Ben Clark Training Center Awarded Education Center Status by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors voted to move forward Moreno Valley College's Ben Clark Training Center (BCTC) as an educational center beginning July 1. 

By earning education-center status, BCTC stands to increase apportionment funding; be eligible for additional state capital outlay resources; and reduce the need for leased operational space. It is projected that the additional apportionment could mean as much as $1.3 million, beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. Based on the current apportionment base and grants and other revenue opportunities, BCTC financial means to grow to as much as $7 million.

It has been an arduous journey.

For nearly a decade, it has been the intent of Riverside Community College District and Moreno Valley College to apply to the California Post-Secondary Education Commission and California Community College System Board of Governor's for the establishment of an education center at BCTC due to anticipated benefits. 

In 2010, Riverside Community College District approved a resolution to begin the pursuit of center status for BCTC. However, shortly after approving the resolution, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office issued a moratorium on the designation of education centers. Then in 2019, following the lifting of the moratorium by the State Chancellor's office, MVC resumed its pursuit for BCTC.

In January of 2019, the RCCD Board of Trustees approved a ground lease which the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved the following month. Having a ground lease provided the District with possessory interest to design and construct an education facility at BCTC.

“While the process has been an arduous one, it was critical to see the Ben Clark Training Center become recognized as an educational center," Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., chancellor of RCCD, said. “BCTC has been a key developer of public service workers, many who remain in the community providing key emergency and medical services for residents. In order to continue to grow the programs it was important for BCTC to reach educational-center status."

In 2014, Riverside County was projected to experience an 18 percent population growth over the next 10 years. Some of the Employment Development Department's fastest job growth included areas that are taught at BCTC, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

While earning educational-center status will allow the College to provide additional student support, it could very well lend itself to the expansion of the public safety programs as well as the development of additional programs beneficial to the community. The College recently completed a 3,642-square-foot Correctional Scenario Training Building for the Law Enforcement program. In the fall of 2022, the College anticipates opening a new 14,000-square-foot facility for the School of Public Safety/Advanced Correctional Training program. BCTC came under educational control of MVC in 2006.

“Achievement of education center status for MVC/Ben Clark Training Center is a milestone achievement Robin Steinback, Ph.D., president of MVC, said. “It validates our vision and what we accomplish each and every day to ensure our region has leading-edge programs in fire technology, emergency services, and law enforcement training.  I am tremendously proud of our faculty and employees, and the partners and employers with whom we work, preparing our graduates for well-paying careers that serve our community, now and in the future."  

The transition from an outreach center to a state approved educational center is a multi-step process, beginning with the submission of a letter of intent. The Chancellor's Office Facilities Planning and Utilization Unit reviews, and if approved, the district completes a needs assessment. Pursuant to Title 5 CCR §§ 55180-55180 and California Education Code §§ 7090-70902, a needs assessment must provide findings from a comprehensive analysis of the following 10 elements:

1. 1. 1. General discussion and overview of the proposal.
         
         
      2. Ten-year enrollment projections.
         
         
      3. An analysis of alternatives.
         
         
      4. Academic planning and program justification.
         
         
      5. Student services and outreach.
         
         
      6. Support and capital outlay projections.
         
         
      7. Geographic and physical accessibility.
         
         
      8. Effects on other institutions.
         
         
      9. Environmental impact.
         
         
      10. Economic efficiency
          
          

211 — Basic Peace Officer Academies

92 — Basic Correctional Academies

43 — Fire Academies

21 — Paramedic Academies

253 — EMT Academies