Crafton Hills College Adult Education Open House Has Record Attendance

Publish Date: April 23, 2026

Nearly 100 community members, students, and educators gathered at the Barbara L. Smith Event Center on Thursday, April 23, for the third annual Crafton Hills College Adult Education Open House. By all accounts, it was the program's most successful year yet with attendance more than doubling compared to last year.

The morning began with welcoming remarks from Yucaipa-Calimesa School District Superintendent Cali Binks, CHC Vice President of Student Services Dr. Delmy Spencer, and Inland Adult Education Consortium Director Dr. Emma Diaz.

One of the event's most powerful moments came during the student panel, where former students shared the personal stories behind their transitions to Crafton Hills College. Panelists spoke candidly about their hardships and milestones, and about the critical support they received from the college before, during, and after making that leap. Some panelists were just beginning their first college credit courses; others were nearing graduation and preparing to transfer to local universities.

Transition counselors Alex Jaco and Arline Troncoza presented on Crafton’s three transitional programs: Multilingual/ESL, Dual Enrollment, and Crafton Leadership Academy for Student Success (CLASS).

After the presentations, attendees could go on a campus tour or explore the information tables that lined the event center. The tables were staffed by Crafton Hills support services and community partners including Redlands Adult School, Yucaipa Adult School, the Mexican Consulate, and TODEC. 

The event included a catered lunch of tacos with handmade tortillas, dessert, ice cream. With three years under its belt and momentum only growing, the Crafton Hills Adult Education Open House is becoming a cornerstone event for the region's adult learning community.