Native American Student Support & Success Program (NASSSP)
Mission:The Native American Student Support & Success Program (NASSSP) is focused on serving
Native American students at Bakersfield College. NASSSP supports students in their
academic, social, leadership and cultural development. NASSSP creates a home away
from home environment for students and provides a community that will support them
from their first year of college to their graduation.
At NASSSP, you can connect with Bakersfield College resources that enhances your academic
success, learn about culturally relevant activities, and create a support network
with other students who self-identify as Native American.
Vision: Bakersfield College will empower self-identified Native American students with their
intellectual, leadership development, tribal sovereignty, and economic vitality to
their tribal communities.
Next step for students transfers to the UC and the CSU systems
Pendleton Stole
Academic
Individualized professional academic coaching – assistance with building connections
and navigating campus life
Mentioning from upper-class Native students
Opportunities to enhance study skills
Connections to campus resources including Peer Assisted Learning and tutoring
Campus Tours for Pathways
Leaders
Native American Club (The First Renegades)
Tribal Organization Mentors
Keynote Speakers
Campus Voice for Native American
Tribal Partnerships
Tribal Elders Relationship
Mentors
Students on Site (leadership)
Opportunities to participate in cultural activities and events such as beading, ribbon
skirt, ribbon shirt making and moccasin making workshops, and cultural food exchanges
Participate in NASSSP a one-day program that prepares incoming Native American students
to start the school year successfully and develop a network of support with their
native peers and support staff
Culture and language workshops
Community support programs
Land Acknowledgment
Land acknowledgment in honor of Kern County Indigenous Peoples; Pueblos, Rancherias,
and Tribal Lands. To the original people native to this land. The area known as Kern
County today is the homeland of several American Indian Tribes include the Federally
recognized Tejon Indian Tribe comprised of Kitanemuk, Yokuts, Chumash, and Paiute
peoples; The Tubatulabal comprised of Tulami, Tubatulabal, and Palagewan peoples;
The Eastern and Western Mono (Monache) peoples; Kawaaisu peoples; and Chalon peoples.
May we acknowledge and honor our indigenous people who came before us and still walk
beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active
practice of acknowledgment and appreciation for Kern County’s Indigenous Peoples’
history, contributions, and lives.
You will be prompted with your security Question. As long as you can answer the question
you can change the password.
You should now receive your ID number and email.
Students can self-schedule appointments through their Starfish Dashboard.
To access Starfish to schedule an appointment:
login to InsideBC
Click on the Tools menu
Click Starfish
Locate the "My Connections" box on your Starfish Dashboard. This will list all the professors in your active term as well as the Counselor and
Educational Advisor on your pathway (based on your declared major).
Click the "Schedule" link below the specific person's name. In-person and Zoom meetings
are available.
You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment. This will include important
information regarding the meeting, location, and Zoom meeting link, if necessary.
For Zoom meetings, we suggest you log in from a computer, laptop, or tablet with a
microphone and webcam to optimize your virtual appointment.
You may also call the campus/office directly to schedule an appointment.
For a complete listing of Counseling Administration, Support Staff, Program Managers,
Counseling Faculty and Educational Advisors, see our Counseling Faculty and Staff Directory.
A Counselor can help you identify and clarify personal, career and educational goals.
Counselors and Educational Advisors assist students in developing an education plan
and the selection of appropriate courses in preparation for Certificates, Associate
Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer, our Bachelor's Degree, and transfer. Counselors can also evaluate transcripts from other colleges and universities, as
well as external credit by examination, to determine general education and/or completion
at BC and transfer, clear pre-requisite holds, and clear probation holds.
The Counseling and Student Success Center recommends that all students meet with a
Counselor or Educational Advisor at least once every semester.
To apply for services, you must complete the DSPS Packet Request Form. The BC DSPS New Student Packet will be sent to you automatically via email. In the
email you will click the blue BC DSPS New Student Packet link and begin typing in
your information, this packet does not need to be printed. Once you have completed
all the requested fields, at the bottom of the page, you will be asked to provide
your email address. Go and check your email, you will receive a message from Adobe
Sign, in that email, there will be a Confirm your signature link. You must click that
link to confirm your signature and have your electronic packet sent back to DSPS.
The DSPS will then review your packet and request verifying documentation of your
disability. Examples of verifying documentation will be provided in an email along
with instructions on how to submit your document via Kern File Express. If you have
additional questions please contact the DSPS staff at (661) 395-4334, email dspsdesk@bakersfieldcollege.edu,
or visit the DSPS Virtual Lobby via zoom.
NASSSP is a state-funded program to support the educational success of self-identified
American Indians, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives.
The Native American Club is OPEN to all Bakersfield College Students who like to promote
and/or learn about Indigenous Peoples’ Culture.
Native American, American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nation People: to enroll, please
fill out the NASSSP Online Enrollment Form.
Students who are enrolled in a federal recognized tribe, state recognized American
Indian tribe, or students who have a Native American affiliation and/or ancestry and
have self-identified when enrolled.
A tribal/indigenous community during your time at Bakersfield College. “A home, away
from home”. College support includes: a safe place, free school supplies, textbook
stipends, tribal workshops, free health supplies, internships, tribal pathways, meetings
with tribal elders, and career opportunities.
As an ally you can support NASSSP through volunteering, providing supplies, and monetary
donations to the foundation. You can also get in contact with NASSSP staff to partner
or collaborate with our students or club.
