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Welcome to the City of Rancho Cordova's news page. Read current and archived news, and access media contacts and press announcements.

Rancho Cordova Students Return Inspired from Transformative Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour

Post Date:07/08/2025

Twelve Rancho Cordova high school students, along with other students from across the region, are back home after spending a powerful, inspiring week touring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the South. Led by the United College Action Network (U-CAN), the weeklong college tour gave students a firsthand look at nine campuses in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana—and left them with memories and motivation that will last a lifetime. The City of Rancho Cordova proudly sponsored 10 of the participating students, helping make this transformative experience possible.

The students from Cordova High School were selected through a thoughtful application process coordinated in partnership with school counselors. Accompanied by three dedicated chaperones, the students joined peers from across the region for an immersive experience designed to build college readiness, cultural pride, and personal growth.

The journey kicked off in Atlanta, where students explored the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Morehouse College—experiencing the deep connection between the civil rights movement and HBCUs. Over the course of the trip, they toured campuses including Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, Jackson State, Dillard University, and Xavier University.

A standout moment for all 12 of the Rancho Cordova students was receiving on-the-spot college acceptances during some of the campus visits. Meeting directly with admissions staff gave students the chance to ask questions, share their goals, and walk away with more than just inspiration—some walked away with college acceptance letters in hand. For many, it was a life-changing milestone made possible by this tour.

Beyond the college tours, students visited the National Museum for Peace and Justice in Montgomery and participated in a Juneteenth celebration in Mississippi. Each day closed with journaling and reflection, giving students time to process what they saw and how it connects to their own goals and identities.

“We believe in our young people and in their potential to lead, achieve, and shape the future,” said Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Garret Gatewood. “Supporting experiences like this helps students envision college as not just a possibility, but a path they’re ready to walk.”

To learn more about the United College Action Network, visit www.ucangotocollege.org.

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Press Announcements

Media Contacts

Maria Chacon Kniestedt
Communications & Public Affairs Director
916.851.8791
916.200.6181 (cell)
mkniestedt@cityofranchocordova.org

Samantha Mott
Senior Communications Officer
916.851.8796
916.579.0671 (Cell)
smott@cityofranchocordova.org

Danielle Hale
Communications Officer
916.851.8792
916.809.0465 (cell)
dhale@cityofranchocordova.org

Lauren Burke
Communications Officer
916.851.8723
916.247.2587 (Cell)
lburke@cityofranchocordova.org

City of Rancho Cordova Opens $8.4M Youth Center

On November 3, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova opened the Rancho Cordova Youth Center, the first youth center in the community. The Youth Center will provide a welcoming, central and safe environment for year-round youth programs, build relationships with local youth, and show local youth how much the community cares about their success and future in Rancho Cordova.

City of Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Citywide, Ultra-High-Speed Gigabit Broadband Network

On February 28, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova, SiFi Networks and GigabitNow announced the launch of Rancho Cordova FiberCity®, a revolutionary infrastructure project to bring a fast, affordable, and reliable all-fiber internet network to every home, business, and institution in Rancho Cordova.

For more information, please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 or dhale@cityofranchocordova.org.

Mather Veterans Village Dedication Event

On October 12, 2021, Mercy Housing California, Nation’s Finest, the City of Rancho Cordova and the County of Sacramento celebrated the completion of all three phases of Mather Veterans Village, the first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans in the Sacramento region.

These documents are password protected. Please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 for access.

Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

The City of Rancho Cordova is proud to announce that violent crime and property crime combined has decreased by 61% from 2004-2019 when adjusted for population. Since the city incorporated and established the Rancho Cordova Police Department 18 years ago, the city has implemented creative and proactive policing programs that have led to this significant drop.

Media Advisory about Crime Drop in Rancho Cordova
Fact Sheet on Programs
Speaker Bios from Crime Drop Announcement
B-Roll, Photos and Crime Statistics (This is password protected. Please contact Ashley Downton at 916.542.3875 for access.)
News Release: Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Rio Del Oro Development

Elliott Homes, Inc. and the City of Rancho Cordova are breaking ground on Rio Del Oro, the largest development in the city’s history. Rio Del Oro spans 3,800 acres in Rancho Cordova and could fit Downtown Sacramento in its footprint. The development will feature thousands of new homes, over 7.6 million square feet of commercial, professional and industrial space, one of the largest parks in the region at 130 acres, and the city’s next high school.

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