President's Welcome
Welcome to Columbia Basin College! Since 1955, CBC has been the gateway to higher education for students seeking affordable, high-quality education. Our mission is to serve all students equitably, and we’re proud of our status as a federally-recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
At CBC, all students can succeed! Whether you are here to pursue a two-year degree, receive a certificate to begin a new career or earn a baccalaureate degree, we are dedicated to supporting your success.
On behalf of all our faculty and staff, I’m proud to welcome you to the CBC family.
Go Hawks!
Rebekah S. Woods, J.D., Ph.D.
President, Columbia Basin College
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
Columbia Basin College inspires, educates and supports all students in an environment of academic excellence leading to the completion of degrees, certifications and educational transfers, while fostering meaningful employment, engaged citizenship and a lifelong joy of learning.
Vision
Columbia Basin College will be the educational home that transforms students’ lives through economic and social mobility and strengthens the communities we serve through meeting the ever-changing educational needs of our region and state.
Values
Student Learning
Our first priority is to work collaboratively to ensure student learning, success and completion in an environment of open inquiry, respect, critical thinking and creativity. We strive to create community and belonging where students mature and develop intellectually, emotionally, ethically and physically both inside and outside of the classroom.
Culture of Excellence
We provide excellent teaching and services through a theory-driven and data-informed culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement of performance and a commitment to professional growth and development for all employees.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We celebrate diversity in all its forms and we believe that our many unique perspectives makes us stronger. Diversity among our team enriches our institution and our students’ experience. We are dedicated to eliminating barriers to success through intentional and equitable efforts to provide quality learning opportunities.
Sustainability
We consciously practice and model broad-based sustainability for our students and our communities through the balancing of economic, societal and environmental factors when considering campus development of facilities, processes, programs and curricula.
Wellbeing
We create a healthy environment that encourages physical and emotional wellness and enjoyment of learning.
History of CBC
Columbia Basin College has served Benton and Franklin Counties for 70 years.
The first classes at CBC were authorized by the State Board of Education in May, 1955. Classes began in September, 1955 in temporary quarters at the former Pasco Naval Airbase.
The Pasco School District received title to more than 150 acres of land for the present campus site in Pasco. CBC’s first permanent building (the V Building) was completed in 1957.
The Community College Act of 1967 separated the College from the Pasco School District, and CBC became the 19th community college district in the state of Washington.
CBC continually expands and renovates programs including the addition of the College's first applied bachelor's degree in 2010. The enrollment of the College has grown from 299 students in 1955 to more than 12,000 students per year today. CBC's current president, Rebekah S. Woods, has served the college since 2017.
Accreditation
Columbia Basin College is a member institution with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Columbia Basin College’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. CBC hosted its last comprehensive evaluation visit in April 2024. CBC's next evaluation is the Mid-Cycle report and visit in April 2027.
NWCCU is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue NE, Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224
CBC’s accreditation reports can be found on the Accreditation webpage.
Research and Instructional Assessment
Columbia Basin College’s commitment to its mission and goals requires conducting regular self-evaluations of progress in order for CBC to help students succeed. Student feedback at various points in students’ educational journeys are essential parts of this evaluation process. Students may be asked to cooperate in voluntary surveys, interviews, focus groups and other data collection efforts by the College to further this self-evaluation.
The goals of CBC are directed to student success within a framework of equity and inclusiveness, seeking always to improve the whole student experience and represent it as faithfully as possible to campus, using the best theory and evidence base combined with respect for student experience, while protecting confidential data. Institutional Research does not release sensitive or confidential information about individuals without consent and, wherever possible, avoids attaching names to personal data during analysis.
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Columbia Basin College will be able to identify and demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of general education and specialized areas. Learning outcomes exist at the course, program and institutional levels. Course outcomes are what students are expected to know or do by the end of a course and are listed in the syllabus. Program outcomes identify what students will learn after completing multiple courses that make up a program of study and are available on program webpages. Institutional learning outcomes will be achieved by all degree-earning students by the end of their time at the College.
CBC’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes are:
Think Critically
- Understand, analyze and evaluate the elements of one’s environment and one’s habits of thought
- Conceptualize alternatives to both
Reason Quantitatively and Symbolically
- Perform accurate calculations
- Manipulate equations
- Interpret quantitative information
- Apply and analyze relevant numerical or symbolic data
- Present results to support conclusions
Communicate Effectively
- Use spoken and written language to express opinions, discuss concepts and persuade an audience
- Synthesize ideas and supporting information to create effective messages
Apply Information Tools and Resources
- Accurately assess information needs
- Select appropriate information tools and resources and use them efficiently
- Evaluate, manage and use information effectively and responsibly
Develop Cultural Awareness
- Respect self and others
- Explore and appreciate different cultures in an increasingly diverse, global community
- Challenge culture-bound assumptions
Master Program Learning Outcomes
- Become familiar with a body of knowledge
- Demonstrate ability to know or do the stated program learning outcomes, which are developed by each department and program and assessed annually
Locations
Columbia Basin College has grown and expanded throughout Benton and Franklin counties since its inception in 1955. The Naval Airbase at the Pasco airport housed most of the programs for the first two years of the College. CBC opened its first new building in fall, 1957 on the current, 150-acre Pasco campus.
The other Pasco locations include the X Building, on 20th Avenue, which houses the Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education programs.
CBC also serves the community in other locations across the bi-county area. In 1974, the College constructed its first buildings in Richland near the Richland Public Library on Northgate Avenue. More recently, the Richland Health Science Center and the Medical Science Center were built nearby to support CBC's health science programs.
For maps, driving directions and parking information, visit the Campus Maps webpage.
CBC Foundation
The Columbia Basin College Foundation was established in 1984 to raise funds to support students pursuing their education at CBC. What initially began as a way to build scholarships for students, has grown to support college initiatives that enhance the educational experience, enrich faculty and lead to student success. The Foundation is committed to helping the College transform the student experience, connect with the larger community and to seek opportunities for sustainable support. The CBC Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors that represents a broad spectrum of alumni, business, agriculture, civic and professional leaders. For more information about the CBC Foundation, visit the CBC Foundation webpage.