Jackie Orchard

Education

Can Community Colleges Meet The Urgency Of The Climate Crisis?

Much of the strategy for how California's community colleges respond to climate change revolves around one college in particular: West Los Angeles College, in Culver City.

An illustration of three people standing over a depiction of an arid California. The sun beats down on them. The figure in the center is tending to plants, and has the word West on his shirt.

Education

America Needs Pilots, But Training Is Pricey. Community Colleges Are Stepping In

Mt. San Antonio College owns seven Cessnas at Brackett Air Field, where students learn to fly.

A young woman smiling from the front seat of a Cessna plane.

Education

How An LA Community College Built A Home For Former Foster Youth

The U.S. foster system has many flaws, but consistent efforts have paid dividends at Mt. San Antonio College.

Six members of Mt. SAC's REACH program stand in the commemorative garden, which has blue hearts representing over 400,000 foster youths in the U.S. this year.

Education

Up-And-Coming Chefs Get Chance To Show Their Chops In Culinary Face-Off

Students from three community college campuses cooked, baked, sautéed and displayed their very best dishes at the third annual Culinary Cup.

Three family members watch the student chefs work through a large window, where a cooking lab can be seen.

Education

This Trade Tech College Is Cooking Up LA's Next Chefs

L.A. Trade-Tech College has the longest continuously running culinary arts program in the country, a resource for California's growing restaurant industry.

Three students in white chef uniforms with white hats show off their dough in a large, cooking lab.

Education

Here's The Buzz Surrounding All Of Those Drones Hovering Over Fullerton

Fullerton College's drone lab is training students for careers in everything from emergency response to flying packages to your doorstep.

Four Fullerton College students and their professor stand around a gray drone in a parking lot.

Education

These Students Were Once Incarcerated. Now They're Helping Each Other Navigate Community College Life

CORE — Community Overcoming Recidivism through Education — is helping formerly incarcerated students at Pasadena City College get their lives back on track.

Four students stand arm in arm with a lime green background that says CORE.

Education

Live Jazz Isn’t Dead, A Pandemic Just Got In The Way

The Long Beach City College Jazz Fest ran into hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the students are still playing.

A man with a mohawk in a gray suit introduces the next song on stage with guitar and piano players behind him.

Education

Your Most Committed Relationship May Soon Be With Cal State University

Pressed by the state legislature, the California State University system is making it easier for students who want to transfer in from community colleges.