Citrus College joins statewide exchange of online classes

Starting next fall, community college students from across the state can enroll in online classes at Citrus College as part of the California Virtual Campus – Online Education Initiative (CVC-OEI). In turn, Citrus College students have access to thousands of additional online classes offered through the California Community Colleges System.

Designed to ensure more students successfully complete their educational goals by increasing access to valuable online classes, the CVC-OEI is a collaborative project among California community colleges. It works by allowing students who are currently enrolled in one of the state's community colleges to instantly register for online classes offered at other eligible colleges without filling out a separate application.

During the winter of 2023, Citrus College completed requirements to become a Home College within the CVC-OEI. This allowed Citrus College students to take classes at other colleges in the CVC Exchange. Beginning in the fall of 2024, Citrus College will become a CVC-OEI Teaching College, which will allow students at other colleges to enroll in high-quality online classes at Citrus College.

"Citrus College has been interested in the California Virtual Campus Exchange for quite some time, and we recently began working in earnest to join this important effort," said Dr. Greg Schulz, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "This is an exciting and unique opportunity to promote our programs and courses, while also providing students with the flexibility, opportunity and choices they need to complete their academic goals."

The CVC-OEI provides students with two resources that may not be available at their home colleges, especially small or remote colleges with limited course offerings. First, CVC Course Finder can be used to search and register for classes based on degree and transfer requirements. Next, CVC Exchange Cross-Enrollment allows students to search for and enroll in online classes at any participating Teaching College without having to complete a separate college application.

According to Dr. Jack Beckham, dean of social and behavioral sciences and online education at Citrus College, these resources make the CVC Exchange – which can be found online at www.cvc.edu – a valuable education tool.

"The CVC-OEI removes barriers to completion for students statewide by helping them complete their pre-requisites and impacted GE requirements," said Dr. Beckham. "Our counselors can use the CVC-OEI to provide guidance to our own students, helping to increase completion rates on our campus, while counselors at other Home Colleges can guide students to Citrus College to help them complete as well. It's a win-win for all students."

Additional benefits of the CVC-OEI include rigorous peer review and certification, a more inclusive and engaging environment for stakeholders, and the ability to streamline progress for students.

"It is very exciting that Citrus College will be joining the CVC-OEI," says Dr. Anthony Contreras, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "I know that it has taken countless hours of work and coordination by our campus community to bring the college's participation in the CVC Exchange to fruition, and I am incredibly grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked hard to see it through."

For more information and to find courses in the CVC Exchange, visit www.citruscollege.edu/cvc.