WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 for its Pico Rivera Educational Center, a park-like regional campus that will deliver advanced coursework in state-of-the-art classrooms to area residents.

The center, at 9426 Marjorie St., Pico Rivera, was created through a partnership between Rio Hondo College and the El Rancho Unified School District. Set to open in fall 2016, it is the third regional campus developed by Rio Hondo College since 2010.

“We are thrilled to be providing this new resource to our Pico Rivera community,” said Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss. “Our growing network of regional campuses is bringing the promise of higher education to the neighborhoods where our students live and work.”

The project will renovate seven buildings spanning 6,720 square feet to create a collegiate identity and integrate 21st century learning tools into six classrooms and an office. The center also will include a computer lab, a student study room, a teacher/staff lounge, counseling and assessment offices, a shaded quad, a new restroom building and 1.3 acres of parking. It will accommodate about 280 students.

The groundbreaking ceremony will include remarks from Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees President Mary Ann Pacheco, Rio Hondo College Trustee Vicky Santana , Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Dreyfuss, Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, El Rancho Unified Board of Education President Aurora Villon, El Rancho Unified Superintendent Martin Galindo and Pico Rivera Mayor David Armenta.

William Ashby, president of the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College, and Staceyy Holidayy, a Salazar High School student, will offer student perspectives.

“We are excited to take this major step in bringing Rio Hondo College’s excellent programs into Pico Rivera, making our programs even more accessible to community members,” Pacheco said. “A strong start at Rio Hondo College can take a student anywhere.”