ORANGE, Calif. - Santiago Canyon College (SCC), in partnership with Orange Unified School District (OUSD), is proud to celebrate the completion of the first-ever OUSD/SCC Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) cohort, marking a major milestone in expanding college and career opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Through this innovative partnership, OUSD students successfully completed rigorous CNA coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school, earning industry-recognized skills and preparing for immediate entry into postsecondary education pathways and the healthcare workforce as Certified Nursing Assistants.

The program reflects SCC and OUSD's continued commitment to Career Technical Education (CTE), early college access, and workforce readiness by providing students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences aligned to high-wage, high-demand careers in Orange County.

"We are incredibly proud of our students who successfully completed this challenging program," said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Orange Unified School District. "This partnership with Santiago Canyon College is all about helping our students succeed in school and in their careers. By offering our high-schoolers a free, direct path into great healthcare jobs, we are making sure they graduate with valuable, job-ready skills and certificates. This empowers them to build bright futures and strengthen our local community."

The CNA pathway provides students with a foundation in healthcare knowledge, patient care experience, and exposure to the medical field, while helping to address the growing workforce demand in the healthcare industry. Students who complete the program are positioned to pursue employment opportunities in healthcare settings and continue advancing through nursing and allied health education pathways.

The collaboration between OUSD and SCC also strengthens opportunities for students to earn college credit, engage in career-connected learning, and build confidence in their future career goals before graduating high school.

"These students were amazing and a testament to the strong partnership that OUSD and SCC Continuing Education continue to foster," said Chrissy Gascon, Dean of Instruction and Student Services, Continuing Education. "This tuition-free CNA to Acute Care pathway opens the door for students to transition into SCC's Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Associate of Science Degree programs. And it is especially exciting to hear that the majority for these students have decided to do just that, by enrolling in the Allied Health programs at SCC. It was truly a joy to watch the students transform throughout the program, from first-day curiosity to confident Nursing Assistants preparing to enter the workforce. I look forward to running into them on campus and supporting their continued success as they build skills, reach their goals, and become a part of our local healthcare community."

The first CNA cohort highlights SCC and OUSD's continued commitment to broader efforts to expand career-connected learning experiences that align education with regional workforce needs while ensuring students graduate prepared for college, career, and life.

For more information about SCC and OUSD's Career Technical Education pathways and dual enrollment opportunities, visit us at www.orangeusd.org/cte or www.sccollege.edu/ce/programs/career_education/ or www.sccollege.edu/pathways/.