About Mendocino-Lake Community College District
The Mendocino-Lake Community College District was formed in September 1972 by a vote of the citizens of the Anderson Valley, Laytonville, Potter Valley, Round Valley, Ukiah, and Willits Unified School Districts. Planning for the development of the initial offerings of the College occurred in the Spring of 1973, with the first classes offered in July 1973.
Expansion of the District to include the Lake County Districts of Upper Lake, Kelseyville, and Lakeport occurred by a vote of the citizens on November 5, 1974. The new District boundaries, established in July 1975, encompass 3,200 square miles of service area. In 1981 the name of the District became Mendocino-Lake Community College District to better reflect the geographical area being served.
Mendocino College serves a vast and diverse area. We are one of eleven California Community College Districts to be designated as rural-serving. The geographic, demographic, and economic realities of rural-serving institutions are unique from our suburban and urban peers.
Since our humble beginnings at the Ukiah Fairgrounds, we have continued to grow and evolve to best serve our community. Construction began on the permanent campus in the 1980’s, in 2013 new center facilities were opened in Lakeport and Willits, in 2017 the coast center in Fort Bragg was transfer to us from the College of the Redwoods, and in 2025 a new educational building was installed in Covelo.
Mendocino College is committed to keeping high-quality education affordable while preparing students for good-paying, in-demand local jobs like firefighters, healthcare workers, EMTs, and skilled trades like construction.
For years, we’ve proudly trained our community’s first responders and partnered with local high schools to give students a strong start; whether they’re headed to a university or launching a career. Students can get there without the burden of crushing debt.
At a time when the cost of attending a California public university is at least six times higher than community college, more students and families are turning to Mendocino College to save tens of thousands of dollars while earning valuable degrees, credits, certifications, and career skills.