Our History
Although Folsom Lake College received its initial accreditation in 2004, our story and connection to the communities we serve goes back to the 1960s. Enjoy this digital time capsule of Folsom Lake College's past.
1960s
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The Founding of Los Rios
The Los Rios Community College District is founded when residents in ten separate school districts covering five counties voted to consolidate, establishing a regional community college district of 2,400 square miles and consisting of the then-existing Sacramento City College and American River College.
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The Beginning
The Placerville Center begins offering classes at the National Guard Armory, located on the El Dorado County fairgrounds. -
Placerville Center
The Placerville Center is operated by American River College and serves approximately 200 students. -
Future Site of FLC
The City of Folsom donates a 151-acre parcel of land to Los Rios to be preserved for a future college site.
1970s
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Los Rios Expands
Cosumnes River College joins the Los Rios Community College District.
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University Behind Raley’s (UBR)
The Placerville Center moves to a new location on the El Dorado County fairgrounds. The portable buildings are located on a hill above Raley’s Supermarket, near the government center on Ray Lawyer Drive, and is affectionately known in the community as UBR - University Behind Raley’s.
1980s
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CRC At The Helm
Cosumnes River College acquires control of Placerville Center’s operations. -
Placerville Center Moves to New Home
Due to enrollment growth at the Placerville Center, the Los Rios Board of Trustees authorizes the purchase of approximately 19 acres of land from the El Dorado County Board of Education for the price of $1. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the State of California formally approves the site for use. -
Mather Center
Los Rios first serves its Rancho Cordova community as the Mather Center located at Mather Air Base, under the auspices of American River College.
1990s
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Skip Davies
Dr. Marlin “Skip” Davies is one of Folsom Lake College’s earliest leaders, serving as dean and provost of the centers from 1990-2001. -
Under Construction
Construction begins on the Placerville Center’s first permanent structures, Buildings A and B. -
Folsom Lake Center
The Folsom Lake Center begins its operations at the Folsom land site as an educational center of Cosumnes River College. Its name was derived from the picturesque Folsom Lake, a landmark of the eastern part of the Sacramento region. The new center, combining two smaller centers previously operated at Folsom High School and Mather Air Base, includes 13 new portable buildings housing ten classrooms, a computer lab, a science lab, a learning resource center, student services, faculty and administrative offices, a student lounge, and a bookstore. -
The Unofficial Mascot
The Folsom Lake Center was also known for its rattlesnake population. -
El Dorado Center
The Placerville Center, renamed the El Dorado Center, opens at the permanent site on Campus Drive, off Green Valley Road in Placerville. Buildings A and B include classrooms, science labs, a library, an art studio, student services, faculty offices, a bookstore, and a distance education/instructional television (iTV) classroom. -
First Graduation
The El Dorado Center honors its first graduating class, including longtime FLC Admissions & Records staffer Rochelle Franco. -
Folsom Lake Center Grows
The Folsom Lake Center adds more faculty and staff, as well as more portable buildings providing additional classrooms, two science labs, and a child development center. -
Fitness Center
The El Dorado Center opens a fitness center with a weight room and aerobics room. -
Build It And They Will Come
Construction begins on Folsom Lake Center’s first permanent structure, Aspen Hall/FL1.
2000s
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Rancho Cordova Center
The Rancho Cordova Center opens using rented storefront facilities on Rockingham Drive and includes four classrooms, a computer lab, a student services counter, and a faculty/counseling office.
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Classes In Session
The first permanent building on the Main Folsom campus, Aspen Hall/FL1, opens for classes. The building includes nine classrooms, two distance education/interactive television (iTV) classrooms, the library and personal learning environment (PLE), the Innovation Center (a faculty and staff resource space for curriculum development and training), student services offices, and faculty and staff office space. -
Measure A
Local voters approve Measure A, authorizing the issuance of $265 million in general obligation bonds to fund new facilities throughout the district.
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Folsom Lake College Accreditation
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) grants Folsom Lake College initial accreditation as a community college, becoming the 109th community college in the State of California and the fourth college of the Los Rios Community College District. The El Dorado Center, the Rancho Cordova Center, and the Folsom Lake Center (now known as the Main Folsom campus) combine to form Folsom Lake College. -
Thelma Scott-Skillman
Dr. Thelma Scott-Skillman is named the college's founding president. -
Financial Aid
Folsom Lake College satisfies the definition of an eligible institution under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and receives approval to participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs.
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Construction Boom
The Main Folsom campus sees exponential growth with the expansion of Aspen Hall/FL1 and the opening of Cypress Hall/FL2 and Buckeye Hall/FL3. The Aspen Hall expansion includes library and student services additions, as well as a new community room space. Cypress Hall opens with six science labs, two art labs, the Reading & Writing Center, and a language lab. The main feature of Buckeye Hall is a large university-style lecture hall seating 150.
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El Dorado Center Grows
The El Dorado Center opens Building C, which includes classroom space, a community room, the English Center, and a tutoring center and computer lab. -
Fulbright Scholar Visit
FLC and History Professor Gordon Lam hosts visiting Fulbright Scholar Dr. Husain Siddiqui, who gives a variety of college and community presentations. -
Rancho Cordova Center Expands
The Rancho Cordova Center doubles in size, allowing the college to expand course offerings and student services to support the growing needs of the center’s students. -
Campus Improvements
The Falcon's Roost opens with space for a bookstore, cafeteria, coffee cart, college police offices, and dedicated space for student government and clubs, becoming the central hub for campus life. The College Administration and Campus Services buildings also open providing additional workspace for support staff. -
Interactive Learning
Dogwood Hall/FL4 and Lilac Hall/FL5 open for classes, including 21 classrooms, a music lab and practice rooms, an interdisciplinary electronic arts lab, an early childhood education lab, and faculty and staff offices. -
Community Observatory
The college partners with the Cameron Park Rotary Club and the El Dorado County Office of Education, opening the Community Observatory on the El Dorado Center property. -
National Recognition
Folsom Lake College is identified as the 7th fastest growing mid-sized community college in the nation.
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Community Service
The El Dorado Center commemorates 40-plus years of serving its communities with a special open house. -
Measure M
Local voters approve Measure M, authorizing the issuance of $475 million in general obligation bonds to fund additional facilities construction throughout the district.
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Performing Arts
The first live performances in theatre (the Falcon's Eye Theatre production of "Reckless"), dance (MOSAIC Dance Company's "Evening of Dance"), and music debuts. -
Let's Get Physical
The Physical Education (PE) facility opens with a weight room, men's and women's locker rooms, a dance studio, aerobics studio, circuit/cardio room, and an exercise science classroom. -
Falcon Athletics
Falcon Athletics, the college's intercollegiate athletics program, premieres with the first four athletic teams beginning competitive play: men's and women's golf, and men's and women's tennis. -
Falcon's Roost Expansion
The Falcon's Roost expands in size to offer more room for current services, as well as the addition of the Career & Transfer Center. -
Visual & Performing Arts Center
The college's regional visual and performing arts center, the Harris Center for the Arts (initially known as Three Stages), opens. The performance venue includes an 800 seat theater (Stage 1), a 150 seat studio theater (Stage 2), an intimate recital hall (Stage 3), a recording studio, an art gallery, ensemble and practice rooms, full theater support (including a green room, dressing rooms, costume shop, and scene shop), as well as instructional classrooms. -
Opening Night
Three Stages' first ticketed production features the national tour of "A Chorus Line" with a celebratory gala following the performance. -
Fond Farewell
Founding president Dr. Thelma Scott-Skillman retires.
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Rachel Rosenthal
Folsom Lake College welcomes its second president, Dr. Rachel Rosenthal. -
Athletics Complex
The modernized athletics complex opens, including a soccer field, baseball and softball stadiums, a track and field complex, and a cross country course and interpretive trail through the campus' wetland preserve. -
Reaching New Goals
The inaugural women's soccer team takes the field and go on to claim the Bay Valley Conference championship and advance to the CCCAA state playoffs in its first year. -
The End of an Era
The final remaining portable buildings on the Main Folsom campus are demolished to make way for the new gymnasium. -
Rancho Cordova Center Groundbreaking
Construction begins on the Rancho Cordova Center’s first permanent building at the new site on Folsom Boulevard, across from the Mather Field/Mills light rail station. -
Kicking It Up A Notch
Men's soccer is added as FLC's 6th intercollegiate sports team. -
Major Milestone
Folsom Lake College celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a scripted retrospective program, a community open house, and the burying of a time capsule in the Aspen Hall/FL1 patio area. -
Birds of a Feather
Our Official Mascot Falco was hatched at our 10th Anniversary Celebration. Once a Falcon forever a Falcon! -
Order on the Court
The athletics complex completes its initial footprint with the opening of the tennis courts. -
Gymnasium Opens
The Gymnasium opens on the Main Folsom campus and includes a spectator and practice gym, weight rooms, locker rooms, faculty and staff offices, a Hall of Honor, an athletic trainer suite with rehabilitation and hydrotherapy rooms, and a lobby with multimedia wall and concessions. -
America's Pastime
Men's baseball premieres with the Falcons making the CCCAA state playoffs in their first season. -
El Dorado Center Expansion
The Building B expansion opens, including a student lounge, club room, and multi-use room (the Prairie Falcon Room), as well as increased office space for DSPS and Financial Aid. -
Revitalizing Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cordova Center's permanent site opens on Folsom Boulevard. Phase I includes eight classrooms, a state-of-the-art learning resource center and computer lab, and faculty and student services office space. -
Partnerships Bloom
The Sherwood Demonstration Garden, located behind the El Dorado Center, has its grand opening. The garden was conceived and constructed by the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County and is committed to educating the general public on sustainable horticulture and pest management practices. There are 16 gardens spread over two acres showcasing plants appropriate for each theme. -
Queens of Diamonds
Women's softball becomes the 8th sport at FLC. -
Meet You At The Net
Women's volleyball takes the court and makes the CCCAA state playoffs in their first year. -
Kathleen Kirklin
Upon the retirement of the college’s second president, Dr. Rachel Rosenthal, on December 31, 2016, longtime Vice President of Administration Kathleen Kirklin, overseer of the college’s vast construction projects through the years, serves as Interim President as the district undergoes a nationwide search for a permanent president. -
Whitney Yamamura
Folsom Lake College welcomes Mr. Whitney Yamamura as its third president. -
Nothing But Net
Men’s and women’s basketball begin play as the college's 9th and 10th intercollegiate sports teams. -
The Maker Movement
Folsom Lake College’s Innovation Center undergoes renovations and reopens as a makerspace.
Our Future is Bright
