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Last spring, when America first began facing the devastation of a global pandemic, most of our classes at Oxnard College were forced to pivot online. As the college’s president, I am immensely proud of our faculty and staff for successfully making that pivot on such short notice in order for our students to safely complete their studies.

But there were two programs in particular for which online education was not an option: our Dental Hygiene Program and Fire Academy.  

For both programs, various accreditation and licensure requirements mandated that much of their instruction be hands-on and in a face-to-face environment. And, to be sure, none of us wants to be treated by a dental hygienist whose entire training took place over Zoom or have a firefighter called to our burning home after earning their degree through an online university.  

So both programs were pressed to quickly identify new safety protocols, plans for hybrid learning (online when possible and in-person for skills training), and to advocate for new regulatory frameworks for instruction.  

As nursing programs, paramedic schools, and law enforcement academies shuttered their doors throughout California, our Dental Hygiene Program and Fire Academy piloted successful plans for a safe return to instruction. Their efforts came at a crucial time for the state. In 2020, California experienced a record-breaking four million burned acres (more than double the previous record) while an unprecedented surge in dental emergencies swept across the nation.  

Throughout 2020, both programs achieved near-perfect rates for graduation and key licensure exams all while preventing any COVID-19 exposures or infections. Our Fire Academy’s plan was even replicated by sister programs throughout the state.  

These efforts were essential to maintaining our community’s pipeline of essential workers specializing in public health and safety. As a result of their success, these two programs are now finalists for the prestigious Bellwether Award, and Oxnard College is the only California community college with two finalists for this national recognition. 

These efforts didn’t just support our community’s needs but also helped resilient students stay on track to their goals.  

“I had an opportunity to begin a fire academy up in Monterey,” said recent graduate Zachary Le. “We made it a little over halfway through the program when COVID hit and we were forced to a halt. When I was trying to figure out what the best steps were going to be, I reached out to the Oxnard College Fire Academy and found out that they were continuing instruction so I came to Oxnard and couldn’t be happier with that decision.”  

Of course, success is nothing new for our Dental Hygiene Program and Fire Academy whose graduates quickly enter some of the fastest-growing careers. From 100% job placement into dental hygiene careers to over 450 firefighting graduates hired by fire departments around the globe in just the past five years, these programs prove that an Oxnard College education opens doors to rewarding careers. 

“After graduating, I quickly got my first job; local employers are very receptive to graduates from Oxnard College,” said dental hygiene alum Nora Gaytan. “I do think we have an advantage coming from Oxnard College because of its high reputation and employers know that ... graduates are ready to work and are competent.”  

But these aren’t just growing industries, they also pay well and quickly lead to six-figure salaries, job security and advancement opportunities.

“My degree from Oxnard College allowed me to have the career of my dreams and eventually get my house,” Gaytan added. “Later on, I ended up going back to school and earning my master’s degree.” 

This is how California’s community colleges contribute to our community and nation: We transform students’ passion into the hard skills needed to achieve their educational and career goals. That’s why our fire and dental programs were joined in continuing face-to-face instruction by our popular auto technology, culinary and chemistry programs — all under the same strict COVID-19 precautions and all in the service of maintaining much-needed career pipelines here in Ventura County. 

So the next time you meet a local firefighter or dental hygienist, be sure to ask where they received their training. And when they say Oxnard College, know that you’re in the best of hands. 

Luis P. Sanchez, JD, LLM, is the president of Oxnard College.