If you think there's a student on campus in crisis who could use help or who might be a potential risk to self or others, here's what you can do:
Colleges and universities across the country have begun organizing systematic ways to address students of concern to provide needed help and interventions before students' needs are escalated. In theory, these teams are meant to ensure the sharing of appropriate information among key personnel and serve a number of purposes to:
Research shows that in most instances, the student's need for intervention or help may have been evident to faculty, advisors, staff, or other students and friends but usually no single person had the full picture of the student’s concerns, or the training to evaluate and respond appropriately. Critical campus incidents, such as the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007, accelerated the drive to organize teams that address student crises and provide mental health services through collecting and analyzing reports and developing interventions. These teams focus on student success but also develop cross-functional, collaborative threat assessment strategies seeking to make informed judgments and on how credible the threat itself is and to what extent the individual has the intent and means to carry out the threat (motivation, resources, etc.). The Students of Concern (SOC) Team was formed to become the campus nexus, develop care and threat assessment systems, and initiate a team-based response system. Alongside the BC’s Starfish alert program, SOC helps in a systemic referral process and response coordination.
Meet the Students of Concern Team
The SOC Team of professionals meet weekly to discuss cases that have been brought to attention (through instructors, starfish alerts, student conduct, Title IX, etc.), attended training and certification courses on best practices, and develop procedures (referral processes, suicidal student protocols, expanded informed consent, etc.) to respond to student needs. The team provides professional development to help address student concerns and how to refer students to the resources they need. For more information please contact any of the members of the team.
Meet the SOC Student Success Interns
The Office of Student Life hosts graduate students who are attaining their master’s in social work. They are student interns working under the supervision of Dr. Nicky Damania, Director of Student Life. Their role is to help BC students succeed by providing wrap-around services connecting them to public benefits, institution and community resources, and addressing non-academic barriers that may hinder a student from achieving academic success. They are part of the college’s response team and are mandatory reporters. They also are standing members of the Students of Concern (SOC) team who meet weekly with other BC Staff members to discuss issues that may affect a student’s well-being and self-efficacy such as fair and equal access to financial aid services, employment, disability, and health services.
Larissa Alley
SOC Intern, Graduate Student at California State University, Bakersfield
Educational Pathways: "Arts, Communication, & Humanities" and "Public Safety"
(661) 487-1170 | Email
Larissa is set to graduate in May of 2021. She graduated in 2019 with two bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, bike riding, and traveling to new places. She enjoys meeting new people because she loves an opportunity to learn from experiences that are different from her own. Nothing makes her happier than to see others succeed and achieve their greatest potential
Jessica Corral
SOC Intern, Graduate Student at California State University, Bakersfield
Educational Pathways: "Education" and "Social & Behavioral Sciences"
(661) 473-0187 | Email
Jessica Corral graduated from the California State University of Long Beach with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Child Development. She is currently earning my Master’s Degree in Social Work at the California State University of Bakersfield. She is excited to assist students to achieve their maximum academic potential and connect them to campus resources.
Lisa Jimenez
SOC Intern, Graduate Student at California State University, Bakersfield
Educational Pathways: "Ag, Nutrition, & Culinary Arts" and "Business"
(661) 379-0883 | Email
Lisa is a third-year master of social work student at California State University Bakersfield. She is currently interning with the Student of Concerns department with Bakersfield College. She has her bachelor of science in Psychology. Lisa getting her masters in social work to ensure future generations are doing great things.
Kimy Salazar
SOC Intern, Graduate Student at University Southern California
Educational Pathways: "STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" and "Industrial Technology & Transportation"
(661) 438-8449 | Email
Kimy graduated from the California State University of Bakersfield with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a double minor in Sociology and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies. She is currently earning her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California. In her free time, Kimy likes to spend time with her family, working out, and going to Disneyland. Kimy enjoys helping others and seeing them reach their full potential. She is happy to be working with students at Bakersfield College and learning more about the community.
Michelle Shears
SOC Intern, Graduate Student at California State University, Bakersfield
Educational Pathways: "Health Science" and "Personal & Career Exploration"
(661) 487-1376 | Email
Michelle will graduate with a masters of social work spring 2021. After graduation, she plans to be working towards her LCSW. She is also a BC Alumni. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in Chicano Studies.
Alyssa Olivera
Campus Advocate
Staff stationed at BC from Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault - Bakersfield
(661) 379-0371 | Email
Alyssa Olivera is the BC Campus Advocate and a confidential source on campus. Students are able to communicate with Alyssa regarding any form of sexual misconduct or assault. This includes but not limited to sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. It is important to note that sexual assault is NOT about sex. It is about power and control over another person. Alyssa comes to Bakersfield College from the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, the local domestic violence and sexual assault services provider. In addition to working directly with survivors of violence, Alyssa is also able to provide and promote prevention education in hopes to stop sexual violence before it occurs. This includes an assortment of presentations and trainings available upon request for classes and clubs.
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