Allan Hancock College
Style Guide

The preference is to spell out the name of the degree and avoid abbreviations. When spelling out the formal degree, capitalize the degree (with no apostrophe + s and do not include “degree”) and lowercase the area of study.

Example: Bachelor of Science in biology

When spelling out a general degree, lowercase and include apostrophe + s for bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. There is no possessive for an associate degree; do not include apostrophe + s.

Examples:

• associate degree
• bachelor's degree
• master's degree

Note: For an associate degree, “in” or “of” are both commonly used when spelling out the formal degree. Established AHC style as per the AHC Catalog is to use “in” (Associate in Arts and Associate in Science).

When including the area of study in either the formal or general degree, lowercase the area of study, unless it is a proper noun (English, Spanish, etc.). Lowercase “degree” if including in either the formal or general degree. It is recommended to not include in the formal degree.

Use abbreviations to identify an individual’s degree on first reference, in a list, on business cards and letterhead, and in a formal signature line. Use abbreviations only after a full name and set off by commas. Do not combine a courtesy title and an academic degree that mean the same thing. When abbreviating degree, use periods and do not include spaces.

Example: Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.

Do not use acronyms that the reader would not quickly recognize. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words.

Example: AHC (Allan Hancock College)

In most cases, when using an acronym, spell out the name in the first reference, followed by the acronym in parentheses. Then you may use the acronym alone.

Example: Note taking is a service of the Learning Assistance Program (LAP). The LAP staff will assist students with recruiting a note taker in their classes.

Note: an abbreviation is not an acronym.

For a list of acronyms commonly used at AHC, visit the myHancock portal, select Resources from the menu, and scroll down to the PDF file Commonly Used Acronyms at Allan Hancock College.

Distinction between editorial and postal styles:

• Editorial style prioritizes readability; postal style prioritizes deliverability and automation.
• Use editorial conventions for published materials.
• Use United States Postal Service (USPS) style for mailing lists, directories, and deliverability-focused contexts.

Editorial Style for Narrative / Editorial / Prose

Street suffixes (street, avenue, road, drive, etc.)

Use abbreviations only for Ave., Blvd., and St. when the address includes a street number.

Example: 1200 Maple Ave.

All other suffixes—drive, road, terrace, circle, court, lane, etc.—are always spelled out in editorial text.

Capitalize the suffix when part of a formal street name without a number.

Example: College Drive

Lowercase the suffix when used generically or with more than one street name.

Example: Maple and Oak drives

Street Numbers

Always use numerals for an address number.

Spell out ordinal-number street names First through Ninth; for 10th and above, use figures + letters.

Example: 504 33rd Street

Directional Information

Abbreviate compass points (N., E., S., W.) only when used in a numbered address.

Example: 1500 E. Main St.

Spell out the direction when no street number is present.

Example: East Main Street

Postal Style for Mailing Addresses / Postal Use (USPS Standards)

Use USPS-approved abbreviations for all street suffixes and directional indicators.

Follow USPS format: street address, city, state (two-letter code, capitalized), ZIP or ZIP+4.

Common USPS Street Suffix Abbreviations

• Avenue — AVE
• Boulevard — BLVD
• Center — CTR
• Circle — CIR
• Court — CT
• Drive — DR
• Freeway — FWY
• Highway — HWY
• Lane — LN
• Parkway — PKWY
• Place — PL
• Road — RD
• Street — ST
• Way — WAY

USPS Directional Abbreviations

• North — N
• South — S
• East — E
• West — W
• Northeast — NE
• Northwest — NW
• Southeast — SE
• Southwest — SW

Allan Hancock College Addresses and Phone Numbers

Allan Hancock College
800 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454–6399
805-922–6966

Allan Hancock College Lompoc Valley Center
One Hancock Drive, Lompoc, CA 93436
805-735–3366

Allan Hancock College Public Safety Training Complex
One Hancock Drive, Lompoc, CA 93436
805-735–3366

Allan Hancock College Santa Ynez Valley Center
2975 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
805-922-6966 ext. 3355

Shipping Address (Shipping & Receiving):
Allan Hancock College
1300 South College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Affect

Affect is usually a verb that means to produce change or make a difference.

Example: The weather can affect your mood.

Synonyms: Alter, change, influence, modify, and impact

Effect

Effect is usually a noun that means the outcome of an event or situation that created a change.

Example: The effect of the weather was a change in my mood.

Synonyms: Result, repercussion, consequence, outcome, and aftermath

Always use figures.

• The college is 104 years old.
• The student is in her 20s.

Use hyphens when ages are used as adjectives.

Example: He is a 19-year-old student.

Formal/Traditional:

• Alumnus = singular male
• Alumna = singular female
• Alumni = plural male or mixed gender group
• Alumnae = plural female

Informal/Gender Neutral:

• Alum = singular
• Alums = plural

Note: For information about class years, see Class Years.

First reference: Allan Hancock College

Second reference: Hancock or Hancock College

Subsequent reference (optional): AHC

When speaking about the district: Allan Hancock Joint Community College District

Santa Maria Campus (capitalize Campus in headlines/headers, lowercase in body text)

South Campus

Lompoc Valley Center

Public Safety Training Complex

Santa Ynez Valley Center

When writing the plural of a single letter, use apostrophe + s for clarity.

Example: There are two s’s in class.

Do not use an apostrophe in figures and numbers.

• Allan Hancock College opened in the 1920s.
• The temperature is going to be in the 80s today.
• The ’70s featured disco.

Possessives

Singular proper names ending in “s”: use only an apostrophe

• Scripps’ history
• Socrates’ life
• Kansas’ schools

Singular common nouns ending in “s”: add apostrophe + s unless the next word begins with “s”

• The class’s topic, but the class’ story
• The hostess’s invitation, but the hostess’ seat

Singular nouns not ending in “s” — add apostrophe + s

Example: The university’s location

Plural nouns ending in “s”: add only an apostrophe

• All employees’ rights
• The girls’ apartment
• The students’ parents.

Plural nouns not ending in “s”: add apostrophe + s

Example: The alumni’s decision

To ensure all college communications—print, digital, and spoken—reflect respect and inclusivity for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members of all ages, genders, and abilities.

Age

• Respect All Life Stages: Recognize that community colleges serve diverse learners—high school dual enrollees, working adults, retirees, and everyone in between. Avoid age-based stereotypes or assumptions about ability, technology skills, or motivation.
• Relevance Over Reference: Mention age only when it adds meaningful context (e.g., eligibility requirements, program design). If age isn’t directly relevant, omit it.
• Use People-First, Neutral Language: Focus on individuals and their roles (‘students,’ ‘learners,’ ‘community members’), not their age category.
• Avoid Generational Labels: Terms like ‘Millennial’, ‘Gen Z’, or ‘Boomer’ can reinforce stereotypes. Use specific time frames or age ranges if needed for clarity.

Preferred Terms and Usage In Messaging and Outreach (Age)

• Inclusive framing: “Programs for learners of all ages.” not “Programs for seniors.”
• Avoid patronizing tone: “Our continuing education courses welcome lifelong learners.” not “Our courses help older adults keep busy.”
• When discussing data: “Enrollment increased 10% among students age 40 and over.” not “Enrollment rose among older students returning to school.”

In Writing and Marketing Materials (Age)

• Recruitment materials: Highlight flexibility and opportunity, not age. “Whether you’re starting your first career or seeking new skills, Allan Hancock College offers pathways for every learner.”
• Student spotlights: Feature stories that show diverse experiences, not defined by age. “After 20 years in the workforce, Maria returned to earn her degree in early childhood education.”
• Social media: Avoid hashtags or phrasing that could sound age-specific or dismissive (e.g., #OldDogsNewTricks).

Gender

• Respect Self-Identification: Use individuals’ stated names and pronouns. When in doubt, ask politely or use a gender-neutral option until confirmed.
• Avoid Gender Assumptions: Do not assume gender based on name, appearance, or role. Use inclusive phrasing that recognizes diversity across the gender spectrum.
• Use Gender-Neutral Language: When referring to unspecified individuals or groups, choose neutral terms that apply to all genders.
• Acknowledge Gender Diversity: Recognize that not everyone identifies within the binary of male/female. Use inclusive phrasing in forms, policies, and narratives.

Preferred Terms and Usage In Messaging and Outreach (Gender)

• Inclusive greetings: “Welcome, students and guests.” not “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.”
• Program descriptions: “All students are encouraged to apply.” not “Men and women are encouraged to apply.”
• Forms and surveys: Offer multiple or open-ended gender options:
  ☐ Man
  ☐ Woman
  ☐ Nonbinary
  ☐ Prefer to self-describe: ________
  ☐ Prefer not to say

Writing and Marketing Materials (Gender)

• Student stories: Use correct pronouns and avoid focusing unnecessarily on gender identity unless relevant to the story’s purpose. “Jordan leads the STEM tutoring program, supporting peers in physics and math.”
• Recruitment language: Focus on roles and qualifications, not gender. “We’re seeking candidates with strong leadership skills,” rather than “We’re seeking strong men and women.”
• Imagery and visuals: Reflect diversity in gender expression and avoid reinforcing stereotypes (e.g., men in leadership, women in nurturing roles).

Disability

• People-First Language: Emphasize the individual, not the disability. Use terms like ‘student with a disability’ rather than ‘disabled student.’ Exception: Some individuals or communities prefer identity-first language (e.g., ‘Deaf person,’ ‘autistic person’). Always honor personal preference.
• Avoid Negative or Pitying Language: Do not describe disabilities as ‘suffering from,’ ‘afflicted with,’ or ‘victims of.’ Use factual, neutral terms.
• Relevance and Respect: Mention a disability only when it is directly relevant to the topic or necessary for understanding context. Never use disability as a metaphor or comparison.
• Accessibility and Inclusion: Ensure college materials—websites, documents, classrooms, and events—use inclusive design and accessible communication formats.

Preferred Terms and Usage (Disability)

In Messaging & Outreach (Disability)

• Inclusive framing: “Our campus is accessible to all students.” not “Our campus accommodates the handicapped.”
• Program descriptions: “Students with disabilities can access accommodations through the Access Resource Center.” not “Students suffering from disabilities may request help.”
• Disability services language: “The Access Resource Center provides support for equitable participation.” not “We help students overcome their disabilities.”

Writing and Marketing Materials (Disability)

• Student profiles: Focus on achievement, not disability. “Jordan is a psychology major and student leader who advocates for accessibility on campus,” not “Jordan, who suffers from a disability, is studying psychology.”
• Events and announcements: Always include accessibility information. “ASL interpretation and wheelchair access available upon request.”
• Imagery and visuals: Represent people with disabilities authentically and in everyday contexts—not only in medical or assistance scenarios.

Capitalize only when using the full title.

• Allan Hancock Joint Community College District Board of Trustees
• The board meets Tuesday
• The board of trustees passed the resolution last night.
• Trustee Greg Pensa

The Allan Hancock College Bookstore is managed by a contracted vendor (currently, Follett Higher Education Group). Use Allan Hancock College Bookstore as a first reference. On subsequent references, use “bookstore” (one word).

The official names of buildings should be capitalized. The words “building” and “complex” should only be capitalized if part of the official name. Spell out “building” when it follows the official name of the building and abbreviate when identifying the building letter/number (bldg. B).

• The Lahr Family Boardroom is in the Administration building (bldg. B) on the Santa Maria campus.
• Community Education is located in building S.
• The Public Safety Training Complex is the premier training facility for first responders on the Central Coast.

Room is capitalized when including a room number. AHC room numbers include the letter or number of the building and the room number, separated by a hyphen.

Example: The Counseling office is located in Room A-105 on the Santa Maria campus and in Room 1-105 at the Lompoc Valley Center.

Bulleted lists should be grammatically consistent and easy to scan. When a list includes both complete sentences and incomplete phrases, punctuation should reflect the structure of each bullet, not force uniform punctuation where it does not fit. When possible, choose either all complete sentences or all fragments within a single list. Mixed structures are acceptable when clarity or emphasis requires it, but punctuation must follow grammar, not visual symmetry.

Rules for Bulleted Lists

• Capitalization: Capitalize the first word of each bullet.
• Punctuation of complete sentences: Bullets that are complete sentences should end with periods.
• Punctuation of fragments: Bullets that are incomplete phrases or fragments should not use ending punctuation.
• Mixed lists: When a list includes both complete sentences and fragments, punctuate each bullet according to its grammatical form.
• Structure and agreement: Bulleted lists should use parallel grammatical structure, with all bullets beginning with the same part of speech (such as nouns or verbs).

Example: Bullets That Are Complete Sentences

• This policy applies to all full-time employees.
• The deadline has been extended to June 30.
• Additional documentation may be required.

Example: Bullets That Are Incomplete Sentences (Fragments)

Applicants must submit the following items:

• Proof of residency
• Government-issued identification
• Completed application form

Example: Mixed List with Verb Agreement

Applicants must complete the following steps:

• Submit the application by the published deadline.
• Review the confirmation email for next steps.
• Provide required supporting documents
• Include optional supplemental materials

The verbs cancel, canceled, and canceling follow standard American English spelling rules, in which the base word cancel contains one L, and the L is not doubled when adding endings. However, when forming the related noun, both cancelation and cancellation are technically correct. In practice, cancellation—with two Ls—is far more common and widely accepted, and it is the preferred spelling in most professional, academic, and editorial contexts in American English.

Allan Hancock College Style:

• Cancel
• Canceled
• Canceling
• Cancellation

See Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria campus (lowercase “campus” as a common noun in body text)

Santa Maria Campus (capitalize “Campus” as a proper noun in headlines)

Note: This guideline is a change from our previous standard.

One word, without hyphen

Santa Maria Campus:

• Lahr Family Boardroom (B-100)
• Forum (C-40)
• Performing Arts Center (bldg. D)
  • Marian Theatre
  • Severson Theatre
• Fine Arts Complex (bldg. F)
  • Boyd Concert Hall (F-182)
• Mechanics Bank Student Center (bldg. G)
• Orfalea Children’s Center Lab School (bldg. I)
• Ann Foxworthy Gallery (bldg. L-South)
• Marian Regional Medical Center Health, Science & Mathematics building (bldg. M-100/200)
• Joe White Memorial Gymnasium (bldg. N)
• Allan Hancock College Winery (bldg. O)
• South Campus (bldgs. P & Q)
• West Campus
  • Glines Memorial Ballpark
  • John Osborne Field (Baseball)
  • Softball Field
  • Vineyard
  • Student Farm

Lompoc Valley Center:

• Richard K. Jacoby Learning Resources Center (bldg. 1)
• George E. Howard Administration building (bldg. 2)
• Public Safety Training Complex (bldgs. 5–9)

Generally, avoid unnecessary capitalization. Do not use capitals or all caps for emphasis. Overuse of capitals is a common mistake. It works against the success of publications. Instead of smoothly flowing with the text, the eye must pause and rise each time it takes in a capital letter. We read by focusing on the shapes of words. Anything that makes a reader slow down increases chances that the reader will simply stop reading.

IN FACT, USE OF ALL CAPITALS IN A LARGE BLOCK OF TYPE CAN BE VERY FATIGUING TO READ AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED WHENEVER POSSIBLE. CAPS ARE SIMPLY HARDER TO READ AND SUGGEST THE WRITER IS YELLING.

See Capitalization Guide for AHC-specific capitalization standards

Departments, Offices, Programs, Courses, and Titles

This guide summarizes AHC-specific capitalization standards for departments, programs, disciplines, and courses.

AHC uses stand-alone department names (name does not include “Department”) that function as official proper nouns.

1. Academic Departments

Capitalize official department names:

Note: This guideline is a change from our previous standard

• Applied Behavioral Sciences
• Business
• Community Education
• Counseling
• English
• Fine Arts
• Health Sciences
• Industrial Technology
• Kinesiology, Recreation, and Athletics
• Languages and Communication
• Life and Physical Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Public Safety
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Lowercase only when referring generically to the field of study or discipline, not the AHC department. Lowercase “department” if added to the official department name in a body of text.

2. Programs of Study Within Academic Departments (Official Names)

Capitalize when using the formal program name such as Accounting, Biology, Computer Science, etc. Lowercase when referencing a program generically.

3. Academic Disciplines (General Subject Areas)

Lowercase academic disciplines, except proper nouns (English, Spanish, American Sign Language), when referring to a subject area generally.

4. Academic Course Numbers and Titles

Course numbers/prefixes = all caps. Capitalize full course titles (e.g., CHEM 120 Introductory Chemistry).

5. Academic Majors and Minors

Use lowercase for majors and minors when used as general nouns, with the exception of proper nouns.

6. Non-Academic Departments, Programs, and Offices

Capitalize formal names of all departments, programs, and offices (e.g., President’s Office, Admissions and Records).

7. Job Titles

Capitalize and spell out official job title when it precedes a name; lowercase when it follows.

Examples:

• Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.
• Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D., superintendent/president, Allan Hancock College

Reference of Academic Degree:

• Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. in lists, on business card, and on first reference
  Dr. Walthers on subsequent reference in the same piece of work.
• Do not combine a courtesy title and an academic degree that mean the same thing:
  Dr. Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.
• Lowercase when referencing title/position in general:
  The superintendent/president reports to the board of trustees.

Use “chair.” Avoid chairwoman, chairman, chairperson. Capitalize when used as a formal title.

Graduates:

Use a leading apostrophe + the last two digits of the graduation year right after the person’s name (e.g., Maria Torres ’25).

If the student attended but did not graduate, use “attended” with a date range (e.g., James Lee, attended 2023-2025).

If including a school, use a comma between the institution’s name and the year. If listing degrees from Allan Hancock College in an Allan Hancock College context, it is not necessary to refer to Allan Hancock College by name.

Example: John Smith (Allan Hancock College, ’01; Northwestern University, ’04)

Clubs and organizations do not “belong” to Allan Hancock College. Do not use “Allan Hancock College’s Photo Club” or “The Allan Hancock College Photo Club.” Instead say, “The Photo Club at Allan Hancock College.”

Capitalize Central Coast as a region.

Within sentences, capitalize the word following the colon if it is a proper noun or the beginning of a complete sentence.

Examples:

• The students started their college tour: Santa Barbara, Davis, then
• The instructions read: Stay away.

Use a colon to start a list or for emphasis.

Example: She enjoyed two activities: reading and writing.

Place colons outside of quotation marks unless it is part of the quotation itself. If the text is bold, the colon should be bold as well. Colons should be used to introduce long quotations inside a paragraph, and at the end of a paragraph that introduces a quotation that is its own paragraph.

A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause.

Example: Welcome, we will be taking questions shortly.

A comma is also used before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) when a sentence is made up of two complete (independent) sentences.

Example: The meeting has ended, and the recording will be posted online.

Use the serial or Oxford comma before the “and” (or other conjunction) that precedes the final element in a series.

Example: She enrolled in English, math, and physics.

Exception: in news releases and other items sent to the media, the college adheres to AP Style and does not use the Oxford comma.

A person’s name should be given, if possible. Use of a department or division name is also acceptable.

Email should be hyperlinked.

The contact phone number should be a full phone number, including area code, set off with a hyphen, and with no comma between the phone number and extension.

Example: 805-922-6966 ext. 3382

As a rule, limit the use of contractions unless done purposefully for an informal voice.

Spell out the name of the month. Include day of the week along with the month and day. Do not separate with commas when using a month and year only. When there’s a month, day, and year, there should be a comma on both sides of the year.

• January 2025
• January 11
• Saturday, January 11
• She will start her new job January 27, 2025, following her vacation.

Do not use the word “on” before a date or day, unless it would cause confusion to not include.

• The semester starts Monday.
• All Staff Day is Thursday, August 15.

Use “to” or “through” when describing sequences of dates or inclusive dates. An en dash may be used when space is an issue (such as on graphics).

• Registration is open July 11–August 27.
• Public Affairs and Communications is open Monday through Friday.

Do not use suffixes/ordinal numbers with dates.

• Correct: May 6
• Incorrect: May 6th

Use an “s” without an apostrophe after the year to indicate spans of decades. An apostrophe is only needed if using the possessive form of the year; however, it is preferable to use an “of” construction rather than using the possessive form. Use the four-digit year for clarity.

• Allan Hancock College’s Lompoc Valley Center opened in the 2000s.
• The center’s anniversary was 2024’s biggest event.
• The center’s anniversary was the biggest event of 2024.

Generally, spell out the days of the week.

Example: Monday through Friday

When space is an issue (such as on graphics), abbreviate the days. Do not use periods and separate the days with an en dash. Note: “R” has been used in some circumstances to designate “Thursday.”

• M–F
• Mon–Fri

“Deaf” (capitalized) refers to individuals who identify as part of the Deaf community. The Deaf community refers to the social, cultural, and linguistic group of Deaf individuals, along with children of Deaf adults (CODAs) and other closely connected, who share common experiences, values, and a strong connection through signed languages such as American Sign Language (ASL).

Deaf Culture includes any person with a significant hearing loss who uses ASL or any signed language as their primary mode of communication. The only hearing people who are considered part of Deaf Culture are children of Deaf adults (CODAs).

"deaf" (lowercase) is a general term for hearing loss and does not necessarily indicate cultural affiliation.

• She is Deaf and active in the local Deaf community.
• She is part of Deaf Culture and primarily communicates using ASL.
• He became deaf at age 35 after an illness.

Alternative Terms:

• Hard of hearing (for partial hearing loss)
• Person with hearing loss (a more neutral or medical description)
• Deaf person (commonly used and acceptable)

Directions are not capitalized if they refer to compass directions or when used as a general directional description.

Example: Allan Hancock College serves students throughout northern Santa Barbara County.

Directions should be capitalized if they refer to a region, are part of a proper name, or denote a widely known section of a city, county, or state.

Example: Allan Hancock College is Northern Santa Barbara County’s premier institute of higher education.

See Bias-Free Language

• Use the dollar symbol and numerals for exact amounts ($1,000)
• Spell out casual references and approximate amounts (a hundred dollars)
• Use a singular verb for specific amounts (The student was given a $1,000 scholarship.)
• Do not include decimals or trailing zeros in round dollar amounts ($75, not $75.00)
• For amounts over $1 million, use the dollar symbol and numerals with up to two decimal places ($3.4 million)

Abbreviations (K, M, B, T)

Abbreviations may be used in informal, space-limited, or data-driven contexts (charts, tables, headlines, social media).

• Use K for thousand, M for million, B for billion, and T for trillion
• Always use numerals with these abbreviations and retain the dollar symbol when referring to money ($250K, $3.2M, $1.5B)
• Do not combine abbreviations with spelled-out words (avoid $3 million M)
• In formal narrative text, spell out million, billion, or trillion on first reference unless space is limited

Means “for example” (in Latin) and is followed by a comma.

Do not confuse with “i.e.,” which means “that is” or “in other words.”

Use an ellipsis to indicate the deletion of one or more words in condensing quotes, text or documents. Avoid deletions that would distort the meaning. Place a space on both sides of an ellipsis.

Example: He ... earned an A on the exam.

If the words before an ellipsis form a complete sentence, retain the sentence-ending punctuation, followed by a space and the ellipsis.

Example: I am taking classes at Allan Hancock College. ...

Apply the same rule when the preceding sentence ends with a question mark, exclamation point, comma or colon.

Example: Will you be at the alumni event? ...

Do not use an ellipsis at the beginning or end of a direct quote unless it is essential to the meaning. Do not use an ellipsis to indicate a pause in speech; use a dash instead. Use an ellipsis only when words have been omitted.

Em Dash (—): Used to indicate a break in thought, add emphasis, or replace parentheses, commas, or colons.

• She was certain of one thing—she would never go back.
• The three best students—John, Sarah, and Lisa—received awards.

Keystroke:

• Windows: Alt + 0151 (on numeric keypad)
• Microsoft Word: Type two hyphens and next word without pressing space (no space before or after two hyphens)
• Mac: Option + Shift + - (hyphen)
• Google Docs: Type "--" (two hyphens) and press space

En Dash (–): Used to indicate a range of numbers, dates, or times and to connect related words. Note: AHC style allows for use of a hyphen in these instances.

• The meeting is scheduled for 3–4:30 p.m.
• The Santa Maria–Lompoc shuttle runs daily.

Keystroke:

• Windows: Alt + 0150 (on numeric keypad)
• Microsoft Word: Ctrl + - (on numeric keypad)
• Mac: Option + - (hyphen)
• Google Docs: Insert > Special Characters > Search "En Dash"

Hyphen (-): Primarily used for compound words (e.g., well-known, mother-in-law) and telephone numbers (e.g., 805-922-6966).

For more detailed information regarding the hyphen, see Hyphen.

A title of honor given to a retired person who has served with distinction. At Allan Hancock College, this is granted by the board of trustees to administrators, full-time faculty, and supervisory confidential employees.

• Emeritus = retired male
• Emerita = retired female
• Emeriti = group of male and/or female

References to racial and ethnic groups should be used only when pertinent. Capitalize specific racial, ethnic, or cultural identities (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American). Black is capitalized when referring to people or culture; white is lowercase.

For institutional reporting, use IPEDS terminology:

• Hispanic or Latino
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Black or African American
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
• White

Writers should respect self-identification whenever possible. Example: Rodriguez, who describes himself as Mexican American, participates in the Puente Program... At Allan Hancock College, he is part of a student body that is 69% Hispanic.

Be wary of overuse. An exclamation point expresses a high degree of surprise or strong emotion.

AHC style: 805-922-6966 ext. 3382

• No comma between telephone number and extension.
• Abbreviate and lowercase as ext. (not Ext. or x).

Always use lowercase when using “faculty” as a common noun. E.g.: the faculty, the faculty of Allan Hancock College, faculty member.

When designating faculty position/job title on outreach/promo materials (business card, news release, etc.) use the following designation/ranking:

• Professor: Full-time faculty tenured for five (5) years
• Associate Professor: Full-time faculty who has achieved tenure
• Assistant Professor: Full-time faculty hired in probationary/tenure-track status
• Instructor: Faculty hired as temporary full-time faculty
• Part-Time Faculty: Part-time faculty
• Head Coach or Assistant Coach: Athletics Coach

Capitalize name of fees in headlines/headers, lowercase in body text.

Use flyer with “y.”

Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier (adjective).

Example: She has a full-time teaching assignment.

Do not use a hyphen when “full time” appears after the verb.

Example: The custodial position is full time.

See Bias-Free Language

Hyphenate only as a modifier (adjective).

Example: Transfer students must fulfill all general-education requirements.

Do not hyphenate when functioning as a noun.

Example: Students complete general education before moving on to their major coursework.

In most cases, use the abbreviation GPA (no periods).

Example: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

When spelling out the term, hyphenate it when used as a modifier:

• A grade-point-average requirement applies to all transfer students.
• The program has a strict grade-point-average policy.

The correct plural of GPA is GPAs (no apostrophe). Do not use GPA’s.

• Students must submit transcripts showing their cumulative GPAs.
• Both GPAs meet the scholarship eligibility requirements.

Use letter grades without quotation marks.

Example: She earned an A in chemistry.

Use an apostrophe with plural grades.

Example: He earned all A’s this semester.

Clarification: Use apostrophes to form plurals of single-letter grades, but not acronyms or initialisms (e.g., GPAs, not GPA’s).

Allan Hancock College uses the spelling “gray” with an “a”.

Honors = GPAs of 3.5–4.0

High Honors = GPAs of above 4.0

Use a hyphen to link compound modifiers and in phone numbers.

Example: She was a well-read student.

Do not hyphenate compound modifiers ending in “ly” or including the word “very.”

• He provided a very clear syllabus.
• She enrolled in a completely online schedule.

Use a hyphen for clarity.

• He resigned from the Academic Senate.
• She re-signed the purchase agreement.

Hyphenated words in titles and headers are capitalized when the hyphen connects two separate words.

Example: First-Generation

Common prefixes with hyphens:

• All-
• Anti-
• Ex-
• Self-

Use a hyphen when the prefix comes before the same vowel.

• anti-inflammatory
• self-esteem

Use a hyphen when the word following the prefix is capitalized

• all-American
• ex-President

Do not use a hyphen when the prefix comes before a consonant.

• antibacterial
• antiviral

This is a Latin abbreviation for “that is.” It means “in other words” and is always followed by a comma. It is frequently confused with e.g., which means “for example.”

Allan Hancock College students and employees are assigned unique identification numbers at the time of application to the college (students) and upon hire (employees). AHC ID numbers begin with the letter “H” and are commonly referred to as “your H number.”

This word does not exist; the correct word is “regardless.”

Lowercase job titles when they appear in body copy as a generic noun or when they refer to a specific person, but do not appear as part of that person’s official title.

Example: Kevin Walthers is Allan Hancock College’s president.

Capitalize an individual’s official title, when it precedes a person’s name.

• Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.
• Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D., superintendent/president, Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria Campus Library (capitalize Campus in headlines/headers, lowercase in body text)

Lompoc Valley Center Library

Use login and logout as nouns or adjectives.

Examples: Your login will be emailed to you. Click the logout button when finished.

Use log in and log out as verbs.

Examples: Please log in to myHancock. Don’t forget to log out of Canvas.

A quick test is to see if you can replace the phrase with another verb. If yes, use log in.

Example: “Please sign in to myHancock” follows the same pattern as “Please log in to myHancock”, so log in is correct.

Spell out when using alone or with a year.

• The fall semester starts in August.
• They enrolled in January 2025.

If space restraints require an abbreviation, abbreviate as: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. Do not abbreviate March, April, May, June, or July in body text.

In data tables or charts, use three-letter forms without a period: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec.

Use more than when referring to amounts, figures, or quantities.

• The project took more than three months to complete.
• More than 50 students attended the workshop.

Use over to describe physical location, spatial relationships, or movement.

• The plane flew over the city.
• She held an umbrella over her head.

Avoid using “over” to mean “in excess of” when referring to quantities.

• Correct: More than 100 people attended the event.
• Incorrect: Over 100 people attended the event.

Lowercase “m”, capital “H”

myHancock first reference, the portal following reference

“your” myHancock portal or “the” myHancock portal

• Spell out one through nine unless writing dollar amounts, ages, measurements, percentages, or time
• Spell out numbers that begin a sentence

Hyphenate when used as a modifier.

Example: Students live off campus because there is no on-campus housing.

Capitalize “Office” when the word is part of an official name.

Example: The Allan Hancock College President’s Office.

Hyphenate when used as a modifier

• We have a part-time photographer.
• Our photographer works part time.

Note: This guideline is a change from our previous standard.

Use the % sign when paired with a number, with no space, and use decimals (not fractions) in percentages.

Example: Average hourly pay rose 3.1% from a year ago.

For amounts less than 1%, precede the decimal with a zero.

Example: The cost of living rose 0.6%

Spell out zero percent.

Example: They are offering zero percent financing.

Use percentage, rather than percent, when not paired with a number.

Example: The percentage of people agreeing is small.

Use quotation marks:

Direct Quotes (word-for-word speech or text)

• She said, "I'll be there soon."
• According to the article, "Climate change is accelerating."

Titles of Short Works (articles, short stories, songs, episodes, poems, etc.)

• I just read "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
• My favorite song is "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Words Used in a Special Sense (sarcasm, irony, unfamiliar terms)

• He said he was "working" all day, but I saw him at the beach.
• The word "lit" has adopted a new meaning in slang.

Dialogues in Writing

• "Where are we going?" she asked.
• "To the park," he replied.

Quoting Within a Quote (Use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks)

• She said, "I heard him say, 'I'll be there soon.'"

Punctuation (with quotation marks)

Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks.

Question marks go inside the quotation marks if part of the quote and outside if not.

• She asked, “Are you coming?”
• Did she really say, “I’ll be there soon”?

Colons and semicolons always go outside the quotation marks.

• The instructions said “write clearly”; the reviewer appreciated the reminder.
• He described the process as “straightforward”: gather the data, review it, and submit the report.

Academic semesters (fall semester, spring semester, summer semester) are not capitalized.

• I will take calculus in the fall semester.
• Registration is underway for the fall 2026 semester.

Seasons (spring, summer, fall/autumn, winter) are not capitalized unless they are part of a proper noun (e.g., Winter Olympics).

Example: We are planning to take classes at Hancock in the summer.

In general, use the semicolon to indicate a greater separation of thought and information than a comma can convey, but less than the separation that a period implies.

• The deadline is approaching quickly; we need to finalize the draft by Friday.
• Enrollment numbers are strong this year; several programs reached capacity earlier than expected.

One word, without a hyphen

Use symbols only when they are part of an official name, a technical requirement, or a mathematical expression. In general text, spell out the word instead of using a symbol so the writing stays clear and readable.

• Write “and” instead of “&” unless it appears in an official title.
• Write “number” instead of “#” unless you are using a hashtag or a required identifier.
• Use mathematical symbols such as + or = only in formulas or equations, not in narrative sentences.

General style: 805-922-6966 ext. 3382 

• Hyphen between area code and number 

• No comma between telephone number and extension 

• Abbreviate and lowercase to make ext. (not Ext. or x) 

The choice between "which" and "that" depends on whether the clause that follows is restrictive or non-restrictive:

Use "that" for restrictive (essential) clauses

• A restrictive clause provides essential information for the meaning of the sentence. No commas are used.

Use "which" for non-restrictive (extra) clauses

• A non-restrictive clause provides extra, non-essential information. It is set off by commas.

Use “theater” with “er” for all references, unless it is part of the proper name.

• Marian Theatre
• Severson Theatre
• Solvang Festival Theater

• Use figures with a.m. or p.m. (lowercase letters with periods in between)
• Use a colon to separate hours from minutes (Example: 3:30 p.m.)
• If time is on the hour, do not include zeros (Example: 4 p.m., not 4:00 p.m.)
• If the time span is within morning or afternoon/evening, list a.m. or p.m. only once (Example: 2–4 p.m.)

General Rule of Thumb (Titles)

• Italics → For major or stand-alone works (books, films, journals, albums, plays, websites, etc.)
• Quotation Marks → For shorter works or components within a larger work (articles, essays, poems, chapters, songs, etc.)
• Regular (Plain) Type → For reference works, religious texts, and institutional materials (e.g., the Bible, the U.S. Constitution, course titles)

Note: Foreign-language titles follow the same formatting rules as English titles.

Capitalization in Titles of Works

Capitalize the first and last words of a title, and all major words in between. Do not capitalize short or minor words unless they are the first or last in the title.

Capitalize nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, first and last words, and important prepositions in multiword phrases of five or more letters.

Examples:

• Learning Without Limits: A Guide for Adult Students
• Because We Believe in You: Hancock College’s Promise Program

Lowercase (Unless First or Last) articles, coordinating conjunctions, and short prepositions (fewer than five letters).

Examples:

• A Guide to Writing in the Sciences
• Learning and Leading at Hancock College
• Art in Motion: The History of Modern Sculpture

Practical Tip

If unsure, remember: “Big words up, small words down.”

That means: capitalize meaning-heavy words; lowercase the connectors and helpers.

Note: This guideline is a change from our previous standard.

One word

In modern usage, waitlist is typically written as one word when used as a noun or a verb. The adjective waitlisted is also generally written without a hyphen.

• Use as a noun: The waitlist is full.
• Use as an adjective (modifier): Waitlisted students may petition.
• Use as a verb: Students can waitlist a class.

• Website is one word
• Web page is two words
• Lowercase web, website, webserver, webcam, webcast, webinar, and webmaster

The choice between "who" and "whom" depends on whether the word is functioning as a subject or object in the sentence.

Use "who" when it is the subject. "Who" performs the action in the sentence (like "he" or "she").

Examples:

• Who is calling me? (Subject of the sentence)
• Who wrote this book? (Subject of the verb "wrote")
• Do you know who won the game? (Subject of "won")

Use "whom" when it is the object. "Whom" receives the action (like "him" or "her").

Examples:

• To whom should I address this letter? ("I should address it to him.")
• She is someone whom I admire. ("I admire her.")
• The teacher, whom we respect, is retiring. ("We respect him.")

One word with a hyphen