The Orange County Board of Supervisors declared April “Community College Month” at a meeting on April 23. 

“Community colleges offer opportunities from folks of all walks of life regardless of age, background, or circumstance,” said Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. 
During the meeting, representatives from community colleges and community college districts were honored.  

The Rancho Santiago Community College District was represented at the Board of Supervisors meeting by Board President Sal Tinajero, Board Member David Crockett, Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Enrique Perez, and Santa Ana College president Annebelle Nery. 

“Community colleges are about hope. They’re about achievement,” said Tinajero. “It is about breaking people out of poverty, but also about creating pathways for people to be able to achieve that education that we all want everyone to achieve.” 

Community colleges play a crucial role in the educational landscape by providing accessible and affordable higher education opportunities to a diverse range of students. They serve as entry points for those seeking to further their education, whether through vocational training, skill development, or transferring to four-year institutions. Community colleges often cater to non-traditional students, including working adults, parents, and individuals looking to re-enter the workforce or change careers. 

“Community colleges offer affordable and accessible education that serves diverse populations including first generation college students, working adults and those seeking career transitions,” said Sarmiento. 

In the 2022-23 academic year, Rancho Santiago Community College District awarded over 9,500 degrees and certificates to students in Orange County. To learn more about the ways RSCCD supports education in Orange County, visit the District website.