Nestled in the hills above Whittier, the District was created in 1960. The College officially opened its doors for instruction in 1963 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012-2013. As a comprehensive community college, Rio Hondo offers many strong career-technical programs, such as nursing, fire and police academies, automotive and alternative fuels, a full transfer curriculum, and basic skills courses and services. The College also offers a rich complement of community service programs on campus and at satellite locations.

Rio Hondo College has developed an impressive educational complex which enrolls approximately 20,000 students per semester. The student body reflects the diversity of the surrounding communities and is approximately 72% Hispanic, making it a Hispanic-Serving Institution, 5% Caucasian/Non-Hispanic, 3% Asian, 1% Black, and 18% other/unknown.

The Rio Hondo Community College District encompasses several communities in the southeast section of Los Angeles County. It is a dynamic urban and suburban area which also includes commercial, industrial, educational institutions, and enterprises. The primary communities are El Monte, Whittier, South El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Los Nietos. The nearby communities of Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, La Puente, and the City of Industry are also an integral part of the College District. The area provides easy access to cultural, recreational, and diverse ethnic and cultural opportunities.

The current District budget of the general fund is approximately $77 million. Included in that amount are several state and federal grants which fund a variety of innovative college projects. New construction on campus is currently under way made possible by a $245 million bond measure. Phase one is nearly complete and plans are underway for phase two. The District currently employs nearly 1,000.

Vision, Mission and Value Statement

Vision – Rio Hondo College strives to be an exemplary California community college, meeting the learning needs of its changing and growing population and developing a state of the art campus to serve future generations.

Mission – “Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality educational offerings for its diverse students and community.”

Value Statement – As a teaching/learning community, we come together and strive to meet the needs, aspirations, and goals of our changing student population and communities. Since what we value forms the core of who and what we are, the college community--trustees, faculty, and staff--recognizes the importance of openly and candidly expressing the College’s values. Rio Hondo College values the following:

1. Quality teaching and learning
2. Student access and success
3. Diversity & Equity
4. Fiscal Responsibility
5. Integrity & Civility

Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees

Norma E. Garcia
Area 1, City of El Monte

Vicky Santana
Area 2, City of Pico Rivera

Angela Acosta-Salazar
Area 3, Whittier and South El Monte

Gary Mendez
Area 4, Los Nietos and Santa Fe Springs

Madeline Shapiro
Area 5, East Whittier

Lupe Pasillas
Student Trustee

Teresa Dreyfuss
Interim Superintendent/President