Above Photo: Perris officials with Mt. San Jacinto College administrators during signing to offer higher-education classes at the City Senior Center.
Perris, CA – Perris residents will be able to take Mt. San Jacinto College classes close to home after city officials inked an agreement recently with Mt. San Jacinto College administrators that paves the way for higher-education classes at the Perris Senior Center.
“This is another milestone for us,” Mayor Michael Vargas said after signing the memorandum of understanding with the college on Aug. 27, 2018.
The agreement means MSJC will offer Communications 100, a public-speaking class, at the senior center starting on Oct. 11 and concluding on Dec. 6. Plans call for the college district to expand the offerings in spring to include courses in both the general education and Career Education pathways. Both can lead to an associate degree or courses that transfer to four-year universities. The Career Education pathway also offers career certificates to improve job skills or provide opportunities for career advancement to assist residents in meeting the increasing demand in Perris for a qualified workforce.
“Partnering with MSJC will open more doors for Perris residents to obtain college credit and certifications that will help them gain better jobs in the future,” Vargas said.
Vargas, members of the Perris City Council and senior administrators joined with Mt. San Jacinto College Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz in signing the agreement last week.
Dr. Jamail Carter, MSJC Dean of Instructional Services, said the signing ceremony culminated two years of work between city and college reps.
“This is definitely the beginning,” Carter said. “This is really big. I’m really proud of the educational and employment opportunities this agreement represents.”
MSJC Superintendent/President Schultz echoed those sentiments, saying he hoped the signing ceremony will spawn more courses, certificates and graduates with job-ready skills from Perris.
“I hope we’ve laid the groundwork that will lead to so many more opportunities to help residents meet the needs of a regional workforce,” Schultz said.
The pact was especially significant for Mayor Pro-Tem Malcolm Corona and Councilwoman Tonya Burke, who make up the city’s Ad Hoc School Liaison Committee. Corona is a math instructor at Perris High School. Burke works with at-risk youngsters and adults in her job with the California Department of Rehabilitation.
“This is the first step in getting our residents closer to college degrees and hopefully increased income as well,” Corona said. “This agreement shows our city’s commitment to education. The city council is focused on making sure our residents are prepared for the future.”
Burke called the signing a “dream come true, something I’ve always envisioned as a resident and city council member.” Burke said she hopes future course expansion leads to certification-completion programs along with Career Education offerings. She noted that for many financially strapped college students, the commute out of the city could make it difficult to complete their education and thus reduce their chance for economic gain.
