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First Community College
In1901, Joliet Community College in
Illinois—the Nation’s first junior college—added a fifth and
sixth year of courses to a high school curriculum -
Phoenix College (PC) is founded in 1920!
The college was originally a part of the Phoenix Union High School and Junior College District (now Phoenix Union High School District), and was known as Phoenix Junior College (PJC). PC became a part of the Maricopa County Community College District in 1960, and is now considered the flagship campus of one of the largest community college systems in the world. -
The Impact of the Great Depression on Community Colleges
During the Great Depression of the 1930s community colleges began to provide job training programs as a way to ease widespread unemployment. This trend toward job training continued through the 1940s and 1950s. -
Period: to
Job Training Trends to ease unemployment.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s community colleges began to provide job training programs as a way to ease widespread unemployment. This trend toward job training continued through the 1940s and 1950s. -
Baby boomers began reaching college age number of community colleges and enrollments soared!
In the 1960s, baby boomers began reaching college age,
and the number of community colleges and enrollments
soared. Many new public community colleges were built
during the decade. This growth coincided with a large
increase in student enrollment—from about 1 million students
in 1965 to about 2.2 million by 1970. -
Period: to
Community Colleges Keep Thriving
During the 1970s, community colleges became a major
part of the American educational system, with enrollments
almost doubling again from 2.2 million in 1970 to 4.3 million
by 1980. The enrollment increase resulted from three factors:
Baby boomers continued to come of age, more parents desired
16 Occupational Outlook Quarterly ● Winter 2002-03
a postsecondary education for their children, and students
sought draft deferment during the Vietnam War. -
Employer partnerships and vocational training.
In 1988, the Nationwide Commission on the Future of Community Colleges recommended that these colleges help build
communities by creating partnerships with employers and
making facilities available for workforce training. CusToday,
community colleges supply vocational training programs that
terminate in certificates, coursework leading to associate
degrees, remedial educational services, and customized, or
“contract,” courses designed to meet the needs of local employers. -
Phoenix College Awarded $1.5 Million to Support Minority STEM Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced its first research awards under its Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Phoenix College, part of the Maricopa County Community College system, will receive $1,499,985.00 to support integrating research, mentoring, and industry collaborations to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) recruitment and retention. Phoenix College is one of 31 educational institutions selected. -
Happy Founders' Day and 99th Birthday Phoenix College
Phoenix College celebrated its 99th birthday with a proclamation by the City of Phoenix Mayor, Kate Gallego, that September 13th will be known as Phoenix College Founder’s Day. Phoenix College (PC) celebrated the occasion surrounded by its close friends and family. In attendance were: City of Phoenix Mayor, Kate Gallego.
