December 2025

Vol. 22

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends of BC,

As winter break approaches, students at Bakersfield College’s Panorama, Southwest, Delano, and Arvin campuses have now completed their finals.  This has been a critical time for our students who focused on finishing strong and reflecting on what they’ve learned this semester.

Today, I’m thinking about the impact our donors have on our students’ success. More than 1,000 unique supporters have already invested in BC students this year, a record number of donors! Below are just a few examples of donors’ impact on students:

Scholarships for 1,527 students totaling $1,390,928 for the academic year ending June 30, 2025.

Innovative departmental programs that would not exist without donor support

Partnerships with Kern County industries that prepare students for high-demand, local careers

Support for students’ basic needs, allowing them to focus on their education, rather than worrying about their next meal or other essentials that inevitably take precedent over everything else

The BC Foundation was established 50 years ago by founders who believed our community would always stand behind BC students–and they were right. In fact, our endowment ranks in the top five among community college endowments in California. This underscores the deep, continuing trust this community places in Bakersfield College.

If you are considering options for year-end donations, please consider the life-changing support you can offer to Bakersfield College students. Please feel free to call us at (661) 395-4800 to discuss options, or visit our website at www.supportbc.org.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,

Cheryl

Save the Date: Sterling Silver Gala

Coming Together for a Renegade Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving season, the Bakersfield College Foundation joined forces with the Renegade Nexus Pantry and the Office of Student Life to ensure our students had what they needed to enjoy a warm holiday meal. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our campus partners, we were able to provide turkeys and grocery gift cards to help hundreds of Renegade families.

“When our community steps forward with this kind of generosity, it reminds our students that they’re not alone,” said Cheryl Scott, Executive Director of the BC Foundation. “These contributions go far beyond a holiday meal — they show our students that their success matters to all of us.”

To every donor who supported this effort, thank you for helping us provide comfort, nourishment, and holiday joy to hundreds of Renegades. Your kindness continues to make a real difference in the lives of BC students.

Expanding Medical Pathways: New University Partnerships Creating Opportunities for BC Students

Bakersfield College is taking a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities in healthcare through a new partnership with the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) and Morehouse School of Medicine. This Kern-AUCC Health Scholars Pathway provides a clear, supportive pathway that allows BC students to begin their academic journey locally and pursue careers in medicine.

This pathway allows students to begin their education at BC, transfer to an AUCC institution for their undergraduate degree, continue to Morehouse School of Medicine, and ultimately return to Kern County to complete their residency. Designed for local students, this program offers an attainable, affordable route for those who aspire to pursue careers in medicine, particularly in communities like ours that continue to face physician shortages.

The first cohort of students will be selected in 2026, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative opportunity for local learners and future healthcare leaders in Kern County.

Bakersfield College is expanding opportunities for students interested in medical and health science careers through a new partnership with Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) and Kern Medical. This collaboration strengthens the educational pipeline for local students by providing clear pathways from BC into advanced clinical and graduate programs, helping address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in Kern County.

At the heart of the partnership are two structured academic pathways designed specifically with Bakersfield College students in mind. The first creates a direct route for BC graduates to move into pre-medical study at CSUB and ultimately pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at WesternU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. The second supports students completing BC’s Bachelor of Science in Research Laboratory Technology, offering a defined transition into WesternU’s Medical Science M.S. Program.

Both pathways reserve seats each year for qualified BC students, ensuring that local learners have prioritized access to advanced educational opportunities. This intentional design helps students stay connected to their home community as they pursue careers in medicine, research, and related health fields.

Alumni Spotlight: Culinary Arts Celebrates Alumni Success Stories

By Bakersfield College Marketing & Public Relations

The Culinary Arts Department at Bakersfield College boasts a rich tradition of offering exceptional culinary training programs that prepare students for success in the professional culinary world.

Several recent graduates of the program have gone on to pursue professional careers in the culinary industry:

• Melody Charbonneau and Braydon Dibartolo, who both graduated in May 2025, are cooks at the beautiful Oasis Resort in Death Valley, CA. Both of their careers are off to a great start.
• Ivan Valencia is another recent graduate and is currently working at Disney World in Florida. He is excited to use his culinary skills at the happiest place on earth.
• Cheyenne Morris has launched her own food truck, Bakersfield Brunch Box, bringing bold brunch flavors to the streets of Bakersfield. She is also paying it forward by hiring fellow alum Jazmin Quintero to join her growing team.
• Edgar Rodriguez, another May 2025 graduate, was recently hired as the Sous Chef at NV Catering right here in Bakersfield – which gives him a terrific opportunity to showcase his talent to the local community.
• Tanner Kirven, a former student, previously served as Sous Chef at the Padre Hotel, and is now expanding his repertoire as the seasonal Sous Chef at an ocean-side inn in Cape Cod, MA.

Marcia Overturf, Lab Technician and Adjunct Faculty in the Culinary Arts Program, was eager to share these success stories with the BC community. “We are so happy to share exciting updates and inspiring accomplishments from our talented culinary students and recent graduates,” she says, “Their hard work, creativity, and dedication to the craft of cooking are taking these students to incredible places – both near and far.”

Congratulations to these BC alumni who are excelling in their field and adding to the stellar reputation of the Culinary Arts Program. We look forward to hearing more reports of success from past, present and future students!

Celebrating BC Rodeo’s Success and Support Through Renegade Innovation Fund

Bakersfield College welcomed more than 4,800 attendees to the Kern County Fairgrounds this November for its annual BC Rodeo, a weekend filled with high-energy competition, community spirit, and the unmistakable excitement of collegiate rodeo. Athletes from BC and visiting schools competed across a range of traditional events, while spectators enjoyed vendors, family activities, and entertainment throughout the two-day celebration.

While the event celebrated athletic talent in the arena, it also highlighted the important work happening behind the scenes to support BC’s Rodeo Team year-round. Through the Renegade Innovation Fund, the Bakersfield College Foundation recently provided the team with cutting-edge Smarty Rodeo training equipment, including the Smarty Bulldogger, Smarty Horse Saver, and Smarty Bronc. This equipment is transforming how BC Rodeo athletes train by offering safer, more efficient, and more realistic practice opportunities. The equipment simulates live rodeo conditions, allowing students to practice while reducing risk to both athletes and animals.

The Renegade Innovation Fund continues to invest in creative ideas and emerging needs across campus, helping BC programs strengthen opportunities for students.

Thank You to the Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association

The Bakersfield College Foundation is grateful to the Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association for their generous $20,000 contribution in support of BC students.

Their continued partnership provides meaningful scholarship opportunities across multiple programs, helping more than 20 students each year pursue their educational and career goals.

We extend our sincere thanks for their ongoing commitment to student success — their generosity continues to make a lasting impact!

Supporting BC Through Planned Giving

As the holiday season unfolds and we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to celebrate the spirit of giving with an impact that reaches both our community and your own financial well-being.

By making a year-end donation to the Bakersfield College Foundation before December 31, your gift works twice as hard. Not only does your contribution strengthen programs that uplift BC students—it may also provide meaningful tax advantages for you.

Tax Deductions: Charitable contributions made before December 31 may qualify you for valuable tax deductions.

Maximized Impact: Your generosity directly supports Bakersfield College’s mission, helping students succeed through scholarships, resources, and innovative programs.

This season, we invite you to join us in making a lasting difference. Your support today helps create brighter tomorrows for our Renegades.

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