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The Great Depression
Many US historians track the timing of The Great Depression from the stock market crash on October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday until the US entered World War II on December 7, 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor. During this time in US history, community colleges began to provide job training programs as a way to ease unemployment and, later, to gear up for the demand for a more skilled workforce for our nation's growing industrial base. -
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1960s
In the 1960s, Baby Boomers were looking for postsecondary educational opportunities, and enrollment in the community colleges throughout the US skyrocketed. Three of the Maricopa Community Colleges were formed in these years: Glendale Community College (1965), Mesa Community College (1965), and GateWay Community College (1968). -
MCCCD Founded
The District was established in 1962 under the provisions of legislation enacted in 1960 by the Arizona Legislature. The legislation created the Arizona Junior College System and provided for the formation of junior college districts on a county basis in Arizona. Since 1962, more colleges were founded, leading to today’s 10 college district. Today, MCCCD serves about 250,000 students annually, under the leadership of Dr. Rufus Glasper, chancellor. -
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The 1970s
Community colleges became a major part of the American educational system in the 1970s. Enrollments nearly doubled, likely due to three factors: Baby Boomers seeking education, parents wanting an education for their children, and students looking for draft deferment from the Vietnam War. Two of the Maricopa Community Colleges were founded, during this timeframe: Scottsdale Community College (1970), and Rio Salado College (1978). -
Scottsdale Community College Founded
SCC was officially founded in the Fall of 1970 with 948 students. As the popluation grew in the State of Arizona and throughout the Scottsdale area, so did the enrollment at the College. Currently, SCC serves about 25,000 credit and noncredit students annually. -
Artie is Born
Artie the Artichoke became the mascot for SCC in 1972, after a long and contentious battle among students, the College and community members over opinions on budget priorities. The choice was originally meant to be one of discomfort and embarassment. Now, Artie is loved by all who know him. Go 'Chokes! -
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1980s - Now
Nationally, the community college enrollment growth slowed towards the latter part of the century. Despite this, Maricopa Community Colleges opened four of its 10 institutions: South Mountain Community College (SMCC), Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), Estrella Mountain Community College (1990).
