Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers. I hope you have an enjoyable and restful weekend.

Check out this 23-sec video of a hummingbird from Sunday  morning in the garden when I was having my morning coffee on the porch.

My mom loved hummingbirds. Mom, this is for you!

This week, Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke comes back to lead the Kern Community College District.

Welcome back home, Tom!

In the meantime, I have been reflecting on my time as Kern CCD Chancellor, and Bakersfield College President, and looking over some of my past blog posts.

But first – a heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates celebrating commencement this weekend! Your years of hard work have paid off, and I wish you all the best in all of your endeavors in the future.

Graduates, remember at KCCD, we Dare Mighty Things

Good morning friends.
It is May 13, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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A Look Back

As I finish my time as Kern Community College District Chancellor, here are some memories from my blog over the past 2 years. Would you carve out sometime to click on the links and walk down memory lane with me?

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July 3, 2021: My first blog post as Kern CCD Chancellor

KCCD Daring Mighty Things. Happy Fourth.

I was thrilled to share with you all the generous gift of $7 million gift that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett gave to Porterville College.

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August 28, 2021: Welcoming students back to campus for Fall 2021

Times that call for compassion and love

I shared updates from Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College as our colleges welcomed students back to campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

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September 26, 2021: Peace & Expanding Early College Offerings

Join us in imagining and making it so

I shared my reflections on the UN International Day of Peace and the Bakersfield College Peace Initiative.

My remarks from BC’s virtual International Day of Peace gathering:

I also shared this update from Bakersfield College’s Early College Program, which announced a new Early College option to McFarland High School freshman to earn a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Automation in five years!

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October 30, 2021: Honoring a PC Alum

KCCD – We #GetItDone

I shared about PC alum Jim Howell, who shared his 100th birthday with Porterville Rotary.

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November 13, 2021: Honoring our Veterans

Veterans thank you for your service

Every year, I look forward to my Veterans Day post where I honor our student veterans. In 2021’s post, I shared an excerpt from an email from Jenny Frank, manager of Veteran Services and Programs at Bakersfield College:

“Through their service, they have been honed into warriors and possess a warrior spirit. A veteran’s experiences and their duty to protect our country can create challenges to finding the sometimes-elusive peace they seek, beyond those of the average citizen.”

I also shared from events that our colleges held:

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December 18, 2021: Ending My First Semester as KernCCD Chancellor

KCCD Trustees recognize Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke

The December 2021 Kern CCD Board of Trustees meeting recognized Chancellor Emeritus Tom Burke for his years of service to the District.

Here are the remarks from his wife, Tina:

(And thank you Tom for saying yes to stepping back in as Chancellor of the Kern Community College District)

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January 22, 2022: Spring Semester & MLK Day Breakfast

KCCD Colleges welcoming students back – Spring 2022!

I attended the MLK Day Community Awareness Breakfast, where keynote speaker Michael Bowers called for a move From #BlackHistory to #BlackFuture.

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February 22, 2022: Visiting DC

KernCCD team in DC

I traveled to DC with a team from Kern CCD for the Community College National Legislative Summit.

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March 26, 2022: Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver 2022

The  Bakersfield College Foundation’s 14th Annual Sterling Silver event returned to in-person, after 2020’s televised recognition celebration.

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April 9, 2022: Remembering Jack Hernandez

April 2022 — Season of roses and poems

In April, we celebrated the life of Jack Hernandez, who passed away in November 2021.

And a video announcing the Jack Hernandez Phronesis Award & Jack Hernandez Lecture Series:

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May 14, 2022: Commencement

Kern CCD graduates largest class of Coyotes, Pirates, and Renegades

We celebrated graduates at all three of our colleges. Commencement weekend is always one of my favorites!

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July 23, 2022: Welcoming Visitors to Kern CCD

Exciting times at Kern CCD

Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of Small Business Advocate, and the California Energy Commissioners Siva Gunda and Patty Monahan visited Kern CCD.

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August 27, 2022: Starting Fall 2022

Kern CCD celebrates Women’s Equality Day

Our Kern CCD campuses welcomed back students for another wonderful semester. Bakersfield College held a welcome session for incoming faculty.

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September 10, 2022: STEM Building Opens

Grand Opening of STEM Building – Thank you for voting Yes on J!

Bakersfield College celebrated the official grand opening of its newest addition on campus and a crown jewel of the Measure J infrastructure bond, the 71,061-square-foot Science & Engineering Building that will house several disciplines like biology and geology, as well as a high-tech robotics lab.

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October 29, 2022: Community Economic Mobility

Kern – Creating our Future

Bakersfield was on display as host for the California Economic Summit on Thursday and Friday, hosted by California Forward. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Kern CCD held a Pre-Summit Institute, “Community Economic Mobility: A Focus On Energy and Climate Resilience.”

The events provided a gathering of statewide leaders working for regional approaches to economic prosperity, giving all Californians access to their California dream.

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November 26, 2022: Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 2022. There is much to be thankful for.

One of the things I was thankful for was the generosity in our community. Check out these photos from the Coyote Cupboard, which held a food distribution on Friday afternoon at the Desert Dog Pet Store for the community.

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December 17, 2022: Winter Retreat

Kern CCD starting the holiday season

On December 6^th and 7^th we had our Chancellor’s Winter Retreat which included Chancellor’s Cabinet and other administrators across the district.  We heard presentations on Early College, Rising Scholars, Supplemental, Adult Learners, and several other projects.  The session helped to focus the teams as we built our workplans for the spring semester.

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January 8, 2023: Celebrating Early College

Rain bathing CA in glee

Bakersfield College and Arvin High School welcomed 60 new 9th grade students into the Early College program, joining the other 10th – 12th grade students who are also working on earning an associates degree while in high school.

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February 25, 2023: My Next Chapter

California Community College System names the eleventh chancellor

I was so thankful for those from our Kern CCD family who made the trek to Sacramento when the Board of Governors announced my appointment as the next California Community Colleges Chancellor.

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March 11, 2023: Women’s History Month

Kern CCD Celebrating Women’s History Month

Kern CCD hosted several events for Women’s History Month 2023.

On March 21st at Bakersfield College’s event center, we will be Celebrating 50 years of Title IX: Women in Athletics and Education. (Check out more in my March 25 blog.)

On March 30 at the Weill Center, we will host the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Panel, moderated by Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller. (Read more in my April 1 blog.)

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April 22, 2023: Teaching & Learning Exchange

Teaching and Learning Exchange (TALE) at Kern CCD

Kern Community College District hosted the inaugural KernCCD TALEFEST. The Teaching-and Learning Exchange Festival was created to celebrate and support Kern CCD educators through the sharing of teaching-and-learning stories and the discussion of strategic new directions in a festive, positive environment showcasing achievement and innovation, peer-learning opportunities, and building district-wide mutual understanding and connections – in support of the goals of continuous improvement toward ensuring student learning and achieving student success with equity. 

It has been an amazing two years, and I am so thankful for this time spent helping students in our Kern Community College District.

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Remembering Hannah Douma

It is with a heavy heart I share this email from BC Communications/Journalism professor John Harte, about the passing of a truly remarkable student, Hanna Douma:

It is with profound sadness and a broken heart that I share with you the passing of one of the finest photography students to ever study at Bakersfield College. Hannah Douma, a beautiful, funny, sweet and remarkable young lady who battled through autism and became a photographer of stunning vision and drive, passed away yesterday after a four-year battle with cancer. She was 28.

Hannah started in my press photography class in 2016, then moved to Kris Stallworth’s black and white photo class. She was in Jeff Huston’s digital photography class when she was diagnosed with thymoma, a rare bone marrow cancer, and had to withdraw from Jeff’s class. She then developed leukemia, which is what took her life. 

Hannah embraced her photography throughout her illness, and made thousands of photographs with a skill and beauty I have never seen in my 26 years at BC. I am stunned and inspired by the caliber of images she made as she fought so hard for her life.

Hannah’s parents have given me permission to publicly share her photography, and I have made this slide show to showcase it. If you have a few minutes, please give it a look. She is one of the most remarkable photography talents to come through BC, and she was such a sweet young lady, taken from us way, way too soon.

In the News

A guide to earning college credit while in high school

Emma Gallegos wrote this guide for EdSource going over some of the ways high school students in California can earn college credits.

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Lizette Navarette shared this update from ATC 2023:

We reach our @CalCommColleges Vision goals and meet our commitments to students through strong partnerships! TY
@ccleague for inviting us – great turnout for the Partners in the #VisionforSucces session at #ATC2023

Andra Hoffman, LA Community College District Board President, was named California Community College Trustees (CCCT) board president.

Women’s Caucus at the League Conference

Neo in the backyard while I am returning phone calls in the evening.

And From the Home of the Renegades…

BC’s Women’s Wrestling Finishes Off First Season

The Bakersfield College women’s wrestling team competed at the inaugural CCCAA Women’s Wrestling State Championship in Norwalk, CA at Cerritos College. Ten CCCAA teams competed, and although the BC team did not have a full team competing for each weight class, they did have three athletes place in the tournament, including a first All-American. Athletes Chloe Espericueta and Diana Cardenas both placed 6th in their weight class, while Galilea Chavez took 2nd place securing the All-American title. BC hopes to continue their first-year success and bring on new recruits next season.

******

That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at Kern CCD.

-sonya
joyful and grateful

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings

This past week Kern CCD was proud to co-host the inaugural California Dual Enrollment Equity Conference here at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center. The event was completely sold out and more than 450 dual enrollment equity champions filled the ballroom where I gave the opening remarks on Tuesday morning. Kylie Campbell organized the event with the Career Ladders Project and Education Trust West.

A special thank you to Sandra Hernandez, member-at-large for the Tejon Indian Tribe for kicking the event off with a land acknowledgement and an encouraging message for our crowd.

Great lineup of speakers and panelists, including Ben Chida from Governor Newsom’s Office, Chris Nellum from The Education Trust–West, Linda Collins & Dr. Naomi Castro from Career Ladders Project, Sherrie Reed from California Education Lab, Olga Rodriguez from PPIC, Dr. Craig Hayward, Dr. Angelica Garcia from Berkeley City College, Dr. Keith Curry from Compton College, and Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud from RSSC. The event was emceed by Kylie Campbell, and also featured breakout sessions by high school and college partnership from across the state that highlighted work being down to reach underrepresented and marginalized student populations. We even had national guests from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) and DualEnroll.com. This was truly the dual enrollment event of the year here in California.

We had a great showing from Kern CCD leadership – Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Yovani Jimenez, and Christina Scrivner and college Presidents Dr. Zav Dadabhoy, Dr. Claudia Habib, and Dr. Sean Hancock as well as incoming interim BC President Steven Watkin. Our colleges were well represented with administrators and faculty showing their support for equitable early college opportunities here in Kern County, and I am grateful to those who presented our practices to others from across the state–thank you, Kylie Campbell, Berenice Arellano, Alma Feathers, Lupe Aguirre, Jacqueline Stoner, Jesus Oropeza, and Helen Acosta for presenting.

Thank you to the CDE and College Futures for recognizing the 2022-2023 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools during our lunch. It was amazing to see each high school recognized for their incredible work, including four high schools from our partnerships here in Kern CCD.

The conference also included a very special student panel, which had attendees laughing and crying at points, but ultimately motivated them to do the hard work of removing barriers and increasing access for their students.

Several attendees then went on trips  to really see where the dual enrollment magic happens– at our high schools. Thank you, Arvin, East, CTEC, Delano, Wonderful, Wasco, and McFarland High Schools for hosting our guests. We are so grateful for our partnerships with you and were proud to show off the work that you are doing.

Arvin:

McFarland:

Here are some quotes from the event pulled from Twitter. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

“We must meet this moment and the historic funding opportunities in California to bring K12 and postsecondary together in support of our young people through a mindset of ABUNDANCE.” – Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

“We need a system that realizes advancing equity can’t be left up to a single person. Individuals are not enough. We need systems to be better. – Dr. Christopher Nellum, Executive Director, The Education Trust—West“

“I think I just breathe and I disrupt things… Now it’s just at different tables. – Dr. Angelica Garcia, President, Berkeley City College“

“I have a sense of urgency, I wanted it yesterday. – Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Founder & CEO, RSS Consulting“

“When we build relationships with our partners I can ask my local superintendent, ‘What can we do TOGETHER to serve more Black students?'” – Dr. Keith Curry, President, Compton College

“We have to disrupt the institutions and the replication of policies of exclusion AND we have to protect and nurture these public institutions. This is a contradiction in our work. We have to be fiercely maternal as we protect them even as we reform and remake them.” – Linda Collins, Founder & Executive Director, Career Ladders Project”

“One area of dual enrollment I would like to see improved is ACCESS.” – Yolanda Bailey, Dual Enrollment Student, Shafter High School & Bakersfield College

“Keep doing the work you are doing and thank you!” – Emilio Duran, Dual Enrollment Student, Wasco High School & Bakersfield College

“I will remember today as one of the best days in my career. Thank you for coming to Bakersfield to talk about two things near to my heart–dual enrollment and equity!”  – Kylie Campbell, Kern CCD

To learn more about this event you can visit https://www.kccd.edu/CADualEnrollmentEquityConference.

Trustee Romeo Agbalog on the Ralph Bailey Show

Good morning friends.
It is May 6, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Undocumented Student Services Information Dinner

Thinking about enrolling in college? We can help! Join us to learn more about Porterville College Undocumented Student Services and the opportunities we have for you.

May 17 2023 | 5-7 pm | Porterville College Cafeteria (100 E College Ave, Porterville)

Event resources include:

• Counselors/Advisors
• Registration for Summer/Fall 2023
• Immigration Services
• Financial Aid/DREAM Act Services

For more information and to reserve your seat, contact:

• Jocelyn Nava, (559) 791-2224 (jocelyn.nava@portervillecollege.edu)
• Rosaura Baca, (559) 791-2312 (rosaura.baca@portervillecollege.edu)

Nursing Students Brunch

In April, Sierra View Medical Center hosted a brunch event for Porterville College Nursing Students graduating this May.

Students learned about nursing careers at Sierra View Medical Center while having the chance to win giveaways and raffle prizes.

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Cerro Coso Community College

The Band is Back Together

After a several-year hiatus, the Cerro Coso Community College Band welcomed music lovers back on campus. The concert, which closed out with a montage of songs from “The Blues Brothers,” was conducted by Debra Veit. The concert also featured the premiere of an original piece by local musician Jordan Covert.

This is just the beginning of live concerts making a return to Cerro Coso, so keep an eye out for future shows!

42nd Annual Access Awards Ceremony

Students in Cerro Coso’s Access Programs were recognized for their achievements at the 42nd Annual Access Awards Ceremony. The students included in the photos here are just a handful of the many who achieved their educational goals with support from Access Programs.

Also recognized at the event was Dr. Guck Ooi, our 2023 Access Faculty of the Year.

Cerro Coso’s Access Programs include five separate programs designed to help students overcome barriers in obtaining their education. Services include assigned counselors and support teams, book vouchers, networking and leadership training, and much more.

Congratulations to everyone involved, including staff and faculty. We are proud of all of you!

Cerro Coso to host Yard Game Zone at A Night on Balsam

Cerro Coso Community College will be providing free fun activities for Night on Balsam attendees, such as Jenga, Connect 4, Ring Toss, and Cornhole!

Friday, May 19th, @ 6:00pm on Balsam Street, Downtown Ridgecrest

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Bakersfield College

Renegades are Transferring

The spring semester for many students is a season and period of excitement as they look forward to graduation. The semester is also a period of preparation and anticipation for our BC Renegades who applied to transfer and received their well-earned offers of admission letters and communication from their respective four-year universities. Way to go Renegades and congratulations!

BC Recognized on National Arbor Day

Bakersfield College celebrated National Arbor Day with a small ceremony. BC’s campus locations have been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as Tree Campus Higher Education. It was also announced that BC has been recognized with the ArbNet certification from the Morton Arboretum as the second community college with this designation.

Parent University Graduation Celebration

Bakersfield College recently celebrated the inaugural Parent University graduation in collaboration with the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD). The evening honored 58 parents who completed an Introduction to Early Care and Education Certificate of Completion (non-credit) offered by Bakersfield College; the program is designed to provide opportunities for parents of children attending BCSD schools. The event took place on Thursday, April 20th at the Historic Fox Theater in Downtown Bakersfield.

In the News

Bakersfield College graduate reflects on time as Renegade

23ABC’s Kallyn Hobmann sat down with BC Student Government Association President and Kern CCD Student Trustee Shehrazad Barraj to talk about graduation.

Check it out at https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/bakersfield-college-graduate-reflect-on-time-as-renegade

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Check out these photos from the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus welcome reception at the annual CCLC Trustees Conference. Kern CCD Trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg and Yovani Jimenez were in attendance:

From PC President Claudia Habib:

Congratulations to ZeroNox and the Jospong Group from Ghana🇬🇭 for this unique international partnership #CleanEnergy #Sustainable #Renewable #CleanTransportation
@PCollegePirates
is proud to contribute to this partnership #Curriculum #Workforce Transformation through innovation.

And from BC Agriculture Professor Chris McCraw:

Congrats to Jesus Rojas, 4th overall in the Ag Ambassadors Job Interview contest! Well done!!

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As April 2023 comes to a close ….. roses everywhere:

And here is photo #5 of the tree that I’m watching leaf out that I mentioned in previous posts. The story of the tree again – over the last five years I have been watching a beautiful tree in our neighbor’s front yard go through the cycle of shedding leaves in the fall, going dormant in the winter, coming back to life in spring, and providing glorious shade in the hot summers. I enjoy this tree each morning and evening during my Neo walks. I have started taking photos to chronicle its annual rebirth.

Good morning friends.
It is April 29, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

PC recognized for Excellence in Equitable Placement two years in a row

We are once again very excited to announce that Porterville College will be recognized by The Campaign for College Opportunity as one of 56 California Community Colleges honored at the upcoming Excellence in Placement Award Ceremony for implementing landmark placement policy AB 705. This will mark the second year in a row that PC is receiving this prestigious honor.

Porterville College will receive the following honors at the ceremony, scheduled for May 31st: 

• Campuswide Transfer-Level English Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of their students to enroll directly into transfer-level English coursework.
• Campuswide Transfer-Level Math Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of students to enroll directly into transfer-level math coursework.
• Equity Designation: Latinx Transfer-Level English Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of Latinx students to enroll directly into transfer-level English.
• Equity Designation: Latinx Transfer-Level Math Enrollment – Awarded to California Community Colleges supporting 100% of Latinx students to directly enroll into transfer-level math.

Equitable placement practices have proven to be highly consequential for increasing access to transfer-level coursework, maximizing student success, and closing equity gaps. By starting in transfer-level English, completion rates have more than doubled for Latinx students. In math, completion rates have quadrupled for Latinx students.

Honoring the “PC Spirit”

Porterville College Faculty, Staff, and Administration gathered on Wednesday, April 27 for the annual Porterville College Staff and Faculty Service and Retirement Awards. This event serves to honor those staff members retiring this year as well as those celebrating service milestones.

PC employees filled the cafeteria to share stories, thank each other, and remember the fond times working together. It has become one of those rare opportunities for our faculty and staff to take a moment and enjoy each other’s company while honoring all of the hard work we do to ensure student success on campus.

This year PC introduced a new tradition to this event.  The presentation of the PC Spirit Awards from President Habib. The PC Spirit Award was created to honor and celebrate the outstanding contributions of those dedicated faculty and staff members who embody the spirit of Porterville College.

Congratulations to our first “class” of PC Spirit Award Recipients: Jodie Logan, Joe Tanguma, Jay Navarette, Dustin Acres, Jeff Jacobs, and the entire Maintenance and Operations Team!

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Cerro Coso Community College

Save the Date: Commencement 2023!

It is the most wonderful time of the year, Graduation! You have worked hard to complete your degree or certificate, and Cerro Coso is excited to celebrate your accomplishments! Cerro Coso Community College is excited to bring back our annual celebration with an entirely in-person graduation ceremony this spring!

Cerro Coso Community College’s 49th Annual Commencement will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11 am at the Dr. Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex in Ridgecrest. Graduates must RSVP to participate. We ask graduates to submit their online RSVP by Tuesday, May 9.

For more information, visit the Cerro Coso Community College Commencement page.

Outreach at Mammoth High School

Cerro Coso held an outreach event at Mammoth High School this week.

As part of CCCC’s commitment to providing accessible higher education to our community, they offer college-level courses and programs right in Mammoth. This opportunity will help local students save money on tuition and stay close to home while pursuing their dreams. Call 760-872-1565 for more information!

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Bakersfield College

BC Partners with Self-Help Enterprises to offer Courses to Residents and Community Members

Self-Help Enterprises is a nationally recognized community development organization whose mission is to work together with income-eligible families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. Self-Help Enterprises’ service area is comprised of nine counties – Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare County – in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the world’s most productive agricultural area. The organization primarily assists families with lower income levels within rural communities and makes it their goal to foster educational programming as the foundation for building sustainable futures for generations to come.

Bakersfield College has formed a partnership with Self-Help Enterprises to bring college courses to their Madison Place apartment complex, with the goal of further expansion across the organization’s service area. Residents and community members will have the opportunity to take courses during flexible hours outside of most individuals’ employment schedules right where they are. Bakersfield College is proud to be a contributor to a program which will serve a disproportionately impacted group of individuals to upskill and improve their life trajectories.

Public Safety Training Events

The Public Safety Training Pathway had two awesome events the past two weeks Bakersfield College Public Safety Pathway proudly hosted a panel discussion and recruitment event Thursday April 20th , 2:30pm-6:00pm at the Bakersfield College Fireside Room.

Industry partners from Shafter, KCSO, Kern County Probation, and BPD participated in the recruitment event. The panel included Chief Probation Office TR Merickel, Lt. Brandon Rutledge from Sheriff Office and Assistant Chief of Police from BPD .

Thank you, Dr. Tommy Tunson for moderating this event and to the BC Criminal Justice faculty for coming out and supporting the event. Also thank you Dominica Rivera, Fabiola Johnson, Natalie Castanon, Rachel Rivera, Jessica McGrath and Graciela Magallanes for all the support to make both the events a success.

Umoja Tours HBCUs

Over spring break, Umoja Coordinator Dr. Paula L Parks took three Umoja students on a life-changing trip to visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They toured colleges in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania as well as two museums. 

Said Jordyn Davis: “This trip changed how I view my college education for the better. . . It made me excited to learn again.” 

Laila Diaz, a studio art major, said her favorite college is Bowie State because the campus buildings have a more modern feel and the art department is strong. 

All three BC students said they enjoyed making connections with students from Las Positas College and visiting the cultural sites. 

“I feel like so much more is possible. . .  I’m more prepared for my upcoming years in college,” added Jordyn, who wants to be an attorney. 

Leadership Academy

I’d like to recognize the participants in the 2022-2023 KernCCD Leadership Academy. The Academy is our development program for faculty, classified, and managers.

From Bakersfield College:

Amalia Calderon, Anna Melby, Denice McCauley, Derek Robinson, Domenica Trinidad, Gilbert Ayuk, Jennifer Grohol, Kimberly Arbolante, Mirian Fuentes and Nicole Alvarez

From Cerro Coso Community College:

Jaime McClure, Kevin King and Sarah Land

From Porterville College:

Kristin Plunk and Manuel Caceres

From the District Office:

Becky Beed and Betsy Lopez

Thank you to all, and congratulations on completing the academy! Applications for the 2023-2024 KernCCD Leadership Academy are now open. Submission deadline is May 12. Please check your email for details.

This important program offers you the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of our district – from our trustees to student success initiatives to accreditation to business operations to legislative efforts and more. On the journey, you’ll develop lasting relationships with your cohort members, and connect with our chancellor, vice chancellors, college presidents, trustees and others. You’ll visit each of our campuses and attend a conference in Sacramento. It is the ultimate professional development opportunity!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email leadershipacademy@kccd.edu. Trudy Gerald would love to discuss this great opportunity with you!

In the News

Romeo Agbalog & Dario Diaz Talk KCCD’s Early College Program With McFarland High School

Ralph Bailey of Kern Radio welcomed KernCCD Board of Trustees President Romeo Agbalog and McFarland High School Principal Dario Diaz to discuss KernCCD’s Early College Program.

Check it out at https://www.kernradio.com/2023/04/26/romeo-agbalog-dario-diaz-talk-kccds-dual-enrollment-program-with-mcfarland-high-school/.

Community Voices: Participate in graduation — you won’t regret it

BC Journalism Professor & Renegade Rip Faculty Adviser Erin Auerbach wrote this piece for The Bakersfield Californian about the importance of taking part in commencement ceremonies.

“But for people who only see their AA degree as the first small step in a process of much bigger things to come, they still need to revel in this moment. Importantly, they should also let their families and/or closest friends celebrate with them.“

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

In Anaheim at the ASCCC (Academic Senate for California Community Colleges) Plenary Session, with incoming Senate President Cheryl Aschenbach:

And the BC Team at the ASCCC:

Then it was off to San Diego for the CACCRAO Conference (California Association of Community College Registrars and Admissions Officers):

And the CREL Team at the 2023 Kern County Career & STEM Expo:

From PC President Dr. Claudia Habib’s Twitter account (@PortervillePrez)

Over $200,000 in scholarships were awarded this evening by The Porterville College Foundation @Foundation_PC @PCollegePirates it was inspiring to hear the students’ dreams and goals for the future. Thank you to all the generous donors who support our students. #StudentSuccess

From Cerro Coso Community College‘s Facebook page:

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the backbone of our college! Thank you for keeping our campus running smoothly and supporting our students and faculty every day.

Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at Kern CCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings

TALEFEST 2023

Last week, Kern Community College District hosted the inaugural KernCCD TALEFEST. The Teaching-and Learning Exchange Festival was created to celebrate and support Kern CCD educators through the sharing of teaching-and-learning stories and the discussion of strategic new directions in a festive, positive environment showcasing achievement and innovation, peer-learning opportunities, and building district-wide mutual understanding and connections – in support of the goals of continuous improvement toward ensuring student learning and achieving student success with equity. 

Porterville College’s Bob Simpkins led the initiative. The festival featured special guest speaker Susan D. Blum.

The exchange continues on the KernCCDTaleBlog – check it out!

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Good morning friends.
It is April 22, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

The Porterville College Fine Art Department Presents The 2023 PC Student Art Exhibition

The Porterville College Art Department invites the public to view the 2023 Student Art Exhibition, featuring the best work of over 50 current PC art students in a variety of media from photography, painting, drawing, digital art, video, sculpture and more.

The PC Art Gallery is currently under renovation, so the show and artists’ reception is located in the Fine Arts Building in room FA-2 and in the Foyer (through the double glass doors). The space will be open for viewing the show Monday through Thursday from 12 am – 2 pm and 4 – 6 pm from April 20 to May 4, 2023.

Five student artworks are also available for viewing in the President’s Gallery (the reception area to the President’s office). And when classes are not in session, photographs and digital art are available for viewing in FA-1. Parking is free. Please contact Jim Entz at 791-2257 with any questions.

PC Job Fair Brings Hundreds of Job Seekers to Campus

Porterville College, in partnership with the Porterville Adult School and the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County, presented the 2nd PC Job Fair this past Tuesday.

The event, held in the PC Campus Quad, was a huge success, bringing hundreds of job seekers out on the beautiful spring day to meet with potential employers and apply for over 1000 available jobs from employers including Amazon, Eagle Mountain Casino, The City of Porterville, the Kern Community College District, the Porterville Unified School District, and many others.

Bryce Telfer, the sales and marketing coordinator for OACYS Technologies was impressed with the job seekers he spoke with. “It’s interesting overall, and I like the diversity here and the atmosphere. Everyone is talking to each other and having conversations.” He said.

“The great thing about the job fair is people not only get great information about job opportunities, but they also get to network together,” said Cody Ridenour, PC Adjunct Counselor for Veterans Services.

When asked about the benefit of holding a job fair like this on campus, Roger Perez, PC Director of Communication and Community Relations said, “The benefits are immense. Not only are we providing a service for our students by giving them a way to attend a job fair with minimal interruption to classes, but we’re proving to our community that our students emerge from an education at Porterville College ready for the workforce.”

Commencement Excitement Begins at Grad Fair 2023

The excitement is beginning to build for Commencement 2023 at Porterville College.

The 2023 commencement ceremony will be held on campus inside Jamison Stadium for the first time after the completion of stadium upgrades and renovation. This will allow us to accommodate the largest crowd ever in the stadium to view the ceremony.

On Wednesday and Thursday, April 19th and 20th, the 2023 graduates were treated to their first taste of that graduate pomp and circumstance at the PC GradFair.

The event was created as a one-stop shop for commencement needs at PC. The event’s organizers hope to ensure that graduates have all of the information they need along with opportunities to properly commemorate their remarkable achievements with gear and accessories for the ceremony.

During the event, Grads visited the quad, the student center conference room, and the PC Bookstore for all things commencement. They were able to try on and order their cap and gown, take graduation portraits, pre-order event photo packages, and more.

For more information on this year’s commencement ceremonies, visit https://www.portervillecollege.edu/commencement

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Cerro Coso Community College

Art Gallery Reopens

We are so thrilled to have the Art Gallery open again! Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the opening of “Corrugated Space” by Artist Steve King. The gallery will be open until June 9th. Please feel free to come up any time to enjoy the artwork.

The Art Galley is located in the LRC at the Ridgecrest/IWV campus.

Middle School Students Take Campus Tours

Last week, Cerro Coso Community College welcomed students from Monroe and Murray Middle School’s AVID programs for a pair of campus tours.

Interested in Cerro Coso? Are you an educator that would like to afford your students the opportunity to visit a college campus and learn what it can offer them? Well, contact us to schedule a campus tour!

Aside from walking the beautiful grounds, we can offer informational overviews about our offerings, or invite faculty and staff to discuss specific programs and services. We’ll cater the experience to your needs. We hope to see you on a CC campus soon.

Cerro Coso Partners with Women’s Center-High Desert

On any given day—in our pop-up “kitchen” in the Student Center—you can find Starbucks sandwiches, bagels, and pastries, chicken from KFC, and other donated items from numerous business in the Ridgecrest community. If you’re hungry, come on by! Sign in, grab something from our labeled cooler, and enjoy, friends.

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Bakersfield College

Garden Fest Returns to BC

BC’s Horticulture, Ag, and Culinary departments were on full display as they hosted Garden Fest 2023. Community members of all ages came to campus to enjoy vendors offering everything from plants and gardening gear, to prepared food, handmade goods, and local resources. Culinary faculty and students gave a cooking demonstration, while the Ag and Horticulture department offered community members a chance to ask a panel of experts all of their home gardening questions. This was an excellent opportunity to show off the new Edible Education Garden and various programs the community can engage in.

Graduate Spotlight

Jasmine Martinez is a single mom of two while double majoring in Sociology and Psychology at Bakersfield College. She is part of EOPS, CARE and CW, and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Aside from caring for her two children, Jasmine has struggled with depression and anxiety throughout most of her adult life and never imagined returning to college at the age of twenty six to obtain a degree. Against all odds, Jasmine is on track to graduate in the Spring of 2023 and plans to attend CSUB following graduation.

BC Receives NASSSP Grant

BC has been selected as one of 20 California Community Colleges to receive the Native American Student Support and Success Program Grant (NASSSP). This grant is provided to community colleges to establish Native American student support through integration of peer mentorship, development of cohorts, and provision of culturally responsive resources. Congratulations to interim VP of Student Affairs, Imelda Simos-Valdez, and her team for the hard work that led to BC’s success in receiving this grant.

Dave Seymour Leads the First Student Support Fair

Dave Seymour is the senior mental health clinician for BC where he has served for more than 7 years as a counselor and mental health provider. Dave’s goal with the Student Support Fair was “simply familiarizing students with the different supportive services that make up the safety net that is necessary…for a successful outcome in their academic career, and to create a positive and fun association for students who tend to stigmatize supportive services”.

The Student Success Fair was attended by hundreds of people, with representatives from over a dozen BC departments, clubs and other campus groups.

“The Student Support Fair is exemplary of Dave’s work at BC,” said Charles Collum of the Student Health and Wellness Center. “It was student centered, effective, and fun. All things we associate with Dave.”

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This week, I traveled to the ASU + GSV conference in San Diego, a collaboration between Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley. It’s always a pleasure to connect with colleagues, policy makers and leaders in higher education and tech as we share ideas.

I then headed to Sacramento, to the CCCAOE (California Community College Association for Occupational Education) spring conference .

Check out more of the KernCCD team at CCCAOE:

In between all of the activity, I was able to do a few long walks on the boardwalk.

moments that take your breath away.

In the News

Garden Fest Returns to Bakersfield College

23ABC published this piece about last weekend’s Garden Fest at BC.

“It’s great to get back to a normal cycle again and getting out in the sunshine, it’s just a gorgeous day here in Bakersfield,” said Professor of Ornamental Horticulture Lindsay Ono.

10 Minutes With Tipton: PC’s Olmedo-Hinde

Check out this feature in The Porterville Recorder featuring Porterville College General & Transfer Counselor and Student Services Division Chair Stephanie Olmedo-Hinde.

“I love that I get to help students figure out what they want to do with the rest of their lives and I get to watch them do it. Working with students from when they first get here to when they graduate and move on to bigger colleges is the best part of my job. I am very lucky to get paid to talk with and guide people on what to do to accomplish their long term academic goals. I am thankful for my job every day.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

John Harte shared this photo when we met at the KCCD Leadership Academy awards luncheon.

Cerro Coso Anthropology students in Tehachapi had a study session with tutors in the library:

And Happy Birthday to Kylie Campbell, who shared this post yesterday:

“What an awesome birthday!! I had the honor of moderating a plenary panel on #dualenrollment at
@CCCAOE, my AMAZING coworkers spoiled me, and @devon_hauser even flew up to celebrate with me! What more could I ask for?!”

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future is bright at Kern CCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

#KernCCDDaringMightyThings

What a week – flowers everywhere.

And beautiful skies:

Good morning friends.
It is April 15, 2023.
The sun shines bright over Kern CCD.

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Porterville College

Pizza with the President

Students from different backgrounds and experiences all gathered in the SCCR this week to share some pizza and conversation with PC President Dr. Claudia Habib. This “Pizza with the President” forum was the held to update students on some of the projects and events happening on campus, and to discuss student issues and concerns. By meeting in person, we can give students a direct line of communication with the President and administration at PC.

Those in attendance discussed some future projects on campus and were given an update on the progress of the Allied Health Building, currently under construction. Several students had questions and concerns that were discussed as the forum continued.

Pizza with the President is held two to three times per year at varying times to accommodate student schedules.

PC Writer & Poet Speaker Series Celebrates Poetry Month with Poet Laureate Lee Herrick 

California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick joined students, faculty, and staff in the SCCR to discuss his life as a poet and his experiences as both Fresno and California’s Poet Laureate. He is the author of 3 books of poems: “Scar and Flower”, “Gardening Secrets of the Dead”, and “This Many Miles from Desire”.

Mr. Herrick is also co-editor, with Leah Silvieus, of The World I Leave You: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit. He served as the City of Fresno Poet Laureate from 2015-2017. His poems have appeared widely in literary magazines, anthologies, and textbooks.

Herrick serves on the advisory board of Terrain.org and Sixteen Rivers Press. He has taught in Qingdao, China, and for Kundiman. He was born in Daejeon, South Korea, adopted at ten months of age, and raised in California. He lives with his family in Fresno, California, and teaches at Fresno City College and in the MFA program at the University of Nevada Reno at Lake Tahoe. He is the 10th California Poet Laureate, and the first Asian American to serve in the role.     

Softball wins fifth straight, sweeps Allan Hancock

The Porterville College softball team continues to play some of its best ball of the season. On Wednesday, the Pirates swept their second consecutive doubleheader, this time taking two from visiting Allan Hancock College.

PC opened with an 11-0 victory in five innings and followed that with a 9-7 come-from-behind win to close out the day.

Sophomore Ally Boyd helped lead Porterville to the Game 1 victory. She smacked a home run as part of a 2 for 3 effort at the plate with 3 RBI. She also went the distance in the circle, earning the complete-game win by allowing just six hits.

Cassie Cannon (1 for 2), Cienna Enriquez (2 for 3), and Arieana Castillo (3 for 3) all drove in two runs for PC. Jennilu Martinez also went a perfect 3 for 3 with a run and RBI.

The Pirates had to rally late to pull out the victory in Game 2. Trailing 7-4, PC scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the comeback.

Cannon (2 for 4, 2B, 3B) and Castillo (3 for 3) totaled 3 RBI each to lead the offense. Ashlyn Houston picked up the win in the circle, going three innings while allowing two runs and one hit.

The pair of victories improved PC to 13-14 overall. The Pirates will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday (Apr. 8) when they host Chabot College in a non-conference doubleheader that starts at 12 p.m.

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Cerro Coso Community College

Bishop Campus Open House

The Open House at the Cerro Coso Bishop campus was a huge success! Thank you so much to everyone who showed up.

Please remember, registration is OPEN for Summer/Fall 2023! Call 760-872-1565 for more information.

Student Spotlight: Gabriela

Gabriela is graduating from Tehachapi High School this year not only with her high school diploma, but also with two Associate degrees: an AS-T in Administration of Justice and an AA in Liberal Arts: Social & Behavioral Sciences. While attending high school and Cerro Coso College, she was in Phi Theta Kappa and was accepted into the Honors Program. She will be transferring to California State University Fullerton in the fall and will major in Criminal Justice/Criminology. Afterwards, she plans to complete a Master’s in Criminal Psychology.

Read more at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/news/2023/0412-student-spotlight-gabriela.

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Bakersfield College

BC Nursing on the Air

BC’s Nursing Executive Dean Carla Gard, and Associate Dean Dr. Ronnie Knabe were interviewed on-air Wednesday, March 29th for The Ralph Bailey Show on Kern Radio Talk. The topic was how BC nursing has developed partnerships with community healthcare employers to create and implement solutions for the workforce shortage in nursing. Dean Gard highlighted BC’s work to meet the needs of our diverse nursing student population through various resources, access to mental health services, and addressing food insecurity so that students can focus on learning.

BC Writing Center Hosts SoCal WCA Tutor Conference

On Saturday, March 25th, the Writing Center welcomed its colleagues from all over the region for the first ever online version of the Southern California Writing Centers Association annual Tutor Conference, which was co-hosted by Bakersfield College. This year, nearly 25 individual or group presenters from community, four-year, public ,and private colleges and universities conducted sessions under the theme of “creative resilience.”

BC Announces Brand New Student-Centered Website

BC’s Web Team is excited to reveal that a new website will be published this summer and will feature a more modern design, easier navigation, more intuitive organization, and up-to-date information on all programs and pathways! They are working tirelessly to ensure the launch is as smooth as possible for students, staff, faculty, and the general public. Higher education continues to advance and move forward, and BC’s new website will ensure it keeps up and does just that! Here is a sneak peek:

BC’s Performing Arts Combined Concert Tickets Now Available

The Bakersfield College Performing Arts Department has announced the details of their upcoming Combined Concert, featuring the Choirs, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and BC/CSUB Orchestra on stage together. BC’s highly talented music students will perform the once-a-year concert, MC’d by Music Professor Dr. John Gerhold, on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 PM in the Bakersfield College Edward Simonsen Outdoor Theatre. Admission is free.

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Remembering Bill Henry

The story of Bill Henry is the story of two illustrious careers – one in law enforcement, and the other in education, totalling 45 years of public service. In every role that Bill Henry played throughout his life – as a police officer, a detective, a spokesperson, a criminal justice professor, an administrator, and as the President of Porterville College – Bill took his responsibilities to his students and to the public very seriously.

Bill’s story starts at the Kings County Sheriff’s Office in 1974, as one of a handful of individuals who became a sworn peace officer at the age of 18. At age 21, he would move back to his hometown to serve as an investigator in the Bakersfield Police Department, solving vice and homicide cases before moving to an administrative role with the department. It’s very rare for police officers to make the move up to detective at such a young age, and Bill had an uncanny knack for understanding the law and how it relates to human behavior.

He was a great spokesman for law enforcement. Although he was a man of few words, he always made sure those words counted. If he had something important to tell you, he was always right to the point. 

In 1979, Bill started working as a part-time criminal justice professor at Bakersfield College while he continued working the beat as a detective at the BPD. He also served as evening supervisor at the Delano Campus, which gave him great insight into the campus and the students there.

As a teacher, he brought an invaluable wealth of practical knowledge to his criminal justice students. He taught part-time until his retirement from BPD in 1998, capping off a 24-year career in law enforcement. Many of us would be content to ride off into the sunset at that point, but Bill enjoyed teaching and working with students, so he took a full-time position at Porterville College.

At PC, Bill had the opportunity to witness an unprecedented period of growth, as the city of Porterville nearly doubled in size and the campus added a new library and fitness center, remodeled the Math and Science building, and planned the development of the new Health Careers building as part of Measure J. But Bill always appreciated the small-town feel of Porterville and considered the 60-acre PC campus his home. 

Just like in his first career in law enforcement, Bill rose through the ranks from criminal justice professor to high-level administrator over the course of 20 years. When the discussion of an interim President came around, Bill was reluctant to apply, but his friend and outgoing President Rosa Carlson convinced him to take the job. Bill served as President between 2017 and 2019, through the end of an accreditation cycle and the appointment of Claudia Habib.

He was always committed to whatever his mission was. He said that after the life and death situations of law enforcement, it takes everything else away. He was able to see exactly what needed to be done in any situation, and was always working toward completing whatever the most important task was. His clarity brought him great respect – you always knew what you were getting with Bill. 

When I was President at Bakersfield College, I worked closely with Bill and with Jill Board at Cerro Coso. Bill was a very kind-hearted man who was direct. There was no ambiguity in what he thought and what he wanted to do. He had a unique sense of humor and a fun way of speaking that often diffused difficult and tense situations. When those moments came, he would take a moment, shake his head, and find the exact right words to say that would bring everyone past the tension and toward a solution.

Unfortunately, I received word yesterday that Bill Henry has passed away following a four week stay in the hospital. He is survived by his wife, Kailani, sons Danny and Brian and daughter Janae, and six grandchildren. He is further survived by his mother Pauline Landes, sisters Marsha Eggman and Pam Bailey, brother Dave Landes, as well as nieces and nephews. He also loved his pet boxers. 

He leaves behind an unprecedented legacy as a steadfast public servant in two careers – education and law enforcement. He was a legend in the Kern Community College District and at the Bakersfield Police Department, and he will be missed.

In the News

Bakersfield College highlights public safety training program

Check out this piece from 23ABC about BC’s public safety training program.

“It has a large impact because if you just want to help your community, these are the things that we want. These particular industries I just mentioned are really shrinking,” Program Manager Tiffany Sagbohan said. “We’re trying to increase those, get folks interested in helping and protecting their own community, so this is a way to do it and I know a lot of folks don’t know that Bakersfield College actually has those opportunities here.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

Steven Watkin, Nicky Damania, and Maria Wright with Dr. Melanie Lundquist, who spoke at BC this week as part of the speakers series:

Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg was recognized at this month’s Kern CCD Board of Trustees Meeting for her 5 years of service:

Trustee Kay Meek was recognized for 25 years!

And congratulations to Steve Watkin, the incoming Interim Bakersfield College President:

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