A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION @roundupnews
Vol. CXLIII, Issue 10
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2025
Biomanufacturing four-year degree to be offered at Pierce By Tim Lewis, Zamourad Iqbal Reporter, News Editor
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ierce College will offer its four-year biomanufacturing degree program, commencing in the spring 2026 semester. Pierce President Ara Aguiar is excited about the launch of the Biomanufacturing baccalaureate program and has praised Biotechnology Program Director Aron Kamajaya and the team for their work on this project. “Professor Kamajaya has been working hard to prepare the lab. I’m very proud of all that work, and it will be exciting to see our first graduate program,” Aguiar said. “We get to start thinking about what colors the gowns will be and what the diplomas will look like. And all those nuances of creating a new program, it’s very exciting, and this is the fun part of my job.” Aguiar mentioned in 2021 that Pierce College received funding from Congressman Brad Sherman, which helped build the program’s resources. “Congressman Sherman was very instrumental in getting $2 million in funding that provided the opportunity for Professor Kamajaya to create, establish, and implement the program,
along with all the necessary resources, including the equipment required for bio manufacturing,” Aguiar said. “We really owe Congressman Sherman; his support has been great. I’m very happy. It’s our first one. I hope it’s the first of many baccalaureate degrees.” In a release statement made by the LAPC Communications Office, the purpose of the program is t o
show the college’s commitment to “expanding workforcefocused educational opportunities and increasing access to high-wage careers. It also supports key goals outlined in the college’s 2022– 2026 Strategic Master Plan, including improving student success, meeting regional labor market demands, and advancing equity in higher education.” Aguiar added that having
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a bachelor’s degree from a community college opens career doors for students who can’t afford expensive schools. “To earn a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene at a private school. When I conducted research a while back, the range was between 90,000 and 120,000,” Aguiar said. “In terms of fees, tuition is between $10,000 and $ 11,000 at West LA College. We have five CSUs around LA County alone, and we have UCS, UCLA, and USC. Our students do have access, but the barrier is the financial one. The key here is not to compete. W e ’ r e providing our students with the opportunity to access a graduate degree.” During an online information s e s s i o n , P r o f e s s o r Kamajaya met with prospective students to discuss Biomanufacturing, the emerging field, admission requirements, and the program’s structure. “The biomanufacturing business is very big. 8/10 of the biggest drugs fall under the scope of biomanufacturing,” Kamajaya said. According to Dr. Kamajaya, the current state of the biotech industry in Los Angeles is characterized by numerous opportunities. “Biotech is somewhat spread out in Los Angeles as it’s an innovative industry so that you will find clusters
of employers near places of innovation like universities and airports for reasons of distributive logistics,” Kamajaya said. While Los Angeles is traditionally known for being the home of entertainment, this has slowly begun to change as new federal initiatives drive towards Biomanufacturing. Los Angeles has followed suit and is now shifting towards a future in biotech; Pierce College is following this trend. Dean of Math and Science Donna-Mae Villanueva expressed her excitement for the launch of the program she envisioned 20 years ago. We’re finally here and will be able to bring the program with a soft launch in spring 2026, which is exciting because this has been a dream of mine since I started my career two decades ago, if
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pg. 7 Dance Day at Pierce
we were ever able to offer baccalaureate degrees,” Villanueva said. “Now we can do this. We see pathways that are so exciting, and there are more opportunities in the future that I can see will really open doors and create opportunities for students.” For those interested in applying for the LAPC fouryear Biomanufacturing program, students must first hold an associate degree or have equivalent credit through prior work experience. Information sessions are currently being held regularly for those interested in learning more about the program. There will also be an opportunity to meet with the program director, Aron Kamajaya, via Zoom. These meetings will be available throughout the month on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays up until Dec. 9.
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