SAN MARCOS \u2014 Thousands of students made their way back to campus on Monday and Tuesday, January 30-31, 2023, for the beginning of the Spring semester at Palomar College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main campus and Education Centers in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo and Fallbrook were in full swing, with hundreds of classes and all student services available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s truly inspiring when the semester kicks off and we see our students filling the classrooms and common areas to continue pursuing their dreams and educational goals,\u201d said Palomar College Superintendent\/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palomar College provides pathways for students to earn an Associates degree or certificate, transfer to a 4-year institution, train for a new career or refine their skill sets, and some are exploring new hobbies or interests. Students are able to take classes on-site, online or both. Student services are also available in remote format and in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The overall number of students at the beginning of the Spring semester increased by about 4 percent year-over-year, with more than 17,600 enrolled and attending classes at one of Palomar\u2019s locations throughout North County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStudents have informed us of their need for flexibility in their learning schedules, and we have adapted our traditional class schedule to ensure there is a balance between onsite and online course offerings,\u201d said Dr. Rivera-Lacey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the San Marcos campus, students said they were enjoying the first week of school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally from Thailand, Koncsapsat Connell came to California to attend college and is now nearing the end of her second year at Palomar, with plans to transfer to Cal State San Marcos, where she will major in Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnline classes are easy, but it\u2019s fun to come to campus, as well, because you can see people you\u2019ve missed,\u201d Connell said. \u201cThe one thing I want to recommend to other people are the ESL classes at Palomar College\u2014the professors are very good, their classes are simple and easy to understand, and they care a lot about the students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Corey Weiss, who went to high school in Oceanside, said he was just beginning the Emergency Medical Education (EME) program, which meets at the Escondido campus. He was in San Marcos on Tuesday for his first English class since leaving high school over a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe people I met in class are very nice, and the professors definitely want you to be engaged with your classmates,\u201d said Weiss. \u201cI\u2019ve been out of school for a while, but Palomar seems like a great place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A former tradesman, Art Milan was on his way home from a Photography class in San Marcos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI decided it was time to refresh my skills in the academic field, but it\u2019s been 40 years since I was in school,\u201d said Milan, who helped build some of the buildings at Cal State San Marcos during his career as a structural welder. \u201cI can\u2019t really do that work any more\u2014climbing buildings like I used to\u2014so I\u2019m retraining right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut this,\u201d he said, indicating the campus and the students crossing the Clocktower Commons, \u201cThis is refreshing, it takes me back to my youth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Palomar Community College District (PCCD) no longer has a COVID-19 vaccination mandate in effect, but facial coverings are still strongly recommended in indoor settings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"