Pasadena City College Closes Rosemead Satellite, Assures Locals Pasadena Northwest Campus Will Resume

Pasadena City College has closed its Rosemead satellite campus due to a scheduling conflict with the El Monte Union High School district, which will be taking back the building for its own use.

PCC’s President  Erika Endrijonas officially broke the news by email to students and through PCC’s social media posts.

“While this unfortunate step is not what we desired, it is the proper course of action at this time for our students, our community, and the district,” Endrijonas said. “We deeply value the students, the community, and the families from the Rosemead and El Monte areas who study and work at PCC.”

The PCC Courier reported the announcement resulted in some PCC students scrambling to figure out where to take classes, access campus tools, and continue their studies.

PCC Rosemead staff also expressed sadness at the closure and said the change may be difficult for students as well as faculty.

“Closing PCCR is catastrophic for the community,” History professor Eloy Zarate said in the report. He plans to make their voice heard when the PCC Board of Trustees meets next time.

The PCC Courier also quoted Ginger Wilson, a potential student, who was looking to join the cosmetology program at Rosemead since she works at Hastings Ranch. With the campus closing, she will have to look for another school to get her degree.

“PCC was something I wanted,” Wilson told the Courier. “These sorts of classes don’t exist at the Colorado Blvd location. It sucks.”

Alex Boekelheide, Special Assistant to the Superintendent/President of PCC, said the college is “entering a period of transition at our Rosemead campus but are working closely with our partners in the El Monte Union High School District to determine both short-term and long-term plans. We remain strongly committed to the communities of Rosemead and El Monte and we look forward to solidifying our presence in that area soon.”

Boekelheide assured Pasadenans that PCC plans to resume operations at the PCC Northwest campus at John Muir High School in line with county and City public health guidelines.