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The economic downturn affected financial well-being of smaller universities in Texas and Louisiana. It was proposed that the smaller institutions should focus on providing the first 2-years of general instruction and leave the upper focus courses to larger universities (like Baylor) saving finances and resources. Thus, the 2 year college was born.
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Due to concerns of rigor and quality, President Harper of Univ. of Chicago, isolated and strengthened the first 2 years of coursework and convinced smaller colleges to limit to 2 year curriculum and provide a pathway to University. He also encouraged high schools to extend curriculum to develop junior colleges within their high schools.
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During the 1920's and 30's the purpose of CC's shifted to developing a skilled labor workforce in a short amount of time.
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Phoenix College was established in 1920 by the Phoenix Union High School District as the first Community College in Arizona.
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The American Association of Junior Colleges (AAJC) provided a forum for emerging institutions, including high schools providing two-year collegiate programs, women's colleges, military institutes, private junior colleges, and technical institutes.
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Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, boosted interest and enrollment in education, including JC's. 2 year colleges were then a great place to house continuing education programs.
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MCCCD was established in 1962 opening JC's across the valley: Southwest Skill Center (now part of GateWay CC) 2000; Maricopa Technical College (now GateWay CC) 1968; Scottsdale CC in 1969; Rio Salado CC in 1978; South Mountain CC in 1980; Paradise Valley CC in 1985; Chandler-Gilbert CC in 1985; Estrella Mountain CC in 1990; Mesa Community College in 2001; Glendale CC North in 2008; Paradise Valley CC at Black Mountain in 2009.
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Higher Education Act of 1965 provided grant programs to help fund JCs making them more affordable and accessible.
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CC's continued to boom in an effort to escape the draft.
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"President Obama unveiled his “American College Promise” program – a plan to make two years of community college education available free of charge to “everyone who’s willing to work for it.” A partial solution to the student debt crisis and see the community college as central to solving a wide variety of problems in higher education, from cost and inclusivity to career-preparedness and community engagement." - (Trainor, 2015, Time Magazine)
