What Ohlone College is like

Academic feel

Ohlone is a comprehensive community college offering 61 associate degree programs in arts and sciences alongside over 100 vocational certificate programs. The college emphasizes both university transfer pathways and direct workforce entry, with particular strengths in healthcare professions. Notable academic programs include accredited nursing, physical therapist assistant, and respiratory therapist degrees. The college also runs the NSF-funded Learning Alliance for Bioscience program, which provides pathways in biotechnology for high school students from underrepresented populations. The broadcasting department has produced professional journalists and media professionals working at major stations.

Strengths

• Strong healthcare professional pipeline with accredited nursing, physical therapist assistant, and respiratory therapist programs that prepare graduates for licensed practice and state board examinations.[1][2]
• Established Center for Deaf Studies serving up to 200 deaf and hard of hearing students annually, providing specialized support and academic pathways since 1972.[1][2]
• Active broadcasting program with student-operated television station (ONTV 28) and radio station (KOHL 89.3 FM) producing alumni who work as reporters, anchors, and directors at major media outlets.[1][2]
• NSF-funded Learning Alliance for Bioscience program providing academic pathways in biotechnology for high school students from underrepresented populations.[1][2]

Traditions

• Named in 1967 in honor of the Ohlone people, whose unceded lands include much of the surrounding area, reflecting institutional acknowledgment of indigenous presence in the region.[1][2]
• KOHL radio has hosted notable figures including civil rights activist Bobby Seale and actress Rita Moreno.[1][2]