AI Detects 4,000+ Fraudulent Applications at El Camino College | Spring 2026 Enrollment

El Camino College is bolstering its enrollment security with artificial intelligence, identifying over 4,000 fraudulent applications for the spring 2026 semester. The college’s adoption of LightLeap AI, beginning in spring 2025, is part of a broader trend among California community colleges grappling with the increasing problem of fraudulent enrollments.

The AI-powered system flagged the fraudulent applications during the admissions process, preventing them from entering the student body. According to Dr. Kristina Martinez, Acting Dean of Enrollment Services, this proactive approach has resulted in a more “natural curve of enrollment” compared to previous years. The college is currently at approximately 6,800 full-time equivalent students (FTES), working towards a spring 2026 goal of 7,305 FTES.

The issue of fraudulent enrollments isn’t new for community colleges. In 2023, a social science professor at El Camino, Akello Stone, discovered 40 non-existent students on his roster. Despite measures like mandatory video introductions and profile photos, identifying fraudulent students remained a significant challenge, requiring Stone to manually remove dozens of students each semester. The implementation of LightLeap AI aims to alleviate this burden and improve the accuracy of enrollment figures.

LightLeap AI’s success extends beyond El Camino. Director of Public Information Kerri Webb noted that other California community colleges implementing similar AI technology have also seen a significant reduction in fraudulent enrollments. As of March 10, 2025, El Camino College approved a $54,000 subscription for the LightLeap AI Fraud Detection Module, covering usage from March 3, 2025, to March 3, 2026.

The impact of accurate enrollment numbers extends beyond academic integrity. El Camino College is currently facing a budget deficit of roughly $4 million. Meeting projected enrollment targets, measured in FTES, is a critical component of the college’s deficit management strategy, alongside continued state funding through Proposition 98 and strong expenditure control. Failure to meet these conditions could lead to budget restrictions affecting hourly staff, student workers, bulk orders, conferences, travel, and potentially a hiring freeze.

Chief Technology Officer Loic Audusseau explained to the Board of Trustees that the administration is actively implementing “recurring, monitoring, reconciliation, and corrective mechanisms” to identify and address enrollment variances early on. This highlights the importance of not only detecting fraudulent applications but also maintaining a robust system for ongoing monitoring, and adjustment.

Beyond enrollment, the February 18th Board of Trustees meeting also covered updates on the Chemistry building remediation and construction, which is currently stalled pending approval from The Division of the State Architect’s office. A $168,000 contract was approved with MDC Engineers to reform more than 10 fire alarm panels across the campus, creating a unified network for improved safety and response capabilities.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. On Wednesday, March 18, at the Kenneth A. Brown Board Room in the Administration Building.