About

Overview

The California Community College system was built around the idea that higher education should be available to everyone. Calbright is a new and unique part of this important educational system.

Calbright is a digital college that focuses on careers, not credentials. We use a combination of online classes, mobile apps, and career readiness training and services, to provide working adults with the skills they need to move into higher paying jobs. Courses can be taken on each person’s own timeline and from wherever is most convenient.

Adult learners prepare for roles with both the technical skill set they need for the job, and the leadership and communication skills they need to help build a strong and lasting team. Put simply, we’re a new kind of California Community College, designed to deliver career preparation that is fast, focused, and flexible – without putting a financial burden on our students. Thanks to funding from the State of California, our programs, course materials and exams are of no cost to Californians.

The Californians we seek to reach cannot stop working to get the education they need to get ahead, and many of them juggle multiple jobs to feed their families. As much as we would like to, we cannot will them onto our campuses. We need to rethink traditional delivery models and pedagogies and meet this population where and when they are ready to gain skills and credentials.

Eloy Ortiz Oakley

California Community Colleges Chancellor

Who We’ll Serve

The new college is designed to meet the needs of two distinct groups: working adults and hiring managers.

In California, there are more than 8 million “stranded” workers, that is, people who describe themselves as stuck in “go nowhere” jobs. Additionally, 25% of working adults living in poverty already have some sort of experience with college.

We recognize that in order to place people into better paying jobs, we also need the help of employers.

We have connected with hiring managers and working adults all over California to design a college that serves both sides. For all of the millions of underserved and ignored Californians, we hear you, and we’re here for you.

Mission

Calbright College is committed to increasing economic mobility and closing equity gaps for working adults who lack easy access to traditional forms of higher education. We offer online, flexible, affordable, skills-based programs that provide tangible economic value for both working adults and hiring managers.

Vision

We at Calbright College envision a California in which everyone who strives for a brighter future for themselves and their families can achieve it.

Values

Calbright College is guided by the values of integrity, partnership, possibility, equity, and dignity in all its internal and external work.

Promise

Prepare
We prepare some of the 8 million Californians who feel stuck in “go-nowhere” jobs for careers with a future, and we do it through online training.

Promote
We support and promote our adult learners. From pre-registration and learning, through career preparation, we are here.

Position
Calbright positions students who have demonstrated job competency and readiness for successful careers. We work to connect students with resources and organizations who can help advance their professional goals.

Accreditation

Calbright is applying for accreditation and ahead of schedule

Calbright College is a public higher education institution authorized by the State of California. As no new college is accredited upon its founding, Calbright must go through the application process for federal accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Calbright is required to do so by its founding statutes, and has prioritized reaching it as quickly as possible. We are in in that process now, and ahead of schedule.

Our current goal, which we are on track for, is to complete the accreditation process by the end of 2021, and be fully accredited by the end of 2023.

Once Calbright is accredited, our students will have access to federal and state student aid. Pell Grants and Cal Grants can help working adults pay for childcare and limit the number of jobs they have to work, so they can afford to spend time on coursework and make more progress towards completion. Accreditation also opens the door to new funding sources for Calbright itself.

Careers

Calbright is a mission driven organization with a team passionate about creating opportunities for equity in education and supporting students.

Learn about our open positions here.