Pasadena City College (PCC)

Pasadena City College is a two-year community college located in Pasadena, California, adjacent to the city of Los Angeles. PCC offers a range of academic study programs for the associate's degree or as a transfer program to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's degree.  Academic study areas include everything from French, to Business or Urban Studies. Distance Learning, workforce training and continuing education are also available.

Among Pasadena City College's illustrious alumni are best-selling adventure novelist Clive Cussler, fashion designer Bob Mackie, actor Nick Nolte, singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, philanthropist Herbert Hoover III, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, and rock star Eddie Van Halen, among others.

History

Pasadena City College was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College. By 1939, the Pasadena City College Bulldog band had become the official band of the Tournament of the Roses Parade - now the Rose Bowl Parade. During World War II, PCC's West Campus was used for specialized military training. In 1943, the U.S. Army assumed control of the site.

The Post-War Boom led to unprecedented growth in Pasadena. The G.I. Bill allowed many veterans to buy homes and continue their education in the area. PCC had to expand to accommodate their increased student body, so it re-opened its abandoned West Campus as John Muir College. 

In the 1950s, the school expanded further and also changed its mascot from a bulldog to a lancer (a Medieval Knight on foot or on horseback, holding a lance). In the 1960s and 1970s, PCC experienced the turbulence of the era, and many student protests were held on campus.

The 1980s brought a demand for social and ethnic studies, and PCC expanded its curriculum to include these programs. In the 1990s, diversity among students and faculty increased and the curriculum expanded again to incorporate emerging technologies and multimedia.  The campus facilities were extended during this period as well, bringing PCC up to date for the new millennium.

Academics  

The academic calendar of Pasadena City College follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters, and shorter winter and summer "intersessions."

Colleges and Schools 

As a two-year college, PCC divides its academic units into instructional divisions, rather than into colleges and schools.  The instructional divisions of PCC include:

• Business and Computer Technology
• Engineering and Technology
• English
• Health Sciences
• Kinesiology, Health & Athletics
• Languages
• Library
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Performing and Communication Arts
  • Dance, Music, Speech, Theater Arts, TV and Radio
• Social Sciences
• Visual Arts and Media Studies
• Community Education Center

Student Life

Students at PCC have a history of being very involved in campus activities, and that is greatly encouraged.  There are many involvement and leadership opportunities at PCC, including student government, a cross cultural center and planning board, cultural awareness and leadership retreats, countless clubs and organizations representing a range of interests, and many more events and activities to participate in.  The PCC Student Affairs Office hosts a range of student services and events.

Traditions 

The school mascot is a Lancer - a medieval knight who carries a lance.

Athletics 

PCC "Lancer" athletic teams offer cheerleading and compete in several intercollegiate sports, including: 

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Track 

Women's Sports:

• Badminton
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Track
• Volleyball
• Water Polo

Community Life  

PCC offers many programs that connect the school to the Pasadena community through support and services. There are programs that offer high school students off-campus credit courses, a community business center on the PCC campus that offers child ID services and, passport applications and fingerprinting, and a community education center that offers non-credit, no-fee classes, including English as a Second Language, Parent Education, and more. Extended learning programs offer enrichment classes to community members.

Pasadena, the home of the Rose Bowl Tournament and Parade, is a diverse city with a small-town feel. The temperate climate and proximity to the city of Los Angeles and all its cultural and entertainment venues, as well as the wonderful California beaches and mountains, make the area popular with students and visitors alike.