Dr. Sheri Horn-Bunk, the Executive Director of Foundation and Institutional Advancement for the Taft College Foundation made us very proud of our county. It should be noted that Sheri is a Rotarian. She calls Bakersfield North Rotary home. Sheri shared with us the excellent progress Taft College has made and highlighted three programs that are making profound, sustainable change for people in our community.- Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL)
- Taft College Hutchison Engineering Promise Program (HEPP)
- Taft College NEW Associates Degree in Nursing Program (RN)
Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL)
The Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a postsecondary experience for adults with developmental disabilities emphasizing learning independent living skills. It offers a 2-year certificate program in Independent Living. This photo shows the apartments these students live in for two years while learning skills that enable them how to live independently.
Taft College Hutchison Engineering Promise Program (HEPP)
The Hutchisons left a legacy donation that funds the Taft College Hutchison Engineering Promise Program (HEPP), which is a support program unique to Taft College. Founded and funded in 2018 and was established to provide financial and academic support for students enrolled in the college’s engineering program.
Example of a Success Story
Liam Jenkins, a Taft College Hutchison Engineering Promise Program (HEPP) student, graduated 2023 from Taft College with an AS Degree in Engineering, after which he attend UC Riverside where he will pursue a BS degree in Bio-Medical Engineering. With the help of this unique program, Liam says the HEPP Scholarship was a wonderful experience to be part of a cohort of students with a common goal of becoming an engineer. The specialized tutoring, counseling, and mentoring contributed to his success. It also paid for all his costs to go to school, which allowed him the freedom to concentrate more on his classes. Liam is just one shining example of how the Hutchison Family and Taft College have helped students succeed and become an engineer.
Taft College NEW Associates Degree in Nursing Program (RN)
This program is so new that the programs are being developed and funded. There are three proposed tracts
Medical Assisting
Paramedic
- this program is coordinating with CSUB nursing program. Students graduating from this program can go to CSUB to get their VRN License. Taft College is already offering "Allied Health Internships" with Adventist Health and Dignity Memorial. The Foundation pays the interns through donations from Chevron, Bank of America and Valley Strong Credit Union.