SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sacramento City College has been a stepping stone for higher education for over 100 years. Now that remote learning has once again been scaled back after the pandemic, Albert Garcia, president of SCC, wants to ensure the campus is also a fun and dynamic community hub.

 President Albert Garcia smiles in front of a Gregory Kondos original painting in his office.

He said, “Before COVID, around 15% of our classes were online; during the pandemic, almost all our classes were. As a result, driving by, you’d see empty parking lots and buildings with very few people around. It looked as if we were closed. What I feared was we were losing touch with the community. And that’s important because we are a community college, open to all.” That was the inspiration for Celebrate City. He added, “I wanted to create an event that would be enjoyable not only for prospective students, but also for younger families. We want them to consider SCC being a part of their lives years from now.”

University life can be terrifying to a high school kid. Many imagine monster-sized campuses where they feel like a number in a class of hundreds. And it’s pricey too. Events like Celebrate City show higher education is welcoming and affordable.

 Sacramento City College has a new Natural Science Center.

In March, colorful displays lined the Sac City campus while live music played in the background. Friendly teachers and students were eager to share their passions for subjects like anthropology, sociology, criminal justice, cosmetology, and science. There was no pressure to commit to anything; just discover the variety of career paths and degrees available. And that alone can help.

 A welcoming student hosts an anthropology table at the event.

“If you don’t have college in your background, or the expectations were to just get a job after high school, it’s a huge thing to know you can do this,” said Garcia

Career opportunities are abundant with next-level resources. For instance, SCC’s nursing program includes cutting-edge robotic mannikins for students to train with. One robot even gives birth (although it’s a requirement to get practical training). Albert Garcia says 99.9% of students who finish the nursing program quickly get jobs after graduation. There’s also a robust dental technician program. Other healthcare programs include a community health worker certification, which teaches students how to help patients navigate the bureaucratic healthcare world.

 Art students Consuelo Aguila (green shirt) and Brianna Wong help paint a new mural on campus.

Trades are trending, and Los Rios Community College is positioned to deliver. “We offer a degree in HVAC commercial and residential,” said Garcia. “We also collaborate with industry representatives. Students can complete the entire program, earn a certificate quickly, and get to work.”

While SCC offers a path to HVAC, Consumnes River College provides a construction program. Los Rios Community College District is also developing other trade options throughout the college system, such as plumbing and electrical programs.

And SCC has a strong dual enrollment program. Motivated teenagers can receive an AA degree and a high school degree simultaneously. Several McClatchy high school kids attend both schools, which gives them a jump start on college credit. They also gain confidence by experiencing college-level courses early.

Garcia encouraged me to stop by the new natural science building, where students show off their research. I met Jake, a chemistry major. He’s interested in becoming a professor and has already taught at SCC. I asked about the benefits of the natural science program. He said, “Students can fast track and get an AA to become a lab tech.” He also loves the comradery between students and teachers and access to state-of-the-art equipment. He added, “Other colleges don’t allow students the freedom to run their own samples and do the hands-on work. That’s what’s unique here.” Garcia explained how rare it is to do research within the first two years, so what’s happening there is phenomenal.

 The cosmetology department is eager to talk about potential career paths.

Walking around the campus, I noticed students of all ages painting new murals on the walls. Megan Bernards, an art teacher, was laid off from a local school after pandemic funds dried up. Being in between jobs, she decided to take some classes. Megan enjoys working alongside students from ages eighteen to seventy. She said, “It’s nice to practice and acquire new techniques. And it’s wonderful to be the student again!" She looks forward to applying her new skills to the next teaching job.

Albert Garcia is also learning something new; he just finished his first year as SCC’s President. Yet, he’s been on campus for ten years as an English teacher, dean of instruction, and vice president. Garcia has many plans for the future. He wants the campus to be as diverse as the neighborhoods that surround it. But for right now, he’s pleased to know word is getting out about Sacramento City College being the community’s heart for higher learning.

Sacramento City College is part of Los Rios Community College District: www.losrios.edu

 Chace Freed shares her research on a chemical safety project.