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First Community College is Founded
Joliet Community College in Illinois extended High School education by adding a 5th and 6th year to the curriculum becomming the first community college in the United States. -
Period: to
A History of Community Colleges
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Arizona Becomes A State
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Enrollment in the '20s was Low
Enrollment in community colleges in the 1920s was low, and few programs offered liberal arts degrees. -
Maricopa Community Colleges was Founded
On January 1, 1920 Maricopa Community Colleges was founded as part of the Phoenix Union High School and Junior College District. -
The Great Depression
During the Great Depression from 1929-1939, community colleges provided job training programs to increase job attainment through the 1950s. -
Phoenix College Student Named Miss America
PC student Jacque Mercer was named Miss America in 1949. -
Junior College Bill Introduced
In 1958 the first Junior College Bill is introduced (HB 238) -
AZ Legislature Authorizes Support for Community Colleges
AZ Legislature authroizes the State Board of Directors for community colleges and enacts legislation community college districts by county and state funds. -
Phoenix Junior College joins the MCC System
PJC becomes it's own community college and joins the Maricopa district with a vote of 805 to 59. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made many forms of discrimination illegal in the United States for the first time -
In the 1960s Enrollment Spiked
In the 1960s, the Baby Boomer generation reached college age, causing a spike in enrollment in community colleges. This high demand led to the construction of new community colleges from 1960-1970. In fact, enrollment more than doubled from 1965 to 1970, jumping from 1-2.2 million. -
Mesa and Glendale Campuses Open
Two new campuses in Mesa and Glendale open as part of the Maricopa Community College system. -
$9.8 Million Dollar Bond Approved
Voters approve a $9.8 million bond to fund Maricopa Community Colleges. -
Enrollment Continued to Climb in the 70s
In the 1970s enrollment doubled again from 2.2-4.3 million. This was due to the baby boomer generation continuing to come into college-age, more parents encouraging their children to obtain college degrees, and people seeking draft deferment for the Vietnam War. -
Enrollment Increased for Racial and Ethnic Minorities
From 1976-1999 enrollment increased for racial and ethnic minorities from 20-33%. -
Enrollment Slowed Down in the 80s and 90s
Enrollment in community colleges slowed from about 50% to just 23% in the 1980s and 1990s. By 1999 total enrollments were about 5.3 million. -
In-state Tuition Just $11/Credit Hour
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Rio Online Services Open
Beginning of Online Learning at Maricopa Community Colleges -
Over 4,000 Classes Offered at Just $16/Credit Hour
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Average Student Age is 30
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Partnerships between Colleges and Businesses in U.S.
The Nationwide Commission on the Future of Community Colleges recommended that colleges assist with economic and community development by creating collaborative partnerships with local businesses to provide workforce training opportunities. -
LGBTQ Association Established
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By 2000 There Were Over 1,000 Community Colleges in the US
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Growth was Highest for Computer and Information Science Degrees
From 1989-2000 the field with the largest growth in certificate completion at community colleges was within the Computer and Information Sciences. -
Community Colleges in Arizona Lose All State Funding
In 2015 Community Colleges in Arizona lost all state-level funding. -
Maricopa Skills Center is Developed
Classes began at Phoenix Union High School funded by the Manpower Development and Training Act -
Development of Maricopa Skills Center
Classes began at Phoenix Union High School under the Manpower Development and Training Act.
