Training Sessions
2026-2027 Offerings: Fall Semester
Strategic Leadership in Times of Change
All employees
Facilitator: Natesha Johnson
Learning Objectives:
- Lead through uncertainty and disruption
- Improve organizational agility
- Strengthen decision-making and resilience
- Build trust during periods of transition
Date:
- September 2, 2026 | 9-11am | District Office
Introduction to Change Management
All employees
Facilitator: Bridgette Bodine
This Master Class provides an introduction to managing change through a structured, practical approach. As higher education continues to evolve, colleges must adapt to technological advancements, changing student needs, leadership transitions, and regulatory requirements. Successfully navigating these changes requires more than new processes, it requires a culture that embraces openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
In this course, participants will explore strategies and tools for leading change effectively by following the key phases of preparing, planning, implementing, embedding, and reviewing. You will learn how to engage and support employees throughout the change process, helping them adopt new ways of thinking and working while achieving sustainable, successful outcomes.
Date:
- September 8, 2026 | 9am - 3pm | District Office
Purpose Workshop
District Office employees only
Facilitator: Oriana Quezada Rodriguez
Purpose Workshops are an experiential process designed to explore purpose and how it is expressed. They launch people on a journey to discover and live from a sense of purpose. During a workshop, participants will examine who they are and their core gifts. They will begin to draft a purpose statement to live a more vital, engaged, and meaningful life. Clarifying individual purpose is generally a long exploration, and most people do not arrive at their “Ah ha!” moment within the confines of a workshop, so the workshops offer valuable tools that equip the participant to continue his or her purpose exploration after the workshop has concluded.
Date:
- September 15, 2026 | 10am - 1pm | District Office
Supplemental Retirement Planning Workshop
Classified employees
Facilitator: Carlos Almazan
Understand Your Retirement Savings Options Learn the key differences between 403(b), Roth 403(b), 457(b), and Roth 457(b) plans, including eligibility requirements and tax advantages.
Maximize Your Retirement Savings Discover contribution strategies and ways to optimize
your retirement accounts to help build long-term financial security.
Create a Personalized Retirement Strategy See how supplemental retirement plans can
work alongside your CalSTRS or CalPERS pension to support your retirement goals.
Date:
- September 21, 2026 | 9am - 10am | Zoom
Finding Your Voice: Public Speaking Skills for Everyday Leadership
All employees
Faciltator: Fabiola Butcher
This workshop helps participants strengthen one of their most underrated leadership tools—their voice. You will learn how to craft clear messages, connect with diverse audiences, and deliver ideas with authenticity and poise. We’ll break down the essentials of effective speaking into approachable steps, practice them together, and build confidence through supportive feedback.
Participants will walk away with techniques they can use in meetings, presentations, and tough conversations—plus a renewed sense of ease when speaking in front of others.
Dates:
- BC/DO: October 1, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | Campus Center 231
- PC: October 5, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | PC Sage 104
- CC: October 15, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | CC - Lecture Center; Zoom
Time Management and Workload Prioritization
Classified/Management employees
Facilitator: Thad Russell
In today's community college environment, competing priorities, shifting deadlines, and unexpected requests can make it challenging to stay focused and productive. This interactive session explores practical strategies for managing time, prioritizing workloads, and responding effectively to changing supervisor expectations while reducing stress and maintaining high-quality service.
Dates:
Bakersfield College/District Office
- Classified Employees: October 21, 2026 | 10:30am - 11:30am | Campus Center 231
- Management Employees: October 21, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | Campus Center 231
Porterville College
- Classified Employees: November 4, 2026 | 10:30am - 11:30am | PC Sage 104
- Management Employees: November 4, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | PC Sage 104
Cerro Coso Community College
- Classified Employees: November 12, 2026 | 10:30am - 11:30am | CC Community Room; Zoom
- Management Employees: November 12, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | CC Community Room; Zoom
How to Become a Better Leader: Leading Yourself Before Leading Others
All employees
Facilitator: Natesha Johnson
Leadership is not a title-it's a skill, a mindset, & a commitment to continuous growth.
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Building trust and credibility
- Communication that inspires action
- Accountability and decision-making
- Leading through influence, not authority
Dates:
- BC/DO: December 1, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | Campus Center 231
- CC: December 7, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | CC Community Room; Zoom
- PC: December 10, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm
Leading as a Manager
Facilitator: Chad Houk
Management employees
An interactive session designed to help managers, or those who might be a manager one day, better understand the foundations of effective leadership and how to apply leadership principles in managing situations. Participants will explore major leadership theories, examine the principles of servant leadership, engage in group discussions and activities, and work through common challenges faced as managers. The session emphasizes practical leadership skills, relationship-building, and strategies for leading through challenges in teams, programs, and campus initiatives.
Dates:
- BC/DO: November 2, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | Campus Center 231
- CC: October 13, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm | CC Community Room; Zoom
- PC: November 12, 2026 | 1pm - 4pm