The first week of 2020 at BC was an active one, and for me the highlights included watching our Basketball teams play at the Gil Bishop gymnasium and seeing the Measure J campus center construction moving so rapidly. Btw, the team won the first conference game against Citrus College 65-40!
The two weeks that BC was closed for Christmas were just great. I had the perfect vacation at home …the first week with my daughter who visited for four days for Christmas, what a treat to have her for that long a time. The second week quiet with lots of walks, curling up in front of the fireplace with a book, cooking, and catching up on home projects. Talking about reading here are a few of my favorite reads from 2019.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Back to basketball and athletics. Not sure if you were aware that student athletes outperform the college average in metrics for academic performance. These kids play hard in their sport and work hard in their coursework. Here is a quote from the my recent State of the College report: student-athletes outperform the general student population on all of the Guided Pathways Momentum Points. In fact, in Fall 2018, 62% of first-time student-athletes attempted 30+ units in their first year, compared to their peers at 12%. Our coaches are the very best. It was wonderful watching Coach Paul Dahl, Coach Rich Hughes, and Coach Aaron Chavez in action yesterday.
McFarland Cougars and BC Renegades are so connected… The fabulous Superintended of McFarland, Aaron Resendez tweets:
Here is a 17-sec fun video of our Men’s team.
Renegade Mens Basketball
2020 Women’s Empowerment Summit at BC
Mark your calendars for the Fifth Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit to be hosted at Bakersfield College on Saturday, April 25, 2020. This annual Summit is organized by the California Latino Leadership Institute (CLLI) and launched in 2016 to address Central Valley women’s issues with gender gaps, career barriers and prospects for the future. You can learn more about it at their website.
Last year’s conference featured appearances from Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez, California Assembly Member Rudy Salas, and several women from the local petroleum industry. Aera Energy President and CEO Christina Sistrunk was also recognized by CLLI as the 2019 Distinguished Woman and Petroleum Advocate of the Year. Check out this great video from last year’s Summit and please join us for this year’s wonderful event!
BC Welding Students Tour PCL Industrial Services
BC Job Developer Carlos Medina organized an industry tour of PCL Industrial Services for our Bakersfield College welding students on December 20th. Thank you to Carlos for organization this, and thank you to PCL Industrial Services for opening doors for our students!
Welcoming BC Students With One Day Express Enrollment
The new year is upon us, and the Spring 2020 semester is about to begin in just a few weeks here at BC. To get our students ready, the Outreach Department held a One-Day Express Enrollment event in the Welcome Center to integrate members of the community into the Renegade family.
Counselors and student interns made sure that the incoming students got into the right classes that fit into their busy schedules. I would like to congratulate all of our future Renegades for letting us help you reach your educational goals.
BC Welcomes 26 New BPD Officers
Friends, family, and members of law enforcement packed nearly every seat in the Indoor Theater on Thursday to celebrate 26 new officers who had just finished the Bakersfield Law Enforcement Training Academy. Bakersfield Police Department Class 19-01 is the first to graduate from the new training facility on California Avenue and the first wave of new officers that will hit the streets since the passage of Measure N, which provides $58 million in funding to enhance public safety around the city.
State of the BC Agriculture, Nutrition and Culinary Arts Pathway
At the last College Council meeting the Agriculture, Nutrition and Culinary Arts (ANC) Completion Team consisting of Juan Manzano, Dominca Trindad, Corny Rodriguez and LeAnn Riley presented the status of their pathway. They found that since Fall 2014, the number of first-time students in the pathway has increased by almost 2.5 times to a total of 304 students. If you include dual enrollment numbers, it has increased nearly six times!! Great job, team!!
The ANC Pathway provides a large variety of exciting degree options that will lead to many in-demand careers. The focus of this pathway is to learn while doing by offering courses designed for students to have hands-on experience, develop problem-solving skills, and provide industry standard experience. Students can earn a variety of industry accepted certificates of achievement and associates degrees for those who want to enter the workforce directly from Bakersfield College. Some of those areas of concentration include occupational safety and risk management, forestry, animal science, and heavy equipment technician to name a few! You can check out all of the degrees and certificates offered at the ANC website.
Student Employment Scoop: Careers in Overdrive
This week’s Student Employment Scoop newsletter (see excerpt below) highlighted the ongoing work in BC’s Authomative Technology department. Take a look and learn about the opportunities BC has to offer!
Automotive Technology Associate Professor Vic Posey, in just a few short years, has grown the Automotive Internships into a model program. Assessing student’s strengths, he invites students to participate each summer to be placed at different companies throughout Kern County. Over the summer two particular students shifted their careers into overdrive. Diana Barrios began as an Engineering major, but also wanted to learn some basic maintenance so she registered for the Introduction to Automotive Technology course and was hooked. Over the summer she was placed at GMC Motor City and after only one month was offered a full time position. But because she was still working towards her degree she agreed to a part time position with GMC who was willing to work around her school schedule. Diana is the second in her family to attend college, she is the only female Gas Drivability Technician at GMC, and has moved into a full time position. Diana only has one class left to complete her Automotive Technology Associate Degree.
Shifting gears to Edgar Villasenor, who much like Diana, was the second in his family to go to college. He was placed at Jim Burke Ford Quick Lane for his internship, and within 2 weeks completed his required 60 hours. His work ethic and diligence caught the attention of his internship supervisor and one month after completing his required hours they called to offer him a full time position. Ford was able to provide flexibility with his school schedule. Edgar is a Lube Technician for Jim Burke Ford Quick Lane but wants to work bumper to bumper in the main shop one day and has 4 classes left to graduate in May 2020.
Both students agreed that when the opportunity to connect with the industry presents itself to TAKE IT! But you have to put in the work and want to be there. They also say, “It’s not enough to just do your school work, you must learn how to effectively communicate with coworkers and customers.”
Pictured Left to Right Diana Barrios, Vic Posey, Edgar Villasenor
Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee Community Awards Breakfast
Two members of the Renegade family will be recognized at this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee Community Awards Breakfast on January 20. Josephine Triplett was a long-time child development professor here at BC, and Polly Warren is a community service organizer whose husband Harvey Warren was a BC counselor.
BC’s Steven Watkin at last year’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Awards Breakfast Celebration at the MLK Community Center. Rev. Watkin was the master of ceremonies for the event. Photo courtesy of The Bakersfield Californian.
The breakfast is held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center every year to honor individuals for their acts of generosity and kindness in the community. Honorees include civil rights attorney Kathleen Faulkner, Dolores Huerta, and Memorial Hospital CEO Ken Keller.
Upon returning from Winter Recess, life at BC can get hectic, but leave it to Bill Potter to find some time to turn work into play!
Bill putting his Measure J construction knowledge to work.
Fun Photos: BC Supporting Astromech Droids
I returned to campus this week and found a Christmas present waiting for me in my office…. Astromech Droid sweatshirt (often most recognizable as R2D2 in the Star Wars saga). Thanks to a dear colleague who knew that I was a Star Wars fan and this sweatshirt has Industrial Automation emblazoned in bold with Astromech Droid in smaller lettering underneath it. A marriage of BC and Star Wars.
In his first year of office and with the help of the state legislature, Governor Newsom has increased the number of available competitive Cal Grants, increased funding for the California College Promise, and launched the Council for Post-Secondary Education, an advisory board of education, business and labor leaders to help Newsom shape policy on college access and student success initiatives. The article quotes several experts and analysts from the California higher education community, including Campaign for College Opportunity President Michele Siqueiros, one of our partners in the Educational Systems and Intersegmental Pathways Task Force.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
In 2020, Newsom and the legislature will be working on reforming financial aid to cover non-tuition costs. Check out Michael Burke’s informative, detailed article for more information about the present and future of community college statewide.
Jeff Chudy Steps Down as Renegade Football Coach
After 16 seasons of leading the Renegade Football program, head coach Jeff Chudy decided to retire from coaching, and back to full time teaching, this last week. Including his time as an assistant coach, Jeff has spent almost 30 years roaming the sidelines at Memorial Stadium coaching football. We are grateful for his many years of service to the college and the countless hours he spent teaching and leading our Renegade student athletes. The 2012 football season he coached was particularly extraordinary when he led the Renegades to a record of 11-2 and the State Championship, routing City College of San Francisco 35-14 in the title game at Memorial Stadium in front of over 18,000 fans.
Coach Jeff Chudy
Chancellor Tom Burke, Athletic Director Sandi Taylor, President Sonya Christian, Head Football Coach Jeff Chudy
Renegades of the Week
Renegade Athletics is proud to announce this week’s (12/29-1/4) Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Renegades of the Week:
Julie Hernandez, Women’s Basketball – Julie was a driving force in helping the Renegades to a huge come-from-behind victory at home last Saturday against Reedley College, 68-63. She was 40% from the field, led the team in rebounds with 11 boards, scored 13 points and had 3 assists.
Javier Gallardo, Men’s Basketball – Javier led the Renegades in two big wins hosting the Western State Classic this last weekend. In their 106-52 win over Santa Barbara he had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. In their 101-54 win over Oxnard he had 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Renegade Athletics Updates From This Past Week
Men’s Basketball Hosted 2020 Western State Classic
Be sure to put on your Renegade Red and cheer on our student athletes as they compete this coming week. If you can’t make it in person, check GoGades.com to catch the livestream. Events include:
Jingle Bells. BC at BSO Dec 6 2019Sleigh Ride BSO Dec 6 2019
Both photos snapped while walking Neo on Dec 21, 2019
Merry Christmas
Started this week’s blog with Christmas music from the BSO-BC Home for the Holidays concert. Featured below is the fun version of Twelve Days of Christmas performed by our new Mens Choir. See if you can spot some of our faculty and staff and in the video. Going left to right: Nicky Damania, Chris Glaser, Nick Strobel.
Celebrating our BC Foster Youth through the NextUp Program!
NextUp, a Foster Youth Support Program housed within EOPS, had an end-of-the-year celebration this past Tuesday.
NextUp Survival Kits
EOPS program manager Patty Ramirez laughing with NextUp student Shaquille Hill.
NextUp Counselor Jeff Stambook chatting with NextUp student’s Jasmine Gutierrez and Andy Sanchez.
NextUp Counselor Jeff Stambook with NextUp student Adrian Cazarez working to finish Human Bingo.
NextUp Program Manager Maria Baltazar helping NextUp student Chance Rubalcado finish his human bingo sheet
NextUp Student Andy Sanchez with his NextUp survival kit.
NextUp student’s and staff playing human bingo
NextUp students lining up for dinner
NextUp Students Rosemary Wiley and Joshua Crevison with NextUp Educational Advisor Chase Amos completing on Human Bingo.
NextUp students socializing and enjoying dinner.
Fun Photos: UMOJA Recognizes June Charles
June Charles being recognized by the Umoja Program. Thank you Andrea Thorson for the photos.
June Charles
Fun Photos from the December KCCD Board meeting
Snapped some fun pictures at the Dec KCCD Board meeting. Was great seeing Bill Henry who was recognized by the Board for his tenure at KCCD. Also,Gary Moser and KCCD received an award from Ellucian for the innovative work we are doing statewide. Finally both Romeo Agbalog and Kyle Carter were recognized by KCSOS.
Trustee Corkins, Danielle Hillard, Bill Henry
Trustee Carter & Chancellor Burke
Trustee Agbalog
Bill Henry
Sandi Taylor was recognized as Manager of the Month by Manny Mourtzanos this past week. Congrats Sandi! You deserve it!
Manny Mourtzanos and Sandi Taylor
Annual Culinary and Caroling Dinner
Topping Out Party
Steve Anderson, Bill Potter, Sonya Christian
On Friday, S.C. Anderson held it’s “topping out” party for the new Campus Center building. I joined our very own Bill Potter, Tamara Baker, Zav Dadabhoy, Billie Jo Rice, Nicky Damania, and Pam Kelley, along with KCCD Project Manager Nick Hernandez to celebrate this occasion.
Project Manager Bill Campe
Kurt Hettinger of S.L. Shaw Company, Inc. sent this great explanation of the tradition:
Atop the rust-and-grey steel, a white beam sprouts a green tree from another era.
The “topping out” of a steel framed building with an evergreen tree is an ironworker tradition that originated centuries ago by Scandinavians who believed that gods lived in trees. The evergreen branch is a remnant of a time when builders thought they had to appease the gods whose trees they felled for construction.
Early Scandinavians would place the top-most branches of trees that were cut for lumber atop their completed buildings. They believed this prevented incurring the wrath of both the tree gods and the souls of men, since man’s soul was believed to originate in trees and return to them.
To live amiably among the tree gods, these early builders accompanied the topping out with festivity and ceremony, culminating with the pouring of wine at the foot of the building. With this, they thought the building and its occupants would gain good luck since no tree god would wreck vengeance on so devout a believer.
Except for the presence of alcohol on a worksite, the topping out practice remains common in the United States, where the last beam of a significant building is painted and signed by all the workers involved. Then a living tree, or at least leafy branch, is placed on the beam, often with flags and banners tied to it. S.L. Shaw, like any red-blooded company, proudly flies the stars-and-stripes on the final beam every time too.
S.L. Shaw Company is proud to continue this tradition, and is proud to have partnered with SC Anderson and Mechanical Industries for the erection of this noteworthy project.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Kurt Hettinger
S.L. Shaw Company, Inc.
I would like to thank S.L. Shaw Company, Inc. SC Anderson and Mechanical Industries for including us in this unique tradition. Specifically, thank you to project manager Bill Campe of SC Anderson, Lee Shaw and Kurt Hettinger of S.L. Shaw, Bob Varner of Ordiz Melby Architects,as well as crane operator Trent Gardener, Nestor and Jose Ramirez for all of their hard work. I cannot wait to see the finished product next December!
Paul Beckworth hosted the annual Army vs. Navy football game between the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, and the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, Maryland. Check out the pictures!
Tony Cordova, Sonya Chrstian, Paul Beckworth, Steve Holmes, Tommy Tunson, Matt Garrett and Lisa Robles
Paul Beckworth, Mike Giacomini and his wife
Paul Beckworth and his sister Ileen
Sonya Christian & Lisa Robles
This game brings out the best rivalries at our campus, and it was a joy to be a part of it! Congrats to the Navy on their well-earned win (sorry Tommy Tunson!)!
Steve Holmes playing middle man between Paul Beckworth (Nacy) and Tommy Tunson (Army)
Tony Cordova (Navy), Tommy Tunson (Army) and Paul Beckworth (Navy)
The Southern San Joaquin Valley Cal-SOAP Consortium held a Winter Training Series!
BC’s California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) staff attended a two-day winter staff development series, which was geared towards preparation for the Cal-SOAP work with high school seniors for the spring semester. Tpoics included the Common Application by Nora Dominguez of University of LaVerne, Naviance Career Inventory by Christy Fraley of Kern High School District.
Cal-SOAP is a statewide program designed to increase the number of students attending college. The program serves students who are from low-income families, will be the first in their family to attend college, or are from areas or schools with low-eligibility or college-going rates. Cal-SOAP was established by the state legislature in 1978 and today operates in 14 locations throughout the state. Cal-SOAP is funded and administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Tour of the New Veterans Resource Center
If you weren’t able to join us for the Vernon Valenzuela Veterans Resource Center ribbon cutting on December 10, have no fear! Take a tour of the new facility through the camera lens!
You can also see the astounding photos that Max Becherer donated to the new VRC. They’re incredibly powerful.
To San Antonio, Christmas 1977
A beautiful Jack Hernandez poem.
PB&J During Finals Week
Thank you BCSGA for providing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during finals week.
Thank you to the Office of Student Life, BCSGA, and the Renegade Pantry.
Christmas Tree Recycling
This year, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of our Christmas tree recycling partnership with the City of Bakersfield. Stop by the southwest parking lot on the corner of University and Haley to drop your Christmas tree off between December 25 and January 17.
Image courtesy of KBAK 29/58
If the Panorama Campus is too far to bring your tree, you can drop it off at the Kern County Fairgrounds, the Shafter/Wasco landfill, or any number of locations throughout Kern County. Stacey Shepard of the Bakersfield Californian put together a convenient list of all the Christmas tree recycling locations in our area.
If you live in the Metro Bakersfield area, you can also place Christmas trees into your green waste container as long as the tree is cut into small pieces and the container lid is able to close completely.
M&O Never Sleeps!
The Maintenance & Operations department has been busy over the winter recess making sure that our campus is beautiful for our return in January! They’ve been replacing the flooring in the FACE building west wing and CDC classrooms. Instructors in the Humanities building will have new stations when they return, and the Delano campus will have new lighting! Thank you to our entire M&O team for continually working hard to make our campuses beautiful and kept to the highest standards for our students. We appreciate you!
FACE floor replacement
Measure J: Preparing for New Science & Engineering Building
Over winter break contractors are putting up the construction fence for the upcoming Measure J funded Science & Engineering building. This new three-story facility will house offices, labs and classrooms for BC’s Science & Engineering department. The 68,300 square foot building has a program value of $65 million and is scheduled to be completed in September 2021. Mark your calendars for the groundbreaking ceremony to be held on February 4th!
Fun Photos from the BC Behavioral Science Elves
BC’s Behavioral Science faculty including David Riess, David Rohac, and Jordan Rude wish all their colleagues, friends, students, and president happy holidays!
‘Tis the Season for Giving—
The CARE and CalWORKs parent programs hosted their annual holiday celebration at Rollerama last Friday, a true family friendly affair! Student accomplishments were celebrated along with their children as they skated, enjoyed a meal together, and took family pictures with Santa Claus upon receiving the children’s Christmas gifts from the “Adopt a Family” project.
All the families with a total of 130 children were adopted by our generous BC faculty, staff, and community partners. A big “THANK YOU” for purchasing dinner at our Chipotle fundraiser, providing donations and/or going out of your way to purchase presents for the children! A special acknowledgement goes to Juan Estrada who adopted 12 families!! I am beyond proud to be the President of such a giving and generous college!
Fun Photos: Holiday Gifts
Check out the decorations on the cookies from the Grimm Family Ed Foundation.
Pressed flower cookies from Grimm Family Education Foundation
Student Employee Testimonial
Ramon Carriedo says..
Ramon Carriedo
Going to college and having a job can be hard. Balancing work and study is not easy, especially for a full-time student like myself. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a student employee here at BC, which helps me stay focused on school while earning a paycheck at the same time.
Being a student employee has taught me a lot of skills that can only benefit me in the future. Plus, I get to see all the hard work done behind the scenes to keep the school successful.
In the Marketing Department, I work alongside writers, photographers, graphic designers, web content editors, and leaders. Working around all of these specialists is an amazing opportunity to gather knowledge, which is my favorite part. When I first started working here, I had no clue on how to make documents accessible or work with graphic design. With no experience covering an event, Earl Parsons walked me through the basics of how to take notes and catch a reader’s eye with my writing. He also taught me how to use a digital camera and find the best angles.
My favorite memory of working here had to be the day that I walked in and Monika Scott asked me if I would be willing to help the team present in front of all the new staff. When I asked Monika when this meeting was going to happen, she replied that it was in the next 15 minutes. I instantly started studying the slides, and I walked into the meeting room feeling extremely confident. But when it was my turn to present, everything I thought I was going to say flew right out the window. I started stuttering and I felt frozen.
After the presentation, Monika let me know that this was a great learning experience, and in the future, jobs will ask me to present on short notice. The more practice you get at it, the better you become – just one of the many lessons I’ve learned as a BC student employee.
New Employee Orientation
Holidays are Going to the Dogs
So….. what should I get Neo and Bessie for Christmas? This led me to wonder how many others think about buying Christmas presents for their pets. According to the APPA (American Pet Products Association), American’s are estimated to spend $75.38 billion dollars on pets in 2019! Isn’t that incredible? They estimate that $16.44 billion of that will be spent on “Supplies/OTC Medicine.” DogTime.com had some fun holiday statistics:
· Dog owners are more likely to give their pet a gift than cat owners (but that gap is closing) · 4 out of 10 pet owners confess to giving presents to others as if it was from their pet · 54% of pets will have Christmas stockings this year · 34% have a special pet-safe advent calendar · 29% of pets will get a Christmas card from their owner (Maybe the pets enjoy having it read to them) · 16% of owners feature their pets on their Christmas cards (TheNosePrint.com claims this is 43%) · 3% say their pets are writing a letter to Santa Paws (he exists, you just have to believe)
TheNosePrint.com surveyed people and ranked states according to their expenditure on their pets. While the average was $23.10, California ranked 6th with spending an average of $26.07 per dog for state residents. I’m not going to confess where I ranked for Neo this year.
Here are some fun photos of BC Employee’s dogs. If you would like your pet featured in my blog, do send a photo to Aricia Leighton or me.
Lesley Bond’s Blue
Lisa Robles’ Samson and Oliver
Kylie Swanson’s Oscar Meyer (in a sweater Ashlea Ward bought for him)
Manny Mourtzanos’ Brooklyn and Dodger
Aricia Leighton’s Sting
Eric Carillo’s Froderick Diezel von Heiden (Diezel)
Tamara Baker’s Jack and Bruce
Bessie with Neo
Bessie and Neo
Wrestling take 3rd at CCCAA State Finals
This last weekend, our Renegade Wrestling team traveled to Fresno City College for the CCCAA State Finals. Led by Jonathan Hunter taking 1st in the 174 lb. weight class, the team brought back a 3rd place finals finish. Renegade placers included:
• 174 lb. – Jonathan Hunter – 1st place (State Champion and All-American)
• 184 lb. – Jordan Annis – 2nd place (All-American)
• 197 lb. – Ricardo Gonzalez – 4th place (All-American)
• 149 lb. – Adrian Gonzalez – 5th place
• 125 lb. – Keithen Estrada – 7th place (Back-to-back state placer, finished 7th in 2018)
Next Level Renegades
Congrats to three of our Renegade student athletes for committing to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level. Holden Williams from Renegade Football, has committed to play for Portland State University. From Renegade Women’s Soccer, Ashley Quintanilla and Lissette Garcia have both committed to play at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salinas, KS. Congratulations to Holden, Ashley and Lissette!
Renegade Report
Watch this week’s edition of the Renegade Report on the Bakersfield College Athletics Facebook page featuring our Renegade Men’s Basketball team. Head Coach Rich Huges and players sat down with host Kenny Calvin to discuss their hot start to the season.
Renegade Athletics updates from this past week
• Men’s Basketball Competes at Santa Barbara Tourney:
Good morning Bakersfield. It is Saturday, December 16th, 2017 and a great day to be a Renegade.
The fall academic semester was over the previous week, students have started their holiday break, but the activities on campus continue. The only indication that we are during break are the parking lots. There are a lot of spaces …..
Congratulations to our 26th graduating class of Paramedics!
Bakersfield College first began to explore the need for a paramedic program in the spring of 2003. This discussion was based on a looming change in California law and the inability of the local paramedic school at that time to meet those requirements.
After discussions with stakeholders in the summer of 2003 (County ambulance providers, Kern County EMS Agency, local hospitals, Emergency Room Medical Directors and college administrators), it was decided the college would explore the feasibility of offering a Paramedic Program. In the summer of 2003, the Bakersfield College Director of Nursing/EMT programs conducted discussions with ambulance employees and administered a community of interest survey. The results of the survey indicated approximately 90% of the respondents indicated they would be interested in enrolling in a Paramedic Program. They also indicated they would be available to attend class full time if there was employer support.
Dean Rich McCrow, Director Tim Capehart with the graduating class
With the assistance and continued assistance of Hall Ambulance Service (thank you Mayor Harvey Hall!), Bakersfield College developed the curriculum, program policies and procedures, recruited personnel and gathered the necessary resources and equipment to implement the Bakersfield College Paramedic Program in January of 2004, and completed the CoAEMSP/CAAHEP requirements in 2006. In 2014 the paramedic program began an effort to move from a non-credit program to a credit/degree granting program. That goal was accomplished and in the fall of 2017 the college enrolled their first credit/degree granting program cohort.
This group of 13 graduates is the 26th class to graduate from the Bakersfield College Paramedic Program, and the first to complete the credit granting 3-semester program. With the addition of these graduates the Bakersfield College Paramedic Program will have trained just over 300 paramedics.
CTE Partnership with FIELD
Nora Dominguez, Sonya Christian, Stephen Schoonmaker, Jenny Zorn
On Thursday morning I was honored to be a part of an event for the new CTE initiative announced by the FIELD Institute. California Community Colleges play a critical role in lifting the state’s economy, creating the workforce of the future, closing achievement gaps, and providing educational access to all. Jobs requiring only a high school education are becoming more rare, which drives an increasing need for postsecondary education and a degree as the passport to family sustaining wages, and steady employment.
For the past 104 years, Bakersfield College has provided a direct pipeline for the Bakersfield community to reach their goals through quality education and career-based training programs that provide the skills needed to be successful.
Programs such as FIELD Institute’s EPIC (Escuela Popular Instituto Campesino) promote college-bound thinking and behavior which ripple through the community for generations – making a positive impact for years to come.
The FIELD grant work will empower our students, provide important opportunities, and increase educational access for many who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved. Students will be placed into CTE pathways with the structure and support to be successful.
Thank you David Villarino for your leadership in pulling together this consortium of colleges and universities. You have been always been committed to providing opportunity and family-wage jobs for the most underserved populations.
It was great reconnecting with Dr. Stephen Schoomaker, a colleague from Oregon who has now moved to California as President of College of Siskiyous. And it is always fun seeing Nora Dominguez. Thank you Nora for helping BC with Measure J.
Thank you to the BC team who came out to support the event. Dean Corny Rodriguez, Dean Cindy Collier, Director of CTE Tony Cordova. I wish we had snapped a picture.
Clergy Breakfast
Steve Watkin and members of our African-American faculty affinity group hosted a congregation of black church leaders to have breakfast and talk about Bakersfield College’s outreach and student success initiatives for African American students on Wednesday morning in the Fireside Room. Steve shared his progress with increasing African-American enrollment on campus, highlighting the work that the Outreach department and our counselors and educational advisors do to create a welcoming atmosphere for our African-American student body while keeping the standards and expectations for those students high.
Steve Watkin and Julian West
Steve then introduced Julian West, who outlined the work he’s doing to keep students informed of financial aid and on-campus resources students have access to. Steve also introduced the audience to our African American Mentorship Program (AAMP), which hosts inspirational speakers to provide students with examples of black leadership and “real-talk” discussions that provide students with information to succeed, and to dispel toxic ideas about black identity and masculinity.
Bre Parks
Student speaker Bre Parks concluded the presentation with her story about her experience in our ASTEP Umoja Community, and her pursuit of a degree in Communication on the way to becoming a Supplemental Instruction leader and one of our best and brightest student workers on campus. She credits Steve Watkin and the African-American leadership here at BC with helping her deal with her social anxiety, and become a more confident, empowered person ready to graduate next spring and accomplish her dreams after graduation.
Wednesday’s breakfast was an awesome opportunity to share BC’s educational programs with a group of important leaders in our community. I’d like to thank Steve and everyone who helped put the event together and our Food Services department for cooking another great breakfast, and I’m looking forward to establishing greater partnerships with our faith leaders in the future.
Monthly Administrative Council
The Bakersfield College Administrative Council is a consultative group of administrators and managers. This week Admin Council met for its last time in 2017 to hear presentations from various campus groups and project leads. We heard from Manny Mourtzanos, Kim Nickell, and Kristin Rabe on the Program Review Committee about how the program review process has improved and grown over the past couple of years; Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Don Chrusciel shared the Closing the Loop, Mid-year report document; and there were smiles, laughter, and even tears in the room as Chelsea Esquibias, Director of the Bakersfield College Inmate Scholars Program, shared the transformational power of what this program does for inmates.
Chelsea sharing the Inmate Scholars Program update
Stanford University Visit
Chelsea Esquibias was also invited by the The Opportunity Institute and Renewing Communities to present on Inmate Scholars Program, share student’s stories, and speak about the program’s future plans at the Stanford University School of Law. Attendees were funders contributing to the initiative including the Ford Foundation and the Educational Credit Management Corporation. They recognized that the program has grown in its first two years to be the largest face-to-face college program with over 2,400 enrollments. The program operates in eight prisons (soon to be 10) and the local County Jail. Students in the program have achieved some of the highest success rates at Bakersfield College as the students have achieved above-average grades and pass rates, with over 95% of the students taking transfer-level courses.
The initiative to provide for college in prison is supported by numerous funders. Achievement of an Associate Degree for Transfer while in prison allows students to exit the justice system ready for employment and creates opportunities for them achieve success in our community. Recidivism (returning to prison) is dramatically reduced with an education and creates a college-going culture in the home. Students in the program are highlighted throughout the prison system, and problematic issues in the prisons have also reduced since the implementation of college on-site.
Thank you to all of the funding partners and Stanford University, School of Law for providing us the opportunity to educate inmates returning to our community.
Photographed from left to right: Debbie Mukamal, Executive Director of Stanford Criminal Justice Center; Danny Murillo, Co-founder of the Underground Scholars at UC Berkeley; Chelsea Esquibias, Program Director of the Inmate Scholars Program at BC; Rebecca Silbert, Director of Renewing Communities Initiative; Douglas Wood, Program Officer at Ford Foundation.
Industrial Automation Advisory Committee
On Friday, December 8th, BC’s Baccalaureate Degree, Industrial Automation Advisory Committee met to discuss the curriculum in detail and to get feedback on a proposed additional robotics course. Marketing and high school pathways were also highlighted.
Thank you to all who attended including, Nathan Bender, Jonahan Geersen, Samuel Gomez, Ron K’Miller, Steven Mears, Brian Miller, Blair Pruett, Dick Taylor, and Beth Vaughn.
BC Faculty included, Roy Allard, Sean Caras, Guanghsu Chang, Tony Cordova, Jason Dixon, Manny Fernandez, Cathie Jones, Klint Rigby, Liz Rozell, Tom Rush, Mary Webb and Martin Perez.
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
BC’s OIE (Office of Institutional Effectiveness) hosted a half-day retreat on Wednesday with goal setting, reviewing the core values of the college, and bringing the department closer together. We’ve recently added to the team and I was happy to join them for a session of the importance of institutional research.
David Buitron, Lori Ortiz, Karen Snow, Alma Livingston, Nicole Griffin, Sonya Christian, and Craig Hayward
The group learned about some new data software, reviewed updates to existing programs, and closed out the afternoon with teambuilding at a local escape room. Karen Snow told me, “ It really did force us to work as a team and we learned everyone’s particular skills… Like Lori was our MVP because she found so many clues, Alma is quickest at deciphering patterns. I’m good at spinning combination locks and guessing them if it’s only three numbers, and Craig is really good at making us pick up all the pieces and rethink everything. David and Nicole were both awesome at inspiring us to keep inquisitive and motivated to continue.”
Em’s Sweet Treats
Em and Chef Suzanne
In 2011, Emily Aldritt began Em’s Treat’em Sweet. The goal was simple – to prepare, package and sell her family’s favorite holiday sweet treats (Muddy Buddies), and donate 100% of the proceeds to two local charities: The Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Last weekend, Emily and The Bakersfield College Culinary Arts Department worked in The Renegade Room to prepare this year’s sweet treats. You can learn more about Em and her project at http://emstreatemsweet.com/
While most of our faculty and students are away for the winter break, the Maintenance and Operations department is busy making important renovations to the campus. This break is a particularly busy one for M&O, as they’ve got a myriad of projects on their hands. The Gym and Memorial Stadium is currently closed until January 5th for installation of brand-new goalposts on the football field and removing the turf that covers the runways. All of the carpet in the library is also being replaced from December 18th until the 29th, which has resulted in closures and relocation for the IT offices and Archives. Other projects M&O is working on include replacement of all doors around campus to make them more accessible to people with disabilities, campus-wide storage room clean-up, installing new fencing at the Child Development Center, repairing emergency generators, replacing trees on campus, and landscaping renovations on Haley Street.
Aside from all of the above for this year’s break, every January M&O also performs its usual detailed cleaning of all carpet and hard flooring around campus, replaces light bulbs in classrooms, deep cleans all buildings and certifies all fire extinguishers before the start of the Spring semester. The M&O department has their work cut out for them for 2018, and we’re so fortunate to have an incredible team that works year-round to keep BC beautiful.
Emails Worth Sharing
Olivia Garcia and Sonya Christian
I often say I’m the luckiest and happiest college president ever, and you know that it’s because I’m fortunate to have the best colleagues, the best students, and the best community at BC. I received this note from one of our newest full-time faculty, Olivia Garcia, during Thanksgiving and I’m just now getting around to sharing it. She said,
I wanted to take a moment and personally thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the faculty at Bakersfield College. I have been given a meaningful purpose in life, and that is educating and positively shaping the minds of our students. This purpose has rewarded me many times this semester in the form of my interactions with students or simply seeing them take small steps toward their academic achievements and goals.
I was meeting with a student the other day in my office as she was trying to figure out her major and career options. We went over different ideas before I told her, “Find something you love, and it will never feel like work.” It helped clear a lot of things for her, and I was speaking from the heart, for what I do, I know it is truly a labor of love.
I had another student who told me that, after taking my class, he decided to major in history. He had been out of school for awhile; he spent it in the workforce before deciding it was time to return to school and earn his degree. He emailed me recently to tell me how he had conquered his fear of heavy reading in the research phase, and that it paid off for developing a stronger assignment for our class.
He wrote, “I can’t explain what a major weekend this was for me in that area as I spent the majority of my time reading for this class and loved it! Thank you for the assignments. They are really enriching my start in College.”
Then I had another student post on social media the happiness she felt being a part of the Levan Seminar Book discussion that I co-led with Professor Rosales recently. The goal was to meet and discuss the work of author Gabriel Thompson who wrote “Chasing the Harvest,” which is an oral history collection of those who have been a part of the migrant farm worker experience in central California. We put a call out to students via the BC website and announcements in our classes to be a part of this wonderful project, which was set for 10 students. Surprisingly, we got more than 60 students expressing interest! It was tough to select the final 10, but they turned out to be amazing. The selected students met with me and Prof. Oliver over a span of three sessions, including a day when they had the opportunity to visit and speak with the author.
Her social media post, which I am attaching here, is a selfie of her with the author. It touched my heart, and it reinforced my mission in doing the best I can to serve our students. I could go on and on, but I just wanted to show you how students have enriched my life this past semester, and I wanted to express my gratitude for this opportunity. I have spent two decades as a journalist telling other people’s stories and making a impact there. Now, as a faculty member in history, I get to be a small part of student’s lives — their stories by helping educate and guide them to their full potential. Now that’s a treasured gift to be thankful for this holiday season. 🙂
At the Basketball Game on Dec 9, 2017
Denise Canning and Todd Hansen at the game
It was wonderful getting to meet our new custodian Felipe Carrillo
Our fabulous Cheer Team coach Heather Foss
Stig Jantz is everywhere. I know he has been secretly cloned.
With our no nonsense, no drama, tireless and hard working Athletic Director, Sandi Taylor
And Coach Paula Dahl is the best. Did not get a picture of her this time.
Suzanne Galindo
While at the District office this week, it was great to see Suzanne Galindo, KCCD’s Executive Assistant to General Counsel, Chris Hine. She shared with me the painting she did of the Renegade Knight and Shield at the Homecoming Paint Night hosted by SGA. I covered this and have a group photo in my blog titled, “Our 60th Homecoming at 1801 Panorama.”
From Social Media
Memories on Facebook
The 1948 Renegade Football Team Poster made an appearance on Facebook in a post on the Kern County of Old Facebook page. This post says this team poster was found by “Pepper” at an Estate Sale and donated to Noriega’s Restaurant in memory of Louie Elizalde. Check it out here on Facebook!
Thank you Jackie Lau for flagging this for me!
Holiday Potlucks on Campus
Holiday potlucks have been taking place on campus all week long. Here are some fun photos!
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Chamber Singers strike again
Received this video from my friend Arlene Braganza with a note
Select threesome of the BC chamber singers performed at Msgr Craig’s Christmas party this evening
Caley Mayhall, April Gregerson, and Markelle Taylor.
And then there is Neo, Dec 2017
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. It is Saturday, November 11, 2017, Veterans Day. Thank you for your service.
It’s been another active week here at BC.
We’ve been celebrating our veterans all week, starting with a special leadership breakfast on Monday, guest speakers, and the public unveiling of our plans for the Veteran Resource Center, which wouldn’t be possible without the community of Kern County coming together to support Measure J.
Veterans’ Day started as the US celebration of the end of World War I, which officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day in November of 1918. Over time, it’s evolved into a celebration of all current or retired members of our armed forces, and a time to honor the contributions of all the brave men and women who fought to preserve our safety and uphold our nation’s grand ideals. In 1955 when the Panorama Campus at Bakersfield College was being built, the first structure completed was Memorial Stadium. It was named to honor our fallen heroes of World War I and World War II and a plaque at the finish line commemorates its dedication to the bravery and sacrifice of our brothers and sisters. Over sixty years later, those who serve our country continue to be an inspiration to this campus, and our student veterans are an important part of the Renegade family.
Tom Gelder, Kay Meek, Zav Dadabhoy
On Monday, we kicked off the week with a breakfast for leaders in our community who diligently support our returning veterans and men and women in service. While I couldn’t be in attendance, I heard so many lovely comments about the morning. With an over 60% increase in student veterans at BC on campus, it is the leadership and engagement from these dedicated individuals who help us intentionally and meaningfully support our students and veterans to reach their goals. Thank you to everyone who came out including Mayor Karen Goh, Chancellor Tom Burke, Judge Louie Vega, Representative for Rudy Salas David Valadao, Michael O’Doherty, Scott Spielman, and JR Browning.
Text Message with selfie from Lisa Kent and Christine Heard
On Tuesday, we held an all day Drop Zone in front of the Admin Building where a team of individuals collected donations for our troops. Accepted donations included various foods and treats. I received a text message from Lisa Kent who helped at the event with the following photo and message that since student veteran, Wen Medrano, had arrived at the zone, they had 3 drive-up donation drop offs!
The donations will be boxed and prepared by Kern River Blue Star Moms, which is our local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America. Throughout the year they send care packages to local troops who are deployed, assist local veterans’ organizations, and participate in multiple community outreach events. Look for them in the Veterans Day Parade.
Throughout the day, we welcomed various organizations and special visitors who brought donations.
Lee Caldwell, Annie Garrett and Julie Kapoor from KHSD, Wen Medrano, Lisa Kent, and Christine Heard
Annie Garrett and Julie Kapoor from KHSD visited the Drop Off Zone with a donation and they left this message, “We wanted to say how much we appreciate what you do for our Veterans. It was so gratifying seeing your face and those Veterans faces when we opened up the car. Thank you for your service and our Veterans”
Drop off zone at BC with Christine and Lisa
If you visited campus this week, you would have noticed the flag garden outside of the Center for Student Success, specifically the Counseling office. All flags were $1 and the proceeds will go to Mikes Pass Program at BC to purchase parking permits for veterans.
Elizabeth Perez-Halperin speaking to students in the Fireside Room.
On Wednesday, we welcomed Elizabeth Perez-Halperin, as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series . Hosted by Bakersfield College Veterans Services, former Navy Petty Officer-turned entrepreneur Elizabeth Perez-Halperin spoke about her own experiences as a female veteran and her struggles after leaving of the service. Ms. Perez-Halperin holds a degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University with a Minor in Logistics, Business & Safety Management. She also is the President and founder of GC Green Incorporated (GCG), a certified woman-owned, Native American, and 9/11 service disabled veteran-owned Green Build General Contracting and Consulting Firm.
Celebrating the 1-year anniversary of Measure J by unveiling the future Veterans Resource Center
November 8, 2017 marked the one-year anniversary of the Yes vote on Measure J. A Yes vote meant sharing in a renewed vision of what moved the community to start Bakersfield College 104 years ago — and 61 years ago to start building the beautiful campus on Panorama Drive. Thank you for your support and thank you for sharing this vision.
Today, one year later, our first project funded by our shared and renewed vision is the Veterans Resource Center. What better way to thank our community than by building this center as a commitment to the knowledge and preparation of our veterans; and what better way than by focusing on student veteran needs in the learning environment, their opportunities, and their dreams for the future. Thank you veterans for your service.
KCCD Board President Kay Meek, Student Combat Veteran Lee Caldwell
When our Veterans are returning home, the brand-new Veterans Resource Center at Bakersfield College will be the place they’re coming to for the promise of opportunities through a successful education. We were honored to have the President of the KCCD Board of Trustees as our first guest speaker for the event, Kay Meek.
It was specifically important to Kay that this new center was designed to enhance and improve student success, wellness, and provide a comforting space for camaraderie for our returning veterans, like Lee Caldwell. Trustee Meek called on Chancellor Burke to get the building open for our student veterans sooner than later.
Lee spoke of how returning home and coming to BC changed his life. Our campus is a place of hope, dreams, and transformation and Lee is shining proof of this. These sacred spaces of higher education are over half a century old, but inspiration and transformation are abundant within our halls and on our campus grounds.
Our next speaker was Karen Thompson, Chair of the Measure J Committee and Chair of the Board of Directions for the BC Foundation. Karen was a force on the campaign for Measure J — from taking care of finances to logistics. Thank you Karen Thompson and the Bakersfield College Foundation.
Chancellor Tom Burke spoke about the ways in which KCCD is looking forward to enhancing student success through the initiatives provided by Measure J. An article from The Bakersfield Californian which showcased the unveiling quoted him, “Your support will ensure that Bakersfield College will be able to provide quality facilities for our local communities for decades to come,” said Kern Community College District Chancellor Tom Burke. “I believe quality facilities are a huge part in providing a learning environment that leads to student success. Veterans, this resource center is our tribute and resource to you and those that follow. You will always find support at the Kern Community College District for meeting your life goals and aspirations.”
Our final guest speaker was Trustee Bill Thomas, who was a true storyteller and champion for the BC campus throughout the Measure J campaign. His dedication to BC stems from back when he was known on campus as Professor Thomas to his Renegade Political Science students and his love for this campus has never dimmed. He spoke of how he was inspired by returning veterans who dedicated themselves to earning an education after returning home from service. He specifically spoke about Vernon Venezuela, a Vietnam Veteran, and his advocacy for veterans across the country. When he brought up Vernon’s name, many of the veterans attending the event teared up.
The new Veterans Resource Center funded by the community through Measure J will be a true game changer for our returning veterans as students, and will offer support services along with a team of staff to guide them through their educational journey. We currently have over 680 enrolled student veterans and more each year. Our student veterans are an inspiration, through their stories, their successes, and their courage. We are honored that they chose to come to BC.
Thank you to our student veterans for your courage and service, for believing in yourself, for pursuing an education, and for choosing Bakersfield College. This is for you.
Thank you to our community for supporting Measure J and important initiatives. I can’t think of a better way to start building that renewed vision than by building the Veterans Resource Center to serve our student veterans. It is a good time to be at Bakersfield College. It is a good time to be in Bakersfield and it is a good time to be in Kern County.
It was great seeing Michael O’Doherty at the event. Michael spent countless hours on Measure J. BC is indebted to you. And here is a photo of Nick Strobel and Bill Thomas after the event.
I was so happy to see Wesley Barrientos at the event. Wesley later joined Paul Beckworth and me for an interview with Richard Beene on his radio show. Wesley was at BC when I arrived as a new president and was instrumental in getting me to understand how BC could best prepare for welcome and support returning veterans to the Home of the Renegades.
Thank you Monika Scott, Jennifer Serratt, Bill Potter, and Paul Beckworth for planning this event. Thank you Mary Jo for doing what you do. And thank you Marlene Heise for bringing out the media. Thank you Manny De Los Santos, Earl Parsons, and Carson for the photos. Thank you Dennis Spencer
This was my favorite picture of the event. A selfie by Jenny Frank of four veterans who love BC and have helped us take care of our student veterans.
Richard Beene Show
Later that afternoon Paul Beckworth, Wesley Barrientos and I were on the Richaed Beene radio show.
Wesley Barrientos, Sonya Christian, Richard Beene, Paul Beckworth
VetFest 2017
On Thursday, we wrapped up our week on campus with Vet Fest and had over a dozen booths showcasing some of the support and tools that veterans can make use of. At 9AM, the BC Drumline started out the beautiful day —
… then the Presentation of the Colors by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department Color guard, and to kick off our speakers was Veteran Club President, Cristian Gutierrez.
Speakers included Mayor Karen Goh, Assemblyman Rudy Salas, Paul Beckworth, Cristian Gutierrez and keynote speaker, Dr. Denita Oyeka.
Mayor Karen Goh
Assembly Member Rudy Salas
Dean Paul Beckworth
Dr. Oyeka served in the US Army for 17 years until wounded during a complex ambush in Mosul Iraq. Her injuries included Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), PTSD, spinal injuries, broken ribs, and heart damage. During her multiple tours for operations Iraq Freedom and Operations Enduring Freedom, she served as a Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence Team Lead for Base Defense Operations, with the Biological Detection and Identification Systems under the Big Red One Infantry Division. She has her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Weapons of Mass Destruction and recently completed her Doctorate in Public Policy: Organizational Management and Leadership with Focus on Transitioning Veteran Policy Development. Denita is continuing her service to America by working for the Department of Justice. She has found the determination to continually overcome her injuries through educating and supporting fellow Veterans in various collaborations from California to Capitol Hill.
Keynote Speaker, Dr. Denita Oyeka.
Locals from the community came to celebrate on campus, such as Buzz Wells from Tehachapi who made the trip to BC just for Vetfest.
Buzz and Armando
Mayor Karen Goh, Assemblyman Rudy Salas, President Sonya Christian
A huge thank you to BC Food Services for providing tacos, rice and beans, and the live band for the music and entertainment.
All of these weeks activities would not have been possible without a team of people who coordinated each and every detail. Thank you to everyone, especially including Paul Beckworth, Lisa Kent, Bernadette Martinez, Armando Trujillo, and Lee Caldwell.
Law Enforcement Graduation
While we were all busy celebrating our military at Vetfest, the Bakersfield Police Department was graduating 14 new officers in the Indoor Theater.
We were honored to have the BPD’s academy, the graduating cadets, and all of their families on campus to celebrate the hard-fought achievements of 14 future police officers, who will soon begin working diligently out in our streets to protect our community. Before graduating, the academy showed a video demonstrating all of the trials the physical and mental challenges the cadets had to endure during their training. I’d like to thank Chief Lyle Martin, who pushed to bring the graduation back to the BC campus. I can’t wait to welcome more graduates into our future law enforcement agencies.
Thank you Paul Beckworth for your leadership in this week-long celebration of our veterans.
Paul Beckworth. Photo by Manny de Los Santos
CSUB BC Transfer Event
Faculty and administrators from BC and CSUB gathered Monday, October 30 in the Fireside room to discuss course-specific road maps for each institution. We shared a simple lunch and while sitting across from our counterparts each came to better understood our shared mission to serve Kern county. Although the initial intent was to work on areas where BC ADT’s (Associate Degrees for Transfer) were similar to CSUB areas of Concentration, some additional important programs with opportunity or a large number of transfers were included. By days end, 23 Transfer degrees (AA-T/AS-T), 2 TMC’s and 2 new degree areas were coordinated with 51 CSU Major Emphasis or concentration areas.
Outcomes included:
Clarified pathways to facilitate student completion of Baccalaureate Degrees in Kern County
Relationships between discipline faculty to better inform students’ coursework
Identified course articulation or ADT modifications
Expanded ADT application to Areas of Concentration (one ADT degree may go to multiple CSU BA pathways) and understanding any specific course benefits within individual pathways
Documented pathways by semester for full-time students – CSU 120 units and BC 60 unit + CSUB 60 unit packages
Documented CSU/CCC model that can be replicated statewide to meet the Graduation 2025 Initiative goals
Numerous materials including one-year pathway models and 4-year pathway models, discipline C-ID courses and Transfer Model Curriculum were supplied faculty who worked through a 4-year pathway from BC to Bachelor’s degree at CSUB. The end-product for each discipline was a semester pattern of course-taking for each area of emphasis at CSUB. Patterns included recommended coursework by CSUB faculty for specific pathways at BC.
BC and CSUB faculty are currently finalizing these pathways, which will be posted and available to clarify paths for students in Biology, Pre-Nursing, Communication, Journalism, Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Engineering, English, History, Kinesiology, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Additional pathway maps will be completed this winter.
Taste of BC
Have I mentioned recently how amazing our faculty and students are? Last Saturday, our Performing Arts faculty and students partnered with our Culinary Arts faculty and students to create an unforgettable evening for 35 students from Standard Middle School. Starting with a tour of our Performing Arts Center, the middle school students got a ‘behind the scenes’ look at our Theatre and Music facilities. They also enjoyed an incredible performance by BC students from our recent production of Hamlet, followed by a skit from Brian’s Beard (BC’s Improv Troupe). Our Theatre majors also taught the middle school students how to do improv. Very impressive! To top off the evening, the students enjoyed a fantastic meal in the Renegade Room by our Culinary Arts majors, and were entertained with dinner music by many of our Music majors. Many thanks to Dr. Jen Garrett, Brian Sivesind, Chef Suzanne Tangeman, Kevin Ganger, Leslie Aldridge, and Kim Chin, along with our students from the Hamlet cast, 1984 cast, Brian’s Beard, Music majors, and Culinary Arts students for volunteering the time and talents to benefit our local middle school students (…and hopefully future Renegades!)
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Paul Meyers, District Superintendent emailed to share that the experience was powerful for the young students, and they appreciate the attention to the details that made everything come together so well Saturday night.
Thank you to all involved, and thank you Standard Middle School for bringing the students to Bakersfield College. I hope they will all return as Renegades.
Monday’s 3rd Accreditation Forum was well attended with great participation from faculty and staff. Dena Rhodes and Todd Coston (filling in for Mike Ivey) lead the group through a discussion on Standard III.A.5, one of 15 sections for Human Resources, concerning the evaluation process, improving it, educating and training managers, and documenting the plan. Next, Bill Potter and Kristen Rabe Discussed Standard III.B Facilities, or physical resources. The main purpose of the 4 sections of this standard is to ensure that we have adequate, appropriate, equitable and safe space for classes and administration. Their discussion of Standard III.B.3 focused on the process for requesting facilities (program review), the request’s prioritization through committee, inclusion in the Facilities Master Plan, and completion contingent on funding.
Richard Marquez and Todd Coston, co-chairs of the ISIT Committee, discussed sections 2 & 5, of the five sections of Standard III.C, Technology. The theme of requesting our technological needs through program review, prioritization, planning, and funding were consistent with that of Bill’s and Kristen’s facility needs. There is also a new standard this year for “policies and procedures that guide the appropriate use of technology in the teaching and learning processes.” We meet this standard through the Board Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and adhering to ADA and 508 compliance.
Don Chrusciel and Steve Holmes, co-leads on Standard III.D Finance, gave a demonstration on where we can find budget information on the District web site. Don explained the Closing the Loop document that recaps how the budget was spent on planned projects. You may view the Forum Presentations on the Accreditation site.
Thank you to Sue Vaughn, Nick Strobel, John Gerhold, Maria Wright, Jennifer Johnson, staff and faculty in Delano and all of the others that participated in the discussion. Also a big thank you to Liz Rozell, Jason Stratton, Bill Moseley, Kirk Russell, Johnathon Shultz and Delano for coordinating the forum. I hope to see all of you at the next forum hosted by the College Council on November 17th. Keep an eye out for the announcement.
Great picture of Todd Coston, Bill Potter, and Kristin Rabe celebrating after the forum.
Academic Senate at BC!
The Bakersfield College Academic Senate represents the faculty in its entirety and whose primary function is to make recommendations to and agreements with the governing board of the district with respect to academic and professional matters, and to make recommendations to the administration and governing board on matters pertaining to the conduct and welfare of the college.
We have a great group of faculty on the senate at BC under the leadership of Senate President Steven Holmes. Tarina Perry (far left) does a great job supporting the senate.
Academic Senate 2017-2018
Front row, left to right:
Tarina Perry (Administrative Secretary), Kimberly Nickell (EB), Steven Holmes (AS President), Laura Peet, Di Hoffman (EB), Lisa Harding (EB), Susan McQuerrey, Dan Kimball, Deborah Rosenthal (EB), Chad Newton (EB), Michael Fredenberg, Ishmael Kimbrough, Robby Martinez, Lawrence Salcido (BCSGA)
Second row, left to right:
Phil Whitney, Barbara Braid, Alisha Loken, Matt Garrett (EB), Neal Stanifer, Klint Rigby, Victor Diaz (EB), Matt Jones, Teresa McAllister, Qui Jimenez, Jessica Wojtysiak (EB), Ganae Romo (BCSGA)
The Renegade Minute
Professor Josh Ottum performing with Commercial Music students
The Renegade Minute is a podcast produced by students in the Commercial Music program at Bakersfield College. The series presents profiles of BC faculty, students, and people around Kern County and beyond. For more information on the Commercial Music Program at Bakersfield College please visit: panoramarecordings.com/ and bccommercialmusic.tumblr.com/
Bakersfield College is bringing higher education to Shafter for rural North West Kern county. The college offerings at the Shafter Learning Center and Shafter High School will service a population of over 60,000 adults (18 and over) living within a twenty mile radius of both locations. The initial offerings will be general education college courses that apply to a Bakersfield College degree or transfer to local four-year schools. The effort is to improve our support to students that cannot access our services at the Panorama campus. The site is located about eight miles south of Wasco on highway 43 in the city of Shafter at 236 James Street, Shafter, Ca.
I invite everyone in the area to come out to Shafter Learning Center for BC’s Express Enrollment event on November 14th from 8AM to 2PM. Get enrolled and leave registered for BC classes in Shafter!
Music:
Fall Jazz Concert on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.: The Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble directed by Kris Tiner celebrates some of the greatest jazz composers from the 1940s to the present. Featuring music by Horace Silver, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Toshiko Akiyoshi and more. Tickets available atwww.vallitix.com or at the door, $10 general admission, $7 students/staff/seniors. Proceeds benefit the BC Jazz Program. For more information call 661-395-4313 or visit www.bcjazz.org
Culinary Caroling Dinner on Dec. 2nd: The incredible Culinary Arts Department and the BC Chamber Singers get together and put on quite an evening of food and music to kick of your holiday season. This year’s theme is based on the Christmas movies we all know and love, and even features Santa Claus for your picture-taking pleasure. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Chamber Singers ambitious tour to Australia to sing in the Sydney Opera House. We have raised over 65,000 for the tour but currently need to almost double that amount. Your support will help us reach our goal of taking all of the Chamber Singers regardless of their financial situation. We cannot make this happen on our own and are so grateful for your support. There will be a silent and live auction also full of wonderful items!
Tickets are $45 for a single ticket and $40 each for 2 or more tickets. Tickets are only sold through Dr. Jennifer Garrett at jennifer.garrett@bakersfieldcollege.edu or the Chamber Singers. Tickets will go quickly.
Enjoying Porterville College at the Nov 9th Board Meeting
The KCCD BOard of Trustees typically meet at the Weill Institute in downtown Bakersfield every month. However, three of their meetings are scheduled on the college campuses. On November 6th we met at the Porterville College campus. During lunch President Bill Henry had organized a short presentation of a new program at the college — the Pirate Pathway to success. It is a great program with focus on getting to degree completion in a shorter amount of time. Here are Erin Cruz and Elmer Aguilar presenting the program. Very cool presentation.
It was also a treat to see the retirees present with the Board recognizing them for their service. Dr. Rosa Carlson was there and everyone greeted her back with much warmth. Here is a photo of Steve Schultz who is just a wonderful man …. He was my inspiration on supporting student veterans with what he did at the Porterville College campus. Here he is with his wife.
Also, their son Jonathan Schultz is an amazing faculty in the counseling department. He work long hours and is passionate about student success. Check out this 7-minute video
I also found this great picture on Jonathan Schultz’ facebook page.
Steve Schultz and Virginia Gurrola were both recognized with the status of “emeritus” along with several others. I got to know Virginia Gurrola when she took a leadership role with the campaign on Measure J. She was just great.
Congratulations Steve and Virginia.
MESA Students at BC
BC’s MESA Students
Four talented Bakersfield College students gathered in downtown Los Angeles in a step towards becoming the diverse leaders of tomorrow’s tech and engineering workforce. MESA’s Student Leadership Conference brings together hand-picked engineering and computer science students with industry professionals to develop the next generation of STEM leaders. Held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Oct. 27-28, this year’s conference theme was Illuminate. Motivate. Launch.
The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program guides diverse students from underrepresented backgrounds into STEM careers.
Unlike job fairs or speaker-only conferences, MESA students got the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one and in small groups with company executives, engineers and recruiters. Many often leave the conference with internship offers that lead to full-time employment. Students participated in mock interviews, communications, team building, emotional intelligence and financial literacy workshops.
Renegade Athletics
Renegade Volleyball Conf Champs.
From TBC: “Ferreira is hoping for a top-four seeding, which would mean opening the playoffs at home on Nov. 21.” I will be there on Nov 21st. Will you?
Check out the article by Mike Griffith at: http://tinyurl.com/ydg2zhs9
It was a fun game and there were many who came out to support the student athletes.
The Softball Team came out to support Renegade Volleyball
The Wrestling Team came out to support Renegade Volleyball
The Cheer Team was there
Loved seeing Becki Whitson.
Becki Whitson
Sonya Christian, Sandi Taylor
Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country qualifies two for state meet: wo members of the BC women’s cross country team qualified for the State Championships, next week in Fresno. Lourdes Cruz finished 59th (21:12.68) and Gabriella Lugo finished 83 (21:46.99) at the SO CAL Championships, this past Friday, to qualify. (from gogades.com)
Men’s Cross Country Team qualifies for state: The Renegades finished in 14th place as a team to earn a spot in the State Championships. In the field of 196 runners at the SO CAL Cahmpionships, three Renegades finished in the top eighty. Angelo Benitez led BC, finishing in 50th place with a time of 22:26.60. Harrison Wykoff (22:30.62) finished in 58th place and Marcos Mulato (22:47.66) finished 77th. (from: gogades.com)
Men’s Soccer: The Renegades defeated Glendale College 3-1, last night to improve to 3-4-2 in conference play. Jesus Barajas led the Renegades with two goals, giving him four for the season and Edui Pardo scored the other goal, his first of the season. Abel Gonzalez made 5 saves and Israel Rodriguez made one save.
Women’s Basketball defeat Riverside
The Renegades got in the win column, by defeating Riverside 69-64. Freshman, Brianna Mendez led the way with 22 points, 3 blocks and 4 steals, while Angie Kroeger added 16 points and 9 rebounds. (from gogades.com)
Men’s Basketball
On Thursday (Nov 2nd), the Renegades defeated Santa Ana 84-68. They had multiple players score in double figures, led by Jaylunn English with 22. Henry Galinato recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jamar Hammonds (12 points), Tucker Eenigenburg (11 points) and Anieus Medrano (10 points) were the other players scoring in double figures. On Friday (Nov 3rd), the Renegades defeated Long Beach 92-84. Four Renegades scored in double figures, led by Jamar Hammonds, who had 33 points and 17 rebounds, Jaylunn English addes 21 points, Shahadah Camp 18 points and Tucker Eenigenburg 16 points. (from: gogades.com)
BC coming to Shafter January 2018. Enroll now!
Fun Pictures:
It was a treat running into Kathy Bohner on Tuesday, Nov 7th. Kathy retired as the assessment center coordinator and before that she worked in the math lab.
Paul Beckworth wins the motorcycle when Mayor Karen Goh draws the winning raffle ticket at the Wounded Heroes Fund event.
Emmanuel Limaco at MeCha Panelist event…from Facebook
Bilbo
Neo
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya — the luckiest and happiest college president ever
Warm wishes to each and every one of you in this amazing community from all faculty, staff and students of Bakersfield College. Here’s to a glorious 2016!
And what a year it has been. A year when the force was definitely with BC.
A year when BC:
produced an increase in student numbers that far exceeds the statewide trends
improved student success outcomes
created efficiencies that save both time and money for students and taxpayers
broadened outreach to Kern county residents, particularly in rural Kern
engaged throughout the community, connecting with business and industry leaders, other educational sectors, and community organizations
positioned the college for even more opportunities in grant funding.
And thank you for passing Measure J!
Bruce our campaign dog
The campus is closed during the week between Christmas and New Year BC. So things have been relatively quiet on the work front with faculty, staff and students spending time with friends, family and loved ones. A few of us have been periodically connecting on grant applications that are due in early February. Most meetings have been via 7:30 a.m. conference calls or meetings at Panera Bread, since offices are not heated to conserve energy during this week.
I published my last blog as I was on a plane from LAX to Toronto. The few days in Toronto with Eisha were perfect — walks, talks, netflix, friends, and good food. The buildings are so well insulated and heated that you can practically walk around inside in a t-shirt, and Eisha taught me how to dress for the cold during our walks. She let me use her ear muffs, which worked wonders in keeping me warm. I did not take many photos this week (I am regretting it now), but here are a few.
What a difference in attire….July 2016 in Canada and Dec 2016 in Canada
Mom was with us last Christmas and joined us in Toronto when we visited in July, but she did not want to face Toronto in December. Here is a picture of three generations on Christmas 2015 which popped up on Facebook.
Kwanzaa Celebration Dec 28, 2016
It was a lot of fun attending the Kwanzaa celebration for the second year in a row. I found myself being inspired by the music and the storytelling. I walked away with much joy and a renewed commitment to spend time with loved ones. Met up with my friends Karen Goh and NaTesha Kindred at the event. Here are a few pictures from both of them.
It was fun talking to the group from the Cain Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church Young People’s Department. David Sandles standing to my left in the photo, is a Freshman at Bakersfield College and a Biochemistry major. So cool!
NaTesha Kindred, Karen Goh, Sonya Christian
Bakari Sanyu
Photo on the left: NaTesha Kindred Johnson, Karen Goh, Sonya Christian
Photo on the right: The Kwanzaa 2016 organizer Bakari Sanyu.
Cathy Abernathy, Rotary, Nov 19 2015
On December 29th I had a series of meetings and joined Cathy Abernathy who was hosting the Ralph Bailey show, and had invited me to be a guest and talk about the happenings at BC. Of course I said yes. It is truly an honor to share the wonderful things happening at BC and also wonderful to hang out with Cathy.
We talked about the work BC is doing with KHSD, about the Career Technical Education programs, the new Bachelor of Science in Industrial Automation etc. We ended with the spectacular event of having an outdoor ice rink in the magnificent Memorial Stadium– 2016 Winterfest! If you have not purchased your tickets yet, you should! January 6th is the celebrity game with Wayne Gretzky(!), and January 7th the Condors play.
I wish I had taken a picture when I was in the studio with Cathy, but I did not do much of that this week. Maybe it is because I am so irritated with myself for having dropped my iphone yet again and widened the crack on the glass…
December 30th, a group of us watched the Bakersfield College Basketball team win yet another game under the leadership of the fabulous coach Paula Dahl. Our students are such a treat and Coach Dahl rocks. It was great to meet Paula’s brother David and his wife who came in from Utah to spend New Years. The young women you see behind David Dahl are students from Stockdale High School, who I am hoping will be future Renegades, and here’s a picture of Sandi Taylor, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and me having a great time at the game.
David Dahl Dec 30 2016
Coach Paula Dahl and winning team
Sandi Taylor, Sonya Christian, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg
I also connected with Christy Haycock at an exercise class session and Wayne Cooper at CALM’s Holiday Lights.
Sonya Christian, Christ Haycock
Wayne Cooper, Sonya Christian
Here is the LA Times article about the Holiday Lights at CALM.
Saw this great piece on our Dean of Allied Health, Cindy Collier
I spent much of this morning reading previous blog posts and enjoying thinking about all that happened at Bakersfield College and in our community. Here are a few in case you have time to click through:
March 25, 2016 post: The State of Kern County is Strong
This blog covers two presentations on the bond measure during the educational phase of the campaign to the Hispanic Chamber and Kerntax. A quick note here on Donna Carpenter — we miss you!
This post is about BC’s Fall Opening Day. I typically do my State of the College address once a year during Fall Opening. Here is an excerpt:
We live in an era of viral soundbites and tweets rather than one of comprehensive and detailed discussion. But let us not be reluctant to tell our story, openly and honestly; boldly in all its detail; and in all its glory.
Let’s joyfully shout out the BC story from the roof tops for the next 82 days and beyond.
Let us use Twitter….Facebook… Instagram and Snapchat.
Can we get 82 pieces of writing in the community voices section of the Californian? Every day from now until November 8th. We are BC and we are a Jewel of Kern County.
We will continue to balance bold new directions with elegance and poise. We will continue to encourage punctual completion with gentle compassion and strong support. We see the face, heart, and brilliant mind of each individual student in the crowd of thousands and our mission is as important as it’s ever been.
I’m proud to say the state of Bakersfield College has never been stronger
Just like in 1913 – Just like in the 50s –
Now, in 2016, we stand together to write the next chapter of BC’s story….
Together, let’s build…A Better BC
WE are BC!
September 24, 2016: Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; Faith is the courage to dance to it today.
This is a great one. A must watch. Many video of community leaders talking about BC. This includes Mayor Harvey Hall, Congressman Bill Thomas, Mike Turnipseed, Wayne Kress, David Torres, Fred Prince …..
Harvey Hall
Bill Thomas
Mike Turnipseed
Wayne Kress
David Torres
Fred Prince
Wishing all of you a wonderful 2017. Another year of great friendships, great love, great partnerships and great collaborations.
Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future;
Faith is the courage to dance to it today.
That’s all for now.
Until next week.
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.
The Bakersfield College Administrative Council is a consultative group of administrators and managers. This week Admin Council met for its last time in 2017 to hear presentations from various campus groups and project leads. We heard from Manny Mourtzanos, Kim Nickell, and Kristin Rabe on the Program Review Committee about how the program review process has improved and grown over the past couple of years; Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Don Chrusciel shared the Closing the Loop, Mid-year report document; and there were smiles, laughter, and even tears in the room as Chelsea Esquibias, Director of the Bakersfield College Inmate Scholars Program, shared the transformational power of what this program does for inmates.
While at the District office this week, it was great to see Suzanne Galindo, KCCD’s Executive Assistant to General Counsel, Chris Hine. She shared with me the painting she did of the Renegade Knight and Shield at the Homecoming Paint Night hosted by SGA. I covered this and have a group photo in my blog titled, “
November 8, 2017 marked the one-year anniversary of the Yes vote on Measure J. A Yes vote meant sharing in a renewed vision of what moved the community to start Bakersfield College 104 years ago — and 61 years ago to start building the beautiful campus on Panorama Drive. Thank you for your support and thank you for sharing this vision.
It
was specifically important to Kay that this new center was designed to enhance and improve student success, wellness, and provide a comforting space for camaraderie for our returning veterans, like Lee Caldwell. Trustee Meek called on Chancellor Burke to get the building open for our student veterans sooner than later.
Chancellor Tom Burke spoke about the ways in which KCCD is looking forward to enhancing student success through the initiatives provided by Measure J. 
While we were all busy celebrating our military at Vetfest, the Bakersfield Police Department was graduating 14 new officers in the Indoor Theater.
Numerous materials including one-year pathway models and 4-year pathway models, discipline C-ID courses and Transfer Model Curriculum were supplied faculty who worked through a 4-year pathway from BC to Bachelor’s degree at CSUB. The end-product for each discipline was a semester pattern of course-taking for each area of emphasis at CSUB. Patterns included recommended coursework by CSUB faculty for specific pathways at BC.
Also, their son Jonathan Schultz is an amazing faculty in the counseling department. He work long hours and is passionate about student success. Check out this 7-minute video
