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Board recognizes Tehama Educational Center, citing rural access, broadband and housing gaps
Summary
The Board formally recognized Shasta College's Tehama Educational Center as a state center, after presentations on the area's long travel distances, broadband limits, dual enrollment and CTE programs and local outreach and housing efforts.
The Board of Governors voted to recognize the Tehama Educational Center (Shasta‑Tehama‑Trinity Joint Community College District) as a state center at its Nov. 18 meeting after hearing a detailed presentation from Superintendent/President Frank Nigro and Executive Vice Chancellor Chris Ferguson.
Nigro framed the request around geography and access: Tehama County has roughly 65,000 residents spread over large distances and students who would otherwise face two‑ to four‑hour public transportation trips to reach the main campus. He described county investments of roughly $25 million since 2010, active dual‑enrollment agreements across local high schools, targeted CTE expansions (medical assisting, CNA, heavy equipment and welding through high‑school partnerships), and pilot work in competency‑based education and HyFlex courses.
Board members pressed on broadband gaps, student housing and outreach. Multiple governors said the center highlights the need for targeted state support for place‑bound students. The board approved the recognition by roll call; staff noted that recognizing centers also conveys data to the Department of Finance for STFF calculations.
Next steps: the Chancellor's Office will notify the Department of Finance to include the center in future budget calculations and the district will continue program expansion, outreach and work on broadband and housing strategies to support persistence and transfer.
