{"id":508808,"date":"2026-10-26T22:09:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T22:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/508808\/"},"modified":"2026-10-26T22:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T22:09:33","slug":"history-of-the-baccalaureate-degree-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/508808\/","title":{"rendered":"History of the Baccalaureate Degree Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

AC Electric<\/p>\n

A-C Electric’s talent needs go well beyond the educational opportunities currently
\n available in Central California. Our customers are leaders of industry, looking to
\n us to solve their automation needs utilizing sophisticated, sustainable design and
\n development methods. Sourcing this caliber of talent has proven to be both difficult
\n and costly. Further, our growth models require exceptional talent, and as such we
\n have set talent sourcing, acquisition and development at the forefront of our strategic
\n objectives. Supporting a local source for automation technology is an obvious and
\n desirable option for A-C Electric, therefore we welcome the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\"AC<\/p>\n

Gaurdie E. Bannister, Pres.\/CEO, Aera Energy<\/p>\n

As a major employer in Kern County, Aera Energy supports Bakersfield College’s efforts
\n to offer an Allied Baccalaureate degree in Industrial Automation. Having a local academic
\n program that prepares students for careers in technical management will support many
\n of the employment needs in the community while creating lasting partnerships with
\n key industries in Kern County.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Gregory Bynum, Owner, Gregory D. Bynum and Associates<\/p>\n

Bynum and Associates’ success is built on its dedication to providing superior products
\n and services in all areas of its businesses as well as to its commitment to the communities
\n it serves. That’s why we support Bakersfield College’s proposed baccalaureate of applied
\n science in Industrial Automation.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Bynum letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bynum<\/p>\n

Morgan Clayton, CEO\/President, Tel-Tec Security Systems Inc.<\/p>\n

From its inception, Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc. has been involved in making the
\n community a better place to live and work. Bakersfield College has a proven track
\n record in that arena, too. Bakersfield College meets local workforce demands in applied
\n and technical areas, and that is very important to us. Bakersfield College’s proposed
\n baccalaureate of applied science in Industrial Automation has our full support.<\/p>\n

\"Professional<\/p>\n

Darren Filkins, Sr. VP of Agriculture, Bolthouse Farms<\/p>\n

I am pleased to support the efforts of Bakersfield College in bringing a Bachelor
\n of Applied Sciences to our community. This degree would help us meet our employment
\n and technical service needs tremendously, while providing a solid employment opportunity
\n with an industry leading company.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Filkins letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Leslie Golich, Public Affairs and Brand Comm. Mgr., Kaiser Permanente<\/p>\n

Kaiser Permanente is committed to making lives better in the communities we serve.
\n The Bakersfield College Baccalaureate in Industrial Automation is in keeping with
\n that mission. By increasing the education level of residents, Bakersfield College
\n will help improve the economic status of people, thus benefiting overall health and
\n wellness of people in our community. Delivering Total Health takes teamwork, and Kaiser
\n Permanente joins with Bakersfield College to achieve that goal.<\/p>\n

\"Kaiser<\/p>\n

Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce provides leadership for a healthy business
\n community. The opportunity to benefit regional business is the reason we support the
\n proposed Bakersfield College BAS in Industrial Automation program. The degree is a
\n means to support local business needs to develop the trained workforce for future
\n business growth of our community.<\/p>\n

\"Greater<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Green, Grimmway Enterprises, Inc.<\/p>\n

As a family owned and operated business, and the largest agricultural employer in
\n Kern County, Grimmway Farms relies upon a workforce that can meet the continually
\n changing and challenging demands of the international agricultural marketplace. The
\n products grown and processed by Grimmway Farms compete with products grown and processed
\n around the world. To support a workforce that can meet the challenge of competing
\n on an international scale, Grimmway Farms strongly supports Bakersfield College’s
\n application to offer a Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Agriculture.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Russell Judd, CEO, Kern Medical Center<\/p>\n

Kern Medical Center has greatly benefited from Bakersfield College academic contributions
\n to our community. It is our privilege to support Bakersfield College in their endeavor
\n to continue this tradition by providing a Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Industrial
\n Automation. A program for individuals to achieve this skill set would be a valuable
\n asset to Kern County.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Judd letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

Carla Musser, Public Affairs Manager, Chevron<\/p>\n

Chevron believes increasing the education level of residents improves their economic
\n status and, in turn, benefits overall health and wellness of the individual and the
\n community. Chevron supports the proposed Bakersfield College BAS in Industrial Automation
\n program.<\/p>\n

\"Chevron<\/p>\n

Michael O’Doherty, CEO, Cushman & Wakefield\/Pacific Commercial Realty<\/p>\n

The demand for such talent is growing daily in our market, and with the combined expansion
\n of agriculture and the oilfields, there is a neverending search for these skill sets.<\/p>\n

\"Cushman<\/p>\n

Ryan Pellett, Pres.\/CEO, J.D. Heiskell & Company<\/p>\n

Our company is constantly on the lookout for quality industrial tradespeople to staff
\n our feed manufacturing plant locations, which is why the prospective Applied Science
\n in Industrial Automation offering from Bakersfield College really hits our sweet spot.
\n Our leadership is energized by the potential for new, specifically-trained talent
\n becoming available in an area where it has traditionally been in woefully short supply.<\/p>\n

\"J.D.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Phillips, Marketing Director, San Joaquin Community Hospital<\/p>\n

San Joaquin Community Hospital provides physical, mental and spiritual healing in
\n our community. Increasing the education level of residents is another way to improve
\n the health of a community, and that’s why San Joaquin Community Hospital supports
\n Bakersfield College’s proposed baccalaureate of applied science program. BC’s plan
\n to improve the education level of residents will also serve to improve people’s economic
\n status. The result is a corresponding increase in the health and wellness of individuals
\n and the community at large.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Blair Pruett, Business Development, Kern Steel Fabrication<\/p>\n

Kern Steel Fabrication, Inc. is pleased to support Bakersfield College in their quest
\n to offer a baccalaureate of applied science in Industrial Automation. As an innovative
\n and highly automated structural steel fabricator, Kern Steel is keenly aware of the
\n large need for technically qualified employees. We are currently and historically
\n understaffed in these positions. We look forward to the benefit of technically skilled
\n employees provided by Bakersfield College, and we will support the BAS degree program
\n as much as possible.<\/p>\n

\"Standing<\/p>\n

Janet Rabanal, Exec. Director, Delano Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

The Delano Chamber of Commerce strongly supports Bakersfield College’s efforts to
\n establish a Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Industrial Automation. The chamber’s
\n efforts in economic development, and advocacy, are designed to create an environment
\n for our members to prosper and succeed. The Bakersfield College BAS in Industrial
\n Automation will prepare individuals for technical management careers and this supports
\n our membership by improving the management pool needed in a critical area. The program
\n addresses a significant employment gap in our community and we think it is essential
\n to help improve our local economy.<\/p>\n

\"Delano<\/p>\n

Stephen P. Renock, President, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union<\/p>\n

Kern Schools Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution founded
\n in 1938 by a small group of teachers from regional public schools. Improving education
\n in the communities we serve is at the heart of our business just as it is for Bakersfield
\n College. BC has a proven track record of meeting the needs of local workforce demands.
\n That’s why Kern Schools Federal Credit Union fully supports the proposed Bakersfield
\n College Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Industrial Automation as a means of creating
\n new ways to prepare underrepresented students and providing affordable, accessible
\n quality instruction.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Stephen W. Schilling, CEO, Clinica Sierra Vista<\/p>\n

I am pleased to support the proposal by Bakersfield College to bring a four-year baccalaureate
\n of applied science (BAS) degree in Industrial Automation to the southern San Joaquin
\n Valley to meet the significant workforce training needs in the area.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Schilling letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Carol Sorrell, COO, Bakersfield Family Medical Center<\/p>\n

Bakersfield Family Medical Center\/Heritage Physician Network is recognized regionally
\n and nationally as an innovator in our health care delivery system. Patient education
\n and satisfaction is highly prioritized as a component of all of our medical programs
\n and service activities. In this same spirit of innovation and education, BFMC recognizes
\n the benefit that the Bakersfield College Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Industrial
\n Automation would have on our community in equipping the next generation of skilled
\n workers with the abilities and opportunities necessary to bring increased production
\n and prosperity to the southern San Joaquin Valley.<\/p>\n

\"Blond<\/p>\n

Jay Tamsi, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

Increasingly, job openings are requiring college education and more and more are looking
\n for employees with a baccalaureate degree. BC’s proposal is right on track to meet
\n the needs of our region’s Hispanic businesses.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Tamsi letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

Jon Van Boening, Pres.\/CEO, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital<\/p>\n

As an affiliate hospital of Dignity Health, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is dedicated
\n to delivering health services that are compassionate, high-quality and affordable.
\n We promote healthy lifestyles as an integral part of the community we serve, with
\n a special concern for the underserved. Bakersfield Memorial Hospital has enjoyed a
\n long history with Bakersfield College and its excellent services to both its student
\n community and the community at large. The four-year baccalaureate of applied science
\n (BAS) degree in Industrial Automation would meet significant workforce training needs
\n in the southern San Joaquin Valley, especially in our critical industries of petroleum
\n and agriculture. I am pleased to offer the support of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
\n for this program.<\/p>\n

\"Van<\/p>\n

Ken Vaughan, Daniells Phillips Vaughan & Bock<\/p>\n

As a Bakersfield College graduate and member of the Bakersfield College Foundation
\n Board of Directors, I’m in full support of the proposed baccalaureate of applied science
\n in Industrial Automation being proposed by Bakersfield College. This important degree
\n will help the southern San Joaquin Valley and the community I call home attract new
\n employers and provide the employee base for local business expansion. Our community
\n needs the increased education and economic development that this degree program and
\n its graduates can provide.<\/p>\n

\"Vaughan<\/p>\n

Michael Wolf, Div. Manager, Matrix Service Inc.<\/p>\n

With the increasing demand for college graduates with technical degrees and the robust
\n energy and agricultural industry in central California, a local degree program is
\n very important to the region. In addition, raising the number of local residents that
\n have achieved higher education will help attract new business to Kern County which
\n benefits everyone in the community.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Wolf letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Matrix<\/p>\n

Lisa Wong, Principal, T.J. Cross Engineers, Inc.<\/p>\n

TJ Cross Engineers, Inc. recognizes the value of providing affordable quality technical
\n education in our local community. We welcome the opportunity to partner and support
\n higher education with their goals to support our growing automation workforce needs.
\n Industrial automation is critical to Engineering, Operations, Process, Safety Management,
\n Data Management, and Supervisory Control. We appreciate that Bakersfield College has
\n recognized and addressed this gap.<\/p>\n

\"Lisa<\/p>\n

Marko Zaninovich, President, Sunview Vineyards<\/p>\n

Sunview Vineyards strives to grow quality table grapes. We value employees with a
\n quality education who are problem solvers. Sunview supports the establishment of the
\n Bakersfield College BAS degree program in Industrial Automation. The degree will help
\n meet our future employment needs and generate capable citizens that will improve and
\n contribute to the welfare of our community.<\/p>\n

\"Sunview<\/p>\n

Barry Zoeller, Vice President, Corp. Comm. & Marketing, Tejon Ranch Co.<\/p>\n

Tejon Ranch is happy to support Bakersfield College’s efforts to pursue offering a
\n baccalaureate of applied science in Industrial Automation. Kern County ranks 35th out of 50 California counties in the percent of bachelor’s degrees (or higher) earned
\n by residents. BC’s plans will produce a better educated population and enable place-bound
\n local students and military veterans the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree
\n needed for job opportunities. Benefiting the local community is part of the focus
\n of Tejon Ranch, and our support of the BAS in Industrial Automation is consistent
\n that value.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the full Zoeller letter of support<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Tejon<\/p>\n

Back to Top<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"AC Electric A-C Electric’s talent needs go well beyond the educational opportunities currently available in Central California. Our…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":508809,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[151,153,152],"class_list":["post-508808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield-headlines","tag-bakersfield-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/508808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=508808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/508808\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/508809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=508808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=508808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=508808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}