College of the Desert students begin 2025-2026 academic year in Palm Desert

First-year students Mary Aler, left, Joshuah Trout and D’Angelo Valenzuela sit down together on the first day of the fall semester at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., on Tues., Sept. 2, 2025. The three students recently graduated from Desert Hot Springs High School and are pursuing engineering and computer science. Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

Second-year student Anthony Pickrom, center right, greets a friend on the first day of the Fall semester at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., on Tues., Sept. 2, 2025. Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

First-year student Kaden Prosofsky checks out the campus directory on the first day of the fall semester at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., on Tues., Sept. 2, 2025. Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

A student checks out the campus