Our History

In April of 1977, Robert and Shirley Perry founded SJVC in Visalia, California, to provide a Medical Assisting program to the community.

Shirley was one of the first Certified Medical Assistants in the State of California, and became a leader in the professional development of the industry. She taught SJVC Visalia’s first Medical Assisting class to three students, while Robert attended to the business side of operating a college. Their sons Mark and Mike Perry were very active in the family business right from the beginning. As high school students, Mark and Mike worked as janitors for SJVC. After college, both of them joined SJVC as professional employees and have hands-on experience in all aspects of operating the college.

Mark and Mike assumed ownership of SJVC in 1995. Since then, the college has grown from 4 campuses to 15, plus an online division. Mike currently serves as President and CEO, and Mark is Board Chairman.

In 2018, San Joaquin Valley College, Inc., acquired Carrington College, including its 19 campuses in eight states, from Adtalem Global Education. The Perry family created Ember Education to provide administrative support and shared business services to San Joaquin Valley College and Carrington College.