Education / Training Cluster

West Hills Community College 

West Hills Community College is another economic development engine within our community. This fully accredited two-year community college offers more than 220 courses in nearly 30 Associate Degree programs. President Willard Lewallen leads the College in Coalinga. 

The College has enhanced the medical and health career curriculum for residents from a multi-county area as well as international students. The curriculum includes: 

  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Medical Terminology
  • Psychiatric Technicians
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Registered Nurse

Campuses

West Hills Community College has campuses in Coalinga, Lemoore, and Firebaugh. Dr. Frank Gornick, Chancellor of West Hills Community College, is the leader of this nationally recognized community college.

Opportunity

Expansion of continuing training and education of health care professionals at West Hills Community College will occur. The College already has fiber optics and advanced technologies. Long-distance learning through major medical institutions will create a world-class academic environment for mental health professionals. In addition, the College has also embarked upon the Farm of the Future, which will be a significant resource to the Ag-Value industry cluster.

West Hills Community College Centers & Institutes

Precision Agriculture Center

Learn to use a global positioning satellite system to manage crop operations. Use geographic information system software to create interwoven maps of:

  • Crops
  • Orchards
  • Soil
  • Vineyards
  • Water

Improve crop productivity. Learn GPS equipment operation and maintenance. Farm today as the industry will in the future.

Beef Cattle Evaluation Center

Learn commercial cattle operations and herd improvement practices. Join in agricultural student enterprise program to feed and show beef, sheep, and swine. Help with yearling bull test, embryo transfers, and artificial insemination. Learn holistic rang resource management.

Center for Equine Science

Bring your horse to college and learn total horse management. Train your horse as you learn the fine art of:

  • Business management
  • Good equestrian skills
  • Horsemanship
  • Judging
  • Nutrition

Learn the skills of horseshoeing. Prepare for a career as a groomer, assistant stable manager/trainer, farrier, and equine equipment supply salesperson.

Farm & Heavy Equipment Operation

Learn the operation of:

  • Backhoes
  • Earthmovers
  • Motor graders
  • Tractors
  • And other construction equipment

Use approved equipment maintenance for your safety and long life of machinery. Learn surveying soil compaction requirements, welding, first aid and practice in the calls construction project.

Rodeo

Advance your rodeo skills and compete in intercollegiate rodeos. Facilities include three lighted arenas, 72 covered horse stalls with individual feeders, automatic waterers and protective shelters, storage rooms, and feed storage sheds. Practice stock is provided by one of the nation's most renowned rodeo companies.

Agribusiness Institute

Use appropriate technology to manage and market farm resources and products. Learn to use hand-held field computers and new 24 station high capacity computer lab.

Allen Farm

215 acres of agricultural student enterprise projects for hands-on experience. Almonds, row and field crops, livestock and horse facilities, and wildlife habitat. Irrigation and drainage instruction.

Campus Farm

180 acres of agricultural student enterprise projects for hands-on experience. Alfalfa, oat hay, sudan hay, cotton and pasture for you to practice learn by doing. Intercollegiate rodeo arena and corrals. Classrooms, shops, laboratories, and greenhouse.