Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to deliver Lake Tahoe Community College’s (LTCC) annual State of the College Address (SOCA) to a theatre and livestream full of LTCC employees and community partners. This was my ninth school year delivering this speech, and this year’s address carried special meaning; LTCC celebrated its 50th anniversary, a remarkable milestone that reflects five decades of student success, community partnerships, and visionary leadership.

From humble beginnings in a converted motel on Highway 50, LTCC has grown into a vibrant residential campus that serves students from the entire Tahoe Basin, throughout California and Nevada, as well as students from across the nation and the world. This anniversary is more than a marker of time; it is a full-circle moment. It is a chance to honor those who dreamed big, to celebrate the students and staff who keep that dream alive, and to embrace the bold future we are building together.

Honoring Our Founders

The college owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to many individuals in this community.

LTCC would not exist without the vision and determination of leaders like Roberta Mason, the pioneering spirit of its founding President, Dr. James Duke, and the stewardship of later leaders such as Dr. Guy Lease. Equally important are the countless partners, faculty, staff, and community members who carried this dream forward. Their collective efforts laid the foundation for the college we are today.

Welcome Home, LTCC Coyotes:

This month, as our campus celebrates fifty years since we opened our doors to students in a refurbished motel, it is fitting for us to be able to say “Welcome Home” as we moved in nearly 100 California-resident students to live on our campus. This beautiful new facility provides students with an affordable and supportive place to live and learn.

This achievement was more than a decade in the making. It represents the vision of our board and leaders, coupled with the hard work of countless partners, including state and local agencies, dedicated staff, and contractors.

In fifty years, we’ve gone from a roadside motel to a full residential campus. Talk about a full-circle moment.

Investing in Public Safety

LTCC’s commitment to serving both students and the local community is also reflected in the planned Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2026, with the facility set to open in 2027. Combining funding from Measure F and $7 million in recently secured state support, this facility will provide hands-on training for future firefighters, forestry professionals, and emergency medical services personnel. It will strengthen collaboration with local agencies and prepare the future workforce needed to keep our community safe and maintain healthy forests.

Student Success at Record Levels

While facilities and programs matter, what inspires us most are the students themselves.

Since 2021–22, LTCC has experienced a 40% enrollment growth, and we are producing more graduates than ever before. The Class of 2025 was our largest and most diverse class, earning more degrees and certificates than any other graduating class in our history.

Each number tells a story: a student whose life has been transformed, whose future has been expanded, and whose community will benefit from their education.

The Power of Community Support

LTCC’s story has always been one of community partnership. As the college marks 50 years, the LTCC Foundation is celebrating 30 years of providing critical scholarships and other financial support. During my tenure as president, I have witnessed this generosity firsthand, as scholarship giving has grown from $104,000 to $369,000 annually, and the number of students benefiting has doubled.

This year, two new scholarships in particular stand out: The Schiller Foundation Economics Scholarship and the Live Like Giada (LLG)Scholarship. Thanks to a $1 million gift from Dr. Bradley Schiller, a renowned economist and educator, LTCC economics students will have meaningful scholarship support as they transfer to complete their degrees at 4-year universities. The LLG Scholarship, established in memory of Giada Lancellotti, will provide a scholarship to support a local South Tahoe High School graduate to attend LTCC each year.

Looking Ahead

As I shared in this year’s address, our focus is clear: LTCC is becoming a student-centered, residential campus that welcomes learners from near and far while remaining deeply rooted in the community we serve.

LTCC is 50 and thriving, and the best is yet to come. I invite you to visit campus, see the transformations firsthand, and discover the opportunities that LTCC may hold for you or your family. And if you’d like to watch my address online, please visit ltcc.edu/soca, where you’ll also find publications featuring the latest campus data used in this address.