Five former athletes and one former coach from Santa Ynez High are to be the newest additions to the school’s Wall of Fame. Parker Colvin, Josh Hartman, Coach Iain McPherson, Kelley Moore, Meghan Mosebar, and Chris Pace will be honored Friday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 before the Pirates’ football game against Nipomo High.

Parker Colvin

Colvin graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2009. He played four years of football and golf, and he earned the Jeff Rio Memorial Scholarship and was named the Most Valuable Male Athlete for the class of 2009.  After graduating high school, Parker attended Cal Lutheran University, where he played four years of golf. During his college career, his team had a NCAA Division III National Championship appearance in 2012, and 2013. In 2011 he was CLU’s golf team MVP and won Athlete of the Week for Southwest California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Colvin graduated from Cal Lutheran with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in sports medicine.

Josh Hartman

Hartman graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2006, where he was a standout athlete in both football and track. As a senior, he captured the Los Padres League titles in the 100 and 200 meters and also won the 100-meter dash at the Santa Barbara County Championships. On the football field, Josh earned All-League honors twice. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and honored as the school’s Most Valuable Male Athlete in his final year. After high school, Josh concluded his athletic career at Chapman University, playing football while earning a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in finance. Following graduation, he began working under one of his former coaches, Jim Colvin, who helped launch his career in the hospitality industry. Josh now serves as a director of revenue management.

Iain McPherson

Iain “Coach” McPherson left an enduring legacy at SYHS as a U.S. history teacher and a devoted coach of the soccer, swimming, and water polo teams. Known for his tough love approach, he earned respect from students and players by pushing them to achieve more than they thought possible. As an All-American swimmer himself, he coached numerous athletes to CIF, All League MVPs, and All-American. Beyond the classroom and pool, Iain was a proud Scotsman and family man, cherished by his wife Linda and daughters Kerry and Heather. In 1998, Coach McPherson was the winningest coach in SYVHS history with 1,359 wins; however, he passed away in February 1999 at the age of 53. It wasn’t the wins he valued most, but the special relationships he built with his students and players.

Kelley Moore

Moore graduated from SYHS in 1972. He went on to play football at Allan Hancock College and Chico State.  After graduating from CSU Chico in the spring of 1977, Dr. Coach Kelley Moore has been blessed to have had a lifetime, 49 years, in the coaching profession. The high-school portion of his career includes coaching tennis, wrestling, basketball, and track and field (28 years as head coach). Moore also spent four years with Allan Hancock College as the head track and field and cross country coach, and as an assistant coach for football.  That was followed by two years as Head Track and Field Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Thiel College. He has as an assistant football coach the last four years at Arizona Christian University.

Meghan Mosebar

Mosebar graduated from SYHS in 1995, went to Purdue University from 1995-1997, and transferred to and graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2000. Mosebar earned high honors each of her four years of high school: She earned varsity letters in volleyball three straight years as a middle hitter, named All-League First Team her sophomore and junior years. Her senior year, she set a school record for most blocks and kills in a single match, leading her team to a Los Padres League championship, and winning Los Padres League MVP honors. Meghan received athletic scholarship offers from many Division I schools and accepted a full volleyball scholarship to Purdue University in Indiana. During here junior year, Mosebar transferred to William and Mary in Virginia, where she also received a volleyball scholarship, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. While at William and Mary, she earned Dean’s List High Honors, All-Conference CAA Scholar Athlete, and was team Co-Captain 1999-2000. Meghan currently resides in Rockledge, Florida, where she has taught elementary school, and coached club volleyball. She now works with nonprofit organizations on the Space Coast of Florida, serving families with daycare and housing assistance, while enjoying life with her 19-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

Chris Pace

Pace graduated from Santa Ynez High in 2004. While at SYHS, he played water polo and soccer, and was a team captain on the swim team. Outside athletics he was the senior class president, a boys state school representative, and Eagle Scout. He was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in systems engineering management. While at the USAFA, he played water polo all four years, three times winning the varsity’s Hardest Worker Award, and in his senior year won the Derek Argel Memorial Award, for the athlete who demonstrates perseverance and an incredible work ethic, which was named for the former USAFA water polo player and alum of nearby Cabrillo High in Lompoc, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005.

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By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

Nineteen-year-old Nevaeh Martinez is a recent graduate of Allan Hancock College and was awarded “Student of the Year” award and a scholarship for her accomplishments. She is now off to a new future at San Diego State University on her way to acquiring a degree in criminal justice. Nevaeh is the stepdaughter of Arturo (Cheech) Raygoza and daughter of Griselda and Richard Martinez. Her family dynamic has experienced the consequences of the alcohol and drug addiction crisis and has emerged, not only from
the trauma, but has triumphed, breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration that plagues our society today.
Like so many of our youth who have grown up in dysfunctional families, victims of drug abuse, alcoholism, inadequate familial and societal structures, and incarceration, Nevaeh shares her story to help others attain insight into the struggles of children born into these dynamics and how she overcame them through education, fortitude, and a deep desire for a better life.
“I grew up not having my mother by my side because of her own struggles with addiction, which led to me getting into trouble, growing up too fast, and having a constant worry about what could happen next,” she said. “Although my dad has had his struggles as well, he has always been there and tried his best for all of us, working late nights to provide for us, keeping us warm and safe. Without his love and nourishment, our lives would’ve been much more difficult.”
In a previous story on Cheech Raygoza in the Santa Ynez Valley Star dated Aug. 2, 2022, wherein Griselda told her story of addiction and incarceration, she said that one of the inmates she met while incarcerated had a huge impact on her, inspiring her to realize how much damage she had caused, not only to her own life, but more importantly, to the lives of her children. She decided to get clean for the sake of her children, once and for all.
When Neveah was 12 years old, she and her siblings moved back in with their mother after being in their grandmother’s care for three years.
“My mother helped herself by making all the necessary changes in her life that were required to regain custody of me and my siblings. We then moved from Santa Maria to Los Alamos into an apartment,” she explained.
But with all the changes and uncertainty in Neveah’s life, there were also many struggles along the way.
“When we first moved to Los Alamos, I had to change schools. That was a big change for me,” she explained. “Plus, I didn’t know how to live a normal life with my mom, whom I had been away from for three years. It was a lot to get used to, but I did. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend school with my brother. He was in eighth grade, and I was in sixth. He was also getting in trouble, which made his teacher resentful towards him, and once he left to go to high school, the same teacher held the same
resentment towards me, which wasn’t easy because I was now the one getting picked on. This teacher made me think that I wouldn’t amount to anything, constantly bringing up my mother’s past to hold against me, just as he had done to my brother. I began to suffer from depression. When COVID hit, I was thankful because I didn’t have to see him anymore.”
Entering high school is a difficult transition in itself, and with the complications of COVID, her road ahead was fraught with more unexpected hurdles.
“I was 13 at the time, and I didn’t know what depression was until I felt it. I was always in my head, overthinking everything,” she explained. “And when I started my freshman year at Righetti High School, it was still during COVID, and I hated it. I lost all motivation, my depression got worse, I was failing school, and I was just stuck in a dark hole that I couldn’t seem to get out of.
“There were teachers who never really showed they cared because everything was so new. And there were counselors who didn’t guide me in the right direction when I needed the help. COVID changed everything. After that year ended, I transferred to Orcutt Academy High School, which was the best decision I’d made up to that point. The school was so welcoming and supportive, and my
teachers wanted to see me succeed. But after transferring, I had to play catch-up because of failing the previous school year. It was hard and kind of a setback, but I pushed and pushed myself.
During her junior year, she learned that she was able to cross-enroll into community college while still attending high school, and in so doing, it would help her catch up with her credits. She did that for the rest of her time in high school, and she said that it was the best feeling to have that opportunity and to get help from her stepdad and mother, who worked and ran the B.I.G.E. Club at Allan Hancock College, which her stepfather founded. Unfortunately, when her senior year rolled around, she was still at risk of not graduating due to one difficult class, despite all of the hard work she had put into her education. She fell back into a depression but pushed through it. She said that the thought of failing again was just “unthinkable.”
“I seriously thought that I was not going to make it, but I pushed myself again, and by the grace of God, I was able to pass the class,” she said. “During the second semester, I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and got baptized. Without God’s strength and love, I wouldn’t be where or who I am today. I’m very grateful that I made that decision for myself because it allowed me to make a change and start over.”
Despite all the struggles she has faced, Nevaeh graduated from high school in 2024, and this year she graduated from Allan Hancock College in May. She received two degrees in administration of justice and liberal arts: social and behavioral sciences, and received four certificates of achievement.
She was awarded “Student of the Year” because of her accomplishments and also received a scholarship. She said that she is proud to have been accepted at all four universities she applied to: Cal State Long Beach, Chico State, San Diego State, and Fresno State. She is now attending SDSU to further her education and obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
“From someone who has struggled with motivation and not liking school to someone who wants to learn and work hard for a life that I’ve longed for is a miracle. It was a long road, but I finally did it, and I’m now walking happily through life knowing that God’s plan is the right plan,” she added.
“My mom has been my greatest inspiration,” she said. “She has shown me so much about what this world has to offer. She alone gives me so much strength and motivation to keep pushing forward. She as a person is important to me because despite all of her pain and suffering, she broke the cycle with the help of my stepdad, Cheech Raygoza. I am very fortunate to have them both in my life. Without them I don’t know where my life would be or how it would’ve turned out. My stepdad has helped us all get out of this cycle of feeling that we don’t belong or aren’t good enough for this world. He is a prime example of God’s grace working in all of our lives. Not only did he help change my life and that of my family, but he also changed himself and now helps change the lives of people around him. They both grew into these amazing people and are willing to help those who are struggling today. They didn’t just turn their lives around; they turned my life and my views around. My mom is now attending Chico State University, working towards her bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has two associate degrees in human services addiction studies and sociology to become a drug and alcohol counselor. My stepdad has now earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Berkeley and is the founder of the B.I.G.E program, which helps formerly incarcerated students navigate higher education. You can see why they are my inspiration because they taught me that there’s beauty in the struggle and that no matter how big or small a situation is, we will always get through it; we just have to have faith in God and work hard. My family, Richard, Devin, Damion, Josephine, and Allyson, will continue to be my best support system and the best role models. And a sincere thank you to my stepdad, Cheech Raygoza, and my mom, Griselda Martinez, for their inspiration and guidance and for giving me a story that I am proud of.”

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By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

After a life of neglect, bad choices, substance abuse, and incarceration, 57-year-old Arturo “Cheech” Raygoza has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, overcoming a mountain of hardships and obstacles to graduate from UC Berkeley with an undergraduate degree in sociology and on his way to acquiring his Master’s and then a Ph.D.
As recounted in a two-part story in the Santa Ynez Valley Star in 2022, Raygoza had been in and out of jail over a 13-year period, mostly for drug abuse charges. But in 2016, he made a decision to create a better life for himself and his children. He had received his GED while incarcerated, and when he was released, he decided to enroll in Allan Hancock College to take classes in auto mechanics. But for a teacher he met on his first day at class, Lynn Bacerra-Valencia, Raygoza said he would have quit, but instead he graduated from Hancock with honors, earning three Associate of Science degrees in automotive technology and two Associate of Arts degrees in sociology. He then enrolled in UC Berkeley with a determination to acquire a bachelor’s degree in sociology and give back to his community.

“I spent 13 years in and out of jail between 2001 and 2014 with only five or seven months between incarcerations. It was like a revolving door,” said Raygoza. “Most of my offenses were drug-related, and
never once was I offered a rehabilitation program. It was always ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key.’ No one that looked like me came to talk to me, only people in suits who had never experienced what it was like being incarcerated or addicted to drugs, telling me how easy it was to break the habit and not come back to jail.”
While studying sociology at Allan Hancock College, Raygoza said that he was able to put his life into
perspective and realized that “society and the judicial system are structured for us to fail, with mass
incarcerations without rehabilitation and education,” which ultimately negatively affects society at its
core. He saw the need for reform and founded the Beyond Incarceration: Greater Education Club (B.I.G.E.), which helps formerly incarcerated students navigate higher education through the program he created.
“I never grew up wanting to become a drug addict or a criminal,” he stated. “I was a product of my
environment. I realized that a program like B.I.G.E. would have helped me as a youth, and that’s why I
feel this club is so important and must be continued.”

Raygoza now stands as an example for people who want to turn their life around.

“My story demonstrates that transformation is not defined by one moment but by a series of choices,
commitments, and community investments,” said Raygoza. “Today, as a graduate from UC Berkeley, I continue to inspire people from my community. My academic record reflects both determination and achievement. My academic excellence earned me acceptance into four University of California campuses, with UC Berkeley becoming my chosen home. I just received a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and aspire to continue my education through a Ph.D. program where I will focus on incarceration, education, and social justice. My work bridges lived experience with scholarship, offering powerful insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by system-impacted communities.”
Founded in 2016, the B.I.G.E. Club has grown into a thriving community resource under Raygoza’s
leadership. What began with a handful of students and a modest $100 startup fund has since received
over $19,000 in grants to support its programming. B.I.G.E. provides formerly incarcerated and socially
impacted students with mentorship, advocacy, and a safe space to pursue education. Raygoza goes on
to say that through workshops, peer support, and direct connections to resources, the club embodies
the belief that higher education can be a pathway to healing, opportunity, and empowerment. His
advocacy extends far beyond the campus. He speaks regularly at community forums, schools, and
academic events, highlighting the importance of breaking cycles of incarceration through education and
mentorship. For the past two and a half years, Raygoza has been speaking in San Francisco and Contra
Costa juvenile halls, telling his story to kids from someone who has been there.

“I’ve been to Rhode Island and Guadalajara and recently returned from Spain, where I was studying
abroad, sharing my experience, strength, and hope. My personal journey — marked by over seven years
of continuous sobriety, 08/03/2018 — serves as a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and
community support,” Raygoza continued. “Recovery has remained central to my success. It often
reminds others that sobriety is not simply the absence of substances but the foundation of a life rooted
in service, scholarship, and hope. My long-term vision is to bring my lived experience and academic
training together in research, teaching, and policy work that expands opportunities for justice-impacted
individuals. With my pursuit of a Ph.D. on the horizon, I am poised to contribute meaningfully to both
academic knowledge and community transformation.”
Raygoza feels that it’s never too late to turn the page of one’s life and start over and inspire others to do
the same.
“Dr. Cheech sounds pretty gangster!” Raygoza said, smiling. “My journey reflects the guiding truth that
‘it’s never too late for a new beginning.’ By investing in education, nurturing community, and leading
through example, I continue to show what is possible when determination meets opportunity.”
“I feel that I was given these life experiences to help make a difference in the lives of others who have
had similar lived experiences, culminating in poor life choices. Our club is all-inclusive — it’s not just for
the formerly incarcerated; it is also for students who want to work in the criminal justice system so that
they can acquire a fuller perspective and make a difference on their own,” he explained.
“This journey I am on is nothing short of a miracle,” Raygoza said. “My higher power, who I call God, has brought me through the darkness and into the light. I learned that drugs weren’t the problem; ‘Cheech’ was the problem, and I am now on a journey of healing myself and others, with God’s help.

“At 57 I feel as though I have barely grown up, and I know that I have a long way to go. But I’m on my way, one day at a time.”

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Staff Report

Allan Hancock College students will get the chance to earn $10,000 next fall in exchange for completing 450 hours of volunteer service with local nonprofits and government agencies under a new state program.

Hancock is one of 45 colleges and universities selected to participate in the new California College Corps, a service-based college opportunity program that seeks to help California college students pay for school, reduce student debt and serve their communities.

“We are very excited to take part in this new and promising program,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The California College Corps will offer Hancock students yet another opportunity to change their odds while they gain valuable experience and make a difference in their community and state.”

The College Corps, set to launch this fall, will provide participating students with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as climate action, K-12 education and COVID-19 recovery. Students who complete a year of service will receive $10,000, which includes a $7,000 stipend and a $3,000 education award for completing 450 service hours.

The 45 campuses participating in the program represent University of California, California State University, community college and private university systems. All were selected as program participants via a competitive grant application process. Other Central Coast colleges participating in the program include Cuesta College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Hancock will provide information to students regarding how to qualify and apply for the program later this spring via the college’s website and student’s myHancock email. To learn more about the California College Corps program, visit https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/californiansforall-college-corps.

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Redistricting is the process of reviewing and redrawing district trustee area lines every 10 years, based on the United States census data, as required by California State Education Code Section 5019.5. At a September 2021 meeting of the board of trustees, Redistricting Insights representative Matt Rexroad provided a brief overview of the redistricting process and a status report of the district’s existing trustee areas.

The public has previously been provided opportunities for input at public meetings held during the September, October, and December 2021 board meetings. Based on input from the board over the course of the fall semester, staff and the redistricting consultants developed 12 different maps, with version 12 constituting the board’s stated final preferred map.

As part of the board’s Jan. 11 regular meeting, the district will hold a final public hearing to provide an additional opportunity for public comment regarding the redistricting of the trustee area boundaries.

The meeting will be held in the boardroom at Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, with limited attendance to observe social distancing guidelines. Members of the public are invited to attend virtually via Zoom. The Zoom link for the hearing will be available via the meeting agenda at www.hancockcollege.edu/board/book or by emailing ccamacho@hancockcollege.edu.

To provide a public comment during the meeting, please register to do so by email ccamacho@hancockcollege.edu. Comments will be accepted until the end of the meeting’s public comment section. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker.

To learn more about the redistricting process and view the redistricting maps, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/board/redistricting.

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publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

The recent passing of football icon John Madden impacts not only the National Football League but also on the Central Coast. Some may not realize Madden played offensive tackle at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and was the head football coach at Allan Hancock College for several years.

His wife Virgina (Fields) Madden is from Los Alamos and the couple were married in Santa Maria in 1959, according to their wedding announcement in the Santa Maria Times. 

Madden started as assistant coach at AHC during their 1960 football season. During that season, Hancock football had a perfect season and won the state title. He spent a total of four years at AHC before going to San Diego State as their defensive coordinator, and eventually onto the Oakland Raiders.

“Coach Madden was a very special part of Hancock football history which players and coaches remember fondly,” said AHC Athletic Director Kim Ensing. “Our hearts are heavy, and we express our sincere condolences to his family.”

Madden passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the age of 85, according to the NFL. 

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. 

Madden was head coach of the Oakland Raiders for 10 seasons and lead them to their first championship in Super Bowl XI. He was the youngest coach in NFL history to eclipse the 100-win mark when he achieved the feat at the age of 42, and Madden remains the winningest coach in Raiders history. He also holds the best winning percentage by an NFL head coach (minimum of 10 seasons) at .759, according to the NFL. 

After he retired from coaching in 1979, he spent another career as a broadcaster as his voice was equal to that of Vin Scully’s, synonymous with the game. He retired from broadcasting in 2009. 

Aside from coaching and broadcasting, Madden is also known in the gaming world for his Madden NFL video game series which started in 1988. Electronic Arts has sold more than 250 million copies of the Madden NFL series, according to the NFL. 

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Allan Hancock College is one of only 30 colleges nationwide nominated for the prestigious 2022 Bellwether Award. The annual awards are part of the Community College Futures Assembly, a consortium that identifies and supports best practices and innovative programs in higher education. The Bellwether Awards are widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognitions for community colleges.

Hancock is one of 10 colleges nationwide nominated in the Planning, Governance and Finance category, which recognizes programs or activities that improve efficiency and effectiveness within a community college. The nomination for Hancock recognizes its automatic degree and certificate awarding program, which allows Hancock students to automatically receive a degree or certificate when all academic and credit requirements are satisfied. Previously, Hancock students had to apply for degrees and certificates.

“I am extremely proud of this nomination as it recognizes the extraordinary efforts of our staff and faculty who created the auto-awarding program,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Hancock is dedicated to student success, and the automatic degree and certificate awarding program allows our students to reap the rewards of their hard work and graduate, transfer or successfully enter their careers sooner.”

As a Bellwether finalist, Hancock will undergo a rigorous final round of review at the 28th Annual Community College Futures Assembly Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. Each nominated college will provide a 60-minute presentation on its program to a national panel composed of skilled practitioners and thought leaders in their category.

“The Bellwether College Consortium prides itself on identifying and celebrating replicable, scalable and results-based programs and models and disseminating these highly lauded examples of institutional success to peer institutions,” said Bellwether College Consortium Director Dr. Rose Martinez.

Prize winners will be announced in February 2022. To learn more about the 2022 Bellwether Award, visit www.bellwethercollegeconsortium.com.

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Staff Report

Hancock College is seeking public input on the redrawing of area boundaries for the district’s Board of Trustee elections.

Every 10 years, following the release of federal census data, local governments and school districts are required to readjust their election areas to ensure balanced voting districts. During the redistricting process, the Board of Trustees will invite the public to participate and share their perspectives on how their neighborhoods are best represented.

“ Our Board of Trustees is responsible for governing the district and ensuring we provide the highest quality educational services for our students,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “It is critical that we hear from residents about how the Board of Trustees can adequately serve their community and ensure the diverse nature of our region is well represented.”

The district is required by state and federal law to follow certain redistricting criteria, including keeping populations as equal as possible, protecting minority voting rights, keeping trustee areas contiguous, and to the extent possible, preserving communities of interest.

The Board of Trustees received several map scenarios based on these criteria and utilizing the 2020 census data on Oct. 12. The board will further discuss these scenarios and welcome public comment at upcoming meetings. It is anticipated that the board will narrow down the map options to a draft proposal in January 2022 and adopt a final map in February 2022. The first elections utilizing the new maps will be held in November 2022.

To view the map scenarios and learn more about the redistricting process, please visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/board/redistricting.php. In addition, prints of the redistricting map scenarios are available for public viewing in the college’s Boardroom, located in building B on the Santa Maria campus.

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Allan Hancock College is encouraging students to earn additional college credits by enrolling in short-term fall classes starting Oct. 11.

Registration is underway for more than 70 short-term fall classes in English, sociology, art, business, history, viticulture and more. Many of the classes are offered online and can be completed in just eight weeks. The short-term class offerings also include classes that meet only once and others that meet on the weekends.

Several of Hancock’s short-term fall classes also meet the general education requirements for students attending UCSB and Cal Poly. UCSB students can view a list of open classes at https://bit.ly/shorttermUCSB. Cal Poly students can view a list of eligible classes at https://bit.ly/shorttermCalPoly.

Students taking short-term classes can earn between 0.5 and 3 units depending on the class. Registration is now open and continues until the day before a class starts. 

Hancock’s Community Education is also offering short-term noncredit classes starting Oct. 11. Offerings include Conversation for Beginning ESL, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, and classes in a new Childcare License and Preparation program. To view a full roster of available Community Education classes, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/communityed.

A full listing of the short-term credit classes is available at www.hancockcollege.edu/shortterm. Registration is ongoing and short-term classes begin Oct. 11.

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Staff Report

Allan Hancock College is expanding access to a college education thanks to a new program that will pay tuition and fees for all full-time students.

The Hancock Promise Plus covers the full cost of tuition and fees for all full-time students beginning this fall and continuing through the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years. The program applies to all full-time students, including first-time, continuing, returning, transfer, international and Concurrent Enrollment/College Now! students, regardless of their residency.

“Over the past year, we recognized the impact the pandemic had on many of our students,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “With the Promise Plus program, Hancock is helping change the odds for students by offering a path back to stability. This is not only a great way to support our students, but it’s also an amazing investment in our community.”

Students who enroll in 12 or more units and take at least one in-person class are eligible to receive the Promise Plus. To take advantage of the new program for the fall 2021 semester, students simply need to apply for admission to Hancock, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application and accept the Promise Plus award through the college’s online student portal. 

The Promise Plus is an expansion of the college’s popular Hancock Promise program, which provides the first year of college at AHC free of tuition and fees. That program, which is restricted to recent high school graduates within the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District boundaries, will continue alongside the Promise Plus, which covers all other full-time students not eligible for the original Promise program.

“The Promise Plus provides an incredible opportunity to a wide range of students no matter where they are in their educational journey,” said Hancock Associate Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services Nohemy Ornelas, Ed.D. “This program offers them a chance to start, continue or restart their education without the cost of tuition being an obstacle to that important goal.”

The debut of the Promise Plus program comes as the college is currently registering students for in-person fall classes. Fall classes start on Aug. 16. The college is currently hosting in-person registration assistance events at its Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center every Monday and Tuesday from 2-6 p.m. through Aug. 10.

To learn more about the Promise Plus and apply for the program, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promiseplus. To register for fall classes, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/fall.

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