Board of Governors President Cecilia V. Estolano Congratulates Decision that Restores Accreditation to Compton College

June 09, 2017

Paige Marlatt Dorr

Office: 916.327.5356

Cell: 916.601.8005

Office E-mail: pdorr@cccco.edu

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Cecilia V. Estolano today congratulated college and community leaders along with faculty and students from Compton Community College District following a decision that restores accreditation to Compton College.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) granted initial accreditation status to Compton College on Wednesday.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment and joyous moment for the community of Compton and for the California Community Colleges system,” Estolano said. “The accreditation commission recognized the remarkable progress on the part of faculty, staff, administrators, students and community leaders. It has long been our goal at the Board of Governors to see Compton College once again operate as an independent, accredited institution.”

A special trustee was appointed by the state to oversee the district 10 years ago after administrative failure and fraud led to Compton College’s accreditation being revoked. Thanks to a partnership with El Camino Community College District, the Compton Center, operated by El Camino College serves students within the Compton Community College District. In February, governing authority of the college district was returned to the elected board of trustees.

“This accomplishment is a huge success story for the entire Compton Community College District community,” said El Camino Community College District Superintendent/President Dena P. Maloney. “El Camino College and Compton College faculty, staff and students are all to be congratulated for their hard work in achieving accreditation directly from eligibility status.”

“We look forward to continuing to provide comprehensive educational programs and support services to our diverse communities,” said Compton College President Keith Curry. “Thank you to all of our community leaders – at the federal, state and local levels – for your steadfast support. Thank you to the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees for your leadership. Thank you to all of the Compton District students and employees. And last, but not least, many thanks to our partner, El Camino College, for taking this journey with us to an accredited college.”

Compton Community College District encompasses about 29 square miles, making educational services available to residents of Compton, Lynwood, Paramount and Willowbrook, as well as portions of Athens, Bellflower, Carson, Downey, Dominguez, Lakewood, Long Beach and South Gate.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 114 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit our website.