SANTA MARIA, Calif. – On August 31, Allan Hancock College welcomed the inaugural cohort of Cal Poly’s Business Administration Bachelor’s Pathway Program with a reception on the Fine Arts Upstairs Terrace. The event, attended by faculty, staff, college leaders and students, highlighted a growing partnership that lets Santa Maria residents earn a Cal Poly bachelor’s degree without leaving the community.
Pathway details and benefits
The pathway allows students to complete required university coursework directly on Allan Hancock’s Santa Maria campus. Classes are offered in flexible formats designed for those balancing education with work, family and other commitments. Enrolled participants are officially classified as Cal Poly students, granting them access to the university’s academic advising, library resources, career services and other support systems, while also retaining select Allan Hancock College services.
Kevin Walthers, superintendent and president of Allan Hancock College, and Al Liddicoat, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly, oversaw the celebration. Both emphasized that the collaboration opens doors for local learners, providing a clear, affordable route to a respected bachelor’s degree in business, public service and related fields.
Community impact
Local leaders and parents expressed optimism that the program will strengthen the regional workforce and keep talent within Santa Maria and surrounding areas. By reducing the need for students to relocate for a four‑year degree, the pathway supports traditional families and helps preserve the community’s economic stability.
In addition to the business cohort, the event recognized the ongoing sociology pathway, which similarly enables students to earn a Cal Poly degree while remaining at Allan Hancock. The dual pathways illustrate a broader commitment to expanding higher‑education access for working adults and first‑generation college students.
Looking ahead
The partnership aligns with both institutions’ missions to provide high‑quality, affordable education rooted in Christian values and respect for individual liberty. As the inaugural business cohort begins classes, administrators plan to monitor outcomes closely, with the goal of expanding the program to additional majors in the future.
Students enrolled in the pathway will graduate with a Cal Poly bachelor’s degree, a credential recognized nationally for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on practical experience. The collaboration also promises to foster stronger ties between local businesses and the academic community, creating internship and employment pipelines that benefit both graduates and employers.
For more information about the Cal Poly Business Administration Bachelor’s Pathway, prospective students are encouraged to contact Allan Hancock College’s admissions office or visit the program’s website.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
