FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Doug Schultz
Communications Supervisor
626-852-6497
dschultz@citruscollege.edu
Citrus College Recognized as a National Leader in Hispanic Education
Glendora, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2019) – For the 12th consecutive year, Citrus College has been recognized as one of the nation's top community colleges by the Hispanic Outlook on Education.
A national monthly magazine, the Hispanic Outlook on Education provides education news from a Hispanic perspective. Every year, the publication produces a special edition spotlighting innovations, trends and news affecting the nation's community colleges. The issue also includes a ranking of the leading community colleges in the United States.
This year, the Hispanic Outlook on Education ranked Citrus College 25th out of the nation's more-than-1,100 community colleges for the number of Hispanic students receiving degrees and certificates. The college was also ranked 32nd for total enrollment of Hispanic students.
"Being recognized as a national leader in higher education is always a source of pride for the college community," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "The faculty and staff of Citrus College are committed to creating a learning environment in which the values, goals and learning styles of students are recognized and supported. It is gratifying to have this commitment validated by the Hispanic Outlook on Education."
In 2012, the Citrus College community pledged to intensify its efforts to ensure that students complete their college education. This pledge was reaffirmed with the college's 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, which has one overarching goal: increase student success and completion.
Over the past several years, the college has introduced a number of innovative programs and services to help fulfill this objective, including the Early Decision program, which assists students as they progress from high school to college; I Will Complete College (IWCC), a program that provides first-time students with individual guidance and support; and the Citrus College Promise, which is designed to cover enrollment fees and other college costs for first-time students.
"Citrus College works diligently to provide students with the tools needed to achieve their educational and professional goals," continued Superintendent/President Perri. "Our student population is extremely diverse, so we strive to provide a wide variety of academic, social and financial resources that empower each individual to complete his or her college education. Consistently receiving recognition for serving students and having high graduation outcomes is a welcomed acknowledgement and validation of this hard work."
Citrus College's inclusion in the Hispanic Outlook on Education's "Top 50 Community Colleges" rankings is the latest addition to an ever-growing list of institutional recognitions. Most recently, the Campaign for College Opportunity validated Citrus College as a state leader in producing transfer degrees. The college has also been voted the San Gabriel Valley's "Best Community College" by the audiences of two different multimedia organizations.
"I am grateful to the faculty, staff and students of Citrus College who work daily to create a diverse educational community where academic excellence is both fostered and celebrated," said Susan M. Keith, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "Being ranked among the nation's top 50 community colleges for Hispanic students is a reflection of the college community's commitment to student success."
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