Dear Pirates!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 academic year. I am honored to serve as your incoming President, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to support you in your educational journey at Ventura College. Our institution was the first community college built in our county, and we have stood as a beacon of education for over 99 years.  We look forward to our centennial celebration in 2025.

I encourage you to take advantage of the variety of programs providing a comprehensive educational experience and a broad range of opportunities. Browse this catalog carefully, as it is a guide to enriching your educational experiences, preparing you for a career, and making you aware of available transfer pathways whether at our Main Campus or our East Campus in Santa Paula. Our online learning programs enhance the flexibility and accessibility of education in this rapidly changing world.

Our college offers innovative, quality educational opportunities to approximately 12,000 students each year. I challenge you to enhance your college experience by actively involving yourself in campus life through student activities, leadership opportunities, and athletics programs. Acquaint yourselves with the “Ventura College Promise Program” which offers first-time, full-time college students the opportunity of free tuition for the first two years, regardless of income or citizenship status. This is made possible thanks to the generous support of public and private donors to our VC Foundation.

We understand that academic journeys are not always easy, so we also offer financial, academic, and health support services to eliminate barriers and boost your success. Take advantage of the flexible day and evening classes, online courses, preparation for employment, university transfer pathways, and more.

For those pursuing education beyond Ventura College, we have transfer agreements with public universities in California including, The California State University, the University of California, as well as private higher-education institutions.

Our outstanding team of faculty, staff, and administrators who are focused on your success, are committed to providing you with high-quality instruction and support services.

At Ventura College, we are excited to partner with you on your academic journey and we wish you the best of success in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib
President

For more than 90 years, Ventura College has had exemplary leadership. That leadership was provided by:

• H.O. Wise, 1925-1928
• Melrowe Martin, 1928-1929
• Amos E. Clark, 1929-1931
• D.R. Henry, 1931-1953
• Hugh Price, 1953-1956
• Phil Putnam, 1956-1960
• Ed Rowins, 1960-1966
• Dr. Ray E. Loehr, 1967-1974
• Dr. Richard A. Glenn, 1974-1985
• Dr. Robert W. Long, 1985-1992
• Dr. Jesus Carreón, 1992-1995
• Dr. Larry A. Calderón, 1995-2004
• Dr. Robin Calote, 2005-2013
• Dr. Greg Gillespie, 2013-2017
• Dr. Kimberly Hoffmans, 2019-2024
• Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib, 2024 - present