BC Arvin Center opens, bringing education closer to home for rural students

January 22, 2025 /

The Bakersfield College Arvin Education Center opened its campus this week to students. After years of planning, rural students in Arvin and Lamont no longer have to drive to the Panorama BC campus.

Isabel Castaneda, program manager for the Bakersfield College Arvin Educational Center, said the center is more than just a building; it’s an opportunity for anyone who wants to pursue education, no matter where they’re starting from. 

“The campus is open to everyone, for the entire community. You can walk in and say, ‘How do I get started?’ and we’ll guide you,” Castaneda said.

The center offers general education courses, EMLS English classes, and non-credit courses including basic computer skills. They also offer courses such as EMT training, biology, human anatomy, physiology, statistics, and English.

The center’s on-site services include application assistance, counseling, financial aid, and admissions, making it a one-stop hub for students.

The center also features state-of-the-art classrooms, study rooms, a tutoring center, a writing center, and peer-to-peer tutoring spaces. Additional facilities include computer labs, a biology lab for anatomy and physiology courses, and a lactation room for students.

Castaneda shared that students, especially from Arvin and nearby areas like Lamont, shared their relief about having a campus close to home, by eliminating the long commute to the Panorama campus.

“A student told me, ‘It feels so good to have a college in our own community—it makes me feel like I really belong here,’” Castaneda said. 

Castaneda shared that it is inspiring to hear students say, “This is exactly what we needed here in Arvin,” and that sense of pride in their community is incredible.

The center is in its early stages, with plans to grow enrollment and expand its reach to serve the broader community, Castaneda explained. 

Dr. Jessica Black, a research psychologist and instructor at the Bakersfield College Arvin Educational Center, shared that it’s her first time in Arvin and aims to help students see the value in their education and provide them with opportunities for their future academic or career opportunities.

Although classes are currently small, with only 5-6 students in her statistics class. She said small class sizes allow her to connect directly with each student and ensure they are comfortable with the material.

“We’re starting small, with small classes… so my goal is to just make sure students feel comfortable and to grow, right, to see that this is a good experience, that they can gain a lot from it,” Dr. Black said.

Jacqueline Guerrero, College Success Coach for California Student Opportunity and Access Program, grew up in Arvin and was excited about the opening of a BC campus in her hometown.

“I know sometimes it’s very difficult to find transportation to our main campus or even Southwest campus. So having our own, it seems very amazing,” said Guerrero.

Guerrero also noted that the new center not only will offer opportunities and growth for young students coming out of high school but for the entire community. 

“Hopefully, [it will] give the opportunity to older Arvin citizens who possibly want to go back to college when they have that resource here in person,” she said.

As she welcomed students and staff on the first day of the semester and the grand opening of the center, Guerrero shared that she felt the excitement from students arriving for their first classes.

“It’s a great opportunity also for our dual students from Arvin High to get that experience of a community college, rather than just taking their classes in their high school classrooms,” said Guerrero.

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Haley Duval

Haley is a reporter for Kern Sol News since December of 2023. She was born and raised in East Bakersfield and went to Foothill High School. Haley studied Journalism at Bakersfield College. When Haley is not reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She can be reach at haley@southkernsol.org.