Hanford Insider: How Lemoore College Is Building Opportunity In Kings County

Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode!The story of a community college is usually told in brochures and buzzwords. We wanted the real version, the one that starts with who students actually are and what they’re up against. After a quick run through Hanford’s week ahead (City Council topics like murals beyond downtown, AI and local government, wastewater fees, and EV charging permitting), we sit down with Lemoore College President James Preston for a grounded conversation about growth, access, and what “student success” takes in Kings County.James shares his path from musician to high school English teacher to longtime leader at Lemoore College, and why staying close to the classroom shapes how he leads. We talk enrollment growth, campus expansion, and how programs have broadened from transfer degrees into career technical education designed for local employers. One of the most practical parts of the conversation is basic needs support: the Golden Nest basic needs center, food pantry partnerships, and a pilot program that lets students ride KART buses for free with a student ID, removing transportation as a barrier to showing up.We also dig into the workforce pipeline. James highlights industrial automation and advanced manufacturing training, plus an upcoming Rockwell partnership around PLC certification. For future educators, we cover Team Teach and the Fresno State ITEP pathway that brings a bachelor’s degree and credential track to the Lemoore College campus. And if you care about college affordability, we unpack how open educational resources helped reach 79% zero textbook cost courses and millions saved for students. Wrap it all up with a fast sports roundup, then stick around for ways to submit community events and stay connected.Subscribe for weekly Kings County community news, share this with someone who cares about local education, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of Lemoore College’s approach should more colleges copy?You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsiderThank you for supporting the show!