West Los Angeles College (WLAC) celebrated the launch of its inaugural class of Licensed Vocational Nursing students and its longstanding partnership with Kaiser Permanente during a Sept. 24 reception in the college’s new nursing lab.
The milestone was made possible in part by two grants from Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles, awarded in 2023 and 2025, which provided critical seed funding to develop the curriculum, equip the program and successfully navigate the rigorous approval process required by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
The new program expands the college’s growing portfolio of health sciences programs, which include dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, emergency medical technician and entry-level nursing programs. It also creates an affordable pathway for students to enter a high-demand health care profession.
Guests included Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Senior Vice President and Area Manager Lilit Zibari; representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, state Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; Los Angeles Community College District Vice Chancellor Dr. Jim Lancaster; LACCD Board of Trustees member; and Culver City Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alfonso Jiménez.
Dr. Matthew Jordan, WLAC’s interim president, welcomed guests and provided an overview of the new program. He also recognized Kaiser Permanente for its support and directed guests’ attention to a display in the nursing lab commemorating the health care organization’s contribution.
“Kaiser Permanente has been a valued partner in preparing West LA College students for health care careers, and its support of our new LVN program is another example of what we can accomplish when education and industry work together,” Jordan said. “That partnership extends beyond financial support. This fall, our Certified Nursing Assistant students will begin an acute care clinical rotation at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, giving them the opportunity to learn in a real-world health care environment. Partnerships like this help us connect education directly to opportunity for our students.”
Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles representatives said investing in programs such as the college’s LVN program can help strengthen the pipeline of skilled health care professionals serving Southern California communities.
“With the ongoing nursing shortage, programs like this are essential to building a strong and sustainable health care workforce,” said Lilit Zibari, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles. “Nurses are the backbone of our health care system, and we are proud to partner with West Los Angeles College to create meaningful pathways into the profession and strengthen the pipeline of skilled nurses who will serve our communities across Los Angeles and beyond.”
For students in the inaugural cohort, the program represents both a professional opportunity and the possibility of a life-changing career.
LVN student Leslie Rodas says she has dreamed of becoming a nurse for years. In fact, she is already working in entry-level nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a credential she earned at WLAC. Now, she is preparing to climb the ladder to higher level. The Culver City High School alumnae said, “Getting into a nursing program was not easy.” When she got the acceptance letter, ”I ran to my parents’ room crying.” She continued, “I want to sincerely thank Kaiser Permanente for helping fund this program and investing in future nurses like us… I will carry that support with me throughout my nursing journey. I hope to honor it by becoming the kind of nurse who never gives up on a patient, just as I never gave up on my dream.”
“Another great thing about this program is that it provides an affordable alternative to private career colleges,” said Tiffany Miller, dean of academic affairs. California residents pay only $46 per unit at West Los Angeles College, and many first-time, full-time students qualify for the college’s $0 Tuition Promise Program.
Michelle Long Coffee/WLAC
