Tag Archives: San Joaquin Delta College

Bienvenue Juillet 2025

Happy Fourth of July!

Trivia for you …. the Statue of Liberty was officially presented to the United States on July 4, 1884.

There are numerous replicas throughout the world….. including Paris.

My first visit to Paris. Sunset on the Seine – so beautiful.

Bon Jour California.
It is July 5, 2025.
C’est un grand jour pour être un champion du collège communautaire



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!


Moorpark College Joins Forces with Lifetech Resources
to Support Student Well-being

Moorpark College is proud to announce a new partnership with Lifetech Resources to provide essential hygiene products to students in need. A reception was hosted at the college’s Raider Central Basic Needs Center on June 11 at 3 p.m. where Lifetech Resources presented a donation of 1009 bottles of 3-in-1 cleansers.

» Read more!


East Los Angeles College, Vincent Price Art Museum Showcase Innovative STEAM Project “We Place Life at the Center” at 2025 AAMG Conference

– East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and the Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) are pleased to announce its selection to present the innovative exhibition and educational platform “We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro” at the 2025 Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) Conference. Curator Joseph Valencia and Anthropology Professor Christine Sepulveda served as featured panelists, sharing insights from their interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges art, science, and environmental justice.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

KTLA: Cured Diabetes Patient Graduates from El Camino College

Janine Roberson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 7. 

Now, however, after years of dialysis treatment and the aforementioned surgery, Janine, now 37, has a quality of life that is “better than ever,” Cedars-Sinai said in a media release

On June 13, she graduated with an associate degree from El Camino College in Torrance, making a significant step in her pursuit of getting a double major in child development and psychology to become a child life specialist, helping children with chronic illnesses and serving as a mentor for their parents.  

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Allan Hancock College:

Thanks to everyone who came out to Hancock’s 2025 West Coast College & University Wine Festival. This year’s guests had the opportunity to taste a variety of wines produced by winemaking programs at Hancock, Cal Poly, and other colleges and universities.

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From Citrus College:

Here are some snapshots from the spring 2025 study abroad experience in Seville, Spain, which also included excursions to nearby places like Morocco.

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From Ventura College:

Summer ceramics class at Ventura College!

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Congrats POST Academy Grads! Your hard work, discipline, and dedication have paid off. You’re ready to serve with honor — and we couldn’t be prouder!


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Choir Students Perform on International and Regional Stages

Bakersfield College’s voice students had the opportunity to participate in two major performances this summer, both locally and abroad.

Several Voice Majors joined the 92-year-old Bakersfield Master Chorale on a performance tour of Ireland, singing in historic cathedrals and participating in a workshop with members of Anuna, Ireland’s leading professional choir. BC student Krystal Grant performed multiple solos and worked directly with a Gaelic language specialist—an experience that was both personally and musically transformative.

» Read more!

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

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

With much hope and joy,
Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Glorious May 2025

Mama duck with 7 ducklings. If you listen carefully, you will hear Neo in the background.

And for the first time, the Catholic Church is led by an American pope. On Thursday, the cardinals at the papal conclave elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, as the head of the Catholic church. He has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru. He is the first pope born in the United States, and the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship.

Good morning California.
It is May 10, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

San Diego College of Continuing Education Breaks Ground on $50-Million Renovation to Historic Theatre

San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $50-million renovation of its historic 275-seat theatre at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC). More than 150 people attended the event, including employees, students, community members, partners, and local elected officials.

» Read more!


Butte College celebrates Latinx culture with inaugural
‘Festival de Nuestras Voces’ event

Butte College hosted its inaugural ‘Festival de Nuestras Voces’ (Festival of our voices) on Wednesday, an event dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the diversity and heritage of Latinx and Hispanic cultures. The festival featured a lineup of live music and performances by local artists, offering students a taste of cultural music and dances. Additionally, guests enjoyed authentic cultural foods, art displays that reflected the heritage of the community, and keynote speeches that explored queer identity and immigration.

» Read more!


Long Beach City College Wins National Award For
Advancing Institutional Equity And Belonging

Long Beach City College (LBCC) was named the national winner of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Award of Excellence in the category of Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging. This distinguished honor was presented at the AACC’s annual national conference in Nashville and recognizes LBCC’s trailblazing efforts to embed equity, belonging, and inclusion throughout its campus culture and operations.

» Read more!


San Jose City College Embraces Diversity At Spring Cultural Festival

San Jose City College students and faculty gathered for the Spring Cultural Festival on April 30. The festival aimed to celebrate cultural pride and connection. Traditional dances were held on stage. The Vietnamese Student Association performed a fan dance, and the Latinx Unity Zone, or LUZ, did baile folklórico. Attendees also participated in water activities hosted by the Burmese Student Association, or BURSA.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

More, but not enough, Californians accessing free money for college, career

Over 3.9 million school-aged children across the state now qualify for at least $500 with CalKIDS, the savings account launched by the state in 2022. It automatically awards at least $500 to low-income students and English learners with the goal of helping families save for college or career training. In 2024, EdSource found that fewer than 8.3% of eligible families had claimed their account, despite fanfare surrounding the launch. 

» Read more!

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Community Voices: Kindness is not political

From Nick Strobel –
“Kindness is not political” is on a magnet being produced by a fellow member of my church to distribute everywhere. This is not some sappy, sweet sentiment message but, rather, a reminder that regardless of your political views, we’re called to treat all people with a sense of human dignity and respect. This used to be a commonly-held expectation but in today’s social climate, it can seem like a radical counter-culture statement at times.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From San Joaquin Delta College:

Still feeling the joy from our Black Graduate Ceremony last night! It was an evening of pride, culture, and achievement. Congratulations to all the graduates—you inspire us!

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From Los Angeles Harbor College:

Congratulations to the brand new LAHC E-Sports team, led by Professor Nick Garcia, for winning 1st and 2nd place in the first annual Los Angeles Regional Consortia (LARC) SMASH BROS Cup! The students have been practicing and having scrimmages since last Fall. Their hard work and dedication paid off.

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From Shasta College:

As part of our 75th anniversary celebration, we sealed a whole lot of Knight pride into a time capsule — including a commencement booklet and stole, local publications, a letter from President Dr. Frank Nigro, and more!

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From Allan Hancock College:

Thanks to @SBCAG_info for stopping by our Santa Maria campus and celebrating CycleMAYnia with our students, faculty, and staff!

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From Lake Tahoe Community College:

LTCC welcomed Assemblymember @hhadwickAD1 to campus for a tour and a discussion about the student support programs helping Coyotes thrive, shared by LTCC leaders and a student representative. Thank you for supporting our students and community!


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Jazz Combos Releases New Album of Original Compositions

The Bakersfield College Jazz Studies program is proud to announce the release of Funky Orca, a full-length album that features 12 original jazz compositions. The songs on the album are composed by BC Jazz students and were recorded in the PAC music lab on BC’s Panorama campus between 2023-24.

Over 50 songs were recorded for Funky Orca, and the album’s 12 tracks were carefully selected by the program’s faculty and staff. “This album is a really solid and diverse collection of tunes,” says Tiner, “and it’s a very entertaining listening experience from start to finish.”

» Read more!

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

That’s all for today.

See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Jasmine in full bloom April 2025

Nothing beats jasmine in full bloom. The fragrance…

I had the trellis for the jasmine installed during the COVID lockdown.

And the second trellis –

I wanted to share a few events I was at recently.

The Orange County AI and Gen Z Summit was a great event. Here’s a short excerpt from my remarks:

What was the first piece of technology that changed your world?

For Boomers, it might have been the moon landing broadcast on a black-and-
white TV.

For Gen X, maybe it was the Walkman. I witnessed the dawn of the internet.

For Millennials, it was probably Napster.

And for Gen Z? It may be when ChatGPT answered a question better than a
textbook.

These stories help us anchor rapid change in shared human experience. And right
now, artificial intelligence is shaping a new chapter in how we live, learn, work, and
relate.

I also participated in a fireside chat with Cheryl Aschenbach at the ASCCC Plenary.

It was a great conversation and I was astonished at the quantify of work we have
advanced in the last two years with the Academic Senate.

After my travels it is always good to be home.

Neo, the 100-pound gentle giant has a surprising hobby—gardening. Not the dig-up-the-yard kind, but the delicate, blade-by-blade grass selection from overgrown flower beds. You’d think a mouth that big would bulldoze everything in its path, but Neo approaches his grassy buffet as a delicacy—sniff, inspect, nibble…. avoiding every geranium petal.

Good morning California.
It is May 3, 2025
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

Hard Hats & High Tech: Exploring Career Education at Santa Rosa Junior College

KCRB’s “The 707” radio show recently featured career education at Santa Rosa Junior College. They toured the Construction Training Center to see hands-on building skills in development and exploring the technological advancements fostered in their STEM education labs. 

» Read more!


Los Angeles Valley College Speech & Debate Team earns
National Medals at Phi Rho Pi Forensic Tournament

Students on the LAVC Speech & Debate Team brought home with four prestigious awards at the 2025 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Competition that was held in Norfolk, Virginia last month. LAVC’s Speech and Debate Team has participated in the competition since the 1970s, and many of its team members have earned top awards over the years, including the team being the tournament champions in 1999, 2008 and 2009.

» Read more


More Than a Place to Stay: How Saddleback College
Supports Students Facing Housing Insecurity

Rising rents, unstable family dynamics, and economic pressures have made housing insecurity an increasingly common occurrence, even in a traditionally affluent area like Orange County. Thanks to a growing network of support services, Saddleback College is working hard to ensure that no student is left behind simply because they don’t have a permanent address.

» Read more!


Riverside City College Hosts Inaugural AAPI Arts & Culture Event

On Friday, April 11, Riverside City College proudly hosted its first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Arts & Culture event, a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and scholarship. The event was organized by RCC’s Asian Pacific Student Union (APSU) and the Office of the Vice President of Student Services, with support from ASRCC and the RCC Art & Art History Department.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

Four Female Inmates from FCC Victorville Make History
by Attending College Outside Prison

In January 2025, four female inmates housed at the Satellite Camp of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Victorville became the first federal inmates in the country to attend community college outside of a correctional facility.

» Read more!

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California Community Colleges Closing in on 100,000 Registered Apprenticeships this National Apprenticeship Day

Momentum is carrying the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce development and training provider, toward a key milestone — 100,000 registered apprenticeships. This comes as the system’s 116 colleges, along with their partners across the state, celebrate National Apprenticeship Day today.

Apprenticeship programs offer cutting-edge, hands-on career training and classroom learning, paving the way for higher-wage, high-growth careers. The California Community Colleges is playing a crucial role in Gov. Newsom’s goal of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029 and in the newly released Master Plan for Career Education. To date, there are more than 96,000 registered apprentices in the system. This is about 20% of the goal, with four years still to go.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Fresno City College:

An amazing conversation with the legendary Civil Rights Activist Delores Huerta

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

PUENTE Celebration Recap. Congratulations to our grads!

Puente, Spanish for “bridge”, is a national award-winning program that has helped thousands of students reach their dreams of college success — and yesterday, we honored another step in that journey.

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From College of the Redwoods:

The Career fair was a hit! Thank you to everyone who came out for this event!

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And check out this video from College of the Siskiyous:

You may have seen some smoke coming from the Fire Academy last week?

Our cadets got the opportunity to do some live wildland fire training in our own backyard. With the help of Siskiyous CalFire, and the Weed City Fire Department, they were able to provide real live fire training in a safe controlled environment.

Great job to our cadets for working successfully throughout each scenario, and thank you again to Siskiyous CalFire and Weed City Fire Department for your support.


And From the Home of the Renegades

Garden Fest 2025 Blooms with Community Spirit Despite Rainy Weather

Bakersfield College and the Horticulture Department proudly hosted the much-anticipated Garden Fest 2025 this past weekend, and this year’s festival delivered a truly unforgettable experience! Despite the unexpected downpour of rain, the turnout remained strong, with enthusiastic guests exploring a diverse array of booths, activities, and entertainment.

With more than 100 local businesses and organizations participating, Garden Fest offered something for everyone, creating an engaging and memorable experience that highlighted the college’s deep-rooted commitment to community and education.

» Read more!

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

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

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,
-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Let us pray for our communities in LA

Cover Page in the LA Times

LA Times updates:
https://www.latimes.com/california/live/2025-01-10/fire-los-angeles-california-eaton-palisades-updates

Raymond Chandler in his 1938 book Red Wind famously describes the Santa Ana winds as a force that can “curl your hair and make our nerves jump.” That was my experience when I came to USC as a foreign grad student many decades ago. The wind speed is typically 30-40 mph.

Last week, these winds were clocked at times over 100 mph …. combined with the fires …. the devastation at a scale we have not seen before …. 11 confirmed deaths, and more than 12,000 structures damaged or destroyed. More than 150,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation.

Even after the fires are extinguished, these communities will face harrowing times as they return and rebuild entire neighborhoods. Let us pray for our communities in LA.

LA County has prepared this list of resources for those affected by the fires.

In addition to many other organizations, the Foundation for California Community Colleges is raising money for wildfire & disaster relief. Learn more & donate!

Los Angeles Pierce College serves as an animal evacuation site for large animals. 

And deepest thanks to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working day and night to put out the blaze and keep our communities safe.

Good morning California.
It is January 11, 2025.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

College of San Mateo, College of Marin MESA Students
Win STEM Entrepreneurship Contest

A team of future STEM entrepreneurs claimed the top title of a month’s long business pitch competition. Isabelle Ablao of San Diego State University, Michelle Gantos of College of Marin and Auner Barrios Vasquez of College of San Mateo are champions of the 2024 MESA Idea Accelerator. The program empowers undergraduate students to become innovative entrepreneurs. Using the Human-Centered Design process students gain the skills to create real-world solutions for their communities.

» Read more!


Johnson Controls Renews Sacramento City College
Workforce Development Grant

Sacramento City College received a $100,000 grant for the third year as part of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program. This funding enhances on-campus training and educational opportunities for future leaders in the HVAC, digital, fire and security industries. Sacramento City College remains committed to addressing the skilled trades gap through strategic investments to equip the future skilled trades workforce and foster strong communities.

» Read more!


Santa Ana College Journalism Students Win Top National Honors
at Pacemaker and Pinnacle Awards

Santa Ana College journalism students took home over 40 awards from the National College Media Convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana, earning recognition for their work at el Don, Santa Ana College’s student-run news organization that has been in circulation for over 100 years. The Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Pacemaker awards and the College Media Advisers (CMA) Pinnacle Awards were both presented at the conference which was held from Oct. 30- Nov. 2, 2024.

» Read more!


Chaffey College Manufacturing Day Brings Together 600 Inland Empire Students

Hundreds of middle and high school students from 15 San Bernardino and Riverside County schools visited InTech to meet with employers, try their hand at welding simulators, program robots and more. Manufacturing Day is an event that gives companies and schools a chance to showcase modern manufacturing careers to students, parents and the public.

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

Tune In to January 2025 Board of Governors Meeting

The January 2025 meeting of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors is Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Closed Session from 9:05 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., in-person in Sacramento and viewable via Zoom.

» Agenda and Video Link


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From San Joaquin Delta College:

Recently our Student Food Pantry not only reached their fundraising goal, but surpassed it! All thanks to the incredible generosity of many, the pantry raised over $6,000. From monetary donations to campus contributions — thank you for fueling our students’ futures!

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From De Anza College:

We’re excited to welcome our new college President Omar Torres! Here, he’s pictured with former Interim President Christina Espinosa-Pieb. Welcome Dr. Torres, and thank you to Ms. Espinosa-Pieb!

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From San Bernardino Valley College:

Some of our fav pics from 2024!

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And check out this video of highlights from 2024 Cabrillo Talks:


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Library Welcomes Special Guests from Romania

The Grace Van Dyke Byrd Library at BC welcomed several distinguished guests from Romania as part of Friendship Force of Kern County’s initiative to expand literacy and informal education to institutions outside the US. The Romanian visitors were all library workers striving to improve the services and educational resources they provide in their home libraries.

» Read more!

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

That’s all for today.

See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Hello December 2024

The Blue Marble. On this day in 1972, one of the most widely-reproduced photographs in history was taken aboard Apollo 17.

This was the last crewed lunar mission. No human since has ventured far enough away to be able to photograph a whole-Earth image. There have been photographs taken by uncrewed spacecraft missions.

The photo has long stood as a symbol of Earth’s vulnerability and the need for environmental protection.

In January 2012, NASA unveiled “Blue Marble 2012,” a composite image created from a series of photos taken on January 4, 2012.

You can explore an ultra-high def version here.

Good morning California.
It is December 7, 2024.
A good day to be a Community College Champion



From California Community Colleges.
Our Time is Now!

 San Bernardino Valley College Recognized
as Global Leader in Water Stewardship

San Bernardino Valley College was honored on August 20, 2024, by GWF, a renowned Swiss technology company founded in 1899, as a global innovator and leader in water stewardship.  This prestigious recognition–the first of its kind awarded to a college campus anywhere in the world–underscores SBVC’s dedication to sustainable practices and its pioneering role in water resources education.

» Read more!


The National Council for Workforce Education Awards
Solano Community College’s Biotechnology Program its Top Award

The National Council for Workforce Education, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports education and training programs across the United States, awarded the Solano Community College Biotechnology program one of its top awards. The NCWE citing the program’s comprehensive education pathway, partnerships with industry leaders and other institutions, high job placement rate, contributions to local economic development, and overall impact.

» Read more!


West Valley College Students Win National Math Research Championship

For the second time in three years, West Valley College students coached by Math Instructor SerKuang Chen have captured first place in the national Student Research League competition.  The competition, organized by the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges, pits dozens of teams composed of two to three students against one another in applying their mathematical problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical skills, and creativity to a real-world scenario.  The 2024 challenge: Create a theoretical plan for transitioning a city of at least 50,000 residents to using 100% renewable energy. 

» Read more!



In Case You Missed It

Vision 2030 Demonstration Project Aimed at Creating a Template to Have California Community College Students Covered by Health Insurance

A groundbreaking partnership between 12 community colleges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties and one of the nation’s largest Medicaid health plans is creating a model for getting every uninsured California community college student enrolled in Medi-Cal or Covered California.

The initiative is among more than a dozen pilot projects emanating from Vision 2030: A Roadmap for California Community Colleges, an equity-based strategic plan to guide the state’s community colleges through the end of the decade. The Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is among the nation’s largest Medicaid health plans and currently serves more than 1.5 million Inland Empire residents through more than 8,600 healthcare providers.

» Read more!

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Inside HigherEd: A Guaranteed Income Program
for Community College Students

The Los Angeles Community College District is experimenting with a new program that gives $1,000 a month to students in health-related fields.

The district is promising to dole out $3 million in unrestricted monthly payments to a cohort of 250 students. The funds, along with support for the program, come from private donors: a little over $3 million from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and $867,500 from the California Community Foundation. Four of the district’s nine colleges will offer BOOST, including L.A. City College, East L.A. College, L.A. Trade-Technical College and L.A. Southwest College.

» Read more!


Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From Orange Coast College:

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at yesterday’s grand opening for Travel OCC! Travel OCC is Orange Coast College’s on-campus, student-run travel agency.

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From San Joaquin Delta College:

Recent highlights from our BIOL 10 field trip! Our Delta students had the chance to observe the Mokelumne River fall salmon run, which is hitting record levels this year! It’s not just a textbook experience—this is the real deal in action.

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From Santa Barbara City College:

The SBCC Ambassadors hosted a Friendsgiving event in collaboration with the Basic Needs Center, Dream Center, CESJ, Veterans Club, EOPS, and Rising Scholars last week in the campus center.

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And check out this video from Crafton Hills College:

Dr. Michael Sheahan, Crafton’s incredible Director of Respiratory Therapy, took the TEDxTemecula stage with his talk: “How Using Perspective Transformed My World.”  From shifting viewpoints to embracing resilience, empathy, and adaptability, Dr. Sheahan’s insights inspired the crowd and reminded us all of the power of reframing challenges. Crafton is beyond proud of his achievement and the inspiration he brings to our campus every day! 


And From the Home of the Renegades

BC Agriculture Laboratory Provides Students a Unique Learning Environment

The Bakersfield College Agriculture Laboratory is home to much more than crops and farm animals – it is a bustling, hands-on learning environment where students can roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and discover the wonders of farming. Located on the northwest end of the Panorama campus, the Agriculture Farm is a cornerstone of the college’s agricultural program, offering students an invaluable learning experience.

Whether it is wrangling baby calves or solving unexpected water leaks, the program’s Animal Science instructor, Julie Beechinor, collaborates with other members of the Agriculture Department to guide students through these real-world challenges, offering valuable life lessons along the way.

» Read more!

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

That’s all for today.

See you next Saturday!

With much hope and joy, 

Your Chancellor,

-sonya

#OurTimeisNow
#NuestroTiempoEsAhora

Sonya Christian's Blog