More than 21,000 new and returning students began classes at Chaffey College’s three Inland Empire campuses and online on Aug. 19.

Of the students, nearly 3,200 enrolled in courses at the Fontana campus and more than 3,700 in Chino. The student body includes more than 5,200 taking courses online.

“Our students will have many exciting opportunities to pursue this year thanks to the new programs we’re offering and the talented faculty who will be teaching them. I look forward to seeing all of the new and familiar faces on our campuses this week,” said Chaffey College Superintendent/President Henry Shannon.

Chaffey College launched 19 new degree and certificate programs that focus on arts management, cyber security, dental assisting, mechatronics, recording arts and more. The offerings include a tuition-free noncredit gerontology certificate to be a caregiver for the elderly, a timely program given that California’s population of 85-years-old and older is expected to grow by more than 37 percent by 2030, according to the state’s department of aging.

A new public health associate’s degree program addresses the increasing needs of the region’s workforce due to the Affordable Care Act, said Professor of Public Health Sarah Davila.

“The job market is opening up for people with public health degrees. I know a lot of the public health schools that offer master’s degrees are filling up, which was not the case 10 years ago,” Davila said.

Chaffey also rolled out more than 70 new courses.

The college introduced 26 new faculty members to its campuses, including three teaching English, as well as professors in industrial electricity, pastry arts and other disciplines.

About two-thirds of the professors gained part of their education from a community college, said Laura Hope, acting associate superintendent of instruction and institutional effectiveness.

“This diverse group of new faculty members bring practical experience to the classroom that will give our students the knowledge to enter the workforce with up-to-date skills or continue on toward advanced degrees for even higher-paying jobs,” Hope said.