Higher Ed Opportunities Abound In Natomas

A PROUD UTI GRADUATE

BY SERENA MAKOFSKY
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Back to school season in Natomas evokes images of children toting backpacks and lunchboxes, but many carry laptops and lattes instead, as they pursue higher education opportunities.

Colleges are a bustling business in Natomas.

The American River College Natomas Center (www.arc.losrios.edu) has 6,000 students enrolled. In addition to academic degree programs, ARC offers criminal justice and fire personnel training.

Another campus serving students seeking higher degrees, including bachelor’s and master’s in business and nursing, is the University of Phoenix (www.phoenix.edu).

“Natomas residents choose University of Phoenix [because] they want a quality education grounded in real-world application,” said Scott Lewis, University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley Campus Director, “and they want to pursue it in a format that fits their busy schedules.”

A unique nursing education is available to students at the Sacramento City College/Sutter Center for Health Professions (www.scc.losrios.edu). Students pay no tuition or lab fees and gain classroom and clinical experience.

People in U.S. Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves who want to apply their military education benefits have an affordable option at The Union Institute & University, Sacramento Academic Center (www.myunion.edu).

The school maintains a scholarship program “…in honor of the time and effort our troops have already paid in service to their country,” college president Roger H. Sublett said.

The Art Institute of California – Sacramento (www.artinstitutes.edu/sacramento) attracts about 1,200 students interested in creative disciplines.

Mae McPherson, a freelance graphic designer and alumna, applauds, “teachers who take an active interest” and who “make you as marketable as possible.”

Designers and tech-crunchers head for the International Academy of Design & Technology (www.iadt.edu/Sacramento). Students seeking automotive technical training opt for Universal Technical Institute (www.uti.edu). Culinary technicians pursue a certificate of association degree at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (www.chefs.edu).

In the Sacramento area since its founding in 1946, Federico Beauty Institute (www.federico.edu) provides educational and onsite practice for cosmetology and esthetic students.

“This is no pink foam roller beauty school,” said Greg Saumure, owner of GS Hair, who commends FBI for its dedication “to the community and to the students.”

FBI’s success in Natomas has prompted an expansion of the school.

Added Saumure, “They have just started construction…We’re fortunate to have this big-city education facility in our little Natomas enclave.”