PCC is a great college.
In 2019, PCC was named a top ten finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College
Excellence. The committee noted our impressive transfer rates, strong focus on improving outcomes for low-income students
and students of color, and dedicated services for war veterans. PCC was also a 2017 Aspen Prize finalist.
We are ranked #1 in Southern California and #2 in the state in awarding Associate Degrees for Transfer.
PCC Pathways’ effective use of guided pathways strategies has resulted in outstanding completion outcomes.
Why change?
PCC’s 2010-11 cohort of first-time college students were tracked for six years.
A Few of PCC's Bright Spots
Since 2012, all new full-time faculty have participated in the year-long New Faculty Seminar, which focuses on equity-minded teaching and learning.
A 2015 UCLA evaluation report revealed that PCC Pathways students become transfer prepared at twice the rate of non-Pathways students.
Since the inception of PCC Complete, completion rates for Latinos/as have increased from 36.8% in 2014-15 to 43.7% in 2016-17.
Approximately 400 faculty, classified staff, and managers participated in at least one equity-based training, facilitated by USC’s Center for Urban education in 2016-2017.
Twenty faculty have been trained to conduct peer-to-peer observations designed to identify instructional methods that increase student equity and decrease achievement gaps.
Email and text message nudges have increased financial aid disbursement from $4.8 million in 2015 to $6 million in 2016, resulting in nearly 1,200 more students receiving aid.
The fall 2016 Community College Equity Assessment Lab survey led to the creation of a food pantry, additional emergency financial services, and a designated facility for PCC’s Safe Zone.
In 2017-18, PCC made over $1 million available to students who attend full-time with Full-Time Enrollment grant funds.
PCC piloted its early alert system in 2017-18 with approximately 4,000 students, supporting the integration of student service with instruction to ensure student success.
All new students have been placed into English and math based on multiple measures rather than assessment tests since fall 2017.
47% did not complete a degree applicable English class.
52% did not complete a degree applicable math class
44% did not receive a degree, certificate or transfer.
20% had not completed 30 units.
Source: 2017 CA Community College Student Success Scorecard
We can and must do more.
Our Mission
Close equity gaps for all student groups, particularly Latinos/as and African Americans.
Our Guiding Principles
- Stay student-focused
- Commit to learning
- Use evidence to change
Helping Students Complete
Our Theory of Change
PCC is using the guided pathways framework to support students at every step of their academic journey at PCC and to prepare them for meaningful careers.
Learn More