According to the Washington Monthly, a bi-monthly non-profit magazine covering government and politics, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) ranked as a top school for low to middle-income adult learners out of 1,178 two-year colleges in the country. ELAC is committed to the advancement of student learning and student achievement in order to prepare students to transfer, successfully complete workforce development programs, earn associate degrees, and pursue opportunities for lifelong learning. Data from 1,178 two-year colleges was analyzed in key areas such as ease of transfer to a four-year university, flexibility of programs, earnings, cost of attendance, and services available to students. ELAC scored well across all measures and specifically earned 4 out of 5 points in Ease of Transfer and a 6 out of 6 points in Services for Adult Students.

Efforts led by college President Marvin Martinez have resulted in many innovative opportunities for ELAC students, including transfer and university partnerships, summer bridge programs, and a comprehensive offering of student services. These efforts ensure that students are connected and supported early to the various programs and services they need to pursue their academic or career pathway. “We are immensely proud of being recognized as the 13th ranked 2-year college for adult learners, and the 2nd ranked in California. ELAC’s mission makes central student success, access, and equity, and this ranking is an acknowledgment of all the hard work of our committed faculty, staff, and administrators,” said ELAC President Marvin Martinez. “At ELAC, we believe that our diversity of offerings is one of our great strengths. We offer courses at dozens of local high schools, at community centers, online, at our South Gate Educational Center, and through our Public Service Academies. At a time when other colleges have limited summer and winter offerings, ELAC’s summer and winter offerings are larger than ever.”

In the last year, ELAC opened three new buildings, including a Language Arts and Humanities Building, a Campus Student Center and Bookstore, and a Math and Science Complex. ELAC provides extensive academic support to adult learners such as a brand new Math Lab, Writing Center, and Learning Assistance Center. The Helen Miller Bailey Library caters to the needs of working adults through extended hours. The college has a wide array of programs and services to offer adult learners, including a state-of-the-art Child Development Center. “East Los Angeles College has demonstrated that it values early childhood education by providing an annual budget in support of on-campus child care,” says Director Marcia Cagigas. “The administration understands the importance of an early education for young children, as well as, the importance of supporting student-parents that struggle to continue their education without on-campus child care.”