De Anza College is ranked as one of the 50 top community colleges in the United States in 2010 and one of the top two in California and number one in northern California, according to a survey conducted by the Washington Monthly.
Students at these institutions are more likely than their four-year college peers to interact better with their instructors and classmates, make presentations and contribute to class discussions, according to the survey results. Washington Monthly ranked De Anza College at 45 out of the top 50 schools, selected from a total of over 650 community colleges.
“I am disappointed [De Anza] is not higher, but it’s … an honor to go to a high-ranked community college,” business major Joseph Chong said. “The administration and faculty are A-class and so helpful. I love my teachers. They can change your whole experience on a topic; they really challenge you and make learning enjoyable. I am glad to be here.”
Considering the resources that are available at De Anza, the ranking should have been higher, film/television major Matt Diaz said. If the performance of the students goes up then the ranking will increase as well, Diaz said.
“[The ranking] doesn’t surprise me because of the quality of the teachers at De Anza. I’m not surprised because of the quality of the students … who come from such diverse backgrounds, working to achieve their goals on campus and in their community,” ESL instructor Michelle Marchiano said.
Strengthening California’s community colleges brings in good teachers and students and supports the community colleges as a whole, she said. De Anza should have the general goal of going higher on the list because the potential exists, Marchiano said.
“I think that it is awesome. It goes to show that we need to pass Measure E, so we can create more core courses, and keep the DASB going so we can keep our high-ranked programs that help us transfer,” De Anza Associated Student Body Agent, Jennifer Uvira said. “We have a lot of school spirit and diversity, and with diversity we get lots of different ideas that come together to make De Anza the great place that it is.”
“We have a very vibrant community, with over 60 clubs, an active student government and award winning–sport teams. This is a reflection of academics and the different areas of student services that work together to provide student success,” Office of College Life adviser La Donna Yumori-Kaku said. “It is nice to be nationally recognized.”
