College Mission

Barstow Community College is a two-year institution of higher education, committed to both student learning and success. The institution fosters an innovative learning environment that respects the diversity of individual backgrounds, abilities, cultures and interests. It prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The College provides vocational education and training programs and courses that give students the knowledge, skills and certification necessary for entry through advanced level employment and career advancement.

The College offers basic skill and enrichment programming for under-prepared and disadvantaged students as well as lifelong learning opportunities and continuing education courses for community members. It provides counseling and other support services to assist students in the identification of their goals and achievement of their personal, educational and employment potential. The College uses institutional research to advance its mission and its role in the community. The College works in partnership with military bases, local governments, agencies, businesses and schools to promote positive community development, economic growth, and change.

Board of Trustees Imperatives

*Student Success

Teaching and learning are primary responsibilities of Barstow Community College. The institution exists to produce student learning. Staff will assist all students to achieve new levels of learning – learning that encompasses not only discipline-based subject matter, but real understanding, complex reasoning and the literacies of a global society, including technological competency, multicultural sensitivity and engaged citizenship. The District will also ensure that the academic, programmatic, job-training and support-service needs of adult learners, transfer students, vocational students, minority students and place-bound students are each being met with excellence.

*Community Connections

The College will devote itself to strengthening its linkages with government, social agencies, public and private organizations, businesses and industries in its service area. It will also reach out, communicate, collaborate and serve its local public school graduates and honor students, the retirement community, military personnel, minority groups, place-bound learners, adults needing retraining, displaced homemakers, dislocated workers, single parents and welfare recipients.

*Workforce Development

The College will enhance and maintain its commitment to vocational, occupational and career programming and services. It will further strengthen and maintain short-term job training and school-to-work activities. Occupational, vocational career and job-training programs will reflect contemporary and cutting-edge knowledge skills as articulated by private-sector advisory committees.

*Organizational Development

The College as a learning organization will focus on excellent service in support of student, institutional and community growth and success. The institution will recognize excellence in employee accomplishments and performance. The College will establish and expect high standards of personal and professional competence and conduct from board members, employees and students. The District will foster cooperative, respectful, competent and accountable working relationships. The Board will practice fairness in labor negotiation results to all parties, including students and taxpayers.