Empowering futures: Kern Community College District’s vision for 2024-2025
As the newly appointed chancellor of the Kern Community College District, I am honored to share our vision for the upcoming academic year and beyond. Our three colleges — Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College and Porterville College — span more than 24,800 square miles, serving five counties in the Central Valley. Our commitment to access, opportunity, success and hope drives our mission to empower students, transform lives and strengthen our community.
Access: opening doors to education
At KCCD, we believe that higher education should be accessible to all. Our district provides affordable academic instruction for students at all stages of their career path so they can earn the necessary credits, certifications and skills to complete their degrees or successfully enter the job market. We are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has a pathway to higher education.
This year, KCCD has been at the forefront of advocating for a new bill — AB 2104 — that would allow California community colleges to provide nursing bachelor’s degrees and fill the urgent need for more nurses in the workforce. We know how much our medical system needs smart and capable nurses, and KCCD is a place where we would educate the next generation of medical care providers.
Opportunity: Cultivating growth and excellence
KCCD is renowned for its excellence in education, and our community colleges are essential to provide training and support for students to get the skills needed to compete for good paying jobs in today’s competitive global economy. KCCD is at the core of Bakersfield’s economy, creating additional opportunities for residents within the district, especially job opportunities that are above poverty level wages and promote career mobility. Students who get a two-year KCCD degree can land a job starting at more than $60,000 per year.
In the coming years, we will enhance career-focused programs, aligning our curriculum with industry needs. We are investing in cutting-edge technology, like our Economic Mobility Lab, to train students in virtual career simulations so they are equipped for the workforce after graduation.
Success: Guiding students toward achievement
Student success is at the heart of our mission and KCCD’s early college programs have become a national model. Through dual enrollment initiatives, we empower high school students to earn college credits, accelerating their educational journey. We will continue to build partnerships that foster successful career paths, following the example of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital and the Morehouse School of Medicine as they build an internal medicine residency program.
In the years ahead, we will continue to invest in student support services. From academic advising to mental health resources, we will provide a holistic approach to student well-being including veterans, parents, young professionals and more. Our commitment extends beyond graduation; we aim to foster lifelong learners who contribute to their communities.
Hope: Building a brighter future
Hope fuels our work. Despite this time of uncertainty, our students at KCCD are resilient, ambitious and dedicated to achieving their goals. Our colleges are not just institutions; they are catalysts for transformation and pave pathways for students to achieve their degrees. We will celebrate student achievements, share success stories, and inspire others to pursue their dreams.
As chancellor, I envision a future where KCCD graduates become leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers. To the members of Kern County and the wider region, I invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we will build a stronger, more vibrant community — one empowered by education, opportunity and hope.