Originally published at https://www.escondido.org on March 15, 2022.
EMT graduates at the Palomar Escondido Education Center.
Whether a student is starting out or starting over, Palomar College Escondido Education Center in Escondido has courses for students at every level and in several fields. Centrally located on Valley Parkway, Escondido Education Center, provides students with all the benefits of the main campus located in San Marcos.
“This campus has the same level of services that you would have if you were at the main campus, just on a smaller scale,” said Julie Lanthier Bandy, director of, Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs Office at Palomar College.
The Education Center was first opened in 1989 and it currently serves an estimated 7,000 students annually. Palomar College provides students with the courses available for an Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree, general education transfer courses, a comprehensive English as a Second Language program and several career education programs and certifications.
The career education programs include comprehensive studies in Emergency Medical Education (EME), Fire Sciences, and the newest program, Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration (ARC). Each program gives students the opportunity to complete the program as well as the ability to complete the available associate’s degree associated with the program, if they desire.
“Having the Palomar College Escondido Education Center in our own backyard city is a benefit to everyone in Escondido,” said Jennifer Schoeneck, Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development. “It provides academic advancement as well as career training opportunities that help strengthen our workforce.
EME students practicing lifesaving procedures in lab studies.
The EME program — the most popular program — graduated 250 EMT students in February including 50 paramedic students and 120 EME students. Of the graduating class, 70% of the paramedic graduates and 60% of the EMTs have been hired into their area of training. Most of the others are continuing to pursue their studies at the Palomar College Fire Academy.
Because of its convenient location, partnerships with Palomar Health and other medical organizations throughout the county allow nursing students opportunities to complete their practicum and clinical hours required for their programs.
The ARC program launched in the fall of 2019 and continues to grow in popularity. It is part of Palomar College’s Trade and Industry Department in the Career Technical and Extended Education Division. This division’s motto is, “Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Careers.”
Students in the ACR lab studying HVAC systems.
The ACR program at the Escondido Education Center is designed to give students knowledgeable and hands-on learning in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. It’s flexible class scheduling allows students who are starting out in the field the ability to take classes part time and complete the certification of proficiency requirements in 10 units. Students are also given the option to take an additional 30 units to receive their associate’s degree degree.
“That’s the beauty of a community college,” Bandy said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. We fit every imaginable situation that a student might be experiencing to help them get through their educational program.”
Being a community college, Palomar College is an open enrollment school. This means there are no added requirements or entry exams for potential students to complete before they enroll.
At enrollment, each student meets with an academic counselor who helps them create an education plan that will help them complete their desired program according to the class schedule and the ability of the student.
The Escondido Education Center campus is also equipped with all the additional resources a student would need to get started including enrollment services, financial aid, counseling, cashier services, library, teaching and learning center, tutoring services, a campus bookstore, campus police and health services.
In addition to its many valuable resources, the Escondido Education Center provides students with even more benefits. The library was refurbished in 2019, thanks in large part to the generosity of the Escondido Library Foundation, which provided a $25,000 grant. The library was closed soon after the remodel, however, due to COVID restrictions and could only operate virtually. On Feb. 22, The school celebrated its reopening to the public.
An informational social media campaign was launched after the reopening to let students and the community know about the library’s added value and wonderful space for students to meet and study.
Like a traditional library, the library at the Escondido Center is complete with books, textbooks and reference materials students would find in any school library. It also includes an extensive database and digital materials students can access for research projects.
The library is also available for use to any Escondido resident.
“Palomar College has a memorandum of understanding with the City of Escondido to offer library services to residents in the city,” Bandy said.
Students can enroll online for classes and certification programs. A handy checklist is available to ensure proper enrollment. Classes follow a traditional four-season calendar with a fall, winter, spring and summer course outline. Information on the website details registration deadlines and when each quarter begins.
Palomar College Escondido Education Center is located at 1951 E. Valley Parkway. For more information call 760-744-1150, Ext. 8134