The Bakersfield Californian is moving from 7 days a week paper to 5 days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
The Bakersfield Californian’s history can be traced to Kern County’s first newspaper, the Weekly Courier, which was first published August 18, 1866. It got its present name in 1907, and it moved to its downtown location in 1926.
I remember being heartbroken when the headquarters moved away from downtown. I would drive up and sit and look at the building.
California celebrated its 174th birthday this week! California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The first capital was in San Jose – but the city’s facilities were not suited for a proper capital, and the unusually wet winter led to the dirt roads becoming muddy streams.
Former General and State Senator Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo donated land in the future city of Vallejo for a new capital; the legislature convened there for one week in 1852 and again for a month in 1853.
The capital then was moved to the small town of Benicia, but there was no room for expansion.
The state’s capital was finally moved to Sacramento in 1854.
As for me, the big event this week was the AI Summit on September 10th hosted by the Chancellor’s Office and Foothill DeAnza at the DeAnza campus. We brought together over 420 educators, innovators, community college leaders and industry and philanthropic partners to share perspectives and experiences in the work of AI and gen AI.
Chancellor Lee Lambert and I opened the summit and briefly shared about the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity. Three members of the Board of Trustees attended the event.
BOG member Bill Rawlings moderated the closing plenary panel with Lark Park, Secretary Stewart Knox, and Secretary Amy Tong. Adrienne participated in a breakout panel.
Here is a fun picture with BOG member Bill Rawlings and Adrienne Brown.
Bill Rawlings, Adrienne Brown
I was thrilled to talk to three trailblazers in the field of AI and higher education – three women – Safiya Nobel, Beth Rudden, and Jennifer Chayes. Each of them with a wealth of experience and a vision for how AI can reshape learning for generations to come. And each of them is center stage when it comes to shaping the future of teaching and learning for students, faculty and the current and future workforce.
Good morning California. It is September 14, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Ohlone College, Ignited Collaborate to Expand Opportunities for English Language Learners in Computer Science with $491,271 NSF Grant
Ohlone College is proud to announce the receipt of a $491,271 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program. The grant, awarded through the NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education, will support the project titled “Expanding Opportunities and Instructional Innovations for English Language Learners in Computer Science.”
Miramar College Receives Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Grant From National Science Foundation For Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative
The three-year grant will fund the college’s Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative to support future automotive technicians. It will also prompt faculty members at the college to provide ideas to improve technician education. The Zero Emission Vehicle Initiative, according to Principal Investigator Martin Kennedy and Co-Principal Investigator Ryan Monroy, professor of Automotive Technology at San Diego Miramar College, will make education on zero-emission vehicles a reality for technicians and independent repair shops in the region.
El Monte Union Honors Río Hondo College For Invaluable Partnership In Student Empowerment
Río Hondo College and El Monte Union High School District celebrated its longstanding partnership and collaboration to create pathways that empower students to achieve their academic and career aspirations at EMUHSD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 4. Over the last six years, Río Hondo College and El Monte Union have partnered to establish free dual enrollment opportunities for EMUHSD students, including the Early College Academy (ECA) at South El Monte High, allowing them to get a jumpstart on higher education by earning college credit in high school.
In Case You Missed It
Rowena Tomaneng Selected to Serve as Deputy Chancellor of the California Community Colleges
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office announced Rowena M. Tomaneng has been selected to serve as deputy chancellor.
Tomaneng has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education. And her expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, and high impact practices that lead to student equity, student success and civic engagement, will play a key role in her new responsibilities.
Behind the Desk: Perspectives of Black Community College CEOs
Diverse Issues in Higher Education published the first in a collective 12-month series by California Community College’s Black CEOs. Dr. Jamal Cooks of Chabot College, Dr. David M. Johnson of Merritt College, and Dr. Tina King of San Diego College of Continuing Education shared their thoughts –
College presidents, superintendents, and chancellors are entrusted with administering the critical work at the community colleges. In recent years, the number of Black educators filling these ranks of CCC administrator has risen dramatically. Presently, there are 29 Black presidents/superintendents/chancellors leading institutions across the state, which constitutes more than 20% of the CEO workforce in the CCC.
New Report on the ‘State of Apprenticeships in California’ Released by California Community Colleges
The new report, researched and analyzed by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit working to drive transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems, notes the number of apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards grew 11%, with 93,798 apprentices registered in 2023 versus 84,217 in 2018. And the most significant increases in apprenticeships over the last five years were in manufacturing (473%), health care (400%), barbers and cosmetologists (95%) and IT (45%).
#MidAutumnFestival Recap! Mission on Thursday celebrated how this festival is embraced across China (Zhong Qiu Jie), South Korea (Chuseok), Taiwan (Moon Festival), and Vietnam (Tết Trung Thu)! It was a beautiful cultural journey!
*****
From Feather River College President:
Dr. Dianne Van Hook was honored as an “alum” by @FeatherRiverCol Board upon her retirement after 36 years w/ @canyons. Dr. Van Hook had her first admin job at FRC. Congrats on the retirement – we you for all that you did for @CalCommColleges students @CCTrustees@Comm_College
*****
From San Joaquin Delta College:
Thanks to #Stockton Mayor @kevinjlincoln for touring Delta’s electron microscopy program on Tuesday – the only program of its kind in the United States!
*****
From Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu:
In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth and #HSIsweek, here are some photos from Monday’s “Café Con Tu Comunidad de Moorpark College” event, where Moorpark College faculty, students, and employees gathered for coffee, cocoa, pastries and community. #MoorparkCollege#WeareMC
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a Series of Events & Activities
Bakersfield College is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant series of events and activities designed to honor and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community. Running from September 16 to October 23, students, faculty, and community members are invited to participate in these events, which include guest lectures, games, art, panel discussions, and more.
The festivities begin Monday, September 16 with a kick-off event that will feature live performances, a keynote speaker, and a “Taste of Hispanic Culture” appetizer bar. The event will take place in the Fireside Room and promises to be an educational and entertaining time and a perfect way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at BC.
This week marked the one-year anniversary of the first image from the James Webb Space Telescope. To celebrate, NASA released a new image of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
***
Started last weekend with the new Indiana Jones movie. Absolutely enjoyed it … but then, I enjoy cinema, period. full stop.
If you are an Indiana Jones fan, I have organized the trailers of all five editions of the movie franchise for you here in one spot. Enjoy!
Indians Jones 1 – Raiders of the Lost Arc 1981
Indiana Jones 2 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Indiana Jones 3 – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones 4 – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Indiana Jones 5 – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
***
Now if you think I am all play and no work, let me disabuse you of this thought.
Last Tuesday, I attended the 9th Grade to Baccalaureate Dual Enrollment Convening hosted by American River College. I was on a panel with Chancellor Brian King and Board of Governors member Pam Haynes. What fun! We talked about Vision 2030: A Roadmap for California Community Colleges.
I loved Pam’s reference to the frequently-discussed image of 3 boys looking over a fence at a baseball game.
“Why do we even have the fence? Let’s tear down the fence. We need all of our kids on the field!”
Cheryl Aschenbach (President of Academic Senate of California Community Colleges, Carina Hoffpauir (Academic Senate President, American River college) then moderated a faculty panel with Sandra Guzman (Academic Senate President, Sacramento City College) and Alisa Shubb (Academic Senate President, American River College). They discussed best practices related to dual enrollment, and how to increase dual enrollment with equity.
Frank Kobayashi, Interim President of American River College, and Scott Pitts, Principal at Inderkum High School, highlighted their institutions’ dual enrollment partnership.
Glad we snapped this photo with some of the presidents and chancellors who were in attendance.
President Frank Kobayashi, President Albert Garcia, President Art Pimentel, Board Member Pam Haynes, Chancellor Brian King, Sonya Christian, President Tawny Dotson, President Santanu Bandyopadhyay
We had a good turnout from the Chancellor’s Office.
Later that day, I headed to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for an all-staff meeting. It was a great afternoon of fun and fellowship. This was my first time seeing all the staff together at an in-person gathering.
Thank you Daisy for snapping the selfie!
And as a surprise special guest, Pam Haynes also joined us for the all-staff meeting:
After a busy and rewarding week, I returned home and was able to enjoy my calla lilies – an annual treat in my backyard.
And of course, I love coming back home to this sweet boy after a week away in Sacramento:
Good morning California. It is July 15, 2023. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
San Jose City College Holds Equitable Dual Enrollment Expansion Workshop
Kylie Campbell (KCCD), Naomi Castro (CLP), Dr. Rowena Tomaneng (SJCC), Dr. LaTanya Williams (CCCCO), Dr. Rene Alvarez (SJCC)
A team from the Chancellor’s Office and Career Ladders Project headed to San Jose City College this week to lead a workshop on equitable dual enrollment expansion.
Thank you to SJCC President Dr. Rowena Tomaneng and Interim SJECCD Chancellor Dr. Beatriz Chaidez for convening your college team and high school partners to engage in activities and meaningful discussions around implementing and scaling dual enrollment opportunities for your students.
Dr. Rowena Tomaneng (SJCC) & Dr. Beatriz Chaidez
So fun to see their mascot “Jagy” in these photos …check out San Jose’s SPOT campaign, which promotes Guided Pathways to their current and future students.
Bill Gates Visits Chaffey College
In April, Bill Gates visited Chaffey College to explore the state and region’s efforts to streamline college pathways benefitting California students. Last month, he published a blog post about how Chaffey is using pathways to foster student success with equity.
Congressman Cárdenas Presents $2 Million to LA Mission College
U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas announced $2 million in Community Project Funding to Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) to increase and diversity STEM Workforce programs.
Miramar College Peer Mentor Breanna Hinojosa is one of the thousands of students who have benefitted from a decade-long partnership between the K-12 San Diego Unified School District and the San Diego Community College District.
Inside HigherEd: Leadership Academy Provides Access, Equity in Career Development
Inside HigherEd published a piece about Ohlone College’s Junior Leadership Academy, an optional 15-week program allowing learners across the community college to engage in career exploration and receive paid internship experience.
“LPC’s Classified Senate had a blast at their annual Retreat Cultivating Classified Connections! Together, they set their sights on Classified Senate Goals & Priorities for the 2023-2024 AY. #ClassifiedConnections#ProfessionalDevelopment#LPC“
*****
Lake Tahoe Community College Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco shared a post about the new Mobility Hub:
“We’re thrilled to cut the ribbon for the state-of-art Mobility Hub @LakeTahoeCC Made possible through the “Power of Partnership” with @LibertyUtil_CA & @TahoeTrans (TTD), whose electric buses charge & propel our community toward a greener future!”
*****
Chabot College and State Senator Aisha Wahab hosted a free immigration clinic at the Chabot College Event Center:
*****
Rowena Tomaneng shared this photo from LEAP Advance:
BC Students Participate in Internship Project with Kern County Sheriff’s Office
The Baccalaureate degree program in Industrial Automation collaborated with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office on a special robotics project. Recent Industrial Automation, Early College, Wonderful Education Shafter High School graduates had the opportunity to participate in this 2-day internship project utilizing their recently gained skills.
Also this week, the City of Bakersfield awarded BC’s Launchpad a grant – the City of Bakersfield Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Technical Assistance and Grant Program, designed specifically for those who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
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.
