Profile
From Farmland to 21st Century
When they arrived for classes in fall 1972, 3,500 Richland College (RLC) credit students shared their campus with sheep grazing on the farmland and ducks swimming on the lakes that separate the campus buildings. Architects, winners of numerous awards for RLC’s design, had carefully protected the trees, the lakes-even the animals- as they planned the campus. The sheep graze elsewhere now, but students and staff still enjoy and protect those first campus ducks’ descendants, Richland Thunderducks.
Commitment to Sustainability
Richland’s ongoing commitment to building sustainable local and world community also extends to its facilities expansions. The Sabine Hall science building, opened in 2010, achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest LEED Platinum certification. Richland College Garland Campus achieved LEED Gold certification in 2009.
Student Demographics
Each semester, Richland serves some 20,000 credit and 4,800 non-credit students who come from more than 130 countries and speak 79 first languages.
- Female 55%
- Male 45%
- Anglo 28%
- Hispanic 30%
- African-American 21%
- Asian/Pacific Islander 14%
- Unknown 5%
- International 1%
- Native American 0%
- Average age 26
Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS)
RCHS was one of the first junior-senior dual credit charter schools administered by a community college. With focal areas in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (2005) and Visual, Performing, and Digital Arts (2010), the Texas Education Agency Exemplary-rated RCHS provides students the opportunity simultaneously to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree.
Richland College Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment Program
The Richland College Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment Program provides a unique opportunity for motivated high school students to receive college credit while they are completing high school. A primary goal of the program is to help students transition to college by providing a collegiate experience. Dual Credit increases access for students by offering classes at their schools, on the Richland campus, and online. While enjoying traditional high school activities, students in the Dual Credit Program are offered course options in career preparation and college transfer, saving time and money for students and parents.