In June, Community College Week magazine ranked Santa Maria’s Allan Hancock College 36th out of more than 50 community colleges for awarding the highest number of degrees to Hispanic students in 2008. The school has ranked among the top 50 in this category for the past seven years, according to a press release from the college.
The magazine reported the number of degrees generated “is one of the most tangible and calculable outcomes that lends itself to analysis and ranking.”
Allan Hancock College superintendent/president José Ortiz said in the release the ranking is good news, but the college’s mission is far from over.
“We continue our efforts to educate all students, including Hispanic students, and appreciate the recognition for our success,” he said in the release.
Ortiz also said the college is currently developing its third Hispanic Serving Institution Title V federal grant to further serve underrepresented students. Hancock’s other support programs serving underrepresented students include MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement), EOPS (Extended Opportunities Program and Services), and Central Coast Cal-SOAP (California Student Opportunity and Access Program).
Allan Hancock College enrolls approximately 11,500 credit students each semester, according to college records, and about one-third are Hispanic students.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2009.
