Compton College President
The Compton Community College District (CCCD) received confirmation today, that the Compton College Substantive Change Application: Change in Local Control was accepted and approved by the Committee on Substantive Change of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) on August 24, 2018.
Keith Curry, CCCD CEO and Compton College President noted the significance of this step in the historic partnership between the El Camino Community College District and the Compton Community College District, as it means Compton College will soon offer its own courses and fully operate under the authority of the Compton District.
“This is truly a historic moment for the Compton Community College District as the next and final step in the accreditation process has been approved by the ACCJC,” said Curry. “All along, the original goal since 2006 was to provide quality educational programs and services for student success while working to once again have an independent and accredited college serving the Compton District community. This change will create a renewed sense of ownership and pride for local residents, with a fully accredited college within the Compton Community College District boundaries.”
The Substantive Change Application was submitted on June 20, 2018 and two open forums were held at Compton College and El Camino College this past spring for community input.
“The Board of Trustees celebrates this important milestone, and we are extremely excited about the progress that Compton College and the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees have made over the years,” said Nicole J. Jones, president of the CCCD Board of Trustees. “We look forward to working with the El Camino Community College District to complete this transition and look forward to offering courses under the governing authority of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees after June 7, 2019.”
Since July 2017, a committee comprised of members from both Compton College and El Camino College has been working together to implement items outlined in a comprehensive transition plan. Important tasks have already been completed and many more are underway as Compton College transitions into the 114th fully independent college of the California Community Colleges system. Compton College is expected to offer a full schedule of classes operating under its own independent district, starting with the summer 2019 term.
“We are proud of the collaborative partnership established between the El Camino Community College and Compton Community College districts in 2006,” said El Camino College Superintendent/President Dena P. Maloney. “The approval of the Substantive Change Application is an important milestone and a tribute to the faculty and staff of both colleges who have worked together every day to provide educational opportunities and support services to residents of the Compton Community College District.”
Accreditation consists of several steps. The ACCJC granted initial accreditation status during its June 7, 2017 meeting, establishing Compton College as an accredited college. The Substantive Change Application was approved August 24, 2018 and now the Compton Community College District will request that the chancellor of the California Community Colleges issue an executive order declaring that Compton College will operate as an independent college under the authority of CCCD effective June 7, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. At that same time, the partnership between the Compton Community College District and the El Camino Community College District will come to an end.
“The academic communities at each campus have been dedicated to the delivery of a quality education, career training leading to good-paying jobs, and vital student support services for students, veterans, and working adults served by the Compton Community College District,” said El Camino Community College District Board President John Vargas. “Compton College makes a college education possible for thousands of area students and we look forward to continuing working together to successfully complete the partnership between our two districts.”