History of the Community College System

  • Teacher Prep School

    A "city training school" was created in Minnesota to prepare teachers for jobs.
  • Joliet Junior College

    Joliet Junior College was founded in Chicago and was the first institution to be named a junior college.
  • American Association of Junior Colleges

    American Association of Junior Colleges was created, but it later changed its name to the American Association of Community Colleges (in 1922).
  • Phoenix Junior College

    Phoenix Junior College becomes first Community College of its kind in AZ.
  • Name Change

    The American Association of Junior Colleges changes their name to American Association of Community Colleges.
  • Passage of the Federal GI Bill of Rights

  • President's Commision on Higher Education

    An important document for community colleges that suggested public school available within the community at little or no cost.
  • Phoenix Junior College opens

  • Mesa Community College is created.

  • Maricopa Skill Center established

  • Salary Range

    I thought it was interesting to note that the salary range for faculty in 1964 was $5,063-$10,749. WOW!
  • Glendale Community College was dedicated.

  • GCC first classes

    Glendale offers first classes at a separate location with only 27 students.
  • Vietnam troops sent

    Enrollment surges are most students enroll in school as the Vietnam draft appears.
  • Mesa CC opens permanent campus

  • Scottsdale CC offers first classes

  • First Honors Program opened at SCC

  • Night enrollment surpasses day enrollment

  • First female President named to the board

  • SCC campus names an articjoke as their mascot- WEIRD!

  • NAU Undergrad program offered on the SCC campus

  • SMCC and Rio campuses approved

  • Tuition increases to a whopping $5/hour

  • GWCC gets a permanent location

  • PVCC and CGCC offer first classes.

  • Rio online classes begin

  • ACE program begins

  • Estrella offers first classes

  • GCC North opens campus

  • Mesa opens Red Mountain campus

  • Rio's "Troops to Teachers" program develops

  • Communiversity in Surprise opens

  • PC celebrated 90 years

  • MCC celebrates 50 years