Empowering Student Success
Our Philosophy
Mission
We are a welcoming community college dedicated to providing an equitable, high-quality education. We are committed to helping students meet their career, academic, and life goals, guiding them in becoming culturally responsive leaders, effective communicators, and critical thinkers. We work to promote economic liberation and social justice, eradicate structural racism, and foster inclusivity by cultivating an environment of innovative teaching practices, support services, and learning opportunities for all students, especially those from historically marginalized communities.
Vision
Championing our community of diverse learners through innovative education towards economic freedom and social equity.
Our Values
As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), we are committed to supporting equitable access and opportunities for historically underrepresented and emerging student populations. These values demonstrate our dynamic learning environment where students reach their full potential as future leaders, innovative thinkers, and global citizens.
Equity, Student Focus, and Respect -
We respect the diverse and often unrecognized journeys and achievements of each person, and the fundamental dignity of every human being.
Inclusive Teaching and Learning -
We provide a supportive environment that enhances the learner's experience in the accumulation of knowledge, the sharing of ideas, and the celebration of achievement both within the classroom and throughout the college's community of learners.
Excellence, Collaboration, and Ethics -
We encourage and support the brave and courageous exchange of ideas nurtured through respect, trust, and consideration of differences.
Social Justice, Global Citizenship, and Ecological Stewardship -
We commit to social justice and fostering transformative change in our mindset and actions individually, institutionally, and in our communities toward building a socially and ecologically just and sustainable world.
Building a Foundation
We are dedicated to providing the best faculty, staff, facilities, and resources possible in order to help all of our students master 'core four' major skills that they need to succeed both personally and professionally:
Communication:
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and/or Conversing
Critical Thinking and Information Competency:
Analysis, Computation, Research, and Problem Solving
Global Awareness:
An appreciation of Scientific Processes, Global Systems and Civics, and Artistic Variety
Personal Responsibility and Professional Development:
Self-Management and Self-Awareness, Social and Physical Wellness, Workplace Soft Skills
Cabrillo is a Special Place
Our Construction and Energy Management (CEM) program is taught in the LEED-Platinum Certified Solari Green Technology Center in Watsonville.
Construction and Energy Management
In January, our Engineering Department takes students to Guatemala to put their Engineering skills to work building water and farming systems.
Engineering
Our award-winning Dental Hygiene Department offers a community clinic for low-cost dental cleanings, X-rays, and treatments.
Dental Hygiene
Founded in 1959
Cabrillo College was founded in 1959 as part of an ambitious higher education plan for Santa Cruz County. Along with UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo was part of a broad vision to bring post-secondary education into the area.
Today, we have expanded from our original class size of just 400 students to serving more than 17,000 students per year in two locations.
Leadership and Governance
Experienced Leadership
Cabrillo College is led by Dr. Jenn Capps who serves as Superintendent and President. Dr. Capps is originally from the Washington, D.C. area and started her career as a Counselor. She then moved to Denver, where she lived for 24 years, holding various roles, primarily in education and helping professions. Dr. Capps is a licensed professional counselor specializing in juvenile rehabilitation and crisis response. She earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Mason University and her master’s degree in counseling psychology at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Capps was the Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she advanced public-private partnerships in fields including health, technology, and hospitality, and increased community engagement and financial resiliency.
In Dr. Capps' immediate past role, she was the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) Humboldt, and led the self-study that established Humboldt as California State University's third polytechnic university and helped secure a $458 million state investment that expanded workforce-aligned academic programs, increased enrollment, and enhanced student success.
Dr. Capps is deeply committed to creating student access to education, and believes that access drives excellence - in order to have excellence, you must have access, and you must have diversity. She is a firm believer in building trust and cultivating positive relationships with everyone - faculty, staff, students, and our collective community.
Board of Trustees
Our Governing Board consists of representatives from seven areas across all of Santa Cruz County along with a Student Trustee who represents enrolled students.
We Serve Students at Two Locations
Aptos, CA 95003
Watsonville, CA 95076