Antelope Valley College

Antelope Valley College
source
Name	Antelope Valley College
Established	1929
Type	Public community college
President	Jennifer Zellet
City	Lancaster
State	California
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban, 135 acres
Colors	Maroon and gold
Nickname	Marauders
Affiliations	California Community Colleges system, Western State Conference

Antelope Valley College. It is a public community college located in Lancaster, California, serving the Antelope Valley region of northern Los Angeles County. Founded in 1929, it is part of the California Community Colleges system and offers a wide range of associate degrees, vocational certificates, and transfer programs to four-year universities. The college plays a significant role in the educational and economic development of the Mojave Desert region.

History

The institution traces its origins to 1929 when it was established as part of the Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District, holding its first classes at Antelope Valley High School. It became a separate junior college district in 1962 following the passage of the Donahoe Higher Education Act. The college moved to its current permanent campus on the west side of Lancaster, California in 1967, with major expansion projects occurring throughout the late 20th century. Key developments include the construction of the Health and Sciences Building and the establishment of the Palmdale Center to serve the growing population in the northern part of the valley.

Academics

The college offers over 80 associate degree programs and 60 certificate programs across various disciplines, including liberal arts, STEM fields, and career technical education. It maintains strong transfer agreements with the University of California and California State University systems, particularly with institutions like California State University, Bakersfield and University of California, Los Angeles. Notable academic divisions include the Division of Math and Science, the Division of Fine and Performing Arts, and the Division of Career Technical Education, which houses programs in aviation, nursing, and advanced manufacturing.

Campus

The main campus spans 135 acres in a suburban setting on the western edge of Lancaster, California. Key facilities include the Student Services Building, the Performing Arts Theatre, the Library and Learning Resource Center, and specialized labs for its aviation maintenance and fire technology programs. The college also operates the Palmdale Center, an instructional site in the city of Palmdale, and utilizes the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds for certain events and programs. The campus architecture is largely modern, with recent additions focusing on sustainability and technology integration.

Student life

Student life is supported by the Associated Student Organization, which funds clubs and organizes events like welcome weeks and cultural celebrations. Over 40 student clubs exist, including chapters of Phi Theta Kappa, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and program-specific groups. The college hosts annual events such as the AVC Day community festival and the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium symposium. Student media includes the *Marauder Daily* newspaper and the KAVC radio station.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Marauders, compete in the Western State Conference of the California Community College Athletic Association. The college fields teams in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, and track and field. Home games are played at venues like Marauder Stadium and the AVC Gymnasium. The athletics program has produced numerous individual conference champions and transfer athletes to NCAA Division I and NAIA institutions.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include Randy Quaid, Academy Award-nominated actor; Don Prudhomme, Hall of Fame NHRA drag racer; James Holzhauer, champion on the game show *Jeopardy!*; and Mike Montgomery, former head coach of the Golden State Warriors and University of California, Berkeley men's basketball team. Other distinguished graduates are Diana Lovejoy, artist and sculptor, and Steve Knight, former member of the United States House of Representatives.

Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles County, California Category:Educational institutions established in 1929 Category:California Community Colleges