On behalf of everyone at the Yosemite Community College District Office, Modesto Junior College and Columbia College, we welcome you to our District. All of our employees throughout the District are dedicated to excellence in serving our students. Even with all the fiscal issues that we are facing within the State of California, our staff has been working miracles with continuously reduced budgets. We continue to serve our students well, and provide them with great opportunities and a quality education. As the Chancellor, I am very proud of their efforts and dedication.

One of my greatest challenges is to ensure the educational quality and fiscal stability of our institutions. One way this is accomplished is through long-range planning. There are many exciting things on the horizon for the Colleges of the YCCD - especially with all the construction and completion of our Measure E building projects. We are very grateful to the community for your support of these efforts. Students will benefit for years to come; we extend to you heartfelt thanks.

The Mission of the Yosemite Community College District is: "The YCCD is committed to responding to the needs of our diverse community through excellence in teaching, learning and support programs contributing to social, cultural and economic development and wellness." We take this mission statement seriously; it is the one key element that we base all our efforts on - it is our charge to provide excellent, meaningful service to the community.

As educators, we always focus on offering life-changing opportunities for our students; that is our business. One of the most enjoyable experiences in my 30 year higher education career has been witnessing lives changing right before my eyes as students graduate or achieve their educational goals. When they go on to create successful lives for themselves, their families and their communities I know we have done our job! This is the reward of the work that we collectively do at the Yosemite Community College District. I most cordially invite you to become more involved in our dynamic educational community called the YCCD.

Most sincerely,

Joan E. Smith, Ed.D.

Columbia College is a dynamic institution of learners and creative thinkers dedicated to high standards of student success. We prepare students to be fully engaged in an evolving world by offering comprehensive and high quality programs and services. Columbia College is committed to a culture of improvement through measuring student learning across the institution. We strive for excellence, foster a spirit of professionalism and embrace diversity.

Modesto Junior College, one of the oldest community colleges in the state, was organized in 1921 to serve the first junior college district established under a State Legislature Enabling Act. Modesto Junior College was established to meet the needs of the community. Today the college strives to maintain the same objective—that of dedication and service to the community.