WOODLAND, Calif. – U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff visited Woodland Community College on Thursday for a campus tour and an in-depth discussion with students, highlighting the essential role community colleges play in workforce preparation, educational access and civic engagement.

Sen. Schiff was welcomed to campus by Woodland Community College President Lizette Navarette, who shared an overview of the college’s mission and its impact on students throughout Yolo, Lake and Colusa counties, and the surrounding region. 

Officials said the visit underscored WCC’s commitment to student opportunity and economic mobility.

During the campus tour, Sen. Schiff explored several of the college’s key programs and facilities. 

At the WCC Greenhouses, he met with agriculture faculty who discussed hands-on, career-technical education and the importance of agriculture to the local economy. 

He also visited Student Services, where he learned how WCC provides comprehensive, wraparound support to help students navigate enrollment, persist in their studies, and complete their educational goals. 

The tour continued through the Performing Arts and Culinary Center and the eLearning Studio, where instructional design faculty highlighted the college’s investment in online learning and innovative teaching practices. 

Throughout the visit, college officials said Sen. Schiff engaged in informal discussions with faculty and campus leaders, gaining insight into academic programs and services that support student success.

Following the tour, Sen. Schiff met with students for a conversation with a political science class. 

In his opening remarks, he reflected on his background and service in Congress, including his role as the first California U.S. Senator in decades to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. 

He also spoke about the responsibilities of public office, emphasizing the importance of upholding the U.S. Constitution and protecting democratic institutions.

The discussion highlighted the value of civic education, informed participation in democracy, and the vital role community colleges play in preparing engaged and informed citizens. 

Students took part in a lively question-and-answer session, raising topics such as access to higher education, concerns surrounding immigration enforcement, the protection of democratic norms, and the essential role individuals play in sustaining a healthy democracy.

“This visit gave our students a meaningful opportunity to engage directly with a U.S. senator and share their perspectives,” said President Navarette. “Sen. Schiff’s time on campus underscored the vital role community colleges play in expanding opportunity, and we are grateful that he chose a rural-serving institution to learn more about the value we bring to our state and communities.”

For more information about Woodland Community College and its programs, visit www.wcc.yccd.edu.