Enrollment up 14% from last year as SBCCD expands career programs, high school dual
enrollment, and hands-on training for in-demand jobs.
Crafton Hills College celebrates the Class of 2025 during commencement on May 23,
2025, in Yucaipa, Calif. — the largest graduating class in the college’s 50-plus-year
history.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Community college enrollment is rising across San Bernardino
County, with more students choosing local education pathways that lead to good-paying
careers and upward mobility.
In the 2024–25 school year, nearly 46,000 students enrolled at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College, marking a 14% increase over the previous academic year, according to the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD).
The growth comes as the district expands career training programs and deepens partnerships with K–12 schools and local industries to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline.
“Local families are making practical choices about their future — and that includes choosing community colleges close to home that lead to real opportunities,” said Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of SBCCD. “Whether they’re graduating from high school or training for a new career, more students are turning to Crafton Hills and Valley College as a launchpad for a better life.”
A graduate celebrates during San Bernardino Valley College’s commencement ceremony
on May 23, 2025, in San Bernardino, Calif. The college marked its largest graduating
class to date.
On May 23, SBCCD celebrated its largest graduating class on record.
- Crafton Hills College celebrated 1,135 graduates, including 11-year-old Alisa Perales — the youngest graduate in campus history — whose story was featured in the Los Angeles Times and People Magazine.
11-year-old, Alisa Perales, is Crafton Hills College’s youngest graduate.
- San Bernardino Valley College celebrated 1,765 graduates, including 42 high school seniors from Middle College High School who completed associate
degrees through dual enrollment while still in high school.
At the commencement ceremonies, SBCCD Board Chair Dr. Nathan Gonzales called the moment a reflection of the region’s momentum and resilience.
“You are the Inland Empire at its best,” Gonzales told graduates. “This is a future filled with the people who will lift up our families and our region — teachers, counselors, business owners. People who will care for our mental and respiratory health, ensure our cars and airplanes are safe, and keep our water clean. Welders, nurses, first responders, artists, librarians, historians — and people who will shape our world with the power of GIS.”
District officials credit part of the enrollment increase to expanding dual enrollment partnerships with local high schools. These programs allow students to earn college credit before
graduating, helping families save money and giving students a head start on their
college and career journeys.
SBCCD is investing in modern facilities to meet evolving workforce needs.
A student trains in the Automotive Technology program at San Bernardino Valley College’s new Applied Technology Building. Funded by voter-approved Measure CC, the 114,000 square-foot facility doubles the size of the previous building and provides hands-on training in skilled trades.
In January 2025, San Bernardino Valley College opened its new 114,000-square-foot Applied Technology Building, a two-story hub for hands-on training in:
- Automotive Technology (Traditional, Hybrid, & EV)
- Solar Technology
- Heavy Duty/Medium Trucks
- HVAC & Refrigeration
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining
- Water Technology
- Electricity & Electronics
- Industrial Automation
Opened in January 2024, the Crafton Hills College Public Safety Training Center features
two specialized fire training structures totaling 6,848 square feet. Funded by voter-approved
Measure CC, the facility meets fire academy standards and provides cadets with modern,
hands-on training to become certified firefighters.
Last year, Crafton Hills College launched its new Public Safety Training Center, equipping the next generation of firefighters with real-world emergency response training.
Community college grads earn more.
Research from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that individuals with an associate degree earn a median of $2 million over their lifetime, compared to $1.6 million for high school graduates. For Inland Empire students and families, that $400,000 difference can be life-changing — highlighting the long-term value of investing in local college
and career education.
“As more students turn to our colleges to prepare for careers, we’re focused on building strong partnerships and programs that meet the region’s needs,” said Chancellor Rodriguez. “With growing enrollment and hands-on training opportunities, SBCCD is proud to support the Inland Empire’s future workforce and economic vitality.”
About the San Bernardino Community College District
SBCCD serves nearly 46,000 students through Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. With more than 140 academic and hands-on career training programs, the district prepares students for university transfer and in-demand careers. Thanks to financial aid programs, nearly 8 out of 10 students pay no tuition fees. SBCCD generates more than $720 million in annual economic impact across the Inland Empire through college operations, student and alumni spending, and partnerships with local employers. The district also operates KVCR, the region’s PBS and NPR affiliate, and the Economic Development and Corporate Training Center. Learn more at www.sbccd.edu
SBCCD Board of Trustees
- Board Chair Nathan Gonzales, Ph.D.
- Board Vice Chair Joseph R. Williams
- Board Clerk Chrina Betters, Ed.D.
- Trustee Carlos Aguilera
- Trustee Stephanie Houston, Ed.D.
- Trustee John Longville
- Trustee Frank Reyes
- Student Trustee-Elect Jazmin Garcia of Crafton Hills College
Chancellor
- Diana Z. Rodriguez, Ed.D.
Presidents
- Gilbert J. Contreras, Ph.D., San Bernardino Valley College
- Kevin Horan, Ed.D., Crafton Hills College