Sierra College is among 14 community college districts in California receiving state awards for developing innovative programs to increase completion rates and make college more affordable. At the Nevada County campus in Grass Valley, Executive Dean Stephanie Ortiz says they’re getting $2 million. She says the district is already undergoing significant re-design efforts to help students focus better toward a technical career or transferring to a university, including improving their class scheduling…

click to listen to Stephanie Ortiz

As for the affordability issue, Ortiz says Sierra College recently received what she calls a “promise grant” of about $750,000….

click to listen to Stephanie Ortiz

Ortiz says materials costs would be the main focus, while pointing out that California Community Colleges have the lowest unit fees in the country, with the majority of students still qualifying for financial aid.