THE
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
For more than 75 years, South Bay residents have taken classes, found meaningful careers, and even changed their life trajectory at El Camino College. Today, countless alumni are employed in the college’s service area, contributing to a healthy South Bay economy and vibrant communities. El Camino’s approach to regional economic development mirrors our commitment to educating students. By focusing on improving the economic well-being and quality of life for our students, we contribute to building a thriving economy as the South Bay’s primary workforce development partner.
At El Camino our main focus is our students and ensuring they have an optimal place to pursue educational opportunities and finish their degree, certificate, and/or transfer. This report highlights several student success stories and provides updates on initiatives that make El Camino a leader in offering innovative academic programs and resources. We have recently opened multiple new learning facilities and a modern health and wellness center. We continue to concentrate our efforts on enabling access to a college education, driving change, and eliminating barriers through meaningful student support, while actively engaging and empowering students in the classroom to foster dynamic learning experiences and personal growth.
As the South Bay’s community college, we are honored and delighted to serve as a conduit of hope, opportunity, and learning for all South Bay residents. I extend my deepest appreciation to the El Camino community for your hard work, dedication, and support, which have been key to our success in fostering innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
Brenda Thames, Ph.D. President/CEO
EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP FOR THE SOUTH BAY
Workforce Development that Makes a Difference
El Camino College has long been at the forefront of providing the education and training that drives the workforce and economy of the South Bay. Through our partnerships with industry leaders, we can assess workplace needs and tailor curriculum and training to meet the demand for skilled workers, while helping students meet their academic goals and transition to well-paying careers.
El Camino students have numerous academic and career options, from earning an associate degree to completing a short-term certificate in one of many career fields such as nursing, business administration, and computer science. We are here to ensure their career growth as we grow and expand as well, offering personalized programs that lead to personal fulfillment and prosperous employment.
This 2023-24 Annual Report highlights El Camino College’s position as an important community resource in education and economic leadership, along with the many opportunities available to students.
AN INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS
As a leader in workforce education, El Camino serves the South Bay region by providing residents with access to higher education opportunities and preparing students for highly skilled technical careers. Partnering with industry-based organizations helps us strengthen career pathways and programs, implement strategies and activities to help students complete the career education pipeline, and address business and industry needs in identified priority and emerging sectors.
For example, our membership in the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC) makes us one of 19 community colleges working to support all kinds of learners enrolled in career technical education programs so they can build the skills they need to be successful in high-growth, in-demand industries. This can include career technical education, workbased learning, credit for prior learning, hybrid courses, and job training so students can earn certificates, degrees, and occupation-specific credentials on a schedule that works for them. When creating new career education degrees and certificates, we work with our LARC partners to ensure education and training aligns with employment needs in the area.
As a result, El Camino creates a significant impact on the business community and generates a return on investment to its major stakeholder groups: students, taxpayers, and residents. Recent analysis indicates that the college adds millions in income to the local economy, both as an employer and as a provider of workplace-ready employees who serve in various positions throughout the area. From a student perspective, they receive a high return on their investments by attending El Camino, with increased future earnings throughout their working lives.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
• 1,839 small businesses served through advising and training
• 5,050 hours of business advising
• 216 training events with over 756 attendees
• 66 new businesses created
• 223 jobs created/ 2,523 jobs retained
• $22.264 million in equity infusion & loans
• $14.723+ million increase in sales
EL CAMINO COLLEGE: VISION 2030 HOST
El Camino proudly joined the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to host Vision 2030: Pathways to Equity and Economic Mobility in Healthcare. This daylong on-campus event brought together state leaders, legislators, community college peers, and representatives from labor and industry to explore how innovation in health care will transform the earning power of those entering critical careers. Guest speakers and panelists – including California Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian – spoke not only about starting conversations, but emphasized the importance of taking concrete steps, forming collaborations, and developing new strategies that will strengthen pathways in the health care workforce and make an economic impact on student outcomes and the industry in our region.
We were extremely pleased to welcome Chancellor Christian to our new “ElCo Chats” podcast series. In this special edition, Christian talks about how El Camino College – and all the California Community Colleges – offers an accessible and excellent education. Her best advice for prospective students? Enroll now.
“Don’t overthink it. Just take that leap of faith because the support systems here are going to just envelop you and take you through to the finish line. Your time is now.”
GRANT FUNDING SUPPORTS IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
Nearly $4.5 million in grants were awarded to El Camino in 2022-23, providing important funding for programs that support equity and access.
GRANT HIGHLIGHTS:
• $950K Warriors Resource Program
Focusing on food, housing, and health of basic needs insecure students, this program closes student achievement gaps with personalized solutions and support.
• $137K (annually) WIOA Grant
This Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant supports adult students learning English.
• $350,000 STEM Warrior Industry Program
This is an earmark grant from Rep. Maxine Waters (U.S. Department of Education).
The Warrior Initiative for Greater Success, also known as WINGS, was awarded a 2023 Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions federal grant that includes approximately $2,933,700 over five years. Funds will support professional development for faculty teaching math and English college-level courses and will provide success coaching for students in the program.
In support of data science curriculum, El Camino will receive $350,000 from the California Learning Lab, part of an $8 million award across 13 grants. As the only community college named as an award host institution, El Camino will lead the collaboration with UC Berkeley. Grant funds will be used to recruit and train ECC faculty to add data science content to their courses, with the goal of expanding data science offerings across campus.
INTENTIONAL EXPANSION / FACILITIES REVIEW
Our comprehensive construction plan continues to produce updated facilities and a new look for our campus, but much work remains to provide safe and modern learning environments for today’s students. Two completely new instructional buildings opened this year, along with a modern health and wellness center that promotes healthy living practices for students. Construction of a completely new Public Safety Training Center is also underway.
A new South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Center is under construction. The state-of-the-art facility will offer training programs for area public safety personnel and education opportunities for the next generation of firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
A new Student Health Center opened in a new location next to the Student Services building, providing nocost/low-cost medical and mental health services to currently enrolled students. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, clinical psychologists, a licensed chiropractor, and office staff support students in the new space.
• Four mental health offices
• Three medical exam rooms
• A welcoming lobby
• Conference room for health and mental well-being programming
• Health Center Circle for outdoor events such as yoga, mindfulness, and visits from the always popular therapy dogs
The new 58,450-square-foot Arts Complex includes 2D and 3D art classrooms, along with sculpture, jewelry design, digital design classes, film/video, photography, and print-making areas. Exterior gathering and instruction areas are included within a large quad that is a shared space with the Behavioral & Social Science Building. The stateof-the-art facility also includes the Anthropology Museum, Art Gallery, and staff offices.
NEW INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES
The new Behavioral & Social Sciences Building is a two-story, 52,894-square-foot learning area that includes classrooms, a computer lab, collaborative study and meeting spaces, offices, and an outdoor learning space. American studies, anthropology, child development/ education, economics, ethnic studies, history, human development, philosophy, political science, psychology, social justice studies, sociology, and women’s studies departments are housed in this modern structure in the center of campus.
The El Camino College Art Gallery’s new space showcases student creations and a wide variety of work from contemporary professional artists. Year-round interactive workshops offer hands-on art experiences for the entire college community.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
At El Camino, Priscilla Fleming fast-tracked her career as a licensed respiratory care practitioner, spending two years earning an associate degree and now working at an area hospital. Seeing additional opportunities in the college’s new respiratory care bachelor’s degree, she is back at El Camino.
“The two-year program is intense and challenging, but when they offered the bachelor’s degree, I decided I wanted more,” she said. “I think you can never have enough education. There is always something new to learn.”
- PRISCILLA FLEMING RESPIRATORY
CARE
ADVANCEMENT THROUGH ACADEMICS
NEW BACHELOR’S DEGREE: RESPIRATORY CARE
A new bachelor’s degree in respiratory care is now available at El Camino, offering an accelerated 18-month program in an online format across three semesters. The first baccalaureate degree offered in the community college’s 76-year history, the program expands on the existing two-year accredited associate degree that prepares students for careers as respiratory therapists – at a much lower cost than earning a degree from a four-year college or university. El Camino’s respiratory care graduates have consistently high licensure exam pass rates, and many find employment throughout the South Bay.
ROBOTICS EXHIBITION WELCOMES COMMUNITY TO COMPETE
El Camino’s Robotics Club and the Industry & Technology Division invited community members to bring their original inventions and innovative machines to a campus competition. Robotics Club students construct and test prototype robots while exploring fabrication technologies. They also learn basic electronics theory and programming, electro-mechanical assembly, motors, and micro-controller operation, and explore careers in science and engineering.
EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES COMMUNITY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN CHALLENGE
El Camino architecture students had an opportunity to join two El Segundo-based design projects. The El Segundo Unified School District and the City of El Segundo Planning Division each asked for ideas to reimagine two separate outdoor spaces. The projects offered insight into the professional design process and real-world experience in architecture. Students worked through each design challenge and transformed the spaces into greener and more comfortable environments.
El Camino’s Community Education and Continuing Education departments joined forces with a new name and expanded curriculum. The recently launched Community and Continuing Education department still provides low-cost or no-cost noncredit classes, but has now increased its diverse offerings of workshops, events, and career-training programs, with a goal to offer even more noncredit classes.
Visit the Community and Continuing Education Center, SOCS 101. New 2024 classes to watch for:
• Tax Preparation
• AWS Cloud Practitioner
• CompTIA Certification
• Real Estate Licensure
• Parenting
• Child Development
• Personal Care Aide
• Medical Transcription
• Sterile Processing
• EMT Refresher Courses
• Wildland Fire Certificate
• Maintenance and Light Repair
• Basic Computer Literacy
• Construction Apprenticeship
• Human Development
• Adult High School Diploma
• Game Design
• Sign Language for Parents/Caregivers
• Sign Language for Spanish Speakers
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Truck Driving
• Phlebotomy
• HiSET/GED Prep Courses
• OSHA Certification
• Basic Forklift
WARRIOR ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
• A campuswide Career Technical Education Strategic Plan is in development with a focus on innovation.
• The EMT program has acquired an ambulance simulator; El Camino is the first community college in LA County to provide this specialized and unique emergency response training.
• Our BioTech program continues to grow, with a new instructor dedicated to maintaining collaborations with employers, industry/trade groups, universities, and high school partners.
• CTE faculty continue to participate in the Faculty Innovation Hub program sponsored by the Los Angeles Regional Consortium with the goal to develop curriculum and projects that are equity-focused and help close equity gaps.
EL CAMINO COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Thanks to the generosity of community donors, the El Camino College Foundation reported a record-breaking year in 2023-24, raising nearly $7 million for El Camino College students. This outpouring of support helped the Foundation continue its mission to develop community relationships and raise funds to help students succeed. The scholarship program is the flagship of the Foundation, assisting hundreds of students each year, along with academics, arts, athletics, and STEM initiatives such as Onizuka Space Science Day and free planetarium shows.
STATS
• Raised nearly $7 million in 2023-24
• Fall 2024 scholarships: Nearly $900,000 awarded to more than 600 students
The ECC Foundation sponsored various events throughout the year that support student success like Onizuka Space Science Day, the Forensics Team trip to the International Forensics Association Tournament in Tokyo, and ECC’s annual Scholarships Awards Dinner.
NOTABLE GIFTS 2023-24
The Foundation received significant gifts in 2024, which will go a long way to ensure student success and educational excellence.
• Longtime El Camino supporters Joe and Elizabeth Noble made a $2 million donation, an estate gift to benefit an endowed chair for the Business Division’s Entrepreneurial Studies program.
• The estate of John and Jacalyn Harris – both El Camino alumni - donated $3 million through their estate; an unrestricted gift to be used for the greatest needs of El Camino College, so that support can be directed to students on an as-needed basis.
HIGHLIGHTS OF STUDENT SUPPORT 2023-24
• Three major estate gifts totaling $5.5 million
• Two community partners increased their annual corporate sponsorships to over $100,000
• A 16% increase in President’s Circle (gifts of $1,000 or more)
• Total STEM support increased 62% over previous year
• Warrior Pantry and Basic Needs gifts increased by 79%, which helped the most vulnerable students remain in school
• 1,030 total unique donors to the Foundation
For
“I am always excited to register for my classes each semester because I know that I can buy my
textbooks
or
school supplies,
and pay
fees
with my
scholarships.
It is a form of motivation provided by El Camino.” -
COMMUNICATION STUDIES MAJOR, BILL AND MARY KIM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Francesca Whang, receiving a scholarship from El Camino means she can pursue her college goals without financial stress.
Warrior Pantry Receives Donations
EL CAMINO IN THE COMMUNITY
OFFICE OF OUTREACH AND SCHOOL RELATIONS
Can’t make it to El Camino? No problem! We’ll come to you. Application workshops, info sessions, college fairs – ECC representatives regularly visit area high schools, community centers, and other events to make sure everyone has access to a college education. Of course, we’re still available for campus tours, registration assistance, and many other events that showcase what we do and what we offer.
Connect with us: www.elcamino.edu/admissions/outreach/services.aspx
STATS: COLLEGE NIGHT 2023 –EIGHTH ANNUAL
• Record-breaking number of guests
• 1,195 prospective students and their guests attended
• A majority of the total attendees indicated that they will enroll in 2024
• More than half of prospective student identified as first-gen
ELCO CHATS PODCAST
Introducing “ElCo Chats,” a podcast that shares inspiring success stories told by our own students, faculty, and staff members. Subscribe to ElCo Chats to catch up on Season 1 and stay up to date with new episodes in Season 2 at www.elcamino.edu/podcast
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
NATIONAL, STATE CHAMPIONS: MEN’S SOCCER!
The college community came out to cheer for El Camino’s 2023 national and state championship men’s soccer team with a victory parade across campus. After winning state with a 24-1 season record, the team was also honored as the 2023 national champions for the first time in program history. Additionally, head coach Michael Jacobson and his staff were named “National Coaching Staff of the Year” by the United Soccer Coaches organization.
El Camino alumna LaTanya King is proud of the progress she’s made in her education; her “comeback” was possible thanks to key players at ECC. She is working on her bachelor’s degree at UCLA while her daughter attends the university preschool.
“El Camino helped with everything; I wasn’t even going to apply to UCLA –I couldn’t afford it and I never thought I could get in. El Camino showed me how all that was possible.”
-LATANYA KING
ECC GRAD, UCLA POLITICAL SCIENCE AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR
Catch LaTanya’s story on ElCo Chats: Listen to Podcast | Watch on YouTube
UC San Diego professor Daunté Fyall, a passionate dance instructor, performing artist, and motivational speaker, presented a West African Dance Meditation workshop during the college’s annual Black History Month celebration.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY+ Services
& Support
Through the Student Equity and Achievement program, El Camino offers a variety of resources that support a welcoming campus environment where everyone is respected, included, and accepted.
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
• Basic Needs Center
• FIRST (Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving)
• Guardian Scholars (foster youth)
• Immigrant Student Success
• LGBTQIA+ Resources
• MANA (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander)
• Men of Color Action Network (MOCAN)
• MICASA (Mexican, Indigenous, Chicano, Caribbean, Central American, and South American Alliance)
The full list is available online: www.elcamino.edu/support/resources
• Puente Project
• Special Resource Center
• Umoja-Project Success
• Veterans Services
Sponsored by the college’s Men of Color Action Network (MOCAN), the “Dr. Parrish Geary’s Barbershop Talks” series offers an opportunity to connect and have meaningful conversations in an unstructured, unscripted, safe, and familiar space.
and acceptance.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
As a refugee who came to the U.S. from Afghanistan six years ago, Hameeda Uloomi didn’t fully understand the education system or what was available after high school. A representative from El Camino visited her campus and showed her how to get started on her college degree.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be admitted to Yale. This is my dream school; this is my American dream. El Camino prepared me for the work.”
- HAMEEDA ULOOMI
ECC CLASS OF 2023, TRANSFERRED TO YALE UNIVERSITY
El Camino’s Lavender Graduation celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community at ECC, while supporting their journey toward equality
BLACK
STUDENT
SUCCESS CENTER OFFERS WELCOMING SPACE
A new Black Student Success Center recently opened on campus, offering a safe space for the personal, professional, and academic development of students who identify as Black or African American. Home of the Black Student Union, students also have access to community-building activities, writing and math academic support, laptop use, calculator loans, academic counseling, cultural activities and events, basic needs support, and leadership opportunities.
BASIC NEEDS CENTER PROVIDES VITAL HELP
To ensure success, students need the basics; they are better able to focus on their studies if they are not worried about their next meal or how they are going to get to campus each day. The new Basic Needs Center brings the college’s existing resources together so students can easily access nutritious food, clothing, and transportation.
WARRIOR PANTRY
2023 STATS
14,634
Total # of Warrior Pantry Visits in 2022-2023
DONATIONS
• Kroger / $15,000
• Doug Bailey, Yusen Logistics / Six deep freezers
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Donations 2023:
- El Camino received 67,269 pounds of food for distribution
- The valuation of the amount of food received for distribution is equivalent to $144,481
EL CAMINO NEWS ROUNDUP
EL CAMINO RETURNS TO CARNEGIE HALL
El Camino’s exemplary vocal groups once again performed in New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, with funding support from the El Camino College Foundation. The ECC Symphony, Chorale, Concert Choir, and Women’s Chorus joined special guest artists the Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers (JMNS) to perform Coronation Mass No. 15 in C Major, K. 317 by Mozart. Nachef, an El Camino alumna, professor, and director of choral and orchestral activities, made her seventh guest-conducting appearance at Carnegie Hall. The award-winning choral conductor has been a faculty member at the college since 1989 and has also led the Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, the Ambassadors of Harmony, the Peninsula Community Church Choir, and the Torrance Pops Orchestra.
SHARER FOUNDATION AWARDS TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS
The Sharer Foundation selected El Camino as its second community college to offer Sharer Foundation Scholarships. The first year El Camino will award five $16,000 scholarships to students transferring to a California State University or University of California campus.
ECC RECOGNIZED AS HISPANICSERVING INSTITUTION
The U.S. Department of Education awarded El Camino a $2.9 million Title V grant recognizing the college as a Hispanic-Serving institution. This funding is given to institutions of higher education to assist with strengthening institutional programs, facilities, and services to expand the educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans and other underrepresented populations.
TOP 50 COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR HISPANICS
Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine named El Camino College among the leading community colleges in the nation for enrollment and degrees awarded to Hispanic students. Featured in the magazine’s “Top 50 Community Colleges for Hispanics” edition, El Camino was ranked No. 17 out of the top 50 twoyear colleges nationwide for Hispanic student enrollment in 2022 and is No. 15 among colleges granting the most degrees to Hispanic students in 2021-2022.
NEW GRANT SUPPORTS STEM STUDENTS
El Camino recently won nearly $600,000 in National Science Foundation grant funding to enhance STEM services and workforce programs for students and faculty. The “Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education” grant will support dual enrollment data science classes at El Camino, expand the college’s data science professional development for faculty, and connect students with area companies through coursework and events.
2024 COOKE UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
MEET EL CAMINO’S FOUR SEMIFINALISTS
The highly selective Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship program named four semifinalists from El Camino in 2024. Recognizing outstanding community college students working to complete bachelor’s degrees, semifinalists were chosen from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants nationwide.
FRANKEE GRANADOS got a head start on her college education by taking dual enrollment classes while still a student at Redondo Union High School and loved being a part of the El Camino community. The political science major credits her success to guidance from the First Year Experience, a program that helps students navigate the college environment. “The great thing about El Camino is that each and every student is supported; there is always someone rooting for you, rooting for your success.”
After a slow start at El Camino, PINTACK GUALOTUNA joined FYE, the Honors Transfer Program, and EOPS, which helped him find the community he needed. The North Torrance High grad wasn’t familiar with the college experience at first, but now the political science major works with new students, ensuring they are confident and ready. “I like guiding students through the process. I don’t have all the answers, but I can help others learn skills they can use at El Camino and their next college.”
After graduating from Torrance High, KENNEDY HAYASHI immediately enrolled in El Camino and jumped right into the Honors Transfer Program, ASEM, and the Associated Students Organization. As ASO director of finance, she also represented over two million students as vice president of finance for the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, traveling the nation to advocate for students. The math major plans to study statistics and data science at the university level.
EMILY HIDALGO graduated from West High School and became an ECC communication studies major soon after. She joined the First Year Experience and the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, serving as treasurer and activities director. One of the most valuable things she learned at El Camino is the importance of trying your best, but there’s no need to be perfect. “It is OK to make mistakes. Being a Warrior means to keep persevering even when things may not work out the first or second time.”
MISSION STATEMENT
El Camino College is equity-focused and partners with its diverse communities to provide student-centered learning, career development, and lifelong enrichment.
VISION STATEMENT
El Camino College will spark innovation and create equitable opportunities for our students, employees, and community.
VALUES
Integrity: We commit to ethical practices and act with transparency, sincerity, and respect in all situations.
Community Engagement: We contribute to the social, economic, and cultural development of our neighboring communities.
Equity: We celebrate the unique strengths of all individuals and support the marginalized to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, anti-racist environment.
Social Responsibility: We support our students to become the next generation of responsible leaders who recognize our collective duty to contribute to the well-being of our communities and the world at large.
Student-Centered Mindset: We proactively respond to the needs of our students and prioritize their success and well-being.
Collaboration: We work together with respect and open-mindedness to achieve common goals.
Employee Wellness: We support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our employees by providing resources and services to meet their professional needs.
Sustainability: We steward the college’s human, financial, and non-financial resources responsibly, and pursue innovation and continuous improvement to impact future generations.
EL CAMINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS OF NOVEMBER 2024
TRISHA MURAKAWA, President • KATHERINE STEINBRONER MASCHLER, Vice President • BRETT C.S. ROBERTS, Secretary NILO VEGA MICHELIN, Trustee • CLIFFORD NUMARK, Trustee • WESLEY MARSHALL, Student Trustee
www.elcamino.edu/partners