East Los Angeles College
Mr. Ernest Moreno
In the decade that Mr. Moreno has served as president, ELAC has grown from a modest 13,000 students to more than 30,000. Transfer and graduation rates for Hispanic surnamed students now rank first in the state and second in the nation. The completion of a Facilities Master Plan under his direction has permitted acceleration of an ambitious building plan that will later every structure on campus. Under his guidance, the college has adopted a philosophy of “reaching into the community” to be the first solution to the educational needs of our service area. During his tenure the budget of the college rose from approximately $12.5 million to more than $63 million. President Moreno has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the culture of the community. And, he has established East as the artistic center of our community. In addition, his guidance has allowed for the establishment of many off site campuses that bring education to students who cannot attend the main facility. Most noteworthy is the South Gate Educational Center which allows more than 3600 students to avail themselves of all of the same classes and services that are offered at the main campus.
Moreno began his life-long association with higher education in 1964 when he enrolled at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California after graduating from San Gabriel High School. By a quirk of fate, he went to Mt. Sac rather than ELAC because he had to rely on a friend for transportation to school. Little did he know that 30 years later he would eventually make it to ELAC as President.
After completing his lower division courses, Moreno transferred to California State University, Los Angeles, where he received a B.A. degree in Political Science. He went to work for the Los Angeles Community College District in 1969, took a leave of absence for military duty in 1970 and returned two years later to continue his educational career. While working at the LACCD in a variety of capacities, Moreno enrolled in and completed an MPA degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Long Beach.