Athletics

KCCD Board of Trustees Names Dr. Sonya Christian as Sixth (6) Chancellor
of the Kern Community College District

Bakersfield, CA—April 19—The Board of Trustees for the Kern Community College District named the sixth Chancellor in its history, Monday, April 19th at a Public Announcement held at 1:30PM at the Kern Community District Office/Weill Institute on Chester Avenue.  

The Kern Community College District (KCCD) is one of the geographically largest community college districts in the nation, serving an area of approximately 25,000 square miles in parts of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties. 

The district is governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees, made up of 7 members. The district’s service area is broken into 7 segments, and one board member is elected from each area. The current members are President Romeo Agbalog, Vice President Kyle Carter, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Jack Connell, John Corkins, Yovani Jimenez, and Kay Meek. 

The Kern Community College District has been led by five (5) chancellors: Edward Simonsen, James Young, Walter Packard, Sandra Serrano, and Tom Burke.

The selection process has been ongoing since current Chancellor Thomas Burke announced his decision to retire at the end of the current school year after more than 24 years of working as a community college administrator. 

Dr. Sonya Christian
Sixth (6th) Chancellor in Kern Community College District History

Dr. Christian is not a stranger to the communities served by the Kern Community College District. She started as a mathematics faculty member in 1991 and served as a faculty member, department chair and dean until December 2002, when she headed to Oregon.

Dr. Christian came back to the KCCD as the 10th president of Bakersfield College in January 2013. Under her leadership, student preparation, accomplishment, and achievement have improved through innovative partnerships and programs involving community and local school leaders and BC administrators, faculty, and staff. During her time in office, she has led BC in its efforts to improve student achievement through Guided Pathways, and other innovative and forward-thinking strategies.

 

Dr. Christian is an advocate for the role of the community college beyond BC’s campus, sharing her knowledge and ideas through articles and speaking opportunities. She is currently the chair of the accreditation commission. She is a strong and respected leader and collaborator who promotes the values of student access, success, equity, completion, quality, and sustainability within institutions of higher education.

Dr. Christian, in her acceptance comments, thanked the seven Kern Community College District Trustees for their vote of confidence in her, referring to KCCD as her home, having spent 20 of her 30-years-long professional journey serving the communities within the KCCD service area. “In 2012, I returned home to be the tenth president of Bakersfield College,” she said. Christian described KCCD colleges as a beacon of hope and an engine that drives economic and social mobility in the region. She concluded with “Faculty and staff, I look forward to our work together supporting the communities we serve across the entire District, and locking arms with you to lift all of our students. The future is bright at the Kern Community College District.”

Romeo Agbalog, President of the Board of Trustees said, “The Kern Community College District Board is happy to have such a qualified candidate that understands the communities that it serves, will advance our mission of student success and equity and harness new opportunities as we transition out of the year of the pandemic.  We have full confidence that Dr. Christian is exactly the person to lead us in such a time as this.

Kay Meek, Board of Trustees member and Chair of the selection committee was proud that she was able to work with a very dynamic and extremely engaged 20-member committee that represented Porterville College, Cerro Coso Community College, Bakersfield College, and the district office, as well as three (3) community members representing the service areas for each of the colleges. I would like to officially and formally recognize and thank every member for their work. Your dedication during this search will make sure our district stays strong.

The event was attended by President Claudia Habib from Porterville College and President Sean Hancock from Cerro Coso Community College, many community leaders and members of the KCCD faculty and staff.  It was an exciting day for the Kern Community College District which has been led by only five (5) other Chancellors in its history.

The video of the event will be on the Facebook page of all three colleges-Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College.

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Kern Community College District:  Kern Community College District (KCCD) serves communities in parts of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino counties through the programs of Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College. Each college offers programs and services that develop student potential and create opportunities for our citizens. One of the geographically largest community college districts in the United States, KCCD serves more than 30,000 students over 24,800 square miles. Its students represent a diversity of religions, economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, and ethnicities. For more information, please visit www.kccd.edu.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

CCCC Students to Hold FREE Drive-In Gaming Night April 30

The Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) and Student Clubs are teaming up to host a FREE Drive-In Gaming Night on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7 p.m. in the main parking lot.

For those interested in playing video games on a 30ft screen, the group will be playing Super Smash Bros.™ and Jackbox™.

Participants are encouraged to join the Cerro Coso Discord and add the ‘gamer’ or ‘Jackbox’ role on the #Claim-Your-Roles channel. Once this is done drive on up to the college on Friday, April 30^th at 7 p.m. This is where they will maintain the ‘next-up-to-play’ lists for each game.

To join the “Drive-In Game Night” Pronto Group use group code: EKBC93. The event is FREE and open to the public.

Gamers are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages and enjoy some friendly, physically distant fun.

The Drive-In Gaming Night will follow all public health and safety protocols as mandated by local, county, and public health requirements. Masks required.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

 

 

 

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Pack the family up in the car, or bring a date, and head on up to the college on Friday, March 26, 2021, for a FREE showing of Pitch Perfect at 7 p.m. 

A movie experience like no other set up on the hill with stunning views of the valley skyline below, Cerro Coso students are hosting the contact-free viewing experience.

The Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) invites the community to join them for a special screening of Pitch Perfect from the comfort of their cars.

Everyone loves musical smackdowns--and Pitch Perfect is full of great ones. Arriving at her new college, Beca (Anna Kendrick) finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls, and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together. When Beca leads this a cappella singing group out of their traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of college music competitions. Pitch Perfect is an outrageously hilarious laugh-out-loud comedy that also stars Anna Camp (The Help), Brittany Snow (Hairspray), and Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids).  The movie is rated PG-13. 

Free and open to the public, the event will be located in the college main parking lot. 

Moviegoers are encouraged to get cozy with blankets and pillows and be sure to bring snacks and beverages and enjoy some friendly, physically distant fun.  

The Drive-In experience will follow all public health and safety protocols as mandated by local, county, and state public health agencies. 

A Drive-In Guide is available on the college website at www.cerrocoso.edu to help moviegoers get the most of their drive-in experience.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Learn the latest insights and insider expertise from admissions professionals at Cerro Coso Community College during a Virtual Application Workshop on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 3 p.m. 

The Virtual Application Workshop is designed to give potential students the best practices, guidance, and top tips for successfully navigating the Cerro Coso application process.

Participants must pre-register to attend at www.cerrocoso.edu and a link will be sent in advance of the meeting. 

Cerro Coso offers a variety of Associate of Arts Degrees, Associate of Arts for Transfer, Certificates of Achievement, and Job Skills Certificates to prepare students for their future education and careers. 

More registration and information available at www.cerrocoso.edu.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

On Tuesday, March 16th the Core Ensemble will perform the chamber music theatre work Ain’t I a Woman! Virtually at 6 p.m.

Chamber Music Theatre is unique performance format developed by the Core Ensemble featuring a marriage of theatrical narrative to chamber music performance.

Shinnerrie Jackson portrays multiple characters while interacting with the onstage musical trio of cello, piano and percussion of Byron Sean.

Ain’t I a Woman! celebrates the life and times of four powerful African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The musical score is drawn from the heartfelt spirituals and blues of the Deep South, the urban vitality of the Jazz Age, and contemporary concert music by African Americans. Ain’t I a Woman! is a joyful exploration of the trials and triumphs of four passionate and accomplished women.

Since 1993, the Core Ensemble has toured in every region of the United States and internationally to Australia, England, Russia, Ukraine, and the British Virgin Islands. The Core Ensemble has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, The Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music,

In celebration of Women’s History Month the performance will be held virtually. Participants must register early for the event at www.cerrocoso.edu and will receive an email one hour prior to the performance. 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

 “When I enrolled at Cerro Coso in 2015, I knew I wanted to transfer to the University of California system. Although I didn’t initially know what school I wanted to transfer to and for what, the professors and classes at Cerro Coso gave me the clarity to determine my path to success. As a Cerro Coso student, I had the same opportunities a student at a university would have to pursue internships, research, and fun extracurricular activities. After saving thousands of dollars in tuition and earning the right units, I transferred to UCLA and graduated in 2020 with my B.A. in political science. Upon graduation in June, I moved across the country to work on a grassroots campaign in New Hampshire where I served as the Director of Outreach and coordinated over 40,000 individual voter contacts. I am excited to announce my next career step is in an administrative role with Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management in Boston.”

“I am grateful to Cerro Coso for providing the best foundation and tools to be successful. I am also grateful to my former political science professor, who has been my professional mentor for the past six years.” - Kelsey Hire

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

 

Cerro Coso has a new student club – The Garden Club! Our mission is to serve as an educational and social outlet for members to learn horticultural techniques, share information, make friends, have fun, all while helping to promote sustainability, biodiversity, and overall environmental quality. Gardening, composting, pollinator identification, and construction activities on campus are just some of the few skills and techniques we will share. We have planned a number of activities, including construction of planter boxes and setting up a garden site, rehabilitating the college’s pistachio trees, and restoring the Blue Star Memorial Cacti Garden. Long-term goals of the club are to promote food quality and security for students, and as such the club will be working closely with CCCC Hunger Free Program (Katie Bachman) and Cerro Coso’s Beta Kappa Chi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society (Profs. Christine Swiridoff & Sarah King).

The club officers are Hector Renderos (President) and Naomi O’Connor (Secretary), with Profs. Claudia Sellers and Guck Ooi as advisors. The club meets every first Friday of the month at 5:00 pm (virtually for now, via Zoom) and all students are encouraged to join. To participate, we invite you to email gardenclub@cerrocoso.edu and connect with us in Pronto using group code EUQ9CJ.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College is actively seeking students who are interested in becoming active participants in shaping the college experience. The college has numerous committees all focused on continuous improvement. Please consider taking on an active role by joining a committee to share your experience and perspectives.

The following committees have openings for students:
- Outcomes Assessment
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Technology Resource Team
- Safety and Security
- Facilities
- Incarcerated Student Education Program
- Institutional Effectiveness
-Program Review

Learn when these committees meet here https://www.notion.so/College-Committee-Meetings-5d2c59fda0a74f34a174b84340b2b6dd. Interested in joining a committee? Want more information? Please connect with Tyson Huffman Tyson.Huffman@cerrocoso.edu

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Late Start Classes Provide Knowledge and Skills in Information Technology

Technology touches every aspect of our lives today.  From downloading music, playing games, banking, to communication, and driving a vehicle….technology drives it all.  As information technology continues its rapid change, businesses and organizations need professionals with the right skills and training to help them meet their needs and lead technology initiatives.

Whether you're just starting out in the IT field, or ready to advance your career, Cerro Coso’s IT programs of study can help you gain the expertise you need to succeed. Programs that meet all levels of experience. The college offers an AS in Information Technology, Information Technology Certificate, Data Analyst I Certificate (Pathway to Completion), and an Information Technology Plus Certificate. 

The college’s Computer Information Systems program is designed to help those pursuing professional employment in computer information systems for business. Upon completion of the program students are prepared to seek a career in network, systems, or database administration; technical and applications support; and programming.  Designed for both full and part-time students, the program is appropriate to both those currently employed and those seeking to enter the field.  Career opportunities include Computer Programmer, Computer Repair (A+ Certified), Computer Operator, Computer Support Specialist, Networking, Systems, or Database Administration.

Cerro Coso Community College is offering three 12-week, late start, online IT classes that begin February 16. 

• IT C101 (30760) Introduction to Computer Information Systems. Professor Valerie Karnes will instruct the course on information systems and their role in business.  Focus is on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware and software components.  Students develop computer-based solutions to business problems. 
• IT C142 (30762) Information and Communication Technology Essentials.  Instructor Christopher Harper will provide an introduction to the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals.  The fundamentals of computer hardware and software, as well as advanced concepts such as security, networking and the responsibilities of an ICT professional, are introduced.  This course prepares students for the CompTIA’s A+ certification exam. 
• IT C251(30766) Introduction to Programming Concepts and Methodologies. This is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of models of application development including the basic concepts of program design, data structures, programming, problem solving, programming logic, and fundamental design techniques for event-driven programs.  Dr. Matt Hightower will instruct this course that provides students hands-on experience with a modern application programming language and development platform.  

More information available at www.cerrocoso.edu or contact a Cerro Coso counselor at your local campus or office.   

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.