Kern CCD Receives Charles Kennedy Equity Award
The Kern Community College District was awarded the 2023 Pacific Region Equity Award the previous evening for their continued leadership in dual enrollment. Kern CCD is home to the fastest growing dual enrollment program in the state of California. Under the leadership of the Kern CCD Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Tom Burke, and former Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian the college district has prioritized college access for all students beginning as early as the 9th grade and is fiercely committed to removing the barriers that underrepresented and rural students traditionally face when attempting to access post-secondary education.
Through intentional outreach efforts in rural communities, strong partnerships with local high school districts, and support services that range from the fields to the classroom, Kern CCD is rapidly and effectively moving the dial on college attendance and completion rates in some of California’s most impoverished communities. According to ACCT, “The dual enrollment and early college work in Kern Community College District provides an exceptional example of the equity work that must be done to increase access and success for all students.”
“These awards recognize the commitment of the Board of Trustees and the entire Kern Community College District to providing affordable, quality, education to students in all corners of our community who desire to improve their quality of life through higher education, or workforce development training,” said Kern CCD Board President Romeo Agbalog.
The Charles Kennedy Equity Award is bestowed upon individuals or governing boards that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to achieving equity within postsecondary institutions. This accolade serves as a testament to the late Charles Kennedy, a distinguished trustee who championed diversity and inclusion within the community college sector.
Kern Community College District was the sole recipient of the Charles Kennedy Equity Award, which was accepted by Board of Trustees President, Romeo Agbalog, Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Trustee Yovani Jimenez, Trustee Christina Scrivner, Interim Chancellor Tom Burke, and Deputy Chancellor Zav Dadabhoy.
The mission of ACCT is to foster the principles and practices of exemplary governance while promoting high quality and affordable higher education, cutting edge workforce and development training, student success, and the opportunity for all individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency and security.