~AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE~

American River College is a State-funded two-year community college, part of the Los Rios Community College District, which also includes Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College.

ARC opened its doors as California’s 61st public junior college in 1955. Its history, however, dates back to February 28, 1942, when Grant Union Junior College was established in Del Paso Heights to train civilian personnel for national service during World War II. In 1945 the name was changed to Grant Technical College.

In June 1954, voters agreed to the establishment of a new junior college district, followed by the approval of a $3 million bond issue in November of that year. Grant Technical College ceased operation after 13 years and American River Junior College was born in the fall of 1955.
For the first three years, classes were offered at the former Grant Technical College campus. However, soon after its first semester of classes had begun, the college purchased a 153-acre site known as the Cameron Ranch on which to construct a permanent campus. By October of 1958, when official dedication ceremonies were held, eight new building complexes had been erected among the magnificent oaks native to the area.

Since that dedication the stately oak has been adopted as the official college symbol (including the campus seal), and many other facilities have been added to expand instructional and related services.

In 1965 the college became a part of the Los Rios Community College District and became American River College. Today, along with Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College, ARC is directed by a seven-member board of trustees elected by voters residing in the district.

At ARC, campus facilities development as part of the Los Rios District began with Davies Hall, a three-story classroom and faculty office building completed in 1966. In 1968-1969 new facilities for chemistry, physics, engineering, women’s physical education, and technical vocational studies, were added.

The campus grew rapidly in the 1970s, including a three-story library, a horticulture complex, a major addition to the technical education facility, a childcare center and counseling center.
Today, American River College is among the 10 largest community colleges in the state and is looked upon as a leader in innovative programs and services. It transfers more students to UC Davis and CSU Sacramento than any other community college.

Five decades after its founding, American River College continues its leadership role among the Sacramento area’s institutions of higher education.

Our Vision
American River College is a premier learning community that transforms and enriches people's lives.

Philosophy of ARC

We believe:
Students are the reason we are here; their education is our primary responsibility.

Education plays an essential role in cultivating critical and creative thinking, and in fostering responsible citizenship.

Students should be encouraged to recognize learning as a rewarding lifelong process.

The college is a community in which every person is capable of growth in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Collegiality among faculty and staff is central to that special tradition we call the ARC family.

A wide diversity of cultures and perspectives enriches our community and adds significantly to the process of learning.

The college serves as a resource for improving the life and culture of the greater community.

Identification of student learning outcomes promotes the effective use of our resources, in order to improve student success.

Our Mission

American River College will:

Serve all students who are capable of benefiting from community college instruction.

Introduce students to those broad areas of human knowledge and understanding that contribute to purposeful and meaningful lives as members of a global community.

Prepare students to transfer to and succeed at a four-year institution.

Provide education and training to prepare students for employment or to enhance career skills.

Provide remedial education that advances students' basic skills so they can reach their academic or vocational goals.

Provide instruction in English as a second language for non-native speakers.

Recognize student achievement through awarding certificates and degrees.

Offer opportunities for lifelong learning and continuing education.

Provide counseling and other support services to help students identify their goals and achieve their potential.

Maintain an educational environment that respects and accommodates a diversity of individual backgrounds, abilities, interests and opinions.

Work in partnership with students, business, the community, government, and other schools to foster community and economic development.
Provide professional development opportunities for all college employees.

"California is a diverse state, thouasands of people each day come and go to the state. Community colleges doesn't mean your entering a non - prestigious school, but rather it is a school for those who are preparing for the future. It doesn't matter what school you are in as long as you're studying abroad you can make it wherever you go, especially when students maintain academic excellence, good standing, motivation, willingness to learn, and be strong in order to become succesful in college. What is the American Dream? The American Dream is Freedom. What is the Califronia Dream? It is Opportunity and Success. The dream will no longer be a dream but will become real only if we strive to do our very best."

~Sean Gerardo =)