The number of students completing a degree or certificate at Long Beach City College (LBCC) rose significantly in the 2018-2019 academic year, raising its statewide rankings.
Among all California community college districts LBCC was the most improved in the number of certificates awarded, moving from the 68th to 29th ranked school in the category, according to a school press release.
LBCC was also the second most improved in the total number of awards, including degrees and certificates, moving from 70th to 42nd in the state, and eighth most improved in the total number of degrees awarded, going from 69th to 54th.
Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) were awarded at a 29% higher rate in the 2018-2019 academic year. ADT recipients receive an associate degree as well as guaranteed admission to a California State University. An increase of 53% in ADT awards was seen among Asian and Pacific Islander students, along with a 48% increase for African American students and 23% increase for Hispanic students.
“Our students are very fortunate to have a very dedicated support system in place that truly cares about them achieving their educational goals,” Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President Vivian Malauulu said. “Everyone who has a hand in each students’ academic journey while at LBCC – from the first admissions person they meet through every counselor, professor, coach, financial aid assistant, and on to cafeteria workers, custodians, and groundskeepers they meet throughout the day – all the way up to our administrators and my colleagues on the Board and everyone in between – we all care, which is why our Vikings are completing degrees and graduating in record numbers at rates never experienced here.”
The academic year also saw changes to the school’s methods, like developing schedules for classes that are based on student demand, updating the financial aid awarding process, reinstating certain vocational and trades programs and many more.
This information about the 2018-2019 academic year is based on data standards set by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). Relevant data was calculated by LBCC’s Institutional Effectiveness (IE) team, using information from the CCCCO’s DataMart to find Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) and awards data for all California Community College districts. The rankings were then calculated using a ratio of FTES to awards.
“I’m proud that we’ve implemented a number of systemic, programmatic and process changes at LBCC with the support of our talented faculty, staff and administrators,” LBCCD Superintendent-President Reagan Romali, Ph.D, said. “Across the nation, community colleges struggle with identifying ways to best increase completion and provide students with relevant degrees that will place them on a prosperous career path. I think it’s clear that the team at LBCC has worked to improve the way we deliver programs and services to best meet student needs. While we continually seek to improve, we have made sure to enhance every element of the student experience to provide support resources, excellent curriculum and top-notch facilities in which to learn.”
