Students line up to enroll in classes in at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif. The spring 2011 semester starts Monday, January 24. Photo courtesy of Mendocino College.

UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College – like other community colleges around the state – expects full classes and an increase in the number of students attending.

The semester starts Jan. 24, and as of Jan. 5 many classes were already full, said Vice President of Education and Student Services Meridith Randall.

“However, new students can still enroll and start taking math, English and other classes needed for most majors and for transfer,” Randall said. “There is also still time to apply for financial aid for spring 2011.”

Because of the increased demand, the college is in the process of hiring new full-time faculty in culinary arts management, business office technology, music and mathematics.

“We are particularly excited about the culinary arts position – there is a lot of student interest in the program and finally having a full-time instructor will allow us to expand and improve our offerings,” said Sue Goff, dean of Career and Technical Education.

Other popular career programs are business, child development, automotive technology and nursing.

In fall 2011, the college anticipates launching a Sustainable Technologies program, which will focus on sustainable practices in construction and other areas.

New state legislation was passed recently to increase the ability of students to transfer easily to the CSU system after two years at the community college.

Mendocino College is in the process of implementing these new, streamlined transfer programs, and interested students should make an appointment with a counselor to learn about this opportunity.

Students can also visit the Career and Transfer Center in MacMillan Hall to get assistance.

On the main campus in Ukiah, the framework for the new Library/Learning Center is complete; that building will open in late 2012. The new Student Center will be finished a year or two later.

In Willits and Lakeport, plans for permanent campuses are underway and those are expected to be completed over the next three years.

For more information, visit www.mendocino.edu or call 707-468-3048.