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.
The YCCD Institutional Research and Planning Office is dedicated to providing the data, analysis, and insights needed to support strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement across Columbia College, Modesto Junior College, and the District. The office’s work includes data reporting, qualitative and quantitative research, outcome assessment, and collaboration with campus partners to inform decision making and fulfill reporting needs. The office also helps advance data infrastructure and governance efforts that strengthen data quality, access, and consistency across the District.
Samantha Smith is the Senior Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Accreditation, where she leads work in research, data analysis, planning, and policy support. She partners with college and district leaders to provide clear, accurate, and actionable information that supports student success, strategic decision-making, and continuous improvement. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and an associate degree from Butte College.
