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KCCD MA Lunch and Learn Topic: The Wellness Project - Presented by Dr. Emma Blackthorne Online
The employee wellness focus groups revealed that our workforce is navigating a fundamental cultural shift in how work and wellbeing are understood. Misalignments that have evolved in society — between long-standing workplace norms and the realities of modern family life, commuting, and generational expectations — are increasingly unsustainable. Employees are asking not for temporary fixes, but for a workplace culture that integrates well-being into the fabric of daily work.
Flexibility, fairness in workload, and meaningful support for holistic wellness emerged as consistent themes. Gen Z in particular views work and wellbeing as inseparable, expecting organizations to reflect values of balance, equity, and purpose. Addressing these shifts proactively is not just about employee satisfaction — it is about building a resilient, future-ready organization that can attract and retain talent while fostering long-term productivity.
Dr. Emma Blackthorne, a citizen of the Ojibwe Nation from the Bad River Band of Chippewa, has called California home since 2010 after relocating from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in Northern Wisconsin. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education research and leadership, with a strong commitment to data-informed decision-making and institutional effectiveness.
As Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Research and Reporting at the Kern Community College District, Dr. Blackthorne leads a team of six researchers focused on evaluating student success metrics, supporting strategic planning, and guiding the district’s response to emerging challenges in higher education. Her work emphasizes actionable research that supports continuous improvement and student-centered outcomes.
In 2009, she was recognized as Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.’s Literacy Advocate of the Year for her leadership in expanding GED and literacy programs to Native populations in correctional facilities across Northern Wisconsin.
Dr. Blackthorne continues to contribute to academic scholarship, with publications including Phenomenology of Two-Spirit Identity: Reservation to Urban Social Landscapes and Venture Humanism: Beyond the Looking Glass. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the intersection between research, policy, and practice, and she remains dedicated to advancing educational access and success across California’s communities.
** If you need a American Sign Language Interpreter, please contact kalina.hill@bakersfieldcollege.edu.