General.        American River College (ARC) is a State-funded two-year community college situated in the southern edge of Foothill Farms in Sacramento County, California, part of the Los Rios Community College District, which also includes Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College. Today it is regarded as one of the largest community colleges in California with total enrollment of 32,690 full-time and part-time students. Passing through the various developmental stages now the campus has its own newspaper, The American River Current and also its newsletter, The Parrot

• History.         During World War II on February 28, 1942, Grant Union Junior College established in Del Paso HeIts was the initial establishment of today’s ARC. Then it was established to prepare civilian personnel for national service.  In 1945 the college was renamed as Grant Technical College.

1. In June 1954, voters of the district decided through ballot the establishment of a new junior college district, supported by the approval of a $3 million bond issue in November of same year. In 1955 American River Junior College came into being as California’s 61st public junior college at the place of old Grant Technical College. In 1965 the college formed a part of the Los Rios Community College District and became American River College.
2. Initially the classes were run in the old complex of Grant Technical College, however, a side by side further developmental project for building a new and separate complex was undertaken. For this a 153-acre piece of land, known as the Cameron Ranch was purchased. Towards the end of 1958, when official dedication ceremonies were held a new complex comprising eight buildings was in place among the already present oak trees (adopted as the official college symbol) giving glorious looks.
3. Nowadays, ARC is directed by a seven-member board of trustees elected by voters residing in the district and is considered as a launch pad for the students for competitive four-year universities such as the University of California, Davis and California State University. It is the pick of many students in the larger Sacramento area.

• The Campus Development Process.   

1. 1960s.            The construction of Davies Hall, a three-story classroom and faculty office building (1966), marks the start of the campus development process that is still underway despite the initial goals met long ago. In 1968-1969 new facilities for chemistry, physics, engineering, women’s physical education, and technical vocational studies, were added.
2. 1970s.            In the 1970s, massive construction work was undertaken and a three-storey library, a horticulture complex, a major addition to the technical education facility, a childcare center and counseling center were added to the campus.
3. 1980s.            In the 1980s the Rose Marks open-air pavilion was completed and a new bookstore was added which was remodeled in the 1990s.
4. Recent improvements.     These include major remodeling of laboratories and the student services building, new faculty and administrative office buildings, and facilities for special student programs & services, and instructional technology. With the opening of districtwide and statewide bond measures, construction on new buildings were undertaken in 2004, which is likely to continue well into the second decade of the 21st century.

• Conclusion. Five decades after its founding, American River College is among the 10 largest community colleges in the state and is considered as a leader in original programs and services.