Kern CCD OBO bakersfield college for the trio-SSS teacher preparation program

Kern Community College District received a $272,364 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program (CFDA 84.042) effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award funds the TRIO-SSS Teacher Preparation Program at Bakersfield College, located in Bakersfield, California. This program provides comprehensive supportive services designed to enhance educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, including low-income and first-generation individuals, by increasing student retention and graduation rates while facilitating successful transitions from two-year to four-year institutions.

The Teacher Preparation Program component specifically leverages TRIO-SSS services to support students pursuing teaching careers, combining academic support, financial literacy, and student success interventions tailored to the needs of future educators from underrepresented backgrounds. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Kern Community College District utilizes this funding to expand educational access and opportunity within the southern San Joaquin Valley region, aligning with the broader TRIO-SSS objective of increasing postsecondary completion rates for disadvantaged student populations.