El Camino College helping Compton Community College regain accreditation

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Compton Community College lost its accreditation six years ago after a series of financial and administrative problems. Now an education center of El Camino College, the school is working to regain it.

Compton has a reputation for gangs and violence. In the heart of the city is a school that could be in any other town. As you walk through campus you see tall trees, lush fields, and fancy new buildings. What you might not see, however, is a sense of Compton pride. Compton Community College was taken over by Torrance-based El Camino College five years ago.

"It's not as customer-friendly as it used to be. Just speaking with some of the students that I work with, they feel like the identity of Compton is trying to be removed."

Gregory Johnson has been taking classes at Compton over the last 20 years. The main goal of the school's partnership with El Camino is to help bring Compton into good standing with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. El Camino courses are currently being taught at Compton Center by Compton faculty.

New students like Latia Samuel are just glad for the opportunity to go to school.

"It did turn a lot of people off, but for the most of it we still get new students every day. So you know, to each his own."

The Community Relations Director for El Camino College did not return multiple requests for comment. The Compton Community College Board of Trustees will discuss concerns about the accreditation process at its meeting tonight.