The Board of Governors of California Community Colleges has agreed to let Solano Community College provide a bachelor’s degree in biomanufacturing, starting in the 2017-18 academic year, Dr. Yashica Crawford, SCC chief of staff, said.

SCC and 14 other community colleges will participate in the baccalaureate degree pilot program, she said.

SCC joins MiraCosta College, Oceanside, in offering the biomanufacturing program. “It is a great day and a tremendous honor for SCC to be recognized as being worthy of offering a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Jowel Laguerre, SCC superintendent-president.

“It is a testimony of how far we have come as a college over the past six years. With faculty, staff, students, governing board and administrative dedication, we have transformed SCC into one of the best community colleges in California.”

He credited voters in Solano County and Winters, who in 2012 approved Measure Q, the student and veterans affordable education, job training and classroom repair bond measure. The new program will be housed in one of the new buildings to be constructed with Measure Q funds, Laguerre said.

Dr. John Yu, dean of mathematics and sciences, said, “This is another stamp of approval of the great programs offered at SCC. Being one of the 15 community colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree shows that Solano College is among the best in California … and is further evidence that SCC is on an upward trajectory.”

Added Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Leslie Minor: “I am very excited about this opportunity for our students at Solano CC to prepare for technical careers in family wage jobs that address the needs of our industry partners in the region.”

“A big kudo to Drs. Crawford, Minor, (Ed) Re, and Yu as well as Professor (Jim) DeKloe for submitting a great proposal in the second round to get us this degree,” Laguerre said.

Those interested in the biotechnology program may contact DeKloe at 707-477-8354 or jdekloe@solano.edu.

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