California

Mendocino College

The glass panels of the Library Learning Center at Mendocino College in Ukiah glow at twilight. Many rural institutions are fighting to meet enrollment goals on which the state bases its funding.

The glass panels of the Library Learning Center at Mendocino College in Ukiah glow at twilight. Many rural institutions are fighting to meet enrollment goals on which the state bases its funding.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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As all of the community colleges in California are suffering under state budget cuts, tiny rural Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif., is no different. Many of the students at Mendocino travel and commute on public transportation for several hours to take core classes they desperately need to transfer to four year colleges.

Baseball team

The baseball team warms up for afternoon practice on the field next to the rolling hills of Ukiah.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Human anatomy class

Students in a human anatomy class take notes while they dissect and reassemble a model of a human skull.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

More than education

Modern meets wood and metal in the new Library Learning Center. The campus provides not just education but a hub of community cultural life.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Student

Student Melanie Douglas, 21, drives 90 minutes each way with her 3-year-old son, Noah, to take classes. She leaves Noah in the Child Development Center on campus and later in the day volunteers to watch the other children.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Dress rehearsal

The theater department holds a dress rehearsal for their production “Inherit The Wind.”   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Solar power

The tall weeds in the rolling hills of Ukiah grow near the solar panels that help to power some of the buildings at Mendocino College.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Studying

Kevin Leal travels 75 miles on the bus each day to take his classes.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Room with a view

The view from the second floor of the new Library Learning Center shows the uncluttered rolling hills. The sweeping vistas and peaceful surroundings are a perk.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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