It has been in continuous service to the central San Joaquin Valley since 1896, giving it the distinction of being the first institution of higher education in the area.
In late 2009, with continued increases in enrollment, the college created plans to demolish the former student housing and childcare buildings and expand another 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m2), spreading the campus south to Quincy Street with additional parking, classrooms and community space; construction began in March 2010 and was completed in February 2011.
The Modesto campus also doubled in capacity during 2010, using adjoining facilities vacated by the departure of the University of Phoenix as enrollment tripled from an all-time low from the 2007 academic year.
In September 2013, the college lost eligibility to participate in California state financial aid due to its student loan default rate exceeding the federal standard.
[17] Following several quarters of declining enrollment, an exodus of transfer students,[18] and the prior loss of state financial aid, by 2014, the college embarked on a cost-reduction course of action, reducing 25% of employees via attrition, pay-cuts, layoffs and retirement offers – including the serving president, who agreed to step down by the end of the next academic year with his heir accepting the familial role with the uncontested and unanimous approval of the board of trustees.