After over 30 years of teaching at Bakersfield College, Helen Acosta received the “Samuel W. McCall Outstanding Professor of the Year” award. The student-voted accolade highlights both her excellent capabilities as a professor and her passion for teaching since her time as a college student.
In short, Acosta was raised in a family of teachers. She initially attended Orange Coast College to study music to diverge from her father but was similarly drawn to communication studies instead.
“I really tried not to go into the family business, but it was just who I am,” Acosta said.
She continued her education at Chico State for one year before transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Due to her proficiency in interpersonal communication, she nailed the interview to become a professor at Bakersfield College. For the years that followed, Acosta was dedicated to her students: “You have to put your whole self into it. It’s not a profession, it’s a vocation.”
Her first curriculum was a challenging venture. She frequently configured her lectures to best convey the necessary information. In hindsight, she found the most support through cultivating relationships with multiple mentors, who watched her teach a class and offer feedback.
Despite over 30 years of experience, she continues to learn, continuously evolving her teaching style to accommodate students. The most significant addition to her classroom was the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for learning. At the start of the semester, Acosta would ask her students to find values they believe in, then find a connecting quote.
“It used to be hard. But now, I have a bunch of apps that allow students to get step by step support during the process. I’m able to give deeper feedback and provide more face-to-face support for the students who really need it,” Acosta said.
What she aspires to convey in her commencement speech is to encourage students to stay vigilant during times of hardship: “Yes, we live in a scary time. But every time of change has been scary, and we’ve survived every time of change.”
Congratulations once more to Helen Acosta for winning 2026 Professor of the Year.
