Support and Media
Letters of Support
Christian Clegg, City Manager Bakersfield, CA
The City of Bakersfield is pleased to support Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the skills and foundation in science theory and practice that will excel them into laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Teresa Hitchcock, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Kern County
Employers' Training Resource supports Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Sally Allen, Executive Director, Livermore Lab Foundation
It is my pleasure to provide a letter of support for Bakersfield College's new Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology. As you know, this innovative program accelerates the rate of which students can obtain advanced degrees. It is especially successful in geographical areas where there might be high career demand. We believe the new Research Lab Tech program would be a perfect fit in Kern County, providing students with the key technical skills and foundation in science theory and practice required for laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields. We also believe this second program for BC would complement their first program - a BS degree in Industrial Automation.
Shawn Kerns, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, California Resources Corporation
California Resources Corporation (CRC) is proud to support Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
At CRC, we see carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as providing a real solution for reaching and maintaining carbon neutrality. Bakersfield College and the Kern Community College District have been willing and active partners in education and workforce development for emerging CCS technology, and we've worked alongside them to establish the CRC Carbon Management Institute at Bakersfield College. They have the academic and technical expertise necessary to facilitate a second baccalaureate degree in Research Laboratory Technology, which will give students who participate in the Carbon Management Institute the skills they need to develop innovative new emissions-reducing technologies and processes.
Ellen Morris, Ph.D., Director of the University Partnerships Program, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supports Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology. NREL views this as an opportunity to augment our outreach and engagement programs to respond to grand challenges around the clean energy transition through education and training of students. The Bakersfield College program will foster students' skills development and foundational knowledge to become research technicians in the clean energy space.
NREL is the DOE national laboratory that focuses uniquely on research, development, and deployment in energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and renewable power technologies and provides the knowledge to integrate and optimize energy systems. DOE and NREL are committed to expanding its strategic engagement with community colleges, and we believe the proposed Research Laboratory Technology Baccalaureate program is a way to build the clean energy workforce of the future that will be a model for other education and training programs. We are currently working with Bakersfield College and the Kern Community College District to develop a regional hub for research and development of community microgrids, clean transportation infrastructure, carbon dioxide removal, and other emerging technologies. The proposed program will be an important way to help develop skills needed for the regional hubs while supporting a carbon neutral California.
Kiyoshi Tomono, Community Partnership Executive, Adventist Health
Adventist Health is proud to support Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
We're proud to partner with Bakersfield College and the Kern Community College District on their ambitious agenda for workforce development with equity. Their second baccalaureate degree program in Research Laboratory Technology builds upon those efforts, using its diverse portfolio of associate degree pathways in science to teach the crucial skills needed for laboratory professionals. This baccalaureate degree program would give the disinvested communities that Bakersfield College serves a direct pathway into high-wage, high-demand STEM careers.
RJ Valentino, President, Grimm Family Education Foundation
The Grimm Family Education Foundation supports Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Our partnership with Bakersfield College through the establishment of an edible garden on campus showcases the institutions commitment to the well-being of its students, faculty and staff. We believe that their second Baccalaureate Degree in Research Laboratory Technology will provide a pipeline for young people interested in STEM to pursue careers in plant and animal science.
Magda Menendez, Administrator, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation is writing in support of Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Jamie Swetalla, External Affairs Specialist, AERA Energy
Aera Energy LLC is writing in support of Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skill and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Aera believes deeply in the importance of community college education and getting more young people interested in STEM, which is why we worked with Bakersfield College to create the Aera STEM Student Success Center, which provides flexible study spaces, tutoring, and counseling services and other supports through the MESA program. We've seen first-hand how dedicated Bakersfield College staff members are at ensuring their students are matriculated into STEM careers, and the rich network of STEM pathway they've established make them the perfect candidate to offer a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology.
Richard Chapman, Executive Director, Kern Economic Development Foundation
The Kern Economic Development Foundation (KEDF) is pleased to provide this letter support for Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
KEDF is a research-based and educational 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aids Kern County businesses and communities in reaching their full economic potential. KEDF links business, education, and the community on projects relating to STEM education and local workforce and professional development.
Nick Hill, Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce
"The Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce is writing in support of Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
As Kern County looks to diversify its economy for the 21st Century, the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce works to ensure that the communities of color receive equal access to prosperity. Kern CC0 is a champion of equity in the region, and with their second baccalaureate program in Research Laboratory Technology, they'll ensure that students from disinvested communities have the resources and career skills they need to pursue high-demand careers in laboratory research.
Chris Dojlidko, Director of Laboratory Operations for California
Pace Analytical is writing in support of Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Pace Analytical believes in the power of education to uplift families and communities, and we are interested in partnering with Bakersfield College. The Bachelor of Science in Research Laboratory Technology would create a cradle-to-career pipeline in science careers throughout Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley, and Bakersfield College is the best institution to bring it into fruition.
Monica Cervantes, Sr. Human Resources Manager Wonderfulorchards
Wonderful Laboratories is excited to support Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology, which will prepare students with the key skills and foundation in science theory and practice they need to become laboratory technicians in a wide variety of research fields.
Jeremy T. Tobias, Chief Executive Officer, CAPK
Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) is proud to support Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology. We believe this program will prepare students with the key skills and training they need to become laboratory technicians which can be applied to various research fields. We look forward to hearing the amazing success stories from future graduates of the program.
Jay Tamsi, President/CEO, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is writing ins support of Bakersfield College's Baccalaureate Degree Program in Research Laboratory Technology. As Kern County looks to diversify its economy for the 21st Century, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce works to ensure that the communities of color receive equal access to prosperity. Kern CCD is a champion of equity in the region, and with their second baccalaureate program in Research Laboratory Technology, they'll ensure that students from disinvested communities have the resources and career skills they need to pursue high-demand careers in laboratory research.
Media Coverage
9/27/2022: More baccalaureate programs coming to California Community Colleges
4/11/2023: Bakersfield College offers bachelor's degree in Research Laboratory Technology
