The Community College History

First community college in Arizona established

Sep 1, 1920

Phoenix Junior College (now Phoenix College) opened in 1920.

Maricopa County Junior College District established

Sep 1, 1962

Maricopa Skill Center opens

Sep 1, 1964

Maricopa Skill Center is now part of GateWay Community College.

Established campuses in Glendale and Mesa

Sep 1, 1965

The system established branch campuses of Phoenix Junior College in the nearby suburbs of Glendale and Mesa; these would become independent campuses within the system by the end of the decade (1965).

Maricopa Technical College opens

Sep 1, 1968

Maricopa Technical College is now GateWay Community College.

Scottsdale Community College opens

Sep 1, 1969

Rio Salado opens

Sep 1, 1978

South Mountain Community College opens

Sep 1, 1980

Chandler/Gilbert Education Center opens

Sep 1, 1985

Now Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Northeast Valley Education Center opens

Sep 1, 1985

The Northeast Valley Education Center (now Paradise Valley Community College) in 1985

Estrella Mountain Community College opens

Sep 1, 1990

Red Mountain campus of Mesa Community College opens

Feb 17, 2001

Glendale Community College North opens

Sep 1, 2008

Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain opens

Sep 1, 2009