Nation’s Top 100 Associate Degree Producers Ranked by Community College Week
(Santa Ana)—According to Community College Week, a national publication for two-year college professionals, Santa Ana College (SAC) ranks 12th among the top 100 associate degree producers for Hispanic students in the nation. The 98-year-old college is the state’s third highest producer of Hispanic graduates, surpassed only by fourth-ranked East Los Angeles College and tenth-ranked San Joaquin Delta College. In addition, SAC also ranks 20th among the top 100 associate degree producers for total minority nationwide, 26th for Asian American students, and 31st for two-year certificates all disciplines.
An appreciation for diversity, which is a core value at Santa Ana College, is reflected in the college’s demographics. In fall 2012, nearly 79 percent of its 29,318 students represented ethnic minorities. The college’s total enrollment, including credit and non-credit programs, comprised one percent American Indian, two percent African-American, 12 percent Asian, 62 percent Latino, 14 percent Caucasian, two percent Filipino, two percent other and five percent not reported. During the 2011-2012 academic year, SAC conferred a total of 1,503 associate degrees, with an additional 799 students earning vocational certificates.
“Although we are pleased to receive this national recognition, we must keep our eye on the goal of ensuring that our students achieve their academic goals of preparing for transfer and completing vocational and certificate programs that better prepare them for the workforce,” says SAC President Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D. “Our focus is on creating a learning environment that helps them achieve their dreams.”
The data for the publication’s report was compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Set completions survey. SAC also received ranks 14th in the “33 Most Popular U.S. Colleges for Hispanic Students” list as compiled by the Online College Database.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which will turn 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 13,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.
# # #
