Allan Hancock College
The most visible of the local higher education institutions, Allan
Hancock College Lompoc Valley Center, sits on a 156-acre parcel at
the north end of the city near the Wye. The one-college district has a
campus in Santa Maria with centers in Lompoc, Vandenberg AFB and
Solvang. The $21 million Lompoc Valley Center was built in 1999. To
complement its diversified curriculum, Allan Hancock College provides
the opportunity to earn degrees from several universities on its
campus. Holy Names College offers a bachelor’s degree program in
registered nursing; University of La Verne offers a bachelor of science
degree program in child development; and California State University
Bakersfield offers a bachelor of science degree program in business
administration. In all, the college has partnered with local universities
to offer 18 bachelor degree programs.
Allan Hancock College provides 56 vocational-degree programs
and 106 vocational certificates, ranging from culinary arts to public
safety. Last fall more than 11,500 students enrolled in career technical
education courses. Specialized programs include viticulture/enology,
with an oncampus vineyard; computer and traditional animation,
which uses state-of-the-art facilities to train in cutting edge industry
techniques; and fire and police academy training for two counties.
The recent passage of a $180 million general obligation bond will
bring great changes to the college in the next decade.
Mechatronics is a new degree program which combines mechanical
engineering, electronics, controls engineering and computers,
emphasizing links between machine and computer, using software to
guide a physical system like a robot. There is a great demand locally
for these skills, where graduates of the AHC two-year program can
expect to earn an average salary of $45,000, on up to $90,000 annually.
The new degree was developed in partnership with a regional
grant and the California Space Authority.
The AHC environmental technology program provides certified
training for both private employers and public agencies. Over the last
four years, AHC Regional Environmental Business Resources Assistance
Center (REBRAC) provided training to more than 3,000
employees and 250 local businesses, in such environmental areas as
hazardous materials handling and home land security.
AHC also offers an outstanding nursing program that prepares 40
licensed vocational nurses and 40 registered nurses every year. It has
the largest Certified Nursing Assistant program in the state, with the
highest pass rate on the state licensing exam. These accomplishments
are possible due to the partnerships with industry. For example,
Marian Medical Center generously provides $211,000 annually to
support nursing facility positions. Marian and other agencies help
fund the program and provide clinical settings for students.
