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The first community colleges were called Junior Colleges. They were small schools focused on a liberal arts education with the goal of transferring students to four-year colleges. From 1909 to 1919, the number of Junior Colleges grew from 20 to 170.
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Arizona's first community college, the Phoenix Junior College (now Phoenix College) was established.
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During the 1920s and 1930s, the purpose of the Community College shifted from preparing students for transfer to developing a workforce, which was influenced by the unemployment during the Depression.
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The President's Commission on Higher Education was an important national document for community colleges. It established a network of public community colleges that would provide education to a diverse group of students at little or no cost along with serving community needs through a comprehensive mission.
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Maricopa Community Colleges began as the Maricopa County Junior College District.
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Mesa CC began as an extension campus of Phoenix College in 1963. This building housed the library and the classrooms were in the basement. Today this site is a wedding venue.
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Mesa CC opened its doors at its new location on the corner of Dobson and Southern. The campus opened with 26 portable classrooms.
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The growth of the Community College continued in the 70's as many enrolled to escape the Vietnam Draft.
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MCC led all of the Maricopa Community Colleges in enrollment with a headcount of 14,674.
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By the end of the 20th century, community colleges grew in their role in providing higher education to the first-time or non-traditional student.
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The Red Mountain extension campus in East Mesa holds its grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony.
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Student headcount for all Mesa CC sites tops 20,000
