AHC History
The History of 伊人直播

Click photo above to read the biography of college namesake G. Allan Hancock.
伊人直播 was founded in 1920, when the Santa Maria High School District established Santa Maria Junior College. Classes were initially held in high school classrooms until 1937, when voters approved a bond measure to construct a dedicated college wing on the northwest corner of the high school campus.
In 1954, due to growing enrollment, the college relocated to Hancock Field, a former airport site that had previously housed the Santa Maria Airport, Hancock College of Aeronautics, and later the University of Southern California鈥檚 School of Aeronautics. That same year, the college was renamed 伊人直播 to honor Captain G. Allan Hancock, a prominent state and local leader who owned the land and facilities.
In September 1954, voters established the Santa Maria Joint Junior College District. In 1963, the Lompoc Unified School District and Santa Ynez Union High School District were annexed, and the district became the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District.
Today, the district serves all of northern Santa Barbara County and portions of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, including Santa Maria, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Cuyama, Solvang, Buellton, and Vandenberg Space Force Base.
A Century of Access and Opportunity
In 2020 and 2021, 伊人直播 celebrated its centennial. From six students in 1920 to tens of thousands of students served annually across multiple locations, the college has remained focused on expanding access to education, workforce training, and opportunity for the region.
Academics and Career Training
Hancock鈥檚 academic offerings have continually evolved to meet community needs. From 12 courses aligned with University of California lower-division requirements in 1920, the college now offers more than 1,000 credit courses and a wide range of transfer, career technical, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Innovation has long been part of Hancock鈥檚 identity. The college introduced televised instruction in 1972, video-based courses in 1989, and online learning in 1998. Today, hundreds of online and hybrid courses are offered each semester, alongside extensive evening and remote learning options.
Community Education, established in 1973, continues to provide hundreds of noncredit and fee-based classes in areas such as English as a second language, citizenship, workforce skills, and personal enrichment.
In 2018, 伊人直播 expanded local access to four-year degrees through on-site bachelor鈥檚 programs offered in partnership with the University of La Verne. Building on that foundation, Hancock has continued to strengthen and expand local university pathways. Today, through partnerships with California State University campuses, students can complete select bachelor鈥檚 degrees close to home. A 2+2 partnership with Cal Poly brings CSU degrees directly to Hancock鈥檚 Santa Maria campus, with sociology already underway and business administration launching in 2026. In addition, CSU Channel Islands will offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing beginning in fall 2026 for students who complete their associate degree at Hancock. These partnerships reflect Hancock鈥檚 ongoing commitment to expanding affordable, high quality four-year degree opportunities for place-bound students and the regional workforce.
Student Success and Community Commitment
For decades, Hancock has invested in student support services that help learners persist and succeed. These include tutoring centers, academic support programs, veteran services, financial aid, and targeted programs for first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.
The college鈥檚 commitment to access and affordability is also reflected in the Hancock Promise. The program provides eligible local high school graduates with free tuition for their first year at 伊人直播, along with early registration, personalized counseling, and academic support. Funded entirely through private donations, the Hancock Promise helps remove financial barriers and supports a successful transition from high school to college.
The college has also expanded basic needs and wellness services, including food access, emergency assistance, mental health resources, and health services, recognizing that student success extends beyond the classroom.
Facilities and Campus Transformation
Facilities development has played a defining role in Hancock鈥檚 history. From early campus construction in the 1950s to the opening of regional centers in Lompoc and the Santa Ynez Valley, the college has continually adapted its physical spaces to serve students where they live and work.
In 2006, district voters approved Measure I, a $180 million general obligation bond to modernize facilities, upgrade aging infrastructure, and expand instructional capacity. Since then, Measure I has transformed the college in visible and lasting ways.
Major Measure I projects completed through 2024 include:
- the Student Services Center,
- the Public Safety Training Complex,
- the Industrial Technology and Athletic Facilities,
- the STEM and MESA Academic Success Center,
- the PCPA Stagecraft facility,
- and the Fine Arts Complex, which opened in 2023 as a regional hub for creative learning and community engagement.
In addition to new construction, Measure I funded extensive system upgrades, including electrical, HVAC, fire safety, energy, and technology infrastructure, as well as demolition of obsolete buildings to prepare the campus for future use.
Oversight and accountability have been central to Measure I. An independent Citizens鈥 Oversight Committee reviews expenditures annually, and the district has received clean financial and performance audits throughout the life of the bond.
Facilities Timeline
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Looking Ahead
Today, 伊人直播 stands as a modern, comprehensive community college shaped by more than a century of service and a strong partnership with the community it serves. While honoring its past, the college remains focused on the future, preparing students for transfer, careers, and lifelong success.
Guided by its mission and the belief that education can change lives, Allan Hancock College continues to help students and families across the Central Coast change the odds.
