LMC Latinx students excel
Media Contacts:
Juliet V. Casey, jcasey@losmedaonos.edu, (925) 473-7322
Loni Swain, loni@collegecampaign.org
Pittsburg, Calif. – The Campaign for College Opportunity named Los Medanos College a 2026 Pathway Champion
of Placement for its Latinx Student Success in English. This award recognizes colleges
where Latinx students are completing transfer-level English at the highest rates,
with particular attention to closing racial equity gaps.
“We commend your institution’s commitment to advancing equitable student success and strengthening California’s transfer pathway,” said Jessie Ryan, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity. “This achievement underscores the extraordinary efforts of your faculty and staff to ensure all students, especially those historically underrepresented, have the opportunity to succeed.”
Ryan added that LMC is leading the way, showing what is possible “when equity and excellence go hand in hand.”
LMC will be recognized during the Pathway Champions: Celebrating Colleges Building Seamless Paths to Student Success virtual celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., during
National Transfer Week.
“Los Medanos College is a culturally rich institution, where more than 45% of the student population identifies as Latinx,” LMC President Ralston said. “We are honored and proud of this recognition.”
Ralston said that as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, LMC prioritizes improving transfer-level English completion for this population but has not done so in isolation. The college’s Student Equity Plan includes strategies designed to address shared and intersecting barriers to completion of all students, she said.
Morgan Lynn, chair of LMC’s English Department, faculty members have been making student-centered, holistic, and innovative changes to our programming and pedagogy.
“This award is a testament to all of our committed faculty, who have dedicated themselves to truly putting students first,” she said.
LMC Vice President of Instruction A’kilah Smith applauded the English Department for their notable work.
“I’m especially proud of our English faculty and colleagues who have embraced the opportunity to rethink how we support students, remove barriers, and create pathways to early success in college-level English,” Smith said.
Marisa Johnson, director of policy impact for The Campaign for College Opportunity, said LMC’s approach stands out. During the 2023-2024 academic year, LMC’s overall transfer-level English completion rate within one year of initial enrollment was 69.4% and 65.1% among Latinx students, below the threshold to qualify for the award. After implementing its equity plan, which includes targeted initiatives, services, guidance and resources, LMC’s completion rate overall and for Latinx students both rose to 72%.
“So, this award really represents closing the equity gap for last year’s English gateway courses,” Johnson said.
Rachel Anicetti, LMC dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the award also reflects LMC’s commitment to equity.
“I am incredibly proud for our English faculty and their collaborative investment in professional development, learning communities, and equitable teaching practices,” she said.
Pathway Champion awards honor campuses advancing landmark reforms in equitable placement
(AB 705 and 1705, Irwin), which maximize student success in transfer level-courses,
and the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which streamlines transfer between community
colleges and CSUs. Since the passage of AB 705 and AB 1705 (Irwin), California Community
Colleges have made historic progress in ensuring students are placed directly into
transfer-level courses.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is recognizing 40 Pathway Champions this year.
The 40 honorees include California Community Colleges and CSU campuses.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
About the Campaign for College Opportunity: The Campaign for College Opportunity is a coalition representing business, labor, civil rights, religious groups and civic organizations working to ensure that California keeps the promise of college opportunity to California’s next generation of students. The coalition is dedicated to ensuring every Californian can attend and succeed in college, building a stronger future for California’s communities and the students who power them.