College History
A Beacon of Educational Excellence
Origins
In October 1985, the Robert P. Warmington Company donated 112 acres for the construction of a college in Moreno Valley. This philanthropic act was motivated by the company's vision that having a college close to the homes that it intended to build would make those homes more attractive to potential buyers. In 1989, RCCD purchased 20 additional acres. Construction on the Moreno Valley College campus began in the same year.
First opened as a satellite campus, MVC gained full accreditation as the 111th California Community College in 2010.
Land Acknowledgement
Board members, the Chancellor, faculty, management and classified professionals offer gratitude and respect to the land’s Indigenous caretakers and affirm the District’s intentions of maintaining the land’s integrity and the Tongva (Gabrieleno), Cahuilla, Payómkawichum (Luiseño), Serrano and Cupeño tribes’ legacy.
We promise to honor the continued guardianship of the land, water and air — all of which are inseparable. We are indebted to the caretakers of yesteryears and the stewards of our institutions will honor the opportunity to live and educate upon these homelands.
Impact
Highlights at MVC
March 16, 1987
March 13, 1991
This date marks the official opening of the Moreno Valley Campus. The Moreno Valley Campus consisted of 132 Acres; 39,789 assigned square feet of buildings, designated to serve 2,400 students but with an actual enrollment of 148 students in spring 1991, and with 3,800 students in fall of 1994. During the spring semester 1991, only 12-week short-classes were offered with 9 full-time faculty.
July 1992
The Moreno Valley Campus is designated as the "beacon campus" for health science programs. In the fall of 1994, the EMT Program transferred from Riverside City College to the Moreno Valley campus to start the allied health program. Eventually MVC's allied health offerings grew to include EMT and Paramedic training, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting.
May 31, 1994
The Moreno Valley Campus announces it will pursue accreditation as an independent college. A month later, the campus graduating class totaled 52 students.
1996
In 1996, the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center is made possible by the realignment of March Air Force Base. District and public safety agencies work collaboratively to identify training needs in order to provide quality education for the region. Proposal was to set aside 360 acres for a training center.
April 21, 1998
Moreno Valley artist Timothy L. Taylor unveils the three colorful panels of hand-painted tiles at the bottom of the staircase between the Student Services and Science & Technology buildings.
March 2004
Voters approve Measure C, a $350 million bond measure for the colleges. This would go on to fund several major development projects, including the MVC Welcome Center building which broke ground on October 5, 2020, with $14 million of Measure C funds.
March 1, 2010
Moreno Valley College becomes a fully accredited college, making it the 111th California Community College. Initial accreditation was received two months earlier on January 29, 2010.
April 2016
The College installs LED signage atop the Student Academic Services Building for its 25th anniversary, giving light to the beacon on the hill.
December 5, 2019
Moreno Valley College opens its on-campus iMAKE Innovation Center. The 4,150-square-foot Center serves as a hub for innovation and creativity, lending itself to fostering enthusiasm for learning.
March 2021
Moreno Valley College celebrates 30 years of serving Valley residents as the community's college.
September 2022
Moreno Valley College is selected as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the US Department of Labor
October 2022
Moreno Valley College expands Veteran support through a new Veterans Upward Bound Program, which assists Veterans in pursuing a college education
May 2023
College celebrates the grand opening of a new campus mural, titled MVC in Bloom, painted by local muralist and alumna Rosy Cortez
October 2023
College marks 20 years of providing Dental Hygiene education as the only community college that offers dental hygiene career training in the Inland Empire