History of Community Colleges in the US - MHOLT

Juliet Community College in Illinois

1901

The nation's first community college added a fifth and sixth year of courses to high school curriculum.

Phoenix College was Established

1920

Originally was part of Phoenix Union High School District

E.W Montegomery

1925

Superintendent of PUHSD and President of PC 1925-1958

Great Depression

1929

During the Great Depression, the community colleges started offering job training classes to help with unemployment.

Phoenix College Flight School

1930

PC operated a flight school during the years of 1930s-1960. The programs was moved to Sky Harbor, but eventually ended in 1960.

WPA approved funding to expand Phoenix College

1938

$750,000 was approved from WPA to help expand PC. This helped purchase the farmland on 15th ave and Thomas and build 4 buildings.

Aerial View of PC in 1949

1949

15th Ave and Thomas

Enrollment in Community Colleges hit 1 million

1960

Enrollment at 2.2 million in Community College

1970

Enrollment doubles from 1960-1970

Community College Enrollment at 4.5 million

1980

Female enrollment exceeds male

1980

In the 1980s, the number of women enrolled in community colleges surpass the number of males enrolled. The trend continues currently. The most recent report given in the article, is 3,000,000 females compared to 2,300,000 males are enrolled in community colleges across the nation.

Nationwide Commission on Future of Community Colleges

1988

Nationwide Commission on Future of Community Colleges encourage more community colleges to offer vocational training programs.

Enrollment at 5.1 million in Community College

1990

Enrollment at 5.3 million

2000

1,076 Community Colleges in the US

2000

By 2000, there are 1,076 Community Colleges in the US.