Media Advisory

  

                              For More Information Contact:

                                  Greg Greenwood

                        Director, Public Information

                          San Joaquin Delta College

                                         (209) 954-5051

For Immediate Release,

7/1/08

Community College Week Magazine Ranks Delta College 5th Nationally

for Associate Degree Graduates

(Stockton, CA)

Community College Week, the independent magazine serving Community, Technical and Junior Colleges, has released its 2008 edition of “Top 100” Associate Degree and Certificate Producers. These rankings are derived from a pool of more than 5000 institutions across the United States. San Joaquin Delta College made significant gains in three major categories: Associate Degrees awarded in all disciplines; Associate Degrees in all disciplines awarded to Asian Americans and Associate Degrees awarded in all disciplines to Hispanics.

Delta moved to 5th place overall in the total number of Associate Degrees earned in all disciplines, graduating 3,783 students in 2007. This represents a dramatic improvement from 58th place the previous year.

Delta College moves to 1st place nationally for Associate Degrees earned by Asian Americans, up from 11th the year before. Degrees for Hispanic Americans moved up an impressive 33 positions to 8th place nationally.

Dr. Raul Rodriguez, Delta College Superintendent/President is pleased with the results of the latest rankings. “We’re happy to see these results; however, it’s not just about numbers. It’s about student success and the college’s commitment to the people it serves."

These notable improvements in Associate Degree graduates were not a matter of chance. Delta College Director of Admissions and Records, Catherine Mooney, says the College did a degree/certificate sweep to identify former students who had completed 50-100% of their requirements. “We used this as a tool to invite students to return to school and complete their degrees. A letter from Delta College Superintendent/President was sent to each student with information regarding what classes they needed to complete, and referred them to a counselor for assistance.”

Mooney says those students who were identified as having 100% of their coursework complete, were evaluated and awarded earned degrees or certificates for which they had not applied.

Mooney emphasizes, “We want to ensure that students have a rewarding educational experience at Delta College, and receive the degrees and certificates they have earned.”

A full list of rankings can be found in the June 16th, 2008 issue of Community College Week the article can be viewed online at www.ccweek.com.