News Stories

Crafton Hills College celebrated 54 Emergency Medical Technician graduates from three summer cohorts during a ceremony on September 11 in the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center.

On September 9, the Central Complex Breezeway at Crafton Hills College was buzzing with energy as students filled that space to explore tables filled with information about various universities at CHC’s University Transfer Fair.

Speaking directly to the 108th graduating class of Crafton Hills College’s Paramedic Program, Antonio Betancourt asked his classmates to think back to the day when they realized this career was meant to be. For Betancourt, it was during his Intro to EMS class when one of the class instructors said something that stuck with him: “EMTs are the only profession the public truly trusts.”

Forty-two Crafton Hills College students explored their next step toward a four-year degree during a CSUSB Instant Admit event on September 3.

For paramedic students, classroom lessons and skills labs are designed to prepare them for the moment when their training is needed to save a life. For Crafton Hills College paramedic student Trent Gregoire, that moment came when he responded to a patient who was not breathing and had no pulse.

Few people have demonstrated as strong a commitment to helping students become first-responders as Donna Ferracone, who retired from Crafton Hills College in 2009 after 20 years of service as a faculty member, department chair, and dean of career and technical education.

Ten Crafton Hills College (CHC) students successfully completed the inaugural UCR ACTION (Advancing Community Transformation through Inquiry and Opportunity) Summer Research Institute, a three-week summer partnership designed to introduce community college students to a university-level experience while strengthening their preparation for transfer and four-year study.

This summer, Crafton’s classroom CNTL 238 became the meeting ground for a group of eight determined students to prepare themselves to excel in the upcoming year.

As part of Crafton Hills College’s Fall 2026 In-Service on August 21, keynote speaker Dr. Lynn Westergaard provided employees with an opportunity to learn, reflect and consider how linguistic justice and belonging can be incorporated into the ways we serve students across the college.

Faculty and staff returned to Crafton Hills College on the morning of August 21 for Fall 2026 In-Service, an opportunity for the campus community to reconnect and prepare for the new academic year.

Crafton Hills College welcomed 7,753 students for the fall 2026 semester, which began Monday, Aug. 24. Students have several new degree and certificate programs to add to their educational options this fall.

Contributors to student success at Crafton Hills College through scholarships had the opportunity to meet the students who benefitted from their generosity during the college’s annual Scholarship Reception on August 13.

Dr. Ericka Paddock’s favorite part of Crafton Hills College’s annual Roadrunner Rally is the people. The college’s associate dean of student support services offered a friendly smile and welcoming “hello” to the hundreds who dropped in for the annual event on Aug. 6, which hosted returning Roadrunners to become acclimated or reacclimated to life as a Roadrunner.

The Crafton Hills College Foundation is now accepting nominations for its Outstanding Alumni Award and inviting the community to its annual fundraiser, Bright Nights, Brighter Futures, on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

From July 31 through August 2, Crafton Hills College (CHC) Respiratory Care student Christian Brandes visited Texas for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: competing in The SHIFT: Season 2, a reality competition focused on respiratory care.

Two Crafton Hills College leaders have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the California Community College Association for Occupational Education (CCCAOE), recognizing their commitment to advancing career education and student success across the state.

Crafton Hills College has rolled out a new Vocational Nurse (VN) Program, expanding the college's healthcare education offerings and creating a direct pathway into one of the region's most in-demand professions.

When Amanda Barnum graduated from Crafton Hills College with associate degrees in American Sign Language and History, she had already discovered a passion for serving others through communication.

This summer, two students in Crafton Hills College's Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, Orume Igbako and Luis Castillo Gonzalez, spent their days immersed in microbiology research thanks to the generosity of CHC Foundation donors.

Crafton Hills College (CHC) welcomed Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) administrators to campus on July 29–30 for the district’s annual All-Management Professional Development Meeting, held in the Barbara L. Smith Event Center.

Crafton Hills College is proud to welcome Dr. Seth Dukes as the new Medical Director for its highly respected Paramedic Program, bringing with him a wealth of emergency medicine experience, strong community partnerships, and a passion for preparing the next generation of paramedics.

On Tuesday, June 23, Crafton Hills College welcomed basic needs professionals from across the Inland Empire and Desert Region for the 2026 Basic Needs Regional Convening, hosted in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the Real College California Coalition (RCCC).

On June 23 and 24, Dr. Lyn Westergard facilitated a robust two-day workshop at Crafton Hills College (CHC) that included a theoretical exploration of scaffolding (i.e., academic support structures) and its application, example lessons from English and STEM, and opportunities for faculty to discuss anti-racist pedagogies.

From combat medic to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) instructor, Karl Sweeting has spent his entire career giving back to those who need it most. His hard work and positive impact are now being recognized by The National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) at their annual symposium on August 13, 2026, in Reno, Nevada.

Do you know a fellow Crafton Hills College alum doing amazing things in their career or community? Or maybe that person is you! The Crafton Hills College Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Alumni of the Year award.