West Hills College Lemoore, Coalinga, name change approved

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Two Central Valley colleges are one step closer to a name change on Friday night.

It could help with everything from name recognition to making the case for federal aid.

Community members and stakeholders were at the West Hills Community College District Board meeting in Coalinga Friday morning.

All to voice their opinions on the proposed name changes for West Hills Community College Coalinga and West Hills Community College Lemoore.

During the meeting, the board carefully revised the petitions, including a brand audit, focus groups, surveys, and multiple community meetings.

“It’s been an 18-month process of discussing this with everyone,” said West Hills Community College Chancellor Kristin Clark.

West Hills College Coalinga will now become Coalinga College. West Hills College Lemoore will now become Lemoore College.

Officials say the goal for the name changes is to help each college become more separate and distinct.

“Oftentimes we get confused with our sister college, West Hills College, killing it purely because of the name. So the confusion happens with our students,” said West Hills College Lemoore President James Preston. “It happens regionally. It happens statewide, federal financial aid. So we think this board resolution to become Lemoore College is really going to differentiate the colleges to make communication clearer.”

The name change was approved with a five to two vote in favor of it.

“We are excited and really just hoping to see great things for our students and change lives with education,” said West Hills College Coalinga President Carla Tweed.

The college district says the board will send the name change proposal up to the board of governors’ meeting at the end of March.

Officials say that once approved at the state level, both colleges can implement their respective name changes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.