Thousands of students arrived on campus or logged into virtual classrooms during the week of Aug. 18, heralding the beginning of the 2025 fall semester.
Serving more than 33,000 students last year, SCC is ranked the No. 1 community college in Orange County and No. 6 in California by Niche.com. The college has one of the largest apprenticeship programs in the state, and its Continuing Education Program anticipates serving 13,000 people this year.
We caught up with some of the students on the first day of classes.
Students arrive for the first day of classes of the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
High school friends, from bottom left, Lindsey Vera, Astrid Vasquez, Vaimoana Taurotria, Callianne Rojas and Amy Campuzano gather before starting college together during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Dr. Lisa Camarco directs a student to his class during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Students try to get their bearings on campus during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Dean of Students Joseph Alonzo, right, points a student in the right direction during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Landon Thomas and Ryann Sell walk hand in hand on their first day of college during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
A student heads to class during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
John Amirehteshami plays Frisbee in the quad during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Students arrive for the first day of classes of the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
One student uses old and new technology to find his way around campus during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Landon Thomas and Ryann Sell walk hand in hand on their first day of college during the first day of classes for the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
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Students arrive for the first day of classes of the 2025/2026 school year at Santiago Canyon College on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
