One of the oldest community colleges in California, MJC has two main campuses in the city of Modesto and serves more than 18,000 day and evening students each semester.
Located near the city of Sonora in the wooded Sierra Nevada foothills, Columbia College is a primary resource of adult learning for residents throughout the Mother Lode region.
To our YCCD Community,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your engagement, insight, and commitment throughout our Facilities Master Plan and bond exploration process. Over the past year, faculty, staff, administrators, students, community members, and partners have invested significant time and energy in helping us envision the future of Yosemite Community College District. Your feedback and participation have been instrumental in identifying opportunities to enhance our learning environments, strengthen workforce training facilities, and improve the overall student experience.
Recently, we completed a second community survey of more than 700 likely voters across our District. When viewed alongside the larger survey conducted earlier this Spring, the results reaffirm the strong value our community places on public higher education and the important work taking place every day at Modesto Junior College, Columbia College, and throughout the YCCD service area. Our residents recognize the transformative impact of affordable, accessible education and the dedication of our employees who make student success possible.
The most recent survey indicated 55% support for a potential bond measure—the minimum threshold required for passage under California law. While this level of support demonstrates continued confidence in our colleges and the importance of investing in educational facilities, the survey also revealed growing concerns among voters regarding the rising cost of living, including fuel prices, housing affordability, and household expenses.
After thoughtful consideration of the survey results, community feedback, and the current economic climate, the most prudent course of action is to pause consideration of a bond measure in 2026 and revisit the opportunity during the 2028 election cycle. This decision reflects the Board's commitment to fiscal stewardship, community trust, and ensuring that any future bond proposal has the strongest possible foundation for success.
Although we will not pursue a bond measure this year, our work does not stop. Guided by our commitment to “deep roots and bold futures”, we will continue advancing strategic planning efforts, refining our facilities priorities, strengthening community partnerships, and advocating for the resources needed to support our students and region. The survey results make one thing abundantly clear: our community believes in the mission of YCCD and deeply value the education and opportunities we provide.
Thank you for your continued engagement, insight and commitment to the District. It is an honor to serve you as we continue building a stronger future for our District and the communities we proudly serve.
With appreciation,
Lena Tran, Ed.D., MBA
Modesto Junior College and Columbia College are at the heart of our communities, providing affordable higher education and career training opportunities for thousands of local students. Together, these two colleges form the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), serving nearly 40% of local high school graduates and helping ensure that students who cannot afford to attend a University of California or California State University still have a pathway to succeed in college and careers.
Yosemite Community College District is the cornerstone in the community of affordable, accessible, and flexible education, and training. Key instructional classrooms, labs, technology and career training facilities at both Modesto Junior College and Columbia College require modernization or new construction to meet the needs of students entering the modern workforce.
Some of the classrooms, training facilities and service buildings at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College were built over 60 years ago and have never been updated.
Community feedback has shown support for the local, quality, and affordable higher education YCCD provides. Protecting the ability of YCCD to provide the quality of education and training required by the modern workforce will require improvements such as:
Absolutely. Our Local community colleges train nurses, healthcare professionals that serve medical needs, firefighters, first-responders that keep us safe and the skilled workers who fuel our economy.
In a recent community survey, local residents identified the following priorities for our colleges:
