The Alumni Rising `Runner program, a signature Homecoming event started in 2014, recognizes ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ alumni of the last 10 years who are already making an impact in their career and community. It also gives current ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ students a chance to learn from their examples.
The deans of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥'s four academic colleges choose a Rising `Runner each year in consultation with their faculty and staff. The Alumni Association traditionally honors them with a luncheon and awards ceremony and then invites students to hear them talk about their post-ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ career and life path during a Q and A session.
(Faculty submission only; application window is currently closed)
Alumni Rising `Runners from past years.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Alumni Rising `Runners
College of Social Sciences and Education - Antelope Valley
Marisa Mead
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Child and Family Guidance Center
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, 2019
College of Arts and Humanities
Juan Carlos Vieyra Navarro
English-ELA High School Teacher, Cesar Chavez High School
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, 2015
Master of Arts, Spanish, 2021
College of Business and Public Administration
TRACO MATTHEWS
Chief Health Equity Officer, Kern Health Systems
Master of Business Administration, 2017
College of Social Sciences and Education
MARIA SANTANA
Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Terrio Physical Therapy & Fitness
Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, 2020
College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering
JOSE RUEZGA
Field Automation Specialist, California Resources Corporation
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, 2019
Congratulations to Our 2024 Alumni Rising `Runners
College of Business and Public Administration - Antelope Valley
Nichollas Braden
B. S. Business Administration,2017 and Master of Business Administration, 2019
College of Arts and Humanities
Olivia Garcia
Associate Professor of History, Bakersfield College
Master of Arts - History, 2015
College of Business and Public Administration
Dylan Wilson
Executive Director of the Edible Schoolyard Kern County, Grimmway Enterprises
B.S. Agricultural Business, 2020
College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering
Haley Hashim
B.S. Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry, 2016
Congratulations to Our 2023 Alumni Rising `Runners
College of Arts and Humanities
Ryan Fergon
Senior Community Development Specialist, Community Action Partnership of Kern County
BA Philosophy, 2020
College of Business and Public Administration
Brigiett Guzman
Economic Development Planner, City of Bakersfield
BA Political Science, 2020 and Master of Public Administration, 2021
College of Social Sciences and Education
Alison Burrowes
Deputy Director, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Master of Sociology, 2006 and Master of Social Work, 2014
College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
David Tate
School Nurse, Rio Bravo-Greeley School District
BS Nursing, 2015
Congratulations to Our 2022 Alumni Rising `Runners
College of Arts and Humanities
Alyson Moss
Social studies teacher, Liberty High School
BA History, 2010; MA History, 2019
College of Business and Public Administration
Amir Ali Zabrani
Vice president, senior relationship manager for Mission Bank
BS in Business Administration, 2014
College of Social Sciences and Education
Fatima Rodriguez
Criminal defense attorney
BA Political Science, 2017
College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
Dr. Sheriff Sadiq Batcha
Q&R Engineer, Intel Corp.
BS Computer Engineering, 2016
Congratulations to Our 2021 Alumni Rising `Runners
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Antelope Valley
SARINA MUHAMMAD
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, 2015
- MBA, 2017
Other degree:
- Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Antelope Valley College, 2013
Professional history:
- Business service representative for Goodwill Southern California, 2017-present
- IT assistant for ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, 2016-2017
- Senior case manager/business administrator for Volunteers of America, 2014-2015
- Intake coordinating manager for Skid Row Development Corp., 2013-2014
- Re-entry program manager for Paving the Way Foundation, 2010-2014
College of Arts and Humanities
JAMAL WRIGHT
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts in History, 2015
- Master of Arts in History, 2017
- Doctorate in Educational Leadership, 2020
Other degree:
- Associate of Arts in History from Bakersfield College, 2014
Professional history:
- Associate professor of history at Bakersfield College 2018-present
- Adjunct professor of history at Bakersfield College, 2017-2018
- Adjunct professor at Glendale Community College, 2017-2018
- Graduate teaching assistant at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, 2016-2017
College of Business and Public Administration
Bailee Cook
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 2018
Professional history:
- GSC subcontract specialist for Northrop Grumman, 2019-present
- Executive administrative assistant for Antelope Valley Board of Trade, 2016-2019
- Administrative assistant for Cortech Engineering, 2013
College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
NICK TOOTHMAN
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, 2010
Other degree:
- Doctorate in Computer Science from UC Davis, 2020
Professional history:
- Assistant professor at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, 2020-present
- Tenure-track lecturer at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, 2019-2020
- Associate instructor at UC Davis, 2017-2019
College of Social Sciences and Education
ALEX DOMINGUEZ
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ degree:
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 2017
Other degrees:
- Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, 2020
- Associate of Arts in Political Science from Bakersfield College, 2015
Professional history:
- Associate attorney at Klein DeNatale Goldner, 2019-present
- Legal intern at The Wonderful Company, 2018-2019
- Government affairs and digital media staff at Yankee Communications, 2016-2017
- Field representative for Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, 2014-2015