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Doug Schultz
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Citrus College Ranked First Among Nation's Top Degree Producers for Minority Students
Glendora, Calif. (March 5, 2019) – Citrus College has been ranked first among all public two-year community colleges in the United States for the number of associate degrees awarded in English language and literature/letters to minority students, according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
The nation's premier news source regarding the education of different student populations, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education recently published its "Top 100 Associate Degree Producers" edition. Using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, this annual issue highlights the success the nation's colleges have had in awarding degrees to African-American, Asian-American, Latino and Native-American students.
These rankings come on the heels of another recognition the college recently received: in December 2018, the Campaign for College Opportunity named Citrus College a "Champion of Higher Education" because of its successful implementation of the associate degree for transfer (ADT) pathway. Citrus College currently offers 19 ADTs in programs ranging from administration of justice and art history to studio arts and theater arts.
"These rankings reflect Citrus College's commitment to serving a diverse student population and indicate that our efforts to increase college completion rates have been productive," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "I am proud of the progress that has occurred in these areas and commend the college's faculty and staff for creating an academic environment in which students of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds thrive."
In addition, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education also ranked the college among the nation's top 100 associate degree producers in 67 other categories. Citrus College was ranked second for awarding associate degrees in social sciences to minority students, fourth for awarding associate degrees in multi/interdisciplinary studies to minority students and sixth for awarding associate degrees in visual and performing arts to minority students.
While Citrus College was recognized among the top 100 associate degree producers for awarding degrees to all minority students in 19 different categories, it was also recognized for its success in serving specific minority groups. For example, the college was recognized among the top 100 associate degree producers for awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students in 22 categories, for awarding associate degrees to Asian-American students in 14 categories and for awarding associate degrees to African-American students in six different categories. Citrus College was also ranked among the top 100 for awarding associate degrees to students of two or more races in seven categories.
These group-specific rankings include being ranked first in the nation for awarding associate degrees in English language and literature/letters to Hispanic students, second for awarding associate degrees in English language and literature/letters to Asian-American students, and fifth for awarding associate degrees in English language and literature/letters to African-American students.
"These rankings in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education allow Citrus College to celebrate the progress it has made in the areas of diversity and college completion, while providing us with the opportunity to identify areas where improvements can be made," said Mrs. Susan M. Keith, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "Diversity is one of Citrus College's institutional values, and I am extremely proud of the college community for creating an environment in which every student is supported. Because of this, all Citrus College students have the opportunity to be successful."
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