Riverside City College Officially Designated a Black-Serving Institution – Riverside City College (RCC) was officially designated a Black-Serving Institution
(BSI) by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, marking a significant
milestone in the college’s commitment to equity, access, and student success for Black
and African American students. The designation recognizes colleges where at least
10% of the student population identifies as Black or African American and where institutions
demonstrate sustained, intentional efforts to advance Black student achievement, belonging,
and completion.
Riverside City College Umoja Program Receives Two Statewide Awards for Excellence
and Student Achievement– RCC’s Umoja Program was recognized with two major statewide honors at the 2025 UMOJA
Annual Conference in San Jose. RCC received the Ma’at Impact Award, the highest distinction
presented to the Best Umoja Program in California, recognizing exemplary leadership,
student-centered initiatives, and a strong record of fostering belonging and academic
success. In addition, RCC was honored for having the Most STEM Graduates of any Umoja
program in the state.
Riverside City College Men’s Track and Field Team Honored with State Assembly Recognition – The recognition celebrates RCC’s 2025 California Community College Athletic Association
(CCCAA) Track and Field State Championship victory, marking the program’s ninth state
title under Coach McCarron’s leadership, along with the team’s outstanding academic
achievement, earning a collective 3.14 GPA across 83 student-athletes.
Riverside City College Defined with Two Distinctions in 2025 Carnegie Classifications – RCC was identified as a Mixed Associate Large institution and designated Higher
Access, Medium Earnings in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. The Mixed Associate
Large classification places RCC among 78 institutions nationwide—just 2% of U.S. colleges
and universities—offering a broad range of associate degrees to a large student body.
The Higher Access, Medium Earnings designation reflects RCC’s enrollment of Pell Grant
recipients and students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as graduate earnings
eight years after entry.
Riverside City College Recognized with NSNA Stellar School Chapter Award – This honor acknowledges RCC’s School of Nursing chapter’s ongoing involvement with
the National Student Nurses’ Association and its commitment to shared governance and
professional development for nursing students.
2024
Riverside City College Recognized as 2024 Tree Campus Higher Education – RCC was recognized as a 2024 Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor
Day Foundation, marking the college’s second consecutive year earning this national
distinction. The recognition honors RCC’s continued commitment to promoting healthy
trees and engaging the campus community in sustainability efforts.
Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant – The RCC Nursing Career Pathway program is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor.
A total of $2,681,768 (80%) is financed with federal funds, and $536,354 (20%) is
funded by other sources. This grant increases Riverside Community Hospital employee
access to nursing degrees and nursing assistant certificates. For more information,
contact Mary.Fehn@rccd.edu.
2021
Best of Inland Empire 2021 – Best Community College – RCC was voted Best Community College and 2nd Best Career College by readers of
the Press Enterprise. The publication annually surveys residents about what’s great
about the Inland Empire and highlights restaurants, businesses, service experts, and
educational institutions.
2021–2024 Apple Distinguished School – School of Nursing – The School of Nursing earned recognition as a 2021–2024 Apple Distinguished School.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational
excellence that use technology to connect students, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration,
and enhance learning.
Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics – Hispanic Outlook (October 2021) – Riverside City College was named among the Top 100 institutions in the nation for
Hispanic students by Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine. RCC ranked 10th for degrees granted to Hispanics and 10th in total enrollment among two-year colleges.
2021 CCPRO Gold Award – RCC Redesigned Website – The redesigned RCC website earned a Gold Award (top honors) from the Community
College Public Relations Organization.
Top 25 Community Colleges for Hispanics – Hispanic Outlook (February 2021) – RCC ranked 4th in the nation for associate degrees awarded and 11th in enrollment for Hispanic students according to Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
Magazine.
2020
Top 25 Community Colleges for Hispanics – Hispanic Outlook ranked RCC among the top 25 community colleges for Hispanics:
13th in the nation and 6th in the state for degrees awarded, and 12th in the nation and 7th in the state for enrollment.
2020 Riverside Beautification Award – Riverside City Mayor Rusty Bailey presented RCCD Board President Mary Figueroa
with the 2020 City of Riverside Beautification Award for the Henry W. Coil, Sr. &
Alice Edna Coil School for the Arts. The award recognizes excellence in architectural
design, landscaping, building improvements, and maintenance.
School of Nursing – Society for Simulation in Healthcare Accreditation – The School of Nursing Simulation Program became the first in the state and ninth
in the nation to earn accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
50 Best Community Colleges – College Consensus – RCC ranked among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the nation according to College Consensus, which aggregates publisher rankings and student reviews.
4th in Nation for Associate Degrees Awarded to Hispanic Students – Hispanic Outlook – RCC ranked 4th in the nation for associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students in Hispanic Outlook
on Education Magazine’s “Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics.”
2019
CCFC Master Planning Award of Excellence – 2018 RCC Facilities Master Plan – Riverside City College’s 2018 Facilities Master Plan received the Master Planning
Award of Excellence from the Community College Facility Coalition, marking the first
time the College earned this distinction.
