Established in February 1975 Los Angeles Mission College began its journey in unconventional locations. High schools churches office buildings even shopping centers served as temporary classrooms. Imagine a single student graduating in 1975 the sole member of that inaugural class. Within two short years over 3000 students filled classrooms studying diverse subjects. From Administration of Justice to Zoology the college offered a remarkably wide range of disciplines. The college wasn’t just about academics. It was a community hub.
This wasn’t always the case. For sixteen years the college bounced around. Then in the summer of 1991 Los Angeles Mission College found its permanent home. A 22 acre plot in Sylmar became the heart of this educational institution. The land had previously been earmarked for a middle school. But destiny had other plans.
The new campus started small. A campus center housed a library and administrative offices. The main instructional building included a culinary arts department. A cafeteria fueled student energy. But Los Angeles Mission College was far from finished. Seven years later a new Library and Learning Resource Center opened. This created a new event space with meeting rooms. The college continued to grow. In 2002 a collaborative studies building was built. A Center for Child Development Studies opened in 2004.
Expansion continued with a new parking structure in 2008. Then a new student dining area a student store and a culinary arts institute followed. The college also broke ground on a Heath Athletics and Fitness building. A shuttle service connected the main campus to a new east campus location. Building projects continued including a Media Arts building which opened in 2017 after several delays. A transit center improved access. In 2018 a Sunland/Tujunga campus location added to the college’s reach. Most recently a new Student Services and Administration building was completed in December 2023. This centralized student support services.
Today Los Angeles Mission College boasts a diverse student population. In 2017 and 2018 Hispanic and Latino Americans constituted a significant majority of the student body. This vibrant institution continues to evolve offering Associate Degrees Certificates and even a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomanufacturing. The athletic teams known as the Eagles compete in the Western State Conference. Basketball joined the roster in 2024. Los Angeles Mission College is more than just a college. It’s a testament to community perseverance growth and educational opportunity. A place of learning. A place of growth. A place of dreams.