• In May, SAC began distributing $2.7 million in emergency financial aid grants to students as part of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Eligible students at SAC may apply for one-time funds to defray expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses. Students do not have to pay back funds received through the CARES Act. Disbursement periods will continue into the summer and fall, as long as funds are available.
  

• Summer courses at SAC will be held almost entirely online, with exceptions for Public Safety, Allied Health, Nursing, and other disciplines that require labs and on-site training.
  

• On June 9, Chancellor Marvin Martinez announced RSCCD's plan to reinstate face-to-face instruction this fall through a phased approach. Phase One includes online, hybrid, and some face-to face-offerings at SAC. Some faculty, staff, and students will be allowed on campus with strict health and safety protocols. In Phase Two, we will continue our online and hybrid offerings and add more in-person instruction. Click to watch Chancellor Martinez outline these phases and the steps being taken to keep staff and students safe.
  

• SAC has continued with outreach and marketing efforts and compared to last year at this time, we currently have a 43% increase in enrollment for fall!
  

• Registered students receive access to a variety of student services and support programs. For example, students facing food insecurity were invited to receive free groceries on June 10 and 24, courtesy of SAC's Dons' Corner and the Power of One Foundation.
  

SAC Go Exceeds Attendance Goal by More Than 200%

In April, Santa Ana College’s School of Continuing Education launched SAC Go, a pilot program offering free English as a Second Language courses through temporary remote instruction. More than 1,000 people registered for the program’s inaugural session, well-exceeding its initial goal of 300. Visit sac.edu/go for more information and future session dates.

U.S. Census Caravan Calls for Community to Be Counted

On May 31, community leaders took to the streets to encourage citizens to be counted in the U.S. Census. A caravan of 15 vehicles traveled around Santa Ana to communicate the importance of census participation, in what will serve as a model for other communities leading up to the October 31 deadline. The event was facilitated in conjunction with the County of Orange, City of Santa Ana, and local U.S. Census Bureau partnership specialists. RSCCD Chancellor Marvin Martinez, Trustee Claudia Alvarez, and Trustee Zeke Hernandez rode in one of the SAUSD buses and promoted SAC with signage and enrollment information. Read more about the Caravan, as covered by the Daily Pilot!​

Trustee Zeke Hernandez, Chancellor Marvin Martinez and Trustee Claudia Alvarez prepare to embark on the U.S. Census Caravan​

SchoolsFirst Advances Faculty Innovation Initiative

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union demonstrated its commitment to the success of students in its communities by contributing a $300,000 gift to the Santa Ana College Foundation and its Raising the Game Campaign. This generous donation leads the way for other major gifts to support a first-of-its-kind fund that will focus on faculty and staff program innovation. We thank SchoolsFirst for this incredible gesture and for helping more students experience the highest level of academic and program support at​ Santa Ana College.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union CEO Bill Cheney with students

Partnership with Santa Ana Day Reporting Center Helps Open the Door to College

In accordance with its mission to help the formerly incarcerated restart their lives, the Santa Ana Day Reporting Center collaborates with Santa Ana College and local universities to refer reentry program participants to educational resources in the community. “Through its Project Rise initiative, Santa Ana College offers programs and services to help formerly incarcerated individuals get the education and support services that are critical for successful reentry into society," said James Kennedy, vice president, Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education. “Through this partnership, participants can learn about all of the resources that are available to them at Santa Ana College and get referred to educational programming and employment training that can lead to a livable wage." Santa Ana College also offers incentives to program participants that include free childcare, a free bus pass, and priority registration. Click here to learn more about SAC's partnership with GEO Reentry Services!​

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Join us in celebrating some of the recent triumphs of Santa Ana College students!

Minh Pham, a standout student in SAC's Pathway to Law School program, was recently selected to participate in the UC Irvine School of Law Pre-Law Outreach Program this summer. As one of just 40 students selected, Minh will receive knowledge and mentorship that will help him become a successful attorney who provides access to justice for underserved communities. A graduate of UCLA with a major in biochemistry, Minh came to SAC to fulfill his dream of becoming a lawyer. He has already completed internships with the U.S. Attorney and the Orange County Public Defender's Office.​

SAC student Minh Pham

Victoria Altamirano and Muadh Abdul Hakim each won $1,000 scholarships in a statewide Alpha Gamma Sigma, Inc. scholarship competition. The Kathleen D. Loly Award for Academics acknowledges excellent scholarship, as well as students' dedication to their Omicron chapter.