Spring 2026

Vol. 23

From the Executive Director

Over the past six months, our board of directors and the Foundation team have been working on a strategic plan designed to guide the Foundation’s efforts over the next three years. If Spring is a time of renewal, we are certainly feeling it at the Bakersfield College Foundation!

We already know Bakersfield College has been transforming students’ lives for more than a century.

Students arrive with ambition, resilience, and hope–many as the first in their families to pursue higher education. What makes their success possible is not only their determination, but a community that believes in them.

The Bakersfield College Foundation exists to connect that belief with action.

As we look ahead to the next three years, we are building on a strong foundation–more than $70 million in assets that support student scholarships and campus programs, a deeply committed board, and a generations-long history of transforming lives. Now, we are ready to do even more.

During our extensive strategic planning process, four priorities were identified:

1. Enhance Our Image: Tell Our Story
   Adopt a coordinated, intentional approach to elevating the voices, impact, and outcomes that define Bakersfield College.

2. Identify, Engage, and Grow Alumni and Donor Support
   Implement a relationship-driven strategy that reconnects alumni, deepens engagement, and drives philanthropic investment.

3. Strengthen Organizational Infrastructure
   Build the internal capacity, systems, and resources necessary to support sustainable growth.

4. Build Partnerships and a Culture of Philanthropy
   Foster a campus-wide and community-supported culture where philanthropy is understood, valued, and actively practiced.

As we work together with these strategic priorities in mind, we have so much we want to accomplish. Thank you for being our partner
in helping our 40,000 students per year achieve their dream of a college education.

With Renegade Pride,

Cheryl

18th Annual Sterling Silver Gala Recap

The Bakersfield College Foundation hosted the 18th Annual Sterling Silver Gala on Saturday, March 14, bringing our community together to raise funds and shine a spotlight on scholarships for BC students.

This year’s honorees included:

Philanthropists of the Year – Drs. Naina & Ravi Patel

Guided by a commitment to well-being, education, and environmental stewardship, the Patels have supported impactful campus initiatives such as the Peace Gardens and the Delano Regenerative Agriculture Education Center—creating meaningful spaces for learning and reflection.

Community Partner Award – Kern High School District

A vital partner in Bakersfield College’s Early College program, Kern High School District has helped expand access to higher education. In the past two academic years, nearly 8,000 students annually have enrolled in at least one college course, building momentum toward their academic and career goals.

Bakersfield College Service Medal – Cornelio “Corny” Rodriguez

With nearly three decades of service to Bakersfield College, Corny Rodriguez dedicated his career to expanding access, strengthening student success, and fostering community connections. His leadership across the Panorama and Delano campuses helped create more inclusive and supportive environments for students.

---

The evening also highlighted the talent of Bakersfield College students, from culinary creations prepared by students and chef instructors to live jazz and classical performances that carried throughout the event.

A special moment of the night included an announcement from Gabriela Gonzales of California Resources Corporation, who shared CRC’s commitment to contribute $15,000 in support of Bakersfield College Culinary scholarships. Thank you, CRC!

A new guest-favorite, the wine draw, reached new heights this year, bringing in a record-breaking total and adding an extra layer of excitement to the night (and funding for the Sterling Silver Scholarship).

Funds raised through the Sterling Silver Gala directly support student scholarships, including the Sterling Silver and Culinary scholarships, helping remove financial barriers and open doors for our students to achieve their goals.

Bakersfield College Foundation’s
Renegade Innovation Grant
Supports BC VEXU Robotics Team

With support from the Bakersfield College Foundation’s Renegade Innovation Grant, the BC VEXU Robotics Team is gaining hands-on experience in collegiate robotics competition.

The $8,000 grant provided critical funding for equipment, materials, and competition travel—allowing students to design and build robots and compete at the university level.

During the 2025–2026 season, the team competed in two VEX U tournaments against multiple university teams, including a regional event at CSU Northridge and the Robotics is EZ Tournament. Competing against more established programs gave students valuable exposure to advanced robot design and competitive strategy.

Although the season didn’t yield the results the team hoped for, it marked an important step forward. “Despite being a relatively new team, our students demonstrated resilience, rapid iteration between matches, and strong teamwork,” shared Program Manager Carlos Medina. “It was a big learning experience that will help us grow stronger moving forward.”

The team includes approximately 15 students from Industrial Automation, Engineering, Computer Science, and other disciplines, working collaboratively in roles that mirror a professional engineering environment.

Looking ahead, the program aims to grow its membership, refine its competitive strategy, and expand its impact by hosting local robotics events that inspire K–12 students across Kern County to pursue STEM pathways.

Support from the Renegade Innovation Grant is helping create these opportunities—equipping BC students with the skills and experience needed for careers in advanced manufacturing and automation.

BC Alumni Spotlight: What’s Your BC Story?

Marilu Rodriguez

My journey with Bakersfield College began after life took an unexpected turn. After graduating from high school, I initially started college but soon learned that I was expecting my first daughter. Like many young parents, my focus naturally shifted to supporting my family, and college was placed on hold. For years, the idea of returning to school felt out of reach while working full-time and raising a child, but the goal of continuing my education never left my mind.

While working in Delano, I discovered that Bakersfield College had a satellite campus right in town. The accessibility and affordable cost made it possible for me to take that first step back into the classroom. I began with just a few courses and eventually expanded to classes at both the Delano and Bakersfield campuses. The flexibility of the programs, along with the encouragement and guidance from advisors and professors, made balancing work, family, and school possible. The faculty and staff created an environment where I always felt comfortable asking questions and seeking support whenever I needed it. With that support, I graduated from Bakersfield College with my AA degree in Business Administration and successfully transferred to a university. Today, I hold both a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, and I am proud to serve our community as a Senior Health Equity Analyst.

Bakersfield College has truly become part of my family’s story. Eighteen years after I paused my education to welcome my daughter, she followed in my footsteps and attended Bakersfield College as well. She graduated with three associate degrees, transferred to California State University, Bakersfield, earned her BA in Psychology last year, and is currently pursuing her MBA. I hope that one day my other two daughters may also become proud BC alumni. Bakersfield College helped me realize that it’s never too late to start, and sometimes the first step is the one that changes not only your future, but your family’s as well.

Donor Spotlight: New Scholarship
Honors Joyann Frazer Steitz

The Bakersfield College Foundation is proud to recognize a new scholarship established in honor of Joyann Frazer Steitz. Joyann’s connection to Bakersfield College spanned nearly three decades. Beginning her career in 1948 as a typist clerk with the Kern County Union High School and Junior College District, she went on to serve in Bakersfield College’s Admissions and Records Office before becoming an office supervisor and secretary to the Dean of Instruction.

Joyann’s story is not only one of service, but also of determination. While working full-time, she pursued her own education one class at a time. Her children recall evenings spent together at the dining room table, each focused on their own homework, as Joyann steadily worked toward her goals.

“For years, my brother and I witnessed my mother taking one night class a semester,” her daughter Donna Frazer shared. “Nights not taking classes were spent doing homework together with her at the dining room table.”

Joyann earned her associate degree from Bakersfield College in 1970, and with continued support from her colleagues, completed her bachelor’s degree in History from CSUB in 1980. This achievement, her daughter noted, “would not have been possible without the support of those she worked with at Bakersfield College.”

Her example inspired both of her children to pursue higher education, a legacy that now continues through this scholarship. Established by her family, it honors Joyann’s lifelong belief in the power of education and will support future BC students for years to come.

The Bakersfield College Foundation is grateful to Joyann’s family for their generosity and for helping carry her story forward!

Renegades Connect at BC Alumni Career Panel

The Bakersfield College Alumni Association recently partnered with the Bakersfield College Student Government Association (BCSGA) to host an engaging Lunch & Learn panel focused on career development and professional growth.

The panel featured members of the BC Alumni Association Board, who shared their personal career journeys, insights on navigating today’s workforce, and thoughtful advice for students preparing to enter their fields. Their stories highlighted the many paths BC graduates can take and emphasized the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

Students in attendance had the opportunity to connect directly with alumni, ask questions, and build meaningful relationships in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Events like this showcase the Alumni Association’s continued commitment to supporting current Renegades—creating opportunities for connection, mentorship, and real-world insight while strengthening the BC community.

If you’re interested in participating in future panels or getting involved, contact us at foundation@bakersfieldcollege.edu!

Ways to Give to Bakersfield College

Meet Our BC Foundation Team

Our Partners in Student Success