July 23, 2024
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — East Los Angeles College and Palo Verde College have been honored with the 2024 Dr. John W. Rice Equity and Student Success Awards for their ceaseless efforts at creating successful and equitable pathways to greater student achievement in line with goals and benchmarks articulated in Vision 2030.
Woodland Community College earned an Honorable Mention in the Student Success Award category, and all three colleges were recognized during a July 22nd ceremony in Sacramento.
“East Los Angeles, Palo Verde and Woodland Community colleges are shining examples of reforming remedial education and ensuring students have equitable access to transfer level courses and the proper supports,” said California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Amy M. Costa.
Established in 2001, the Dr. John W. Rice Awards annually recognize colleges and college districts for setting the standard in advancing diversity, equity and student outcomes. The awards are named in honor of former Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges member Dr. John W. Rice, a leading advocate for equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination in the largest system of higher education in the nation. During his eight-year board tenure that ended in 2000, Dr. Rice also displayed a strong commitment to multicultural learning experiences for all students.
As a system we’ve committed ourselves to equity and student success. The colleges we’ve honored are leading the way and embody the spirit of our strategic framework, Vision 2030. By removing barriers to higher education, East Los Angeles, Palo Verde and Woodland Community colleges are unlocking their students’ potential and putting them on a clear pathway to success while also pursuing transformational change to ensure their colleges truly work for all students,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.
East Los Angeles College was recognized with the 2024 Diversity and Equity Award for its comprehensive efforts to position students for success in English and math through faculty-led initiatives that have resulted in the profound closing achievement gaps in English and math (17% and 33%, respectively). Remedial math and English courses have been abolished, allowing virtually any student to reach their educational goals without unnecessary delays with the help of personalized tutoring and comprehensive, structured supports. In the fall of 2023, the college introduced ESL 110, which is equivalent to English 101 and is tailored for non-native English speakers. Its sphere of support includes a Latina Completion & Transfer Academy, various affinity group programs, an active Veterans Resource Center, the First-Year Experience and a Jaime Escalante Math and Science program that engages some 4,000 middle and high school students in a demanding academic regimen of pre-college mathematics. Other highlights include vibrant dual-enrollment program, Family & Community Engagement Services (FACES), K-12 partnerships and collaborations with community organizations. Approximately 90% of those enrolled at East Los Angeles College are students of color and 75% identify as Latinx.
Palo Verde College was recognized with the 2024 Student Success Award for its impact by serving not only the remote desert community of Blythe, but also for serving some 3,000 justice-impacted students throughout California, including Chuckawalla Valley and Ironwood state prisons and five other state correctional facilities. While working closely with the California Department of Corrections in registering incarcerated students the old-fashioned way: with paper and pencils, Palo Verde College also has made significant improvements in its online and distance education efforts. Faculty receive critical training in the latest online teaching and learning methods, which has led to a more thoughtful approach to delivering education across different modalities. The college has also seen a shift in assessment methods, moving away from proctored exams and towards more project-based and research-based evaluations. Lastly, Palo Verde employs robust Puente and UMOJA programs and places a priority on community-based education and activism. Palo Verde was praised for its remarkable increase in transfer-level completion rates, more than doubling to 61% in English since 2014-15, and a five-fold percentage increase since 2015-16 in math.
Woodland Community College secured an Honorable Mention for its leadership at innovating its online learning platform and being adept at implementing positive practices from online learning to their face-to-face classes. Transfer-level completion rates are up nearly five-fold in math since 2016-17, and transfer-level completion rates in English have nearly doubled during that time. Associate Degrees for Transfer, meanwhile, are up 62% since 2018. Woodland Community College also is deeply rooted in the community it serves, with partnerships that include CommuniCare Health Center working with the Student Health Center to provide on-site and telehealth services and the Eagles Essentials Marketplace food pantry collaborating closely with the Yolo Food Bank.
Photos of East Los Angeles College and Palo Verde College are below. Additional photos from the Dr. John W. Rice Awards are available in Collections / 2024 Dr. John W. Rice Awards.
(From left to right: Maria Villegas, student, and President Alberto Roman
(From left to right: Clint Cowden, assistant vice superintendent/vice president for Instruction and Student Services and Superintendent/President Bruce Moses
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 1.9 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Formerly Twitter).
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