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Frances Roland's Community Colleges Timeline

  • Joliett Community College in Illinois

    The nation's first junior college
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    The 1920's

    1920 - Phoenix Junior College opens.
    1923 - Formal NCA Accreditation, Phoenix Junior College
    1927 - State Legislature Passed Law regarding AZ Junior Colleges
    1928 - Voters approve $625,000 bond
  • Phoenix Junior College Opens

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    The 1930s

    1934 Phoenix College offers first evening classes.
    1937 PC enrollment reaches more than 600 students
    1938 Ground breaking at new PC site - Thomas and 15th Avenue
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    The 1940's

    1941 - Civilian Pilot Training / Pearl Harbor
    1942 - Gym converted to barracks for civilian pilot training program
    1943 - Male population decreases as soldiers leave for war
    1944 - Training for Cadet Nurses
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    The 1950s

    1950 Phoenix College Evening Division begins
    1951 Never segregated, Phoenix College elects African American Student Body President
    1958 AZ Junior College Bill introduced
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    The 1960s

    1961 - Dean of Evening Division one of the first women to hold higher administrative position.
    1962 - Maricopa Junior College District formed; PC joins District.
    1963 - $9,300,000 bond defeated by voters
    1964 - $4,900,000 bond passed; (National) Civil rights act established.
    1965 - over 1 million students in community colleges nationally
    1968 - $9,800,000 bond passed for MCCCD
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    The 1970s

    1970 - 2.2 million community college students (nationally)
    1971 - AZ legislature: Junior colleges become Community colleges
    1973 - Night time enrollments surpass daytime (accross district)
    1978 - SCC offers tuition free education to Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
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    The 1980's

    1980 - 4.3 million students (nationally)
    1981 - $4,000,000 deficit projected; tuition increase from $3 to $5 (district)
    1982 - Rio Salado offers civilian job courses/training to enlisted men
    1983 - Tuition increase to $11 per credit hour. House Bill 2287: Community colleges can offer 4 year degrees.
    1984 - $75,000,000 bond issue successful
    1985 - $16 per credit hour (district)
    1986 - HLC/NCA reaccreditation
    1988 - National Commission recommends partnerships with employers for workforce trainin
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    The 1990s

    1991 - $26 per credit hour (district)
    1992 - $340,000,000 bond defeated
    1994 - $385,500,000 bond passed
    1996 - Phoenix College HLC/NCA reaccreditation
    1999 - Family Care Center Constructed at PC
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    The 2000's

    2000-01 school year - 1,076 community colleges nationally
    2004 - $951,000,000 bond issue passed
    2005 - Dr. Anna Solley Interim President @ Phoenix College
    2006 - Raul H Castro Institute (RCI) Symposium (Phoenix Colllege)
    2008 - Teacher Prep Charter Highschool comes to Phoenix College
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    The 2010's

    2010 - Phoenix College has over 20,00 students and celebrates 90 years.
    2011 - 30 year anniversary of Phoenix College Interpreter Preparation Program
    2013 - Maricopa district receives AAA bond rating