed to Cal State Bakersfield for Track & Field this coming year
Zach Williams and Ryan Dickerson will be playing baseball at Campbell University and William Jewell College, respectively
Congrats to all our hard-working Renegade student athletes and wishing you much success in your futures! Go Gades!
Good morning, Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, May 11, 2019… A great day to be a Renegade.
Closing Day 2019
The last day of the 2018-19 academic year began with Closing Day, where all of BC’s faculty and staff take the opportunity to recognize each other’s accomplishments.
BCSGA President Ashley Harp delivers the opening address for Closing Day.Announcing the President’s Leadership Awards.
BCSGA President Ashley Harp started with an overview of everything that student government has done to support our students this semester, including bringing four Distinguished Speakers to campus and putting the transportation fee proposition on this year’s BCSGA ballot. She also encouraged faculty to continue nominating students for BCSGA.
The Assessment Team wins a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.
After Ashley’s speech, I was honored to present this year’s President’s Leadership Awards, honoring 9 groups of people on campus for their outstanding accomplishments.
The Completion Coaching Team for the Business Pathway receives a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.Graphic designers Eric Carrillo and Dylan Wang receive a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.
I started with recognizing the BC Assessment Team for all of their work with reconfiguring what placement at BC looks like in the wake of AB 705. Our Completion Coaching Team for the Business Pathway won a leadership award for all they do to support business students, which includes organizing the Business Pathway and Career Expo this spring. I also recognized graphic designers Eric Carrillo and Dylan Wang from our Marketing and Public Relations Department for maintaining the integrity of the Renegade brand while making beautiful graphs and charts for all of our public presentations.
The Accessibility Team is presented with a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.The Dual Enrollment Team receives a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.
Our accessibility team deserved a special shout out this year for all they’ve done to ensure that our disabled students are able to receive the highest possible quality of education, and the Dual Enrollment Team underwent a tremendous amount of work to launch Early College programs in Wasco, McFarland and Arvin. The exponential growth of enrollment over the last six years has put a tremendous strain on our Admissions and Records Team, and I also recognized them for everything they do to onboard our students.
The Admissions and Records team receives a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.Paul Beckworth and Armando Trujillo receive a 2019 President’s Leadership Award.
Paul Beckworth and Armando Trujillo were recognized for making the transition to civilian life easier for our veteran students, and retiring Vice President of Instruction Liz Rozell earned a President’s Leadership Award for her decades of service to BC.
Liz Rozell is presented an award from the Management AssociationLiz Rozell with the Management Association.
Finally, Helen Acosta won a Leadership Award for her work as the Department Chair of Communications, as well as her support of our LGBTQ+ students.
Helen Acosta, Sonya Christian
Liz Rozell, Sonya Christian
Along with the Leadership Awards, representatives from across the campus spoke to put a ribbon on the 2018-19 academic year. Vice President of CSEA Bernadette Martinez took the stage to give an overview of classified staff negotiations for this year and to encourage participation in CSEA negotiations starting next fall. Departing CCA President Tom Greenwood reminded faculty that increased participations in union negotiations with the district gives strength in numbers toward advocacy for faculty issues.
Bernadette Martinez gives an updates an CSEA negotiations.Tom Greenwood encourages faculty members to participate in CCA.Stephen Holmes gives an update on Academic Senate and announces the retiring faculty for 2019.Manny Mourtzanos gives an update on the Management Association, with Stephen Holmes.Stephen Holmes presents Bill Kelly with a wrought-iron bench as a retirement present.Stephen Holmes presents Liz Rozell with a stop sign.
Stephen Holmes provided a brief update about the Academic Senate and announced the faculty members who are retiring this summer. Holmes gave retiring Agriculture professor Bill Kelly a wrought-iron bench as a parting gift, and Liz Rozell received a red stop sign to help her park. Liz also announced the BC faculty who received tenure in 2018-19.
Reggie Williams announces the Levan Summer Grant recipients.Retiring Agriculture professor Bill Kelly.
Levan Center Director Reggie Williams announced the recipients of the Levan Summer Grants, which include Chris Doyen from the English Department, Sarah Baron from Public Health Sciences, mythology professor Rae Ann Kumelos, and adjunct instructor of Communication Brenda Valadez. He also thanked myself, Norman Levan, Jack Hernandez, Miriam Valenzuela and Teresa Tovar for making the Levan Center a welcoming place to host 35 to 50 events attended by thousands of people throughout the 2018-19 academic year.
Regina Hukill and Helen Acosta receive the Shirley Trembley Teaching Award.John Gerhold announces the Margaret Levinson Faculty Leadership Award.
Becky Head announced that Helen Acosta and Regina Hukill were the winners of this year’s Shirley Trembley Teaching Award, and John Gerhold announced Kimberly Nickell as the winner of the Margaret Levinson Faculty Leadership Award.
I found this picture from last year. Kim Nickell, Kimberley Bligh, Pam Boyles
Susan Pinza announces the winner of the Levan Faculty Colloquium.
Susan Pinza closed out the event by recognizing Bernadette Towns as the recipient of the Levan Faculty Colloquium. Faculty and staff are invited to watch Towns give a presentation about child development in the Levan Center on October 19. Pinza is stepping down as the chair of the Levan Faculty Colloquium group, and Erin Miller will be taking over for next year.
I’d like to thank everyone for attending and participating in this year’s Closing Day, as well as our Closing Day team for organizing the event.
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Chicano/Latino Pre-Commencement Celebration
This past Friday on May 3, Bakersfield College celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Chicano/Latino Pre-Commencement Celebration on campus. Since the inception of the event in 1994, this pre-commencement event has celebrated the academic accomplishments of hundreds of students for the past two decades and has welcomed their families, friends, and their community to the campus.
Jael Rivera, as seen in the picture below, is leader of the danza, drummer, flute player, and current BC student.
Graduates and faculty shared a meal together and lined up to make a grand entrance into the Outdoor Theatre.
Vibrant colors and decorative props surrounding the Outdoor Theatre provided a Latino friendly atmosphere, while DJ Escandalosa played upbeat music to get the audience engaged.
Each graduate received a colorful serape stole, commemorative medallion, and a Chicano/Latino Pre-Commencement Celebration one-of-a-kind shirt.
Student leaders from LUPE/Conexiones graciously provided a warm welcome to the audience and assisted in reading the graduates names as they were called up to center stage to receive their serape and deliver their acknowledgements.
At the end of the 25th Anniversary, the planning committee honored the man that started it all in 1994, Dean Cornelio “Corny” Rodriguez. Dean Rodriguez was recognized as an individual who has always advocated for equal access and equality for ALL BC students and was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his contributions to the BC campus and the Chicano/Latino community at large.
Thank you to all the BC departments who contributed to this amazing event. Special thanks to: Bakersfield College Foundation, Office of VP Student Affairs, Student Life/SGA, Maintenance & Operations, Communications and Community Relations, Department of Public Safety, Food Services, Graphics Center, Scheduling & Events, Loma Linda Restaurant, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, Jasmin’s Bakery, Banderas Burgers, and Kern Schools.
Thank you to BC staff from the various departments: EOPS/CARE, CalSOAP, Adult Ed/Job Spot, Delano Campus/Rural Initiatives, Counseling Department, Academic Support Services, Foster Youth Kindship, Foreign Languages, and CTE.
Last but not least, MUCHAS GRACIAS to the student leaders of LUPE/Conexiones who spent countless hours decorating the Outdoor Theatre and volunteered throughout the entire event.
Retiree Reception
On Tuesday, the BC Archives and Foundation got together to honor the retiring members of the Renegade family at its annual reception in the Levan Center.
We have 19 members of our faculty and staff retiring at the end of the 2018-19 academic year, and they’ve served our students for a combined 474 years. Their tireless efforts are what makes this institution a beautiful place for people in our community to begin their journey in higher education, and we will miss them dearly.
Among our administration, Liz Rozell over 29 years has been a professor, dean, and interim Vice President of Instruction, and was an instrumental part of establishing our Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Automation. Sue Vaughn has been at BC for 22 years, and her work with the Child Development Center makes education a possibility for thousands of Central Valley parents. Shoreh Rahman served our International Students as a counselor for 33 years, and Fred Smith has been working with our Renegade student athletes for 34 years.
Our Agriculture Department is losing two of its most distinguished staff members this year in William Kelly and Sally Sterns. Kelly’s abundant patience and kindness has developed the next generation of agriculture professionals in Kern County for more than 37 years, and Sterns started the first Gardenfest at BC, which has become the premier spring gardening event. She retires as a horticulture lab technician after 13 years of service.
Other notable retires include biology professor Janet Fulks, whose research has been crucial for the success of Guided Pathways at BC, and Richard Darke, a physics professor of 29 years who won this year’s Trembley Teaching Award.
A full list of retirees is below:
Steven Barrett – Grounds Equipment Mechanic, Maintenance and Operations – 8 years, 9 months, 22 days
Richard Darke – Professor, Physics/Engineering – 29 years, 8 months
Michael Einhaus – Professor, Philosophy – 20 years, 10 months
Janet Fulks – Professor, Biology – 24 years, 8 months
Patrick Fulks – Professor, Biology – 27 years, 7 months
George Gentry – Associate Teacher, CDC – 7 years, 6 months and 10 days
Patrick Harrison – Athletic Complex Manager, Maintenance and Operations – 20 years, 10 months, 29 days
Regina Hukill – Professor, Mathematics – 17 years, 11 months
William Kelly – Professor, Agriculture – 37 years, 3 months
Penny Loos – Food Service Assistant III – 26 years, 9 months, 14 days
Rebecca Mooney – Professor, English – 29 years, 8 months
Sung Soo Park – Professor, Engineering – 28 years, 4 months
Shoreh Rahman – Counselor, International Student Affairs – 33 years, 6 months
Theresa Rodriguez – Department Assistant III, Food Service – 26 years, 3 months, 20 days
Bernard Scanlon – Professor, Mathematics – 24 years, 8 months
Dean Serabian – System Support Specialist II, Information Technology – 21 years, 21 days
Fred Smith – Athletic Trainer/Program Director – 34 years, 5 months, 12 days
Sally Sterns – Horticulture Lab Tech, Agriculture – 13 years, 8 months and 12 days
Sue Vaughn – Interim Program Director, CDC and FKCE – 22 years, 4 months
Dream Revolution Concert
On Thursday, May 2, hundreds of students and community members gathered at the Bakersfield College outdoor theater to celebrate the “Dream Revolution” at Bakersfield College. Sponsored by the Catalyst Fund Immigrant Rising grant at Bakersfield College and South Kern Sol, this event brought Las Cafeteras to campus. Described by National Public Radio as “blending Mexican and American” cultural elements in their music, Las Cafeteras joined local band Velorio in providing a wonderful end-of-semester cultural and musical celebration on our campus.
The event featured art booths before the concert, showcasing the work of our very own faculty Diego Gutierrez Monterrubio and his students. Registered guests were able to enjoy a wonderful meal plate from our campus food services, including Mexican street tacos, rice, and beans. Among attendees were a number of students from Arvin High School’s dual enrollment program. Thank you Abel Guzman and Endee Grijalva for coordinating this opportunity for our South Kern students.
Special thanks to South Kern Sol executive director Reyna Olaguez for helping coordinate this event, as well as the student speakers.
Norma Gaspar from our local Telemundo station also served as emcee for the evening, introducing the speakers, bands, and reminding the community of the importance of the event in both English and Spanish. Gaspar was also one of the first to hit the dance floor as the music of Velorio and Las Cafeteras gave everyone a chance to dance and celebrate together as a community. Everyone was especially pleased that Dolores Huerta made an impromptu appearance on the dance floor. At 89 years old, she is a community blessing and so impressive in her strength and determination to keep fighting for social justice.
KCCD 2019 Leadership Academy
Last month on April 5, I attended the graduation ceremony for the 2019 KCCD Leadership Academy, where I had the pleasure of hearing the four group presentations for projects that had been worked on all year. The KCCD Leadership Academy is a year-long program that began in September and concluded in early April. This year, there were 21 participants from each college and the district office, which included faculty, classified professionals, managers, and administrators. Presentations were made by four groups to a panel consisting of Chancellor Tom Burke, Cerro Coso Community College President Jill Board, Porterville College President Bill Henry, Chief Financial Officer Debbie Martin, and Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Tonya Davis.
The graduation awards at the graduation ceremony were presented by Chancellor Tom Burke, President Jill Board, President Bill Henry, Vice Chancellor John Means, and myself.
If interested, applications for the 2019-20 KCCD Leadership Academy are now being accepted. Applicants can contact John Means at jmeans@kccd.edu.
Here is the full list of the 2018-19 KCCD Leadership Academy Participants:
Bakersfield College (4)
Debra M. Anderson – Outreach & School Relations, Main Campus
Jacqueline Lau – Admissions and Records Technician 2
Araceli Navarro-Gomez – Foster and Kinship Care Education Program-Program Manager
Paula L. Parks, Ph.D. – English professor/Umoja Community lead
Cerro Coso Community College (7)
Kathryn A. Bachman – Director, Outreach Services
Chad Houck – Dean of Instruction – Cerro Coso Community College
Jessica R. Kawelmacher – Admissions & Records Technician II
Jessica Krall – Program Manager, Child Development centers
John McHenry – Athletic Director
Caroline Sanderson – Campus Manager, Eastern Sierra College Center
Julianne (Juli) Maikai – Alternative Media Specialist-High Tech Center
Porterville College (3)
Dustin Acres – Mathematics Professor
Levern Butler – System Support Specialist I
Anne VanDerHorst – College HR Manager, Porterville College Human Resources
District Office (6)
Mary Barnes – Administrative Assistant, Human Resources
Jennifer R. Dunn – Enterprise Resource Planning Analyst I, Information Technology
Genevieve Horton – Administrative Assistant, Economic and Workforce Development
Enrique Heredia – Accounting Coordinator, Business Services
Nicholas Hernandez – Construction Project Manager, Facilities
Jazz Combos and Commercial Music Concert
The Jazz Combos and Commercial Music Ensemble presented a combined concert on Monday night in the Indoor Theater, closing out a busy inaugural year for the new Jazz Studies program led by Professor Kris Tiner. Jazz Combo B opened the show with music by students Abigail Wilson and Kal Nolan, as well as a funky take on Freddie Hubbard’s “Mr. Clean” (check out the Facebook video below).
Commercial Music EnsembleJazz Combo A
The Commercial Music Ensemble directed by Professor Kyle Burnham performed next, with original songs by students Muhammad Ashter, Quentin Singleton, Gabriel Delgado, and Marcos Hernandez Delgado, alongside covers by Bill Withers, Stone Temple Pilots, and Arctic Monkeys. Jazz Combo A closed the show with an all-original set featuring music by students Izzy Foster and Zach Taylor. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the third annual Panorama Creative Music Summit coming up on September 16-19.
Last Thursday, our Welcome Center hosted a Concurrent Enrollment Registration event for our local high school and home school students. Students from grades 9 through 11 came in to get assistance with their registration steps. Each student was able to register for Summer 2019 and/or Fall 2019 courses, which they will take at one of our BC campuses or online.
A large portion of the attendees were from Inspire Charter Schools, an organization that serves many home school students in Kern County. To aid with course selection and form approval, counselors from Inspire Charter Schools attended the event and met with their students prior to them registering for classes. As our high school and home school students continue to seek opportunities to get an early start on their college education, we are excited to plan more events such as this one to serve the needs of this growing population.
ROC Partner Appreciation
In recognition of the commitment Bakersfield College has made to Kern High School District’s Regional Occupational Center (ROC), faculty members Justin Flint, Manny Fernandez, LeAnn Riley, Matt Riley, Suzanne Tangeman and Career Education Director Tony Cordova attended the ROC Partner Appreciation Dinner. We learned about the new programs that are getting built at the ROC and Career Technical Educational Center (CTEC), as well as some great student success stories about students completing their programs at ROC and continuing their education at BC.
I’d like to give a big thank you to ROC Principal Brian Miller for his hard work and collaboration with Bakersfield College.
BC SouthWest Video
BC SouthWest had an amazing year! More than 150 sections were offered and hundreds of students were served. Here are some images captured throughout the year by Program Manager Fernando Lara. They highlight BC getting “keys” to the River Run building and the work done by faculty and staff from both BC and the District Office.
After three years of co-locating with Fresno Pacific University, BC SouthWest took over the lease on April 1, 2019. The key in the video marked “BCM 1” is the first official key made for the site.
Additional images show Chelsi Womack, Department Assistant III. Chelsi was hired in late April. Her hiring signifies the growth we are experiencing at BC SouthWest. Also captured are Officer Mark Sifuentes, Professor Janet Tarjan, Professor Silvet Holcomb, and student-employee Jasmen Taylor.
Another highlight of this past year is when BC SouthWest students Elizabeth Jacobs, Aliyah Gonzalez, and Noah Hinson addressed the KCCD Board of Trustees at the December 2018 meeting. They each spoke about the benefit of having a BC center near them. There is an image in the video of the future site of the BC SouthWest Center (located at 9400 Camino Media). The future is looking bright for all BC students!
Industrial Automation Corporate Tours
Industrial Automation students, faculty and BC staff had the pleasure of touring four distribution centers and processing facilities recently. We toured the Target Distribution Center, Ross Distribution Center, Bolthouse Farms, and the Wonderful Company. The scale and innovation these companies incorporated into each facility to serve their global customer base was amazing! We were very pleased that these companies took the time to make our experience quite memorable.
ASL-English Interpreter Training Program
The first cohort of students in the Bakersfield College ASL-English Interpreter Training Program have completed their course of study. Each student took a turn to share his or her experiences and received a certificate. As each student spoke, one of the classmates interpreted. Several of the students interpreted remarks by Tom Moran, Jaclyn Krause, and our VP of instruction, Liz Rozell. Our wonderful Stephanie and Jessica in Career and Technical Education put together a wonderful celebration, complete with hors d’oeuvres, a beautiful banner, table runners, and cool pens.
A full house for the ITP CelebrationTom Moran and Jaclyn Krause at the ITP info tableLiz Rozell signs to the audienceTom Moran signs to the audience
Early College Rural Initiatives
Forty bright-eyed and eager Early College Arvin students attended the Dream for Social Justice event Thursday, May 2 and had the opportunity to see the Panorama Campus, many for the first time. The desire of the Rural Initiatives/Early College Team is to add cultural enrichment opportunities to the Early College program, which is taking the work to the next level.
Arvin Early College Students
Honors Donor Appreciation Dinner
The Bakersfield College Foundation hosted the Honors Donor Appreciation Dinner on Friday, May 3 at Hodel’s with a crowd of nearly 200 in attendance. The annual dinner provides a chance for the Foundation to honor Scholarship Donors, while providing an opportunity for donors to have the chance to meet our wonderful students and hear firsthand how their support impacts the students’ success. There were more than 40 unique scholarship funds represented at the dinner by either donors or recipients. The group was treated to entertainment provided by the Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Kris Tiner.
The Foundation, in collaboration with Financial Aid, will award nearly half a million dollars in scholarships and awards for the 2019-20 academic year and it would not be possible without the continued support from our generous donors. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund, please contact Heather Pennella, Alumni and Donor Relations Manager, at heather.pennella@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Fun Photos
My weekend routine…….In the backyard with my laptop working. And look who is by my side…
BC received the Impact Award: In the midst of all the commencement chaos, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that BC was selected as a finalist for the 2019 Ellucian Impact Award, which recognizes the many ways educational institutions use technology to enhance the student experience.
Ellucian works with 2,500 colleges and universities on developing Banner and other software to meet their students’ needs.
“This year’s Ellucian Impact Award recipients are transforming both the student experience and institution-wide operations by leveraging modern cloud solutions,” Ellucian President and CEO Laura Ipsen said. “We are honored and humbled to partner with such powerful innovators who are using technology to transform the higher education experience around the world.”
It is these kinds of accolades that make me proud to be a Renegade. We are BC!
Emails Worth Sharing: Chelsea Esquibias
I received this wonderful email from Chelsea about her being awarded the “Faith, Inspiration, and Resilience: A Pathway to Higher Education” award. Congratulations, Chelsea! So proud of your work! And thank you for all your contributions to BC’s Inmate Ed Program
I’m forwarding the attachments to you as Bakersfield College was at the center of my speech.
I received the “Faith, Inspiration, and Resilience: A Pathway to Higher Education” award. I was awarded with Ms. Pamela Hayes, VP of Board of Governors and Dr. Yvette Gullatt, Vice Provost of University of California, Berkeley. I spent much of my presentation time discussing the Inmate Scholars Program and the innovative work being done at Bakersfield College.
It was the Silver Anniversary Gospel Celebration and the students of Los Medanos College shared their beautiful musical talent. Dr. Henderson nominated me and he has held state academic positions.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve students on campus and working with the Guided Pathways team has been fantastic.
Baseball Post-Season Awards Announced
The Renegade Baseball team wrapped up the 2019 regular season with a 26-14 overall record and 15-5 in conference and as back-to-back Western State Conference North Champions. As the regular season has concluded, the team has racked up a number of post-season conference awards:
2019 Western State Conference South Coach of the Year – Tim Painton
Coach Painton finishes his 24th regular season with back-to-back conference titles and a 26-14 overall record.
2019 Western State Conference South Pitcher of the Year – Alejandro Murillo (Fr, Stockdale HS)
Murillo pitched a total of 80 innings in 14 games for the Renegades this season with a record on the mound of 10-1. He finished the regular season with 68 strikeout and an ERA of 2.46.
2019 1st Team All-Western State Conference South
Hector Ruvalcaba, Inf. (So., Western HS), Ashanti Ross, OF (So., Western HS), Kamron Willman, Inf. (So., Ridgeview HS), Nate Ortiz, Starting Pitcher (So., Centennial HS) and Alejandro Murillo, Starting Pitcher (Fr., Stockdale HS)
2019 2nd Team All-Western State Conference South
Gabe Ulloa, Reilelf Pitcher (Fr., Delano HS), Hunter Adams, Inf. (Fr., Independence HS), Lane Cowan, Starting Pitcher (So., Centennial HS), Sage Voda, OF (So., Tehachipi Christian Academy) and Trey Harmon, DH (So., Foothill HS)
2019 Western State Conference South Honorable Mention
Matt Patton, Utility (Fr., Liberty HS), Ryan Dickerson, C (So., Bakersfield Christian HS) and Zach Williams, 1B (So., Liberty HS)
Softball Post-Season Awards Announced
The Renegade Softball Team wrapped up the 2019 regular season with a 24-16 overall record and 16-0 in conference and as back-to-back Western State Conference North Champions.
As the regular season has concluded, the team has racked up a number of post-season conference and state awards:
2019 Western State Conference North Coach of the Year – Casey Goodman
Coach Goodman completes her second season leading the Renegade softball program as a two-time conference coach of the year award winner. In her two years the team has won back-to-back conference championships and made post-season appearances in the CCCAA playoffs.
2019 Western State Conference North Pitcher of the Year and CCCAA All-State Selection – Kylee Fahy (Liberty HS)
This is the second year in a row Fahy has received the conference pitcher of the year award. At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Kylee pitched 225 innings resulting in a state leading (for the second year in a row) 275 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.49. She also collected two no-hitters this season (2/21 vs. SBCC & 3/26 vs. SBCC).
2019 Western State Conference North Player of the Year and CCCAA All-State Selection – Natilee Parrish (Arroyo Grande HS)
Natilee appeared in all 40 games for Coach Goodman this season collecting 12 home runs (5th in the state), 35 RBI’s and 36 runs scored.
2019 1st Team Western State Conference North
Alex Venegas (Liberty HS), Alexis Lopez (East Bakersfield HS), Alantis Rede (Centennial HS) and Savannah Gonzalez (Delano HS)
2019 Western State Conference North Honorable Mention
Ashley Hernandez (Centennial HS), Aviana Campos (Highland HS) and Lysette Castro (Mira Monte HS)
Men’s and Women’s Swimming Post-Season Awards
The Renegade Men’s and Women’s Swimming team wrapped up the 2019 regular season with both teams placing 3rd at the WSC Conference Championships. At the CCCAA State Championship, the women placed 13th and the men 17th. As the regular season has concluded, both teams have racked up a number of post-season conference awards, listed below.
I wake up every morning to NPR’s Morning Edition….for many years now. A change is coming — after 40 years, the tune BJ Leiderman composed in 1979 is being replaced by a new jingle on Monday, May 6, 2019. Click on the youtube link below and cherish the soon-to-be-replaced 60-second theme song for NPR’s morning edition. It’s been with us for so long; this is all I knew since I started listening to morning edition in 1988 as a foreign student at USC.
Last day for this version of the morning edition theme song. Cinco de Mayo 2019
It is good to be back home after two weeks of travel which started with the Non-Credit Conference in San Diego. We had a BC team present and engaged by doing our planning to create more opportunities for adults with low academic skills to onboard and complete a certificate which will give them the necessary skills for an entry-level job.
I had a lot of fun keynoting at the CACCRAO conference in San Diego. This is the statewide organization for Admissions and Records professionals, and our Director, Michelle Pena is the current Vice President. She is super smart and has a keen mind for system fixes. Michelle was there with Jackie Lau and Erineo Garcia.
Sonya Christian, Rhonda Mohr
Sonya Christian
2019 ACCJC Partners in Excellence Conference: What the Future Holds
ACCJC’s bi-annual conference was held in San Francisco this year. I was there primarily in my role as a commissioner and the current Vice Chair of the commission. However, we had a large team from BC doing two presentations at this conference and it gives me great joy and pride when I watch “my peeps” presenting.
Kim Nickell, Kristin Rabe, Jessica Wojtysiak, Janet Fulks, Sonya Christian, Lesley Bonds, Amber Hrioch, Steve Waller
At the opening session of the ACCJC conference, I had the pleasure of introducing the former Under Secretary of Education, Dr. Martha Kanter. Dr. Kanter now leads the College Promise Campaign nationally which focuses on higher education affordability and accessibility.
Dr. Kanter speaking at the ACJCC Conference
Dr. Kanter has made many contributions to higher education, most notably her work on equity, innovation, and accountability. Her work is grounded in the conviction that education is not only an economic imperative but more fundamentally a civic imperative; and that education is necessary to individual freedom and essential to a healthy society and a vibrant democracy.
Kristin Rabe, Kim Nickell, Amber Hroch, and Steve Waller presented on how BC is engaged with Program Review and Program Planning that drives institutional resource allocation. A data informed process, the Program Review process has not only brought transparency to our work, but has helped us determine priorities more effectively.
Amber Hroch, Kim Nickell
Kristin Rabe, Steve Waller
Jessica Wojtysiak and Lesley Bonds presented on BC’s work on Guided Pathways with a focus on “It takes Leadership” from all constituent groups to make this happen.
Here are some other pictures that I snapped. Enjoy!
Jessica Wojtysiak, Amber Hroch
Sonya Christian, Susan Murray
Sonya Christian, Bob Jones
Sonya Christian, Daisy Gonzales
With Martha Kanter & Richard Winn
With Richard Mahon & Karolyn Hanna
Jessica Wojtysiak, Amber Hroch, Sonya Christian, Kristin Rabe, Kim Nickell
On Tuesday, April 30, 2019, over 40 administrators, faculty, and staff from both CSUB and Bakersfield College met to discuss and plan for programmatic collaborations at the new BCSW Center co-located on the CSUB campus. The synergistic teamwork evident at this meeting is indicative of this exciting partnership between BC and CSUB, and of our shared commitment to our students and community. It’s a great time to be in Bakersfield!
BC represented at African-American Town Hall with State Chancellor Oakley
Last week BC’s Steve Watkin, Outreach Director; Dr. Paula Parks, Umoja faculty lead; Jonathan Ward, Umoja Counselor; and Daron Mackey, AAI Ed Advisor attended the Fresno Town Hall & College Fair. There, state Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley urged community members to support Central Valley leaders who are advocating for changes that result in higher success rates for African-American students. “We need you to push,” Oakley said “because what we’ve been doing hasn’t been working.”
“Friction has to happen around college completion,”Oakley advocated, adding that “we have to get to the point where we put the needs of the students above the needs of employees and staff.”
Chancellor Oakley Tweet from California Community Colleges on the Fresno Town Hall
He cited the passage of AB 705 as a positive step in increasing equity for students of color. The law, which goes into effect this fall, will allow most community college students to start at college-level English and math.
Steve Watkin, Dr. Paula Parks, Chancellor Oakley, Jonathan Ward, & Daron Mackey
The Fresno event was sponsored by the California Community College Black and African-American Advisory Panel and featured information on financial aid (Icanaffordcollege.com), attending a Central Valley community college, and transferring to a CSU or Historically Black College or University (adegreewithaguarantee.com). The Advisory Panel was created in 2017 to increase the graduation and transfer rates of African-American students in support of Oakley’s Vision for Success. They are planning other events around the state to share information and gather feedback. Oakley joked at the end that the Community Colleges will not have an admissions scandal because “we take the top 100% of all applicants.”
Daron Mackey, Jonathan Ward, Dr. Paula Parks, & Steve WatkinSteve Watkin
Celebrating Judge Tafoya at Kern Literacy
Judge Robert S. Tafoya was honored as a Read for Life Award Recipient at the 2019 Kern Literacy Council Celebration. Former KCCD Chancellor Sandra Serrano, Judge Tafoya’s spouse, was in attendance to celebrate her husband’s passion for reading and his service as a Kern Literacy Council tutor for the past four years. In addition, a group from Bakersfield College joined the festivities. Pictured in the photo below are Traco Mathews and Krista Herrera (KCSOS), Abel Guzman and Pearl Urena (BC), Sheri Horn-Bunk (Taft), Elaine McNearney (Dress for Success), Romeo Agbalog (KCCD Trustee) and Liz Rozell (BC). Liz Rozell was also able to connect with longtime friends, Fred and Cynthia Brakeman (KHSD Trustee).
BC and Community Leaders at Kern Literacy Event
Presidential Investiture at CSUB
CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny
A festive CSUB Presidential Investiture took place Friday morning, May 3rd, in recognition of Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, fifth President of California State University, Bakersfield and the first female president. She was recognized and honored by many, including Mayor Karen Goh, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, and CSU Chancellor Timothy White. The processional included student leadership, delegates from educational partners, and CSUB faculty and staff.
Mary Barlow (Kern County Superintendent of Schools), Doc Ervin (Superintendent of Bakersfield City School District), Kevin Silberberg (Superintendent of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District), Liz Rozell (VP of Instruction, BC), and John Means (Vice Chancellor, Educational Services, KCCD)
Mariachi band from the BCSD Migrant Program
63rd Annual Honors Celebration Rocks this Year’s Scholars!
On April 26th, the Outdoor Theater pulsed with the energetic beats of our BC Drumline as they drummed for our 2019 class of scholarship and award recipients at the 63rd Annual Honors Celebration.
BC Drumline performing
This year, nearly 400 outstanding Renegades were named for over $494,000 in scholarships and awards, capping off a demanding academic year with some exciting financial awards.
Attendees at the Honors Celebration
Tom Gelder, the Executive Director of the BC Foundation and SGA President Ashley Harp, welcomed students and their guests to the festivities, expressing his gratitude for the many donors, faculty, and staff that made the evening possible.
Prior to the reading of names, BC Alumna and Foundation Board Member, Connie Perez-Andresen inspired students with an emotional keynote that demonstrated the power of self-belief and finding a career path that speaks to your heart.
The BC Foundation team
The memorable evening ended with a sweet goodbye as hundreds of freshly baked cookies arrived, provided by our very own BC Food Services. Be sure to check out all of the photos of the event!
All current and future Bakersfield College students are encouraged to apply for scholarships again, later this year, on October 1st, coinciding with the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the website for details.
2019 Student Employees of the Year
On Thursday, April 25th, the Office of Student Life held its annual Student Leadership and Involvement Awards Ceremony. The awards included “Student Employee of the Year” that recognizes exceptional contributions to their office or department during the academic year. The award was jointly given to Jasmen Taylor and Rico Carrillo from the BC Tutoring Center. Congrats to Jasmen and Rico!
Jasmen with the medallion to be worn at commencement in 2020!
Thank you to Student Life for recognizing the importance and dedication of our student employees! Additionally, thank you Student Employment for facilitating the hiring of student employees!
McFarland Early College 8th Grade Application Workshop
This past week, our Early College team went out to McFarland Junior High School to prepare students for the Early College journey that they will embark on at McFarland high School next Fall. All 8th graders completed a BC application and now have their BC ID numbers, which will streamline the process for getting them enrolled in their first dual enrollment course STDV B3 Career and Life Planning. It’s official, we have 280 new Cougar-Renegades!
To learn more about the Early College program at McFarland High School, please visit The Early College website.
BC Jazz Spring Concert
The BC jazz program held its spring concert in the Indoor Theater on Monday, focusing on standards from the 1930s while giving the audience a masterful performance of more modern music.
Students performing at the Jazz Spring concert
Jazz professor Kris Tiner said that this year’s program was the culmination of extensive study on the history of jazz. The Jazz Studies program is growing fast since its expansion in 2016, and the amazing performances made for an exciting night.
I’d like to thank Professor Tiner and the Jazz Studies program for putting together a beautiful evening of music.
2019 Kern High School District Physics Olympics at Bakersfield College Campus
The annual Kern High School District Physics Olympics was held last Friday at BC main campus. Sponsored by the Kern High School District and hosted by Bakersfield College the competition features the work of student teams from over a dozen high schools in Kern County in activities requiring skills and knowledge in theoretical and experimental physics and engineering. Eighteen different activities were held from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at various venues around the Bakersfield College campus, with over 1,000 high school students participating!
The efficiency bridge, where students design carts to successfully carry heavy loads across a bridge.The magnetic field competition, where students make measurements and do calculations to determine the earth’s magnetic field at their location.The spring constant competition, where students use measurements of the elongation of springs due to suspended masses to determine the spring stiffness coefficients.
Dual Enrollment Symposium Connects High School Partners and Bakersfield College
On Friday, April 26, the Dual Enrollment team hosted a symposium for over 85 local high school teachers, counselors and administrators. The half-day event focused on helping high school partners understand responsibilities within a dual enrollment program, learn about resources available to support students, as well as opportunities to develop college and career pathways.
Breakout session participants
The Dual Enrollment Symposium opened with a welcome from Steve Watkin, Abel Guzman and Liz Rozell who emphasized the importance of partnerships in offering a successful dual enrollment program. Breakout sessions provided for discussions, including one for STDV B3 Instructors and Counselors provided by Mark Osea, Victor Diaz, Hilda Rodriguez and Alma Feathers, that addressed the unique opportunity this course affords students to clarify their path. High school administrators asked questions about infrastructure during a session hosted by Steve Watkin. Dr. Anna Laven, Raquel Lopez, Savannah Andrews and Kylie Swanson led subject-area instructor sessions with discussions facilitated by Chris McCraw, David Neville, Jennifer Johnson, Kris Stallworth, Jennifer Jett, Stephen Waller, Christian Zoller, Darren Willis, Robert Stewart, Creighton Magers, Michael Ivey, Jason Dixon, Jeremy Staat and Jason Stratton.
Steve Watkin and Dr. Anna Laven present during a breakout session for Administrators
After working in small groups, attendees came together for presentations about student resources, academic resources, guided pathways, and a dual enrollment overview. Many thanks to Terri Goldstein, Bill Moseley, Kirk Russell, Lesley Bonds, Yvonne Armendariz, and Anna Laven for providing helpful information and resources. Attendees were impressed to learn that they are part of the largest dual enrollment program in the state! Following lunch, Kylie Swanson provided student highlights and several teachers shared stories about their hardworking students.
Dr. Terri Goldstein and Dr. Anna Laven present on resources for Students with Disabilities
Dr. Anna Laven
Attendees from across the Bakersfield College service area indicated they found the symposium to be helpful and beneficial. They came away with a better understanding of the value of dual enrollment and were excited to be a part of the program.
Kirk Russell
Kylie Swanson
Lesley Bonds
Vice President Liz Rozell
Steve Watkin
Yvonne Armendariz
Food Historian Ken Albala Visits BC
Food historian Ken Albala visited BC on Monday to provide context to the rising popularity of the artisanal food movement over the last few years. Albala is a professor of history at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, and he’s authored 25 books about the culinary arts, including “Cooking in Europe: 1250-1650”, “Food and Faith”, and “Three World Cuisines”, winner of a 2012 Gourmand World Cookbook Award.
Food historian Ken Albala
BC English professor Neal Stanifer first learned about Albala from “Food: A Cultural Culinary History Podcast,” which is a 36-episode series examining how food evolved throughout human history, from the Stone Age to the Digital Age. Stanifer listened to the whole series over the course of a weekend and was inspired to work with Levan Center Director Reggie Williams to bring Albala to campus. Several students from BC’s culinary arts and nutritional science programs showed up to hear Albala speak.
Albala opened his talk by asking the audience what they imagine what they see when they think of “bad” pizza, then to imagine what they see when they think of “artisanal” pizza. He then gave a history of the terms “artisanal” and “craft”, which used to mean different things but are now utilized the same way in contemporary marketing jargon – to convey food or beverages that are prepared by hand with fresh ingredients and a bare minimum of industrial processing.
After the Great Depression and World War II, the rise of canned goods, processed food and fast food was perceived positively as making life easier and preserving meat and produce longer. Increasingly, Americans have felt disconnected with their relationship to food, contributing to the increased popularity of farmers’ markets, organic produce, farm-to-table restaurants and independent breweries in the 21st Century. Major corporations have begun catching on to this trend, leading to the rise of “fast casual” restaurants such as Chipotle and Blaze Pizza which purport to be fresh or “artisanal” while maintaining the large-scale, industrialized philosophy of fast food. Beer companies such as Coors and Anheuser-Busch have also started buying out small breweries to distribute their products nationwide while marketing mass-produced brands such as Blue Moon and Shock Top as “craft” beer.
Audience members at the presentation
I’d like to thank Neal Stanifer and the Levan Center for organizing this informative event examining the culinary arts through the lens of the humanities. I’d also like to thank Ken Albala for driving down from Stockton to speak on our campus.
Transfer Celebration
On Thursday, BC celebrated students that continue to pursue further education and transfer to a four-year university during the Transfer Celebration in the courtyard between Financial Aid and the Indoor Theater.
CSUB staff member speaking to a student about transfer.
CSUB staff were also on hand to assist students transferring to CSUB, and BC Food Services provided catering and light refreshments for all who attended.
Food for attendees at the Transfer Celebration
BC offers a great program to help student receive two degrees in four years called Finish In 4, which encourages completion of both an Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree. Students in this program are guaranteed admission to CSUB after they finish 2 years at BC. Representatives from Finish In 4 were on hand to interact with students and provide more information about the program.
I would like to thank everyone who helped put on this event and congratulate all of the students who are continuing their academic career.
The Office of Student Life assisting at the celebration.
ENGL B24 Field Trip
This year’s ENGL B24 class had the opportunity to speak with Carol Jacques, a commissioner for the City of Los Angeles. She shared her story as a child of one of the many families displaced from her neighborhood by the city of LA for the construction of Dodger’s Stadium and her subsequent activism and organizing pre- and post-Civil Rights.
The ENGL B25 field trip attendees
The field trip was supported by funding from a Campus Collaborative Action Grant which allowed students to visit the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in the Olvera Street district of L.A., a point of cultural and historical significance in the development of Latino literary identity. That same day they went to the Ramona Pageant, California’s oldest running outdoor play, in Hemet, CA. Staging every spring since 1923, the play is based on the novel Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson and offers a theatrical interpretation of the novel’s literary glimpse into the Spanish days of California, its changing demography amidst westward expansion, and the mixing of indigenous and old-world cultures.
Emails Worth Sharing
Earlier this week Abel Guzman received an email from a student sharing her experience with one of Delano’s tutors in the reading and writing skills lab tutor Kim Collins.
When I began college it was suggested I attend school in Delano because I did not know how to write paragraphs and follow grammatical rules. I was at a 4th grade level.
However, I went on to become a journalist for our college newspaper. I also would become an editor for the paper. I would end up completing my AA in journalism last semester. This semester I completed my AA in communication. I was also awarded the Sigma Chi Eta distinction for being a honor roll student in communication.
The reason I shared this is to simply say how [Kim’s] faith in me when I was a returning student made a huge difference, along with a few other people who believed in me.
My tutor had said during a tutoring session that my desire to write a New York Best Seller was a ‘lofty goal.’ Well, my book is halfway finished. Although it may not reach that status, I won’t stop climbing. It’s desire, dreams and good tutors/educators that sure do keep them afloat!
Sincerely,
Melissa Puryear
Kim Collins
I received an email from Manny Mourtzanos that at first had me panicking… and then laughing!
“Subject: Center for Disease Control Advisory! Measles hit Bakersfield
Good morning, Deans. Please be advised: The CDC stated that the measles outbreak in California has recently impacted Bakersfield and is so severe that it is even affecting vehicles! Just ask Liz!
Be ye all forewarned!!”
Fun Photos:
Shauna Turner graduates! Shauna is graduating with her bachelors degree this weekend. Her cap reads: Mom of 3 with a degree.
Shauna Turner in her cap and gown.
She has been diligently working on her BA since she started at BC 4 years ago. She uses her lunch breaks and late evenings after she puts her boys to bed to prepare for class, write her papers, and study for tests. Congratulations Shauna; you deserve it!!
Nestle Field Trip: Last week, students from the Delano HVAC program took a field trip to Nestle’s plant here in Bakersfield. There the students were able to observe the operation and system components of “The Largest, Most Complex Ammonia Refrigeration System In the World”!!
Chamber’s Leadership Bakersfield Program: BC’s Endee Grijalva is a member of this year’s Leadership Bakersfield class and unveiled her team project yesterday. Her team renovated the Dream Center Bakersfield Infant and Toddler room to a safer and warmer space for these children. Very cool!
Endee Grijalva & Tamara Baker
Endee Grijalva and teammate Sarah Hickock Levan
GBCC President Nick Ortiz introducing Team 2 and their project.
Norma Rojas-Mora, Endee Grijalva, Tamara Baker, Lupe Aguirre, Samantha Guillory, Evelyn Hernandez, and Abel Guzman at the project ribbon cutting.
CSEA Gold Tournament: Last Saturday a KCCD team supported CSEA at their annual golf tournament. It looks like a rough day at work, but someone’s gotta do it!
Vice Chancellor Tonya Davis and her husband along with Fernando Lara and Tony Cordova
Ceramics Sale: Here are some fun photos of the amazing ceramics created by our very own BC students this year. They held a sale earlier this week where people could purchase the items created in the Spring 2019 semester.
It was great to see Bakersfield College featured in the Engine Professional magazine. Make sure to check out the Aera Tech Skills Conference hosted by BC on May 19th.
Memorial Stadium: I love this shot that Brandon Urry took this week of the Memorial Stadium construction!! WE ARE BC!
Renegade Report
If you missed watching the Renegade Report live this last Thursday at 11:00 am, check out the segments from this week’s show from the links below. This week’s highlights include segments from BC Men’s Golf program and Athletic Trainer Mike Medeiros.
Renegades of the Week
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (4/21-4/27) Wells Fargo Renegades of the Week:
Penelope Zepeda/Morgan Townson, Beach Volleyball – The pairs team finished 4th in the WSC “Pairs” conference championships and qualified for the CCCAA SoCal Regional “Pairs” Championships this Friday May 3rd at Irvine Valley. They will be attempting to qualify for the CCCAA State “Pairs” Championships May 10th and 11th in Chula Vista at the Olympic Training Center.
Justin Frando, Men’s Track and Field – Justin ran a personal record time of 1:55.59 in the 800m at the WSC Finals at Santa Barbara City College which placed him in 2nd place and qualified him for the SoCal Finals. He currently ranks 5th in the state in the 800m.
Renegade Athletics End of the Year Awards
Each year we are very proud of how hard our Renegade student athletes work — both in the classroom and within their respective sports. At the end of each academic season, we like to award those student athletes who have been key parts to their teams and lifted those around them. Below are the winners of each category of award for the 2018-2019 season:
Athletes of the Year
Female – Gabby Lugo, Cross Country/Track & Field
Male – Carson Olivas, Football
Career Achievement
Female – Kylee Fahy, Softball
Male – Jacob Whitby, Track & Field
Newcomer of the Year
Female – Daran Towns, Swimming
Male – Justin Harrington, Football
Individual Performance
Female – Kayleen Sanchez, Women’s Tennis
Male – Zach Williams, Baseball
Grit Award
Female – Brooke McDonald, Women’s Soccer
Male – Justin Solario, Men’s Swimming
Weight Room Warrior
Female – Jessica Merante, Women’s Volleyball
Male – Zach Hartsfield, Football
Roundup of Athletics Events This Week
As always, it was a full week of athletics events for our Renegades teams. Highlights from the week include (click for the story on GoGades.com):
Be sure to stay connected with Renegade Athletics by following us on social media. On Facebook find us under ‘Bakersfield College Athletics’, on Twitter – @GoGadesGo and on Instagram – @gogadesgo.
It is Saturday, June 23, 2018 and a great day to be a Renegade.
Sonya Christian and Neo in Marina Del Rey
This last week, I found my mind drifting to the passing of two celebrities, Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade and the difficult and tragic circumstances that led to their passing.
Anthony Bourdain, photo from IMDb.com
Designer Kate Spade In Boston, photo from Time.com
The world has infinite beauty, but there are millions who struggle with darkness and unable to see the world around them. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that can block out life’s joys, both large and small. Those afflicted can believe they don’t deserve the things that make them happy, or believe that others cannot understand their struggles.
Anthony Bourdain brought an unpretentious, engaging and culturally respectful perspective on the world’s food and people to American television viewers. Kate Spade revolutionized New York fashion in the 1990s with her line of functional, yet sophisticated handbags. These individuals were two of the most admired professionals in their respective fields, yet each of them decided to take their own life after a lifetime battle with depression.
Someone close who passed last January after a brief bout with flu and pneumonia had an email signature that says it well: “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
It’s an important reminder to be kind and supportive, and even more so when we do recognize that someone might be suffering from depression. If you suffer from depression, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline has volunteers in Bakersfield working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help. Call 1-800-273-8255 to get confidential support today. If talking on the phone makes you uncomfortable, you can text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line. Every life is precious, and there is someone who cares and is willing to help.
Today, Pope Francis tweeted
And then there is music…..
William Congreve an English playwright and poet begins The Mourning Bride in 1967 with the quote
Music has charm to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or to bend a knotted oak
I invite you to three incredible music events at Bakersfield College.
June 26, 2018 (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m. — The US AirforceBand of the Golden West will be performing at Bakersfield College once again. Seeing this extremely talented band is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’d love everyone in the community to be a part of it. Tue, 06/26/2018 – 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Location: Edward Simonsen Performing Arts Center (Indoor Theater)
June 30, 2018 — Bon Voyage Concert with BC Chamber Singers, Dr. Jennifer Garrett, Monty Byrom and Lydia Ranger.Please come out to the Bon Voyage Concert on June 30 in the Indoor Theater. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. and doors will open at 3:30 p.m. You do not need to get tickets in advance as this is a donation only show. The concert will feature the music they will perform in Cairns and will also have special guests, Monty Byrom and Lydia Ranger.
July 20, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Stadium — 4th Annual Resound Drum Corps Competition
The Bakersfield College Golden Empire Drum & Bugle Corps presents the 4th Annual “Resound” Drum Corps International (DCI) contest! The competition will take place Friday, July 20th at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium on the Bakersfield College campus.
On Wednesday, the Child Development Center unveiled their brand-new playground to the public, and the children in the program got the chance to play in it for the first time.
The playground was funded by the Head Start program of the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) for our two-year Early Head Start classrooms. The new facility will function as an outdoor classroom that allows the toddlers to directly engage with their learning. Six of our teachers and associate teachers have completed the first level of outdoor classroom training, with a second level of outdoor classroom workshops planned for the next few weeks.
“Young children learn through direct first-hand experience using all of their five senses,” Child Development Center Director Sue Vaughn said in announcing the new playground.
Liz Rozell, Vice President of Instruction thanked CAPK for funding the playground, and all of our staff who played a part in making outdoor learning a possibility for the children in our Early Head Start classrooms. Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg took a short break from retirement for a ribbon-cutting and to invite children to participate in their new space, which has books and toys, plants the children can water, and musical instruments.
“When people come together for the benefit of children, great things happen,” Nan said.
Yolanda Gonzales, the Director of Head Start and State Child Development for CAPK, thanked the child development staff at Bakersfield College for their dedication to getting children started on the right path to a successful education.
“This would not be possible without the staff who have made a commitment,” Gonzales said. “It takes a team to achieve the outcomes that are so evident here.”
Thanks to Sue Vaughn and the staff at BC’s Child Development Center, as well as CAPK, for making children’s dreams come true with this new playground. During the celebration, Sue also gave recognition to BC’s Bill Potter and Jim Coggins for all that they contributed to making this project a reality.
Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Tony Cordova
STEM Camps at BC with partners Chevron and Project Lead the Way
The Californian highlighted the guitar building and electrical engineering workshops with photos and video, in addition to workshops that have already taken place on 3D printing and mobile app development. Over the coming weeks, students will be attending workshops on architecture and design and automation technology. The classes are offered free of charge with funding from Chevron and Project Lead the Way.
Yadira Guerrero, the Program Manager of Engineering at Bakersfield College, organized the camps and is quoted in the article speaking about her passion for bringing hands-on STEM education to young people. “We’re hoping to inspire students and ignite a love for hands-on learning that maybe they don’t get the chance to do a lot of in school,” she said. “We’re hoping the academy will inspire them to want to go to college.”
I’d like to thank the Bakersfield Californian for featuring our Summer STEM Camps on their Wednesday front page, and I’d like to thank Yadira Guerrero, Chevron and Project Lead the Way for making the camps a reality. Thank you Adam Alvidrez and Carla Musser of Chevron for supporting Stem education and Bakersfield College.
Don’t forget to check out the media piece created by Joseph and Diana. It’s a #MustSee!
Wonderful Summer Camps Continue
Last week we shared with you some information and pictures from the first of two Summer Agriculture Camps coordinated by BC Staff and funded by Wonderful Company. These students are exposed to all the exciting things that Bakersfield College has to offer and have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals discovering the many opportunities that exist in our community.
If you remember back to our most recent graduation ceremony, one of the most special things we experienced was the graduation of over 30 Wonderful Prep students with their Associates Degree for Transfer.
The students for the second camp are recruited from Wonderful Prep Academy in Delano, and, like our recent Wonderful graduates will have the opportunity to enroll in Dual Enrollment courses, allowing them to graduate high school with an Associates degree even before receiving their high school diploma.
A highlight of this week’s activities was researching, designing, and creating the marketing for various products. It all begins with research!
And then perfect product development. This part looks tasty. 🙂
Then for the creative design and implementation!
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There were also sessions to learn about water pumps and welding. Check out these hands on activities!
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This is a crucial moment for them as many will be starting high school in a year, and the exposure to agriculture and the careers within the industry can open their eyes to fields of study they may not have thought of otherwise. It’s also crucial for their families.
Here are some photos of Wonderful College Prep Academy students presenting to family and friends during the week’s culminating event.
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During the event, we take wellness seriously. Here are some photos of the physical exercise activities!
Again a shout out to our dedicated staff in charge of making this opportunity happen, starting with Raquel Lopez, Program Manager, who oversees and coordinates the camp with the support of Jaime Lopez, Program Manager. Thanks also to our Lead Agriculture faculty Heather Baltis and Jim Selgrath, with support from, Jesse Oropeza as the lead mentor, Christopher McCraw and his leadership class, as well as the peer mentors. None of this could be possible without the support of our Delano Campus Support Staff and Director, Abel Guzman.
Summer Bridge
Isabel Castaneda and Kimberly Bligh
Summer Bridge to BC is a fun, intensive freshmen orientation day where students engage with faculty and staff, tour the BC campus with experienced and knowledgeable mentors, and participate in activities that orient them to the freshman experience. They also learn practical skills that enable college success such as effective communication, time management, GRIT, and more. By the end of the day, participants become knowledgeable in campus student/academic services and other resources available for FREE to ultimately clarify and facilitate their Career and Learning Pathway success.
Summer Bridge has educational advisors on call each day from Outreach, Career and Technical Education, Financial Aid, STEM, General Counseling, and more! The Bridge advising team is led by the Title V Grant lead advisor, Isabel Castaneda. Advisors not only carefully pre-screen schedules for each and every student who enrolls in Summer Bridge, they also pair up on the day of each Bridge and work side-by-side with every student along with our outstanding Bridge peer mentors to ensure students leave the same day with the correct courses, locations, and units for their Learning and Career pathways success. Students also receive one -on-one time with our fabulous Financial Aid staff to make sure their financial aid forms are all in order.
Numerous engaging, hands-on activities and discussions make the day fun and memorable, and provide students opportunities to bond with fellow students, staff, and faculty before classes start for fall! It should be no surprise that our BC Summer Bridge students have higher success and retention rates, PLUS complete more units in their first year, AND are more likely to enroll in college level math and English than students who do not attend this one-of-a -kind Freshmen Orientation Day. There are sections still open in the Summer 2018 schedule. See Academic Development B55.
On August 14th, 5-8 PM, Summer Bridge is hosting a FAMILY Bridge to BC Night that will be a Career and Learning Pathways Open House Showcase and will close with our annual New Student Convocation. The Convocation is a spectacular family and BC Staff celebration that welcomes new students to BC! Watch the BC website for more information about how to sign up for this event soon!
Express Enrollment
The Outreach Department supported and registered 135 students for classes in one day during Tuesday’s express enrollment event. On Tuesday morning, Scott Sheahen of KERO Channel 23 highlighted the event, which handles application, placement and enrollment in one five-hour session. Tuesday’s enrollment also had a special component to get home-schooled students ready for classes at BC.
The next One-Day Express Enrollment event is on July 10th starting at 8 a.m. in the Welcome Center, so if you or someone you know needs help with the enrollment and registration process, then come by and we’ll make you a Renegade in one day!
Norma Rojas-Mora
BC welcomed Norma Rojas-Mora to campus as Director of Communications and Community Relations on Monday.
Telemundo invited Norma on air to share about her new role at BC. Norma emphasized her continued commitment to the community through her transition and in the importance of education both on a personal and community level. She spoke about how Bakersfield College is committed to opening its doors and access to the entire community, which can be seen in our rural outreach. Check it out at Telemundo online.
Norma Rojas-Mora
A Better BC Update
Pardon the pun, but we are trucking right along on the parking lot renovations! The parking lot on Mount Vernon and Panorama, and Parking Lot 4 on Mount Vernon and Church Avenue is scheduled to be opened on July 2. Following the opening, renovations will continue on other lots and roads throughout campus.
Starting July 2nd, closures include Red and White Way, Haley St. Entrance and staff/guest parking outside of the Administration building.
It’s exciting to watch the World Cup action, and a good reminder of the upcoming Summer Soccer Camps at BC!
The BC Men’s and Women’s soccer programs are hosting a summer soccer camp for boys and girls ages 7-17. Sessions will run from Monday July 16 through Thursday July 19, 9am-12pm.
The cost is only $145 per participant for the week, and even better, there are group discounts available. To learn more or sign up, contact Scott Dameron at sdameron@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Fun Renegade Photos — #Summer2018
BC Team at eLumen Conference
Craig Hayward’s tweet
Tweet at the same conference from Wayne Skipper of Concentric Sky
Spotted on Facebook. Coach Casey Goodman being inducted to the 2018 University of Louisiana at Monroe Hall of Fame Class. #GoGades #WeAreBC
I want to remember to give special thanks to the BC Food Service team. Every day during our BC Summer Camps, and as always(!), they are on it! Thank you Chef Stephanie and crew for such attention to all who come to the Home of the Renegades.
A great photo of Grace Commiso’s Rocky on Facebook: While studying looked over and saw Rocky sprawled out on the floor…..How’s your Friday? Apparently his has been rough. #thelifeofpets.
Neo on the beach in Marina Del Rey #Summer2018
Heather Penella in Utah
Found on Facebook that Paul Beckworth and family are heading to the beach.
Tweet from Tamara Baker our new Manager for Community Relations
It is a great time to be at BC!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya — the luckiest and happiest college president ever
Good morning Bakersfield. Here is a Calla Lily for you.
It is Saturday, June 9, 2018 and a great day to be a Renegade.
It appears that I have been prolonging BC’s 104th commencement in every blog since the May 11th event. Here I go again…..
Wonderful Graduates
Last week, I recognized all of BC’s 2018 Baccalaureate graduates and this weekend, I wanted to highlight our group of approximately 40 Wonderful Academy Dual Enrollment students who received their Associates degree from Bakersfield College on May 11th before graduating high school.
1st graduating class with Noemi Dinoso, Bill Thomas, Sonya Christian, Romeo Agbalog
Before the 104th Commencement, this group of young college graduates were met by Kern Community College District Trustee Romeo Agbalog for congratulatory remarks and to be recognized for their ambition and hard work.
Trustee Agbalog addressing the graduates
May 11th was a huge day for these graduates and their families. It started with the Delano Pre-Commencement Celebration where most of them were greeted and congratulated by Chancellor Tom Burke and their day concluded with the 104th Commencement which took place in a packed Memorial Stadium.
Chancellor Tom Burke (center) surrounded by select Dual Enrollment and Delano graduates
Congratulations to these brilliant young people. Each of them is a trailblazer and they have incredibly bright futures. They have been supported each step of the way by their families, their professors, their friends, each other, the Wonderful Education leadership, and our entire community. Let’s continue to root for these young men and women – they can and will do “Wonderful” things!
“Dual enrollment gives our community and our young people the opportunity to experience college level courses and gain confidence in their academic success,” Laven said. The article also describes our partnership with the Wonderful Prep Charter Academy, which offers students the opportunity to receive an Associate Degree in agriculture in four years while working on their high school diploma.
“Bakersfield College is grateful for the hard work and commitment of our partners, whose efforts have resulted in developing a college going culture among rural Kern County communities,” Laven said.
Student Success Stories
I received an email last Monday from Don Turney about very exciting news concerning one of our recent graduates. His email is as follows:
Hi Sonya,
You probably already know this but just in case you don’t…this is pretty cool. For the last year-and-a-half I’ve been driving up to the Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano to teach high school juniors and seniors Psyc B1. I also taught them a Psyc B20 class, “Social Psych.”
I got the greatest phone call last week. Xochitl Morales, a junior student at the time I taught her those two courses, called to let me know she got into…Harvard! Not only that, she got a “full-ride” scholarship. Not only THAT, she was named a Bill and Melinda Gates scholar and all of her expenses will be covered. Finally, she’s chosen to major in psychology and thanked me for helping her find her “path.” How about that?
And they pay me to do this job. Most days, I’d do it for free. Hope you are well and happy. See you in the fall.
Xochitl Morales (center) with her parents
I knew I had to share this extraordinary student’s success with all of you. Xochitl Morales is a poet and musician raised in Delano. She has an exceptional gift for communicating her experiences and her plight as a Latina struggling with her identity in modern day America through music and the written word. She also shows an extraordinary drive to be active in her own education.
When Paramount Bard School, which later became Wonderful College Preparatory Academy, cut back on funding for Art education, Xochitl was instrumental in raising a campaign to bring back the arts through video communication and working with teacher and administration advocates. Her initiative and success became a featured article on California Alliance for Arts Education. I encourage you to read about her Student Advocacy Success Story. Her creativity and advocacy have not stopped at the school. She has recorded her poetry with music about the central valley and struggles of the Latin community. NBC News wrote this article on the viral videoand includes the Latin-Americans: The Children with a Dark Past video. You can watch this video Xochitl Morales Interview which captures wonderful shots of the Delano area.
Xochitl says that she’s very thankful for the opportunity that she had from Bakersfield College through the Wonderful Academy. She advises other high school students to take advantage of the dual enrollment classes to explore different academic topics to study in higher education. Taking 55 units of college credits helped her decide to major psychology and expanded her “academic circle.”
She also recommends the classes for the extra challenge and to explore different skills. Taking dual enrollment classes can help students make themselves unique, and extinguish themselves from other applicants at universities with challenging admission criteria. In fact, it was interest in philosophy that helped in writing her essay for her Harvard application. She was also thankful for the opportunities BC gave her as she met all of her academic mentors through BC and our faculty assisted her in getting acceptance to Harvard through their letters of recommendation.
When asked if she would be a first-generation college grad, she said she would have been until last year. Her father went back to school and graduated college last year so that Xochitl and her siblings would have no excuse for not attending college. What an excellent way to teach by example and how a college education is connecting families.
It is such a pleasure and a joy to hear success stories such as these and I am so proud that Bakersfield College was a part of this remarkable young woman’s journey to Harvard. I am a lucky president to have such wonderful faculty that inspire greatness in our students. I expect great things from Xochitl and all our BC Renegades.
Strong Workforce Stars
Bakersfield College recently received Strong Workforce Stars Gold recognition for the Radiologic Technology program. Students who participate in this program boost their earnings by 329%; 100% of them attain the regional living wage, and 100% of students get a job in their field of study.
BC’s most recent graduates of Radiologic Technology: Class of 2018
Program Professor and Director Nancy Perkins attributes students’ strong workforce outcomes to multiple characteristics. For example, the RT Program regularly collects feedback from its students with satisfaction ratings on the program, courses, clinical training, and we ask students what are the program’s strengths and areas for improvement. From employers, the program collects employer satisfaction based on the technical and job skills that BC RT students have demonstrated. According to Ms. Perkins, the data collected have been valuable in developing a strong program for students.
Nancy Perkins
The RT program utilizes a student cohort model, where students enter and progress through the RT curriculum together. Ms. Perkins identified the cohort model as a strength as students bond, assist on another, and study together. The cohort model also provides RT faculty the opportunity to know their students very well. The RT program has an Education Advisor for their students, who regularly meets with students to discuss their academic progress and monitors the students’ education plans. Additionally, workshops on Habits of Mind, note-taking, and time management are integrated with RT curriculum. In order to prepare students for a competitive job market, the RT program provides resume writing and job interview training.
EOP&S Region V Professional Development Conference
BC’s Extended Opportunities Program and Services (EOP&S) department hosted a professional development conference for all of the schools in Region V of the California community college system to share their strategies for providing assistance to first-generation and other educationally and financially disadvantaged students.
Imelda Simos-Valdez
Imelda Simos-Valdez, director of BC EOP&S, Care, CalWORKs and Cal-SOAP programs, kicked off the conference in the Fireside Room by thanking all of the college representatives for traveling to Bakersfield for such an important professional development opportunity. Each member of the EOP&S staff also walked to the front of the Fireside Room and introduced themselves to the audience.
Vice President of Student Affairs, Zav Dadabhoy gave a brief introduction expressing his gratitude for community college EOP&S programs, adding that the EOP&S process should be the model for student success for all student populations. He also spoke of the transformation happening on campus with the construction and renovation funded by Measure J. “Everyone who works in education is changing people’s lives every day,” Dadabhoy said.
Dr. Zav Dadabhoy
After Dadabhoy’s speech, the audience passed a microphone around the tables in the Fireside Room introducing themselves and told everyone the job title at their college. Simos-Valdez then gave some demographics information about BC’s student population and the locations of all our satellite campuses.
EOP&S Counselor Patricia Ramirez, went over the review packet and shared our process for registering students and determining eligibility for EOP&S programs. For the rest of the afternoon, the group spread out across the campus to attend several workshop sessions about topics such as CARE and CalWORKs collaborations, strategies to support foster youth, and guided pathways momentum points for EOP&S students. The group also went on a tour of BC’s EOP&S office and had an opportunity to network with each other after lunch.
Thank you to everyone who organized and attended the Region V Professional Development Conference and a big thanks to everyone who works hard to provide educational opportunities for these students across California.
Fireside Room at Bakersfield College was packed on Thursday, June 7
Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
The 2018 Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Gala recognizes the individuals, organizations, and businesses for their efforts that improved the community’s quality of life last year. This annual event recognized 128 nominees across 15 categories. The banquet and awards gala was broadcast live on KGET-TV 17’s Facebook page on June 3, 2018, at 7 p.m.
Connie Gonzalez and Jonathan Kim
The Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Gala is sometimes known in our community as the “Oscars of Bakersfield” and it was amazing that BC’s Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement program was nominated. The kudos was for the First Annual MESA Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Pre-Health Conference that happened in April 2017 which welcomed over 300 students onto campus to explore careers in the STEM and Pre-health guided pathways. The conference was held in partnership with UCLA MEDPEP and undergraduate admissions, USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program, BC’s Chemistry, Engineering and Math Faculty, Grimmway Farms, Kern Medical, Aera Energy employees, Infrastructure Engineering Corporation and other industry partners that donated time and money. The Awards were attended by Dr. Stephen Waller, Consuelo Gonzalez, MESA Director on the left and Jonathan Kim, MESA student.
Shout out to Hodels
Photo from hodels.com
Over the Summer break, while BC’s Food Services department has been closed, the amazing Hodel’s has provided meals for our retreats and Summer Bridge students.
Sonya Christian, Bob Hodel
The Hodel family and their connection to Bakersfield College goes back to the 1920s. Hodel’s Country Dining started in 1967, but Lydia Hodel Wiebe used to work with the Weill family, a local retailer who helped found the Kern Community College District’s Weill Institute in downtown Bakersfield. If you visit Hodel’s today, you’ll see plaques for Renegades football adorned on the walls of the waiting area, and when we requested something a little bit different than their regular catering service, current owner Bob Hodel was more than happy to oblige because as Kasey told us, it’s “because you are BC!”
Hodels staff at BC
Delicious Food from Hodels
Hodel’s classic country recipes, including its creamy mashed potatoes and gravy and juicy fried fish, were created by Lydia Bartel Hodel, known as “Mom” Hodel, who moved her family from the Dust Bowl in 1921 at the age of 16. “Mom” cooked for hay harvesting crews working with the Kern County Land Company before becoming the personal cook of Arthur S. Crites, a local property investor and chef who had political connections in the Calvin Coolidge administration. Crites recognized her natural predilection for culinary excellence, and he taught her several recipes that were being used by Coolidge’s personal chef in the White House.
Abel Guzman
“Mom” would become the manager of the Greeley School Cafeteria in the 1940s and started her second career as the head cook of Hodel’s after retiring in the spring of 1967. Hodel’s started in the Valley Plaza and opened several locations before renovating and centralizing to the Olive Drive location and adding two banquet rooms in the 90s and 2000s, according to the Hodel’s website.
I’d like to thank the Hodel family and Hodel’s Country Dining for their decades of supporting BC, and for their amazing hospitality to cater Summer Bridge and our retreats for President’s Cabinet and Finance and Administrative Services.
Spotlight on Student Employment and Internships
National Student Employee Appreciation week 2018
Did you know Bakersfield College employs close to 500 student employees each year? Each of them contributes significantly to the day-to-day operations of the on-campus departments while earning on the job experience that they will take with them once they graduate. In April, we recognized students for their outstanding performances during National Student Employee Appreciation Week and I covered this in my blog on April 14th. Special thank you to Stephanie Baltazar and all in CTE and Student Employment who facilitate some incredible employment opportunities for our students.
Remembering Renegades
Jerry Ludeke in the BC Archives has notified us that Bob Wickey passed away on June 5th. Jerry said,
Bob was well loved on campus for his happy smile and his easy way, almost a pixie sense of humor. He and his wife Jean had friends who were a cross section of the faculty and staff. He was originally listed in the college directories as teaching Engineering and Industrial Drawing and later Physical Science. Bob came to BC in 1965 and stayed for around 27 years. They retired in Bakersfield.
Bob was instrumental in building a strong chemistry program at our College, and our current chemistry faculty stand on the foundation of his efforts. In March, Dean of Instruction, Stephen Waller ran into a BC chemistry grad, and she was asking about Bob, who inspired her to become a chemist.
President’s Cabinet Retreat
On Monday, President’s Cabinet met to discuss goals and work plans for the 2018-2019 academic year. This group is comprised of direct reports to the president of Bakersfield College, as well as other members who serve at the discretion of the president. President’s Cabinet provides the president of Bakersfield College a forum for vetting decisions prior to implementation.
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Corny Rodriguez, Manny Mourtzanos
Liz Rozell
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Corny snapped these two pictures of me enjoying time with the members of Cabinet.
Accreditation Commission Meeting:
The following day I left for the accreditation commission meeting in San Francisco. At these meetings I am always reminded of how committed the commissioners are in ensuring academic quality and integrity in Higher Education. We also have a great staff at ACCJC led by CEO Richard Winn. I forgot to snap photos. But here are a few, starting with the view from my room and a second one with Ian Walton, the incoming chair of ACCJC who was toasting Richard Mahon who had completed a six-year term as commissioner. The commission has a term limit of 6 years.
Fun Photos
Paul Beckworth, Angelica Perez, and Armando Trujillo
Bakersfield College Veteran Services were on hand to support Porterville College as it unveiled its Veterans Monument this past Wednesday morning.
If this is not a face looking to create trouble then I am not sure what is…. and then there are the times that he is calm and relaxed. My most relaxing evenings are when I am in the backyard reading or working and Neo is on the edge of the porch calm and surveying his kingdom–the backyard.
Finally got back to the gym after 8 weeks of hiatus. Yes!
It is a great time to be at BC!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya — the luckiest and happiest college president ever
The Workforce & Economic Mobility Blog blog shares approaches to workforce and economic development, with a goal of supporting economic mobility for our community while staying committed to the health of our people and the health of our environment.
In the Bhambi & Christian blog, Dr. Brijesh Bhambi join together joined together with the goal of facilitating healing and conversation in our community.
June 30, 2018 — Bon Voyage Concert with BC Chamber Singers, Dr. Jennifer Garrett, Monty Byrom and Lydia Ranger.
“Dual enrollment gives our community and our young people the opportunity to experience college level courses and gain confidence in their academic success,” Laven said. The article also describes our partnership with the Wonderful Prep Charter Academy, which offers students the opportunity to receive an Associate Degree in agriculture in four years while working on their high school diploma.
