Whittier, California – Río Hondo College (RHC) and El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated its longstanding partnership and collaboration to create pathways that empower students to achieve their academic and career aspirations at EMUHSD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 4.

Over the last six years, Río Hondo College and El Monte Union have partnered to establish free dual enrollment opportunities for EMUHSD students, including the Early College Academy (ECA) at South El Monte High, allowing them to get a jumpstart on higher education by earning college credit in high school.

“Our Office of Outreach and Dual Enrollment deserves a lot of credit for their dedication to expanding Río Hondo College’s dual enrollment opportunities for students across southeast Los Angeles County,” said RHC Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Don Miller, praising the leadership of Director of Student Success and Partnerships, Tam Contreras. “Their tireless work is critical to making a postsecondary education easily accessible for so many.”

El Monte Union students also have access to Río Promise, a program that offers qualifying recent graduates free tuition and priority registration for two years at RHC.

“The Río Promise program offers a summer onboarding to students for a seamless transition to RHC,” said Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Earic Dixon-Peters. “The Río Promise summer bridge is a tremendous experience for our dual enrollment student transitioning to RHC.”

“We support our kids in not only a K-12 pipeline but a K-14 pipeline, and continuing their education to getting a bachelor’s degree,” said EMUHSD Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, who took classes at RHC, along with EMUHSD Board President Ricardo Padilla. “We are advocating together for better living conditions for our community, and we cannot do this without getting the support from Río Hondo.”

EMUHSD presented RHC Board of Trustees President Anais Medina Diaz, trustee Rosaelva Lomeli, Dr. Miller and Assistant Dean of Adult Education Dr. Erika Leon with certificates of appreciation and lapel pins, recognizing their ongoing commitment to supporting EMUHSD students during the Board meeting.

Río Hondo College caters to several communities in the southeast section of Los Angeles County, including El Monte and South El Monte. The College maintains a strong foothold in the greater El Monte community through the El Monte Educational Center, an extension of RHC’s campus where college credit courses and non-credit continuing education classes are offered.

“El Monte Union has been a key partner in removing barriers students face in their pursuit of higher education,” RHC Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “We have been able to work together to make a meaningful impact in the lives of countless students, and we look forward to continuing to work together to help El Monte students achieve their fullest potential.”

PHOTO CAPTION

RHC_EMUHSD1: From left to right: El Monte Union Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, presents Río Hondo College Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Don Miller, Assistant Dean of Adult Education Dr. Erika Leon, Board of Trustees President Anais Medina Diaz, trustee Rosaelva Lomeli with a certificate of appreciation, along with EMUHSD student board member Andrea Pablo-Matamoros. EMUHSD recognized Río Hondo College’s ongoing commitment to supporting District students during its Board meeting on Sept. 4.