Our History

San Joaquin Valley College
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Bob Perry, who recognized the need for career training in their community. Shirley, who had taught herself medical assisting while raising a family, understood the challenges many faced in pursuing education. Determined to make a difference, the Perrys opened the first SJVC campus in Visalia, California, with just three students in its inaugural Medical Assisting class.

Over the following decades, SJVC expanded into a multi-campus institution offering a variety of accelerated Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor of Science degree programs. Through its outcome-based learning approach and strong employer partnerships, SJVC has helped shape the workforce by preparing motivated, career-ready graduates for in-demand fields.

In 2025, SJVC aligned its program offerings with Carrington College to strengthen both institutions’ missions and better serve students. As part of this alignment, SJVC expanded beyond California for the first time, adding the SJVC Phoenix Trades Education Center (TEC) in Phoenix, Arizona, while focusing exclusively on trades, technical, and business-related programs.

A second-generation, family-run college, SJVC has awarded more than 88,000 certificates and degrees, training professionals for careers in business, medical, and technical industries.

Carrington College
Founded in 1967, Carrington College has a long tradition of preparing students for healthcare careers that strengthen their communities. With online programs and numerous locations across seven states—California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico—Carrington College provides hands-on education that connects classroom learning with real-world experience.

Carrington College became part of the San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (SJVCi) family in 2018, joining forces with another respected career college (San Joaquin Valley College) to expand access to quality, skills-based education.

In 2025, the two institutions aligned program offerings so that Carrington College focuses exclusively on allied health, nursing, dental, and veterinary education—fields where its graduates continue to make a meaningful impact in their local communities. Carrington College offers Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor’s degree programs designed to meet workforce demand and support career advancement.