A new partnership aims to remedy a key hurdle to obtaining a bachelor’s degree for Allan Hancock College nursing students by allowing them to remain in northern Santa Barbara County. 

On Monday, leaders of California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo and Allan Hancock College gathered in Santa Maria to announce a new partnership expanding access to a bachelor of science in nursing.

“This partnership is a response to what our communities have asked for with accessible, affordable, high-quality education that does not require students to uproot their lives to pursue their goals,” CSUCI President Richard Yao said. “It’s also a response to what our health care system needs — more bachelor’s-level nurses that are prepared right here in the communities that they will serve.”

The program means future registered nurses won’t have to leave their hometowns, families or jobs in the North County as they pursue their bachelor’s degrees.

“This program reflects our shared belief that geography should not limit opportunity and that a student shouldn’t have to choose from pursuing a bachelor’s degree and remaining rooted in their community,” Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers said. 

“It also answers a critical workforce need. The demand for faster prepared nurses continues to grow, and this partnership is a meaningful step toward meeting that demand, especially for a rural, underserved community like ours.”

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office provided a $1.5 million grant to support the program’s implementation by helping cover the costs such as faculty, technology and student services, Walthers said. 

The program will use a hybrid model with CSUCI faculty providing online instruction paired with in-person classes held at AHC’s campus in Santa Maria.

“Together, we’re creating not just a new program, but a new model of how public institutions can work together to meet urgent workforce needs while changing lives for generations to come,” Yao said. 

The Channel Islands campus in Ventura County is the newest of the 23 California State University sites.

With CSU programs impacted, many students seeking bachelor’s degrees end up enrolled in expensive, often low-quality, for-profit colleges, Walthers said, adding that it can land them with hefty debt.

Providing Hancock students with an affordable option through a well-established program, much like another partnership offered via Cal Poly, will be transformational for the community, Walthers added. 

The Channel Islands program will start in fall 2026 and has been designed for students with Hancock’s associate’s degree in nursing. The new program will be much like other 2+2 programs for sociology and business administration degrees through Cal Poly. 

Since the program is geared to students who have completed some nursing classes, CSUCI doesn’t expect to have any capacity issues in accommodating Hancock applicants, Yao said. However, 20 to 30 students are expected for the first cohort. 

Larry Manalo, Hancock’s Registered Nursing Program director and Health Sciences Department co-chair, said he sees firsthand “the passion, determination and resilience” students bring while tackling coursework, clinical hours, jobs and families to become nurses. 

“This partnership gives our past, current and future nursing graduates a direct, affordable pathway to meet that need while working in the communities they belong to and serve,” Manalo said. 

Rachael Belunza, a current Hancock student intending to pursue her bachelor’s degree via the new CSUCI program, called the partnership life-changing. 

“To my fellow nursing students, this is for you — our path just got wider, our goals just got closer. And to every future nurse out there thinking, ‘Can I really do this?’ I hope today shows you the answer is yes,” Belunza said.