Compton College offers a convenient, affordable education for traditional and non-traditional
students - all in an encouraging environment that provides personalized student support
to put you on the road to success. We offer 42 degree programs and 41 job training
certificate programs.
Registration is currently open for all students for the fall 2023 semester at Compton
College. The fall 2023 semester begins August 19, 2023. Students are encouraged to register for classes immediately to ensure the best class
selection!
All students enrolled during the 2023-2024 school year will receive a FREE student
parking permit and one FREE meal per day at the Everytable Café on campus. In addition,
Compton College provides financial, academic, and technical support for those in need
such as financial aid, tutoring, book vouchers, free laptop and Wi-fi hotspot loans,
and referrals for those with housing insecurity.
Register Online Today!
Apply and register online, 24 hours per day via the Compton College website www.compton.edu. For new students, it takes four easy steps to apply online and enroll at Compton College. For assistance or more information,
please call 310-900-1600, ext. 2765 or visit the website.
Fall Class Schedule: https://www.compton.edu/admissions-aid/ClassSchedule.aspx
The Tartar Food Pantry, located in the multipurpose room by the cafeteria, reopened on May 1, 2023. Students enrolled in the current semester or summer session may visit the pantry twice per week to stock up on some non-perishable food items for home. The current hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Compton College celebrated the academic achievements of its students at the 2023 Commencement
Ceremony on June 9, held at the Dignity Health Sports Center Tennis Stadium in Carson,
Calif. Addressing the Class of 2023 was keynote speaker Su Jin Jez, CEO of California
Competes. View a gallery of photos from the Commencement Ceremony on the Compton College
Flickr account here.
Compton College’s class of 2023 includes 347 students who earned associate degrees
and 180 students who earned certificates. Among the graduates are 83 Compton Unified
School District Early College High School students and 24 students from the Paramount
Unified School District’s College and Career Access Pathways inaugural graduating
class. A total of 107 graduating high school seniors from these two districts earned
an associate degree or certificate while enrolled in high school.
Established in 2015, the early college pathway partnerships with local school districts
provide highly motivated high school students at Compton Unified School District and
Paramount Unified District with the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma
and two years of college credit toward an associate degree. Local high school students
who participate in these programs will be taking college classes offered by Compton
College.
Since the first cohort graduation in 2019, a combined total of 290 students from Compton
Early College High School and Paramount College and Career Access Pathways have graduated
with both a diploma and an associate degree through Compton College’s partnership
with the Compton and Paramount unified school districts.
At the Commencement Ceremony, Compton College President Keith Curry delivered opening
remarks, “Graduates, this ceremony marks the completion of your work at Compton College.
It gives you the chance to formally acknowledge your academic achievements. We are
especially proud of the graduating seniors from both the Compton and Paramount unified
school districts who have simultaneously earned both a high school diploma and an
associate degree. The early college graduates have put in the hard work, saved time
and money, while also following an accelerated path to earn a four-year degree.”
Compton College 2023 graduate Armando Arguello has played baseball since age 4 and
has fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a collegiate baseball player. A member
of the Compton College baseball team for the past two years, the right-handed pitcher
will be attending Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, this fall on an athletic
scholarship.
The honors student with a 4.0 GPA was invited to apply and audition to be the 2023
student speaker for Compton College’s Commencement Ceremony on June 9 at the Dignity
Health Sports Center. After being selected, the first-generation college student delivered
his speech to his graduating peers, friends, and family members with a message focused
on the premise that each person will have a different path to success. “Some people
will face more adversity than others, however, I want to encourage everyone to remain
strong and positive through rough times. He admits there are times where he has felt
like the standards he is held to by people close to him are too high, yet he continues
to work on being a better person every day. He strives to not only fulfill these standards,
but often sets the bar even higher.
“I’m inspired by my parents,” he said. “They are respected, and they are genuine;
what you see is what you get. They instilled in me good values. They taught me to
be loving and caring, and to treat people as you would want to be treated.”
At Avila University, Arguello will pursue a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, with
a concentration in behavioral and social science, while also playing for the Avila
Eagles baseball team. After completing his undergraduate studies, Arguello plans to
return to Southern California to earn a master’s degree in academic advising and counseling.
He hopes to one day return to Compton College to serve as an academic counselor, helping
students achieve their educational and career goals. “Through my interest in communication
studies and leadership roles in athletics, I discovered a passion for helping people,
so I want to pay it forward in the future by returning to Compton College and serving
on the counseling team,” he said.
Arguello says Compton College has provided a safe space for him to explore his interests,
both on and off the field. During the past three years at Compton College, he has
earned three associate degrees for transfer, five additional associate degrees, and
two certificates of achievement. Arguello served as pitcher for the Compton College
baseball team, and says he is grateful for everything that has come of his decision
to attend Compton College. He was named to the Dean’s List, selected as a Scholar
Athlete of the Year, and awarded a Presidential Scholarship. Arguello would like to
recognize the many coaches, instructors, counselors, and staff members at Compton
College that have contributed to his success.
“I never felt like just a number at Compton College, but rather felt like I was in
the right place,” he said. “I used the smaller class sizes to my advantage and was
able to get a lot of assistance from my instructors. All the resources were available
to me, and it was up to me to access the student services when I needed them.”
Arguello encouraged everyone in attendance at the 2023 Commencement Ceremony to be
helpful and kind to others, but also to “always believe in yourselves and what you
can achieve.”
“To my fellow graduates in the class of 2023, whatever your end goal may be, know
today that you have proven that there is no task too big, but rather, you are up for
the challenge,” said Arguello to close out his speech. “You are a Compton College
graduate; you are a story of success!
Compton College held its annual Academic Awards and Scholarship Ceremony on May 24
and recognized the academic achievements of 209 honor students (3.5 or higher GPA),
five Presidential Scholars, and 21 scholarship recipients. Scholarships awarded to
the students totaled $39,000.
The 2023 Presidential Scholars are Bryan Benitez, Adrian Lopez, Tiffany Perez, Shyanne
Bradley, and Tiffany Arellano. Presidential Scholars represent students who have shown
academic strength, singular focus, and the desire to reach their highest potential
while overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. The Presidential Scholar
program recognizes outstanding students who are graduating with a 3.7 grade point
average or higher. The 2023 Presidential Scholars each received a check for $2,000
and a medallion.
“In addition to Compton College offering state and federal Financial Aid that many
students are eligible to receive, the Foundation for the Compton Community College
District annually awards scholarships to students to help finance college attendance,”
said Compton College President Keith Curry. “In the past five years, the Foundation
has awarded more than $170,000 in scholarships to Compton College students. We encourage
all students to apply for scholarships during their first year at Compton College.”
Scholarships are beneficial to students trying to offset the cost of a college education.
Scholarships do not need to be paid back and are awarded based on specific qualifications,
talents, or merit often without regard to financial need. Current Compton College
students may apply online for multiple scholarships with just one application. The
annual scholarship application period is usually the beginning of October through
the end of February of the following year.
“We are proud of Compton College’s numerous 2023 student scholars who have worked
hard for these academic achievements,” said Barbara Calhoun, Compton Community College
District Board of Trustees president. “The Board is extremely grateful for the generous
donations the Foundation for the Compton Community College District receives each
year from businesses, organizations, and individuals in our surrounding communities
to enable the funding of these scholarships for students, many of whom face financial
barriers to obtaining a college education.”
Compton College offers scholarships to students across all academic disciplines and
24 categories, including students working toward a certificate in Career Education
programs, Dream Act students, Formerly Incarcerated Students in Transition (F.I.S.T.)
program participants, first generation students, women re-entering college, and more.
Students who are already receiving benefits through the state-funded Extended Opportunity
Programs and Services (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)
programs may also apply for a scholarship.
For a list of Compton College scholarships and eligibility criteria, please visit:
https://www.compton.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships.aspx.
Compton College will host a Nursing Pinning Ceremony on June 6, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
in the Gymnasium to celebrate 21 students, including five graduating with honors,
who will graduate with an associate of science degrees in nursing. The ceremony is
open to the public and parking is available in Lot A from the Artesia Boulevard entrance
to campus.
“There is a growing need for qualified health care providers in the workforce,” said
Compton College President Keith Curry. “Compton College has strong nursing and biomedical
science programs and a state-of-the-art Allied Health Building complete with a simulation
lab. We hope to continue to inspire and educate a new generation of leaders in nursing
and other medical professions.”
Compton College’s Nursing Program is approved by the California Board of Registered
Nursing (BRN). Compton College student nurses are supported by counseling, opportunities
to further their education and referrals to jobs in the community. Upon completion
of the program, graduates earn an associate degree and are ready to take the National
Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Visit the Compton College
Nursing Program webpage at: https://www.compton.edu/academics/health-public-services/nursing/index.aspx
Launched just one year ago, Compton College also offers a Certified Nursing Assistant
(CNA) Program to accommodate students looking to pursue careers in allied health and
technical fields and fill the gap in employment of much-needed health care workers.
The eight-week course prepares students for entry-level health care worker positions
in a long-term care skilled nursing facility. More information on Compton College’s
Certified Nursing Assistant Program is available online at https://www.compton.edu/academics/health-public-services/cna/cna.aspx
A lifelong learner and student of life, Yahziq Ohmn-Drayden entered academia at the
age of 40 by enrolling at Compton College in 2018. After contributing to his community
creatively for years through his work as an MC, writer, poet, and artist, Ohmn-Drayden
decided he wanted to develop other skills to help his community. He chose Compton
College because it is located in his hometown and holds special meaning for him. “While
I have moved from the area, I liked that I was still participating in the community
where I grew up,” he said.
Ohmn-Drayden was inspired by how Compton College serves a community he cares so deeply
for and wanted to share his positive experiences with others to hopefully inspire
them, as well. He views Compton College as a good resource for the community and said
that he learned a great deal as a student. “I feel that in every class I learned such
a wealth of information, and also learning how higher education works is priceless,”
said Ohmn-Drayden.
Two years after enrolling at Compton College, in 2020, Ohmn-Drayden graduated with
a 4.0 GPA and an associate degree for transfer, as well as an associate degree in
welding. He transferred to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in
fall 2020 and graduated in 2022 Suma Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
After graduation from CSUDH, Ohmn-Drayden applied to a doctorate program, was accepted,
and began working toward a Ph.D. in applied psychology in fall 2022. “I have been
doing community work since my early twenties,” he said. “One of the things I learned
is that sometimes it is hard for people to ‘hear you’ when you don’t have validation,
such as through an advanced degree. I believe my expertise would be best invested
on the research side of psychology and focusing on solutions that can be enacted within
the community for the betterment of all.”
He is also interested in the study of positive psychology which, in simple terms,
focuses on wellness versus illness. Positive psychology is defined as the scientific
study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning. “I am
very interested in positive psychology,” he said. “There is a whole movement in this
area of psychology. We need a blend of approaches to help increase our understanding
of what is really going on and not just focus on the negative in terms of mental health.”
At Compton College, he was referred to and enrolled in the stated-funded Extended
Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), which provides extra support for eligible
students in higher education. The EOPS program provided him with services Ohmn-Drayden
felt ultimately helped him finish his double major in two years. The book vouchers
EOPS provided helped alleviate a bit of financial stress, and the counseling offered
through EOPS was one of Ohmn-Drayden’s favorite services offered. “Every EOPS counselor
I talked with totally kept me on track to take the classes I needed,” he said. “Once
I decided I wanted to complete a double major, the counselors were able to assist
me with my educational plan, identifying all the correct classes, and made sure I
was aware of all of my deadlines for university transfer.”
During his time at Compton College, Ohmn-Drayden helped initiate a Welding Club with
the idea that it would be a resource for students to network and do outreach in the
community for potential jobs or to gain more experience. For years, he has been an
independent artisan working with metal and wood, making custom pieces such as signs,
plaques, and awards for businesses. “I would like to return to Compton College in
some role to assist in working with the Welding Club,” he said, “I would like to help
increase interest in the welding program at Compton through the club. I plan on helping
in whatever capacity I can once I complete my doctorate program.”
Ohmn-Drayden is considering dissertation topics and focus for his research and once
he earns his Ph.D., he will consider different career options such as a psychology
researcher, authoring books, and teaching as a guest or independent lecturer. He wants
to give back to society. He defines what he calls his “operating meditation” as follows:
“I’ve been watching and paying attention to the different societal dynamics we are
currently dealing with in the U.S. and the world,” he said. “That has been my motivation
to earn advanced degrees, so the social impact work I do can be even better, as well
as improve my ability to affect change.”
The next meeting of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees is scheduled
for Tuesday, July 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room, located in the Administration
Building at 1111 E. Artesia Boulevard, Compton, CA 90221.
All regular session Board meetings are open to the public. Closed session begins at
5:00 p.m.
The Board Agenda is posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Agendas are posted
on the BoardDocs website under the “Meetings” tab at: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/compton/Board.nsf/Public.
Compton College President/CEO Keith Curry will host Virtual Campuswide Forums for
employees of the Compton Community College District according to the following schedule
beginning in the fall 2023 semester:
September 19, 2023
November 21, 2023
March 19, 2024
May 21, 2024
For Zoom access information, please visit the Campus Calendar online closer to each
forum date: https://www.compton.edu/events/
Compton College recently held a library naming ceremony to posthumously honor the
life-long community work, advocacy, and dedication to education by Mrs. Emily B. Hart-Holifield
with many of her family members in attendance.
“We are pleased to honor Emily B. Hart-Holifield’s legacy of service and belief in
public service as a sacred, ongoing responsibility by naming Compton College’s campus
library as the Holifield Library, said Barbara Calhoun, Board of Trustees president
for the Compton Community College District, during the ceremony in April 2023. “The
Library, located inside the Library-Student Success Building constructed in 2014,
is a place for Compton College students to access study resources to aid in their
academic success. It is an appropriate place to honor Mrs. Hart-Holifield, as she
was dedicated to the success of all students.”
Emily B. Hart-Holifield was the first Black woman elected to the Compton Community
College District Board of Trustees in 1975. She served on the Board for 20 consecutive
years; she completed 10 terms as board president and 4 terms as vice president. She
is credited with founding the Women’s History program at Compton College.
In 1969, Mrs. Hart-Holifield became an educator in the Compton Unified School District.
She served as a teacher for special needs students, and dedicated much of her time
to finding ways to support and accommodate her students’ needs. Early in her career
as an educator, she began advocating for change.
Her accomplishments during her lifetime are abundant. Some of the highlights of her
career and community service include: being the first Black woman elected to the
Los Angeles County Trustee Association Board; organizing a protest that led to heating
being installed in all Compton Unified School District classrooms; serving on the
Affirmative Action Board for the California Democratic Party; member of the National
Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, member of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People, and a legacy that includes being known as a warrior
for justice for persons at risk, the underrepresented, and the underserved, to name
only a few.
Compton College held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for the newly constructed
Student Services Building in April during Community Day. This state-of the art, 34,000
square-foot building serves as a one-stop location for enrollment services and includes
administration offices, enrollment services, assisted learning spaces, and computer
labs to help current and future students apply and register for Compton College courses.
The $25+ million project was funded by Measure C, the $100 million facilities bond
measure passed by local voters in 2014.
Compton College recently announced its honorees for the 2023 Distinguished Faculty
and Staff awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding faculty and staff members
for their commitment to Compton College and its educational mission. Pilar Huffman, professional development manager; Brad Conn, psychology instructor; and Alicia Zambrano, career pathways coordinator, were recognized for their dedication to students, Compton
College, and colleagues.
In 2020, the Compton Community College District introduced its Civility Champion Award
to honor outstanding employees whose contributions demonstrate a commitment to self-reflection,
care, empathy, and respect while acknowledging the culture and humanity of others.
As stated in the Compton College’s Statement of Civility and Mutual Respect, how people interact with one another is critical to cultivating and maintaining
a meaningful and effective intellectual environment. Compton College is proud to announce
its 2023 Civility Champions: Airek Mathews, distance education manager; Nathan Lopez, history and ethnic studies instructor; and Hawk McFadzen, research analyst.
Distinguished Administrator/Supervisor – Pilar Huffman, professional development manager
Huffman takes pleasure in promoting exciting, engaging, and innovative campus engagement
activities that serve as a collaborative environment for employees and students. She
has collaborated with the Associated Student Government (ASG) to arrange “welcome
back” activities for employees and students during Welcome Week at the beginning of
each semester. These activities include food trucks, team building activities, and
a chance for students and employees to get to know each other in a social setting.
Huffman is involved in everything related to Professional Development at Compton College.
Her personal mission is to “provide support through professional education and empower
individuals to translate experiential learning within their respective roles and careers.”
She also strives to provide learning opportunities that allow employees and students
to discover their passions while developing essential skills.
Huffman serves on a variety of campuswide committees including Men of Color, Open
Educational Resources (OER), LGBTQ+, Achieving the Dream, Anti-Racism, and Student
Engagement. Currently, she is an executive board member for the California Community
College Council for Staff Development, known as 4CSD.
Distinguished Faculty – Brad Conn, psychology instructor
Brad Conn, psychology instructor, began his career at Compton College as a teacher’s
assistant while in graduate school in 2005. Only one year later, he started his career
as an adjunct instructor of psychology and finally became a full-time faculty member
during the 2019-2020 academic year. Now, he serves as the Distance Education faculty
coordinator and tri-chair of the Men of Color task force.
Conn is known to be respected and admired by students, administration, classified
staff, and academic colleagues alike. He finds a way to make his curriculum accessible
to his students, and he strives to connect with each of his students to help them
succeed. Through his work as an advisor for the Psychology Club, he further supports
students in their academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Conn initiates collaboration with his colleagues and uses his position as Distance
Education faculty coordinator to support faculty and staff. He makes himself available
to discuss ideas or observe lessons and will offer advice to any that ask. Through
his dedication to this position, he helped boost online class offerings, and went
above and beyond to ensure that part-time and full-time faculty could continue to
teach online and maintain high-quality online instruction.
Distinguished Staff – Alicia Zambrano, career pathways coordinator
Alicia Zambrano holds the title of career pathways coordinator, but that title does
not encompass the full breadth of all that she contributes at Compton College. To
list just a few of her contributions: she conducts campus tours for important partners
and guests; collaborates with various programs, departments, and outside partnerships;
assists students with orientation, the enrollment process and petitions, adding classes
near deadline, and helping to identify pre- and corequisites; and she works with the
Office of Community Relations to refer student success stories to share with the community.
Serving as a career education ambassador for Compton College, Zambrano will routinely
conduct community outreach to recruit and assist students. She also serves as a spokesperson
with employers including with the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealership Association
and Hadrian, an aerospace fastener manufacturing company in Torrance, Calif., to name
a few. She frequently coordinates with educational partners, including many of the
local high schools.
Zambrano recently participated in a strategic planning retreat called “Learning, Evaluating,
and Planning Together: Projects that Matter” at the UCLA Conference Center. She has
been invited to represented Compton College at the Adult Learner Strategic Enrollment
Management project event in June 2023 in Colorado.
Compton College Baseball Coach Shannon Williams celebrated his 250th career win with
the Tartar Baseball team in April 2023 with a 2-0 win against Mt. Sac.
Williams earned his 220th win in March 2019, against Chaffey College, which marked
his place in the record books as the college’s all-time “winningest” coach. He recently
completed his 20th season with Compton College and continues to provide stability
to the baseball program and make a difference in students’ lives in the Compton College
Community and surrounding areas.
Coach Williams reflected on his reaching 250 wins, “I have been very blessed to have
the opportunity to help so many players find their path in life through baseball and
academics. This moment was no about me getting the 250th win, but to see how excited
the team was after a big win is what matters most. This great game of baseball provides
unbelievable life lessons for our young men.”
Read Coach Williams bio here.
Local community members are invited to the weekly Certified Farmers’ Market at Compton
College in partnership with Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA).
The market is an excellent opportunity for students, district employees, and members
of the community to stock up on affordable, fresh produce straight from the farm.
All currently enrolled Compton College students are eligible for a weekly $20 voucher
to spend at the farmers’ market. Students just need to present their student ID at
the information table at the farmers’ market to pick up their voucher.
At the market, attendees may use their CalFresh EBT benefits, WIC, and Senior Farmers
Market Nutrition Program checks (FMNP) to purchase groceries. The market features
popular programs, such as the Los Angeles County supported American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Market Match, a healthy food incentive program which makes fruits and vegetables more
affordable through a dollar-for-dollar match on EBT purchases. CalFresh can be used
toward ARP Market Match incentives to receive up to $20 to buy fruits and vegetables
at the market. This program is vital in supporting local farmers in promoting sustainable
food systems and community food security.
Compton College is dedicated to helping support the needs of our students and community
by finding the perfect partners to support these endeavors. SEE-LA’s mission is to
build sustainable food systems and promote social and cultural activities, that benefit
both low to moderate income residents of the greater Los Angeles area while also supporting
small- and mid-sized farms in California, as well as local small businesses.
The Certified Farmers’ Market is held every Wednesday from 3:00-7:30 p.m. in the Tartar
Village, located at 1111 E. Artesia Boulevard, Compton, CA 90221. Parking is available
in Lot A (off Artesia Blvd.) and Lot F (off Greenleaf Blvd.) for $3. More information
available online at https://seela.org/markets-compton-college/.
Accepting New Farmers’ Market Vendors
The farmers’ market is currently seeking new vendors; those that are interested are
encouraged to apply. Farmers, food vendors, artisans, community partners, nonprofits,
and more can apply to become a vendor online at https://seela.org/become-a-vendor.
July 3 | Second 6-week summer session begins |
July 4 | Independence Day Holiday (campus closed) |
July 9 | Last day to add a class, drop with no notation and a refund (second 6-week summer session) |
July 11 | Mobile Food Pantry |
July 18 | Board of Trustees Meeting |
July 20 | Last day to apply for graduation and certificates (summer) |
July 27 | First 6-week summer session ends |
August 19 | 8-week and second 6-week summer sessions end |
August 15 | Board of Trustees Meeting |
August 19 | Fall 2023 semester begins |