(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — For Julius Sokenu, the measure of a college isn’t just who enrolls—it’s what happens next.
During a Feb. 9 update to the Simi Valley City Council, Sokenu, president of Moorpark College, outlined how the campus is positioning itself as both a gateway and a launchpad: a place where people from across the region can start at many different points and still move toward meaningful work, further education, or both.
Among those enrolled in Moorpark College’s career education programs, 83% are employed full time in jobs related to their field of study. Within one year of leaving the college, graduates report average salary increases of 37%.
That success is closely tied to strong local partnerships, Sokenu said. More than 300 local employers actively work with Moorpark College—hiring graduates, offering internships and helping shape programs to match real workforce needs.
Internships also play a critical role. Last year, 227 students participated in paid, credit-earning internships across fields ranging from biotechnology and engineering technology to computer networking and technical theater. About 80% of those interns are later hired.
Sokenu said the college tracks graduates after they leave, asking whether their education aligns with their work. Ninety-three percent report they are still employed in the discipline they trained for.
“That’s how we define success,” he told council members—education that leads somewhere tangible.
A new bachelor’s degree, built locally
Looking ahead, Sokenu announced a new bachelor’s degree in cyber defense and network operations, approved Jan. 23 and launching this fall.
The program was developed in response to direct feedback from law enforcement agencies and private-sector employers who already hire Moorpark College graduates and said those positions now require bachelor’s-level preparation.
Rather than sending students elsewhere, the college built the program locally, in partnership with California State University Channel Islands. The goal is a regional pathway that allows students to progress from associate to bachelor’s—and eventually master’s—degrees without leaving the area.
Sokenu said that matters for people rooted in the community and for employers looking to keep skilled workers close to home.
Councilmember Mike Judge welcomed the announcement, calling the new degree especially timely.
“Thank you for that great presentation,” Judge said. “It’s very exciting, the stuff you’re doing over there. Congratulations on getting that cybersecurity bachelor program, because in this day and age it’s going to be a very lucrative career for a lot of people.”
Strong transfer outcomes, by design
Moorpark College is also known for what happens between two-year and four-year institutions.
Nearly nine in ten students who apply to California State University campuses are admitted. Transfer rates to four-year universities approach 50%, placing Moorpark College well above national averages.
Sokenu said those results are intentional. Faculty work directly with CSU campuses to align coursework and create clear transfer pathways, including associate degrees that guarantee admission. Honors and transfer programs provide added support for students aiming at highly competitive universities.
A college that reflects its community
Who the college serves is just as important as how people perform.
More than 14,000 students are enrolled at Moorpark College, including recent high school graduates, working adults and those returning to education later in life. About 23% come from Simi Valley, the college’s largest feeder community.
A quarter of Simi Valley–based attendees are first-generation college students—the first in their families to pursue higher education.
The campus also serves a wide range of life stages. Veterans are among those enrolled, as are parents balancing school and family responsibilities and adults returning to education to change careers or reenter the workforce.
Sokenu said that the mix of ages, backgrounds and experiences isn’t incidental—it’s foundational to how the college operates.
Councilmember Joseph Ayala said that approach stood out to him during a recent visit to campus.
“One of the best things I saw was how you guys are so good at breaking down silos and not just saying we’re just doing a two-year degree,” Ayala said.
Ayala said faculty told him they work closely with local employers and update curriculum to reflect changing skill needs, so graduates are prepared for what comes next.
“It’s not just a stagnant curriculum,” he said.
What comes next
Sokenu’s annual update to the council also touched on what’s ahead beyond academics. While fundraising continues for a permanent amphitheater, the college plans to launch a summer concert series using a temporary stage purchased by its foundation.
The goal, Sokenu said, is to partner with arts, tourism and city agencies to bring high-quality entertainment to the region and strengthen the campus as a community destination.
As he wrapped up his presentation, Sokenu returned to the theme he opened with: access paired with results.
Moorpark College, he said, is built to meet people where they are—and to help them move forward, without having to leave the community behind.
