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!
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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
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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!
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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.
I started my week in DC for a White House AI summit. And of course did my Washington Monument photo ritual…
Back in Sacramento, the executive team had a two-day planning meeting, and we also celebrated Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales who is transitioning to lead the California Student Aid Commission:
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It was also a time to honor Juneteenth, a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Good morning California. It is June 22, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Coalinga College Advances to Community College Innovation Challenge Finals
Coalinga College was one of 12 finalist teams selected to advance to the final round of the Community College Innovation Challenge. The Coalinga team’s project – “Got Calcium: The New Battery Innovation” – seeks to switch from lithium to calcium batteries to improve cost-effectiveness, safety, and battery performance offering an eco-friendly alternative for energy storage solutions.
Shasta College & Reach University Partner to Increase Local Bachelor’s Degree Attainment for Rural Working Adults
Shasta College and Reach University today announced a partnership to offer Shasta College graduates a fully transferable, job-embedded, and paid pathway to a bachelor’s degree in their local community. In the partnership’s “Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Pathway,” Shasta College graduates from 70 programs can transfer 100% of their associate credits into Reach University’s liberal studies degree program.
Sacramento State Partners with Community Colleges to Create Guaranteed Pathway to Black Honors College
The California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) signed a deal with 15 California community colleges to guarantee the admission of all eligible transfer students to its first-in-the-nation Black Honors College (BHC).
Sacramento State signed the partnership agreement with the participating community colleges during a Juneteenth Symposium on June 13. Eligible students will be able to transfer smoothly into the BHC from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.
The colleges include:
American River College Butte College Cosumnes River College Folsom Lake College Fullerton College Merritt College Mission College Modesto Junior College
Moorpark College Palomar College Sacramento City College San Diego College of Continuing Education San Joaquin Delta College Sierra College Yuba College
Once an inmate in California’s state prison system, Monica Hicks graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
The Stanford Report published this great story about a student who graduated after completing a prison sentence and forging a new path by starting at a community college.
Cal Chamber: Local Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Have Extensive Community College Underpinnings
Through diverse and innovative workforce development programs and initiatives, California Community Colleges are directly shaping the future of the state’s workforce by addressing industry needs, bridging skill gaps and providing students with practical training and opportunities for economic advancement and career success.
From the Student Senate for California Community Colleges:
Thank you to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors for a wonderful year. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and continued success
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From Cañada College:
On Tuesday, June 18th, the Black Student Union (BSU), TRIO Student Support Services, and Promise Scholars Program (PSP) collaborated to help our campus celebrate Juneteenth. As a way to commemorate this day, we supported a Black owned business, Everett and Jones (located in Oakland), and participants enjoyed barbecue and soul food as they watched Netflix’s High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. The series explores the throughline of food, tradition and culture that survived the Transatlantic Slave Trade and became staples in American cuisine. The documentary series proved impactful as folks dried their eyes as the episode ended. Next, participants teamed up for a game of Kahoot! to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth not only celebrates the freedom of enslaved Africans but is a celebration of progress in our community. Thank you to the BSU, TRIO, and PSP for creating a moving event!
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From MiraCosta College:
Congrats to Kat Parra, MiraCosta alumna, on her Emmy Award win! She received the Emmy for her exceptional work as a Newscast Director at @fox5sandiego and @KUSINews. Her success is a testament to the strong foundation laid at MiraCosta College.
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From El Camino College:
CA State Senator @SteveBradford recognized the ECC Men’s soccer team for being named the 2023 Nat’l Champions by @UnitedCoaches for the Junior College D3 Men’s Soccer Rankings.
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Theater Program To Present Something Rotten!
Bakersfield College’s Theater Program announced today the details of their annual summer musical, a traditional collaboration with the Choral and Instrumental Music programs. This year’s presentation will be Something Rotten, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed by Professor Brian J. Sivesind, with Vocal Direction by Professor Caley Mayhall and Music Direction by Dr. Scott Dirkse. The musical will play in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre on the Bakersfield College campus from July 12 through July 21; asdf
This week, our nation honored the D-Day at Normandy, which took place 80 years ago on June 6.
The stories of veterans who were part of that day…..they are now between the ages of 96 and 107.
At a ceremony commemorating the anniversary, French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Legion of Honor on 14 U.S. veterans and a British female veteran.
The female veteran is 103-year-old Christian Lamb, the daughter of a Royal Navy admiral who was studying in Normandy in 1939 when her father called her back to London. Lamb created detailed maps that guided the crews on places to land on D-Day.
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On Wednesday we celebrate former Bakersfield College Athletic Director Sandi Taylor, who was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Directors Hall of Fame at Lake Tahoe.
Sandi Taylor is a very special person. Check out the video below under the “blast from the past” section of the blog.
Good morning California. It is June 8, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Palomar College Student Earns Prestigious Internship
Jerrie Fabrigas got a bachelor’s degree in art history because she thought she wanted to curate other people’s art. It wasn’t until she took a ceramics class at Palomar College that she realized she had a talent for making her own art. Since her first ceramics class at Palomar College in 2020, Fabrigas has been making and selling her ceramic art pieces. She recently was selected as a 2024 Artaxis fellow, which provides funding so that she can attend a two-week summer workshop at the renowned Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine.
Folsom Lake College and Sutter Health Announce Partnership
Sutter Health is launching a new initiative, NextGen Scholars, to provide educational opportunities and career pathways in healthcare for high school students from Title 1 schools and diverse backgrounds—with a goal of training 5,000 youth by 2030 as part of the program. Sutter is investing $1.7 million in Folsom Lake College as a pilot and plans to extend the program to other schools in the Los Rios Community College District and others across its Northern California and Central Coast footprint in the coming years.
Longtime Riverside City College Supporter Raises More Than $6,500 for Student Emergency Fund
Justin Scott-Coe, a former adjunct professor and long-time Riverside City College (RCC) supporter, recently organized a crowdfunding campaign to benefit the RCCD Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund. In lieu of birthday gifts for his 50th birthday, Scott-Coe raised more than $6,500 to support RCC students in need.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Friday that the state has released $470 million to 302 school districts, charters and county offices of education to fund the Golden State Pathways program.
CalMatters: An obscure option could help Californians without high school diplomas pay for college — if it survives
Many adults in California are missing out on financial aid for college — and for years, the state declined to help.
The most popular form of federal financial aid, the Pell grant, provides low-income students with around $7,000 a year— money that can go towards all kinds of expenses, such as tuition, rent or transportation. Typically, college students need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify, but a workaround, known as the Ability to Benefit provision, allows adults without a high school diploma to get federal financial aid in college.
Congrats to San Joaquin Delta College’s student-run media group, Fierce Mustang Media, for their recognition today by the Board of Supervisors for their work on San Joaquin County’s illegal dumping awareness campaign!
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From Clovis Community College:
Congratulations to our amazing CCC team that just completed the Mental Health First Aid National Certification Training! @cccwelcomecenter @scccd#GoCrush#SafetyFirst
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Jackie Vanderbeck from Broadway Sacramento shared this post:
I am so thrilled to welcome our Broadway At Music Circus Intern & Professional Assistant class of 2024!
In partnership withAmerican River College, 46 students join us for the summer in the fields of Stage Management, Wardrobe, Costume, Props/Scenic, Sound, Marketing & PR, Graphic Design, Social Media, Development, Education & Community Engagement, and IT.
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And congratulations to Southwestern College’s Randy Beach, who is completing his second term serving on the ACCJC
Bittersweet day today. In 2018 I was honored to be elected to serve a three-year term as an Academic Member of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Today, after two terms, four presidents, three commission chairs, dozens of presentations and webinars, hundreds (yes hundreds) of commission and committee meetings, and thousands (yes thousands) of pages of reading college reports, and a global pandemic (yikes!), I completed my second and final term as a board member and commissioner. The work has been one of the most professionally rewarding experiences I’ve ever had supporting the mission and success of two-year colleges. The commissioners and ACCJC staff that I’ve worked with over the years are wickedly talented, insightful and knowledgeable, and dedicated to student success for the diversity of students that make up our institutions.
Blast from the Past
Here’s the video from 2020, when Sandi Taylor and Corny Rodriguez earned a Presidential Leadership Award at Bakersfield College:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Hosts Measure J Community Brief and Update
In 2016, the Measure J bond was introduced to the Bakersfield and Kern County communities with the goal of improvements to Bakersfield College and its rural campuses. The measure passed and BC was awarded $502 million for facility updates, new educational spaces, technology upgrades, and more.
On June 5, 2024, BC hosted a Measure J Community Brief and Update in the Renegade Events Center to offer students, faculty, staff, and community members a detailed update on the various projects funded by Measure J.
Kern Trustee Y0vani Jimenez shared this photo of fellow Kern CCD Trustee Kay Meek being honored for her 20 years of service to the district at the California Community College Trustees Conference held in San Diego last weekend.
With Kay Meek, California League of Community Colleges President Larry Galizio, and Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg.
Back home, I was able to enjoy some beautiful blooms:
Good morning California. It is May 11, 2024. Happy Mother’s Day! A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Los Medanos College STEM Research Symposium Looks to Nature for Solutions
Los Medanos College recently held their 8th Annual STEM Research Symposium. LMC Interim Dean of Instruction, Math and Sciences, said undergraduate students benefit from hands-on research and the experience of presenting their research at the symposium.
Robotic Welding Coming to San Diego College of Continuing Education
Student welders at San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) will soon be adding new skills to their repertoire — coding and robotics — for free. The 100,000 square foot welding facility located at the Educational Cultural Complex (4343 Ocean View Blvd.) will be equipped with a plasma cutter robot, a welder robot, electrical upgrades to equipment installed in the 1970s, as well as new smart TVs and cameras for HyFlex teaching.
Irvine Valley College Selected For Youth Service Stimulus Grant Funded By The Allstate Foundation
Irvine Valley College has received a $25,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation in collaboration with the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) to support youth-led, youth-driven community service among students. This grant is part of The Allstate Foundation’s national efforts to transform how we engage, equip, and prepare youth to participate in community service.
How California is building career pathways to its next big economic sector: the ocean
CalMatters published this piece by AltaSea President & CEO Terry Tamminen and me, talking about the importance of education for the future of the blue economy in California.
Just like what the dot-com boom and rise of the internet did for California, something similar is on the cusp of happening with the blue economy. So, it’s only smart that we make sure our next generation has the training and skills necessary to ensure that they can seize these opportunities.
All of this starts with education.
Recently, California’s community colleges launched the Blue Economy Climate Action Pathways program, or BECAP, to align academia with businesses to help our students get sustainable, good-paying jobs in ocean-related fields. This first-of-its-kind partnership will help developing new curriculum and programs to fill the next generation of ocean-centric jobs.
“Love my Glendale College boss ladies! Trustee Vartanian- Davis, Trustee Ransford & Trustee Portillo- Rabinov. Afternoon break with @ccleague@nunegaripian & Citrus College Trustee, @MaryAnnLutzCA“
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From the FACCC at this week’s Faculty Reception:
“We extend our gratitude to the CCCBOG and the Chancellor’s Office for their presence and engagement with our faculty, to @SMC_edu for graciously hosting this gathering, and to @cca4Us and California Community College Independents (CCCI) for their co-sponsorship of this event.”
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From Tina Maria King:
D ay 2 of@ASCCCNews Noncredit Institute. I enjoyed presenting on noncredit pathways. It was also great to join the closing panel. As a practitioner who has served in noncredit advocacy and work over a decade it’s exciting, lots of momentum & value being placed in noncredit.
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From San Joaquin Delta College:
Thank you to our healthcare heroes this National Nurse Week! At Delta College, we’re proud to train 150 new nurses every year to serve our communities
Blast from the Past
In honor of Nurse’s Week, here are is my special recognition (4-min video) of BC’s Cindy Collier, from back in 2021:
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia:
And From the Home of the Renegades
Jones Art Gallery Hosts Voices Through Art: Rising Scholars Art Exhibition
Bakersfield College’s Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is currently hosting a special exhibition in collaboration with the Rising Scholars Program: 2024 Voices Through Art, a Rising Scholars Art Exhibition. Twenty-five individual artworks, each crafted with diverse mediums, will be displayed along the gallery walls, highlighting a unique expression of artistic talent from the Rising Scholars students.
This week, we had the Board of Governors retreat. Thank you so much to the Santa Monica Team team for your hospitality!
I also spoke at the ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) Summit at the College of the Canyons:
Last weekend I was in Cabo … loved waking up to this:
Beautiful Cabo:
Desert Rose:
At home, too, it’s a season of roses:
It’s also commencement season – with exercises for some of our community colleges happening this weekend!
Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away
Good morning California. It is May 4, 2024. A good day to be a Community College Champion
From California Community Colleges. Our Time is Now!
Chico State, Northern Community Colleges Streamline Transfer Process
Chico State President Steve Perez and leadership from Butte College, College of the Siskiyous, Feather River College, Lassen Community College, Shasta College, Woodland Community College and Yuba College signed Memoranda of Understanding to formalize dual admission and streamlined transfer for students interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree at Chico State. This guaranteed admission and accompanying support mechanisms lay the groundwork to simplify and ease transfer students’ pathways to pursue four-year degrees, credentials, and further education within their region.
Celebrating College of San Mateo’s HSI Status and Black Excellence
On April 22, 2024, as part of California Community College’s Black Student Success Week, CSM’s Title V Grant team hosted an event to celebrate their designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) while spotlighting Black excellence in higher education.
Calbright College Launches Project Management Program
This spring, Calbright College launched its new Project Management program. This skills-based program will serve as an entry point into project management-based careers, which have an expected job growth rate of 10.5% over the next decade and can span multiple industries.
San Joaquin Delta College Invites Public to View “Eyes of Science”
San Joaquin Delta College is the only community college in the U.S. to offer training in electron microscopy. With magnification of 100,000 times or greater, these powerful microscopes are known as the “eyes of science” because they are used for critical research in many scientific fields. Graduates of Delta’s electron microscopy program have landed high-paying, in-demand jobs at laboratories across the country. SJDC recently held an open house showcasing their electron microscopy program.
Expanding Horizons: How California’s Community Colleges are Shaping the Future of Education
In a recent episode of the Capstone Conversation, hosted by Jared Asch, a special three-part series on community colleges and local education was kicked off with Tom Epstein, a member of the California Community College Board of Governors. The series explores the unique roles and innovative programs within the California community college system, emphasizing their efforts in local education and community engagement.
Wishing a Happy 21st birthday to Board of Governors member Casey Chang! Casey celebrated this milestone with her fellow BOG colleagues during a retreat.
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From Moorpark College:
Jamaal Brown hosted an exhilarating trivia-style Black History quiz competition at Moorpark College. The Black 365 Knowledge Bowl, a fast-paced, buzzer-beating event challenged participants to answer a series of questions related to African American history. The spirited contest crowned the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl Champ and was an inspirational celebration of Black history and achievements. The hour-long event was designed to entertain and inform attendees with rich historical content and stories of prominent Black individuals.
Winner of the Black 365 Knowledge Bowl: Student -Wren Grant. Special recognition to Tristin Fowler Counseling Service Specialist (Black Student Success) for organizing and implementing this event.
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From Reedley College:
2024 STEM Conference! Over 500 students from our local elementary, middle and high schools on our campus today. Lots of workshops and a lot of fun!
Blast from the Past
As we begin commencement season, I wanted to share my Welcome Remarks from the Bakersfield College 2021 Virtual Commencement:
And From the Home of the Renegades
BC Receives Generous Donation of 2023 Lincoln Aviator Thanks To Jim Burke Ford
Bakersfield College’s Automotive Technology Program has received a generous donation of a 2023 Lincoln Aviator from local dealership, Jim Burke Ford Lincoln. This contribution marks a significant enhancement to the College’s training fleet, providing students with hands-on experience with the latest in automotive technology.
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.
