In tales of old, treasure is often hidden. In the case of Las Positas College (LPC), the treasure exists in plain sight. But those outside of its halls may not fully appreciate how valuable this community college is to its students as well as the Tri-Valley as a whole. Over the past few years, LPC has moved from post-pandemic recovery into a new phase of intentional growth and institutional redesign. Officials say this momentum is being driven through expanded outreach, strengthened dual enrollment partnerships with local high schools, and course offerings aligned more closely with student demand. From Fall 2024 through Spring 2026, overall enrollment grew between 8 and 10%, according to officials, while Spring 2026 enrollment increased an estimated 9.5% year-over-year.

Highly Ranked in California and the Nation

The Tri-Valley in general and Pleasanton in particular have long been recognized nationally for the quality of their K through 12 public schools. That quality also extends to higher education. LPC is consistently recognized as one of the top community colleges in California and the nation. In 2023, it was ranked the number one community college in California by Intelligent. In both 2024 and 2026, Niche rated it the number two community college in California and the fourth best in the United States. These rankings are based on factors such as academic quality, transfer success, affordability, and overall student experience.

"Our college has moved from recovery to reinvention: growing enrollment, redesigning our academic calendar, and investing in our transfer processes to better serve our growing student population," says President Dr. Dyrell Foster, who has headed the institution since 2019.

The college has distinguished itself through a combination of affordability and strong transfer outcomes, officials note. LPC offers its students guaranteed transfer pathways to all California State University campuses and most University of California campuses, along with honors programs that provide priority admission opportunities to more than 30 other highly selective universities. These structured pathways help students move efficiently toward a bachelor's degree, reducing excess units and shortening time to completion. A student who successfully completes two years at Las Positas with an Associate Degree and then transfers to a four-year university can save between $12,000 and $26,000 in tuition and fees compared to attending all four years at a University of California or California State University institution. That difference in cost is important to many of LPC's students, who often come from low-income households. 

"We have a responsibility to be transparent about cost," notes Dr. Foster. "For many families, starting at Las Positas can reduce the cost of a four-year degree by tens of thousands of dollars, without sacrificing academic quality or outcomes." 

Two new structural changes are expected to improve student graduation rates. During the winter break in late 2025, a new winter intersession was introduced. This short, accelerated academic term gave students a new opportunity to make progress or stay on track. The college offered 34 class sections in online, asynchronous courses. More than 1,000 students enrolled in the first winter session, and there was a 95% fill rate across all courses. In fall 2026, LPC will move from 17.5-week semesters to a compressed academic calendar with 16-week semesters. Both changes are expected to improve scheduling flexibility, persistence, and overall student success.  

LPC Benefits Business Community

The college continues to expand and strengthen its course offers and programs, as well as its  facilities. The Measure A Bond program approved by voters in 2016 allowed LPC to open a new horticulture facility in 2022. In 2024, the college opened a new Academic Support Office Building and a new Public Safety Complex and Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation building. The 2,400-square-foot Public Safety Complex features a three-story fire training tower, emergency medical service simulation lab and situation rooms, and fire training apparatus. The adjoining AMT building includes an automotive technology facility, welding lab, classrooms, lab spaces, and more.

Funds from Measure A are also allowing LPC to build a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Complex to provide state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities for faculty and students. The groundbreaking took place in April 2025; the building is expected to be ready by the fall of 2028. This is good news for the students who will benefit from the new STEAM facility but also good news for the Tri-Valley businesses that rely on skilled workers.

The college offers scores of certificate programs that prepare students for direct employment, according to officials. While some certificate programs need more time to be completed, many can be finished in one year. Industry-specific certificate programs available include Automotive Technology, Business, Computer Science, Fire Service Technology, Horticulture, Occupational Health and Safety, Viticulture and Winery Technology, and Welding.

In 2017, Las Positas established a Work-Based Learning Initiative. This collaboration with local business and industry was designed to develop career and work experience opportunities, internships and mentoring programs, and community work and study placements directly related to a vocational field of training. The initiative and its related programs help employers obtain an expanded pool of qualified applicants, recruit and screen potential employees, evaluate potential employees in work settings prior to actual hiring, and develop a quick, reliable source of skilled labor.

There are many ways in which employers can work with Las Positas to both attract talent and help develop a labor pool of skilled workers in their industry. Hacienda employers may want to consider supporting the college's Career and Technical Education programs such as the Work-Based Learning Initiative in an advisory capacity. These programs prepare students for skilled trades in a wide range of occupations and offer students a career path that starts in a high-wage, middle-skilled job, the kind of jobs that employers often find hard to fill.

The offerings from LPC are not limited to full-time students enrolling immediately after high school. The study body includes working adults, adults returning to college, and part-time students. LPC officials are dedicated to educating and supporting the college's entire student body.

"Our responsibility is to ensure that every student who comes to Las Positas has a real opportunity to succeed," notes Dr. Foster. "That means providing not just access, but the structure, support, and environment students need to reach their goals. By combining academic excellence, affordability, and a focus on student success, the college is demonstrating what a modern community college can be–innovative, responsive, and deeply aligned with the needs of its students and community."

For more information about Las Positas College, please visit laspositascollege.edu/index.php.

For more information about Las Positas employer services, including its job board, please visit www.laspositascollege.edu/careercenter/employer-services.php.