History of Community Colleges

By tbrogan

  • Morrill Act

    Morrill Act
    The Morill Act was passed. This law expanded access to public higher education making it possible for students who had previously been denied access to traditional colleges and universities to continue their education after high school.

  • First Public Junior College in America

    First Public Junior College in America
    J. Stanley Brown began introducing college-level courses into his high-school curriculum. Others began following Brown's lead and additional junior colleges were formed. This increased the number of community colleges and likewise the student population in community colleges.

  • Maricopa Community Colleges Founded

    Maricopa Community Colleges Founded
    The MCCCD was founded as a single college that opened its doors to residents of Maricopa County. This has paved the way for thousands of students throughout the district to have access to higher education in their local region.

  • NCA Accreditation at Phoenix College

    NCA Accreditation at Phoenix College
    The college receives formal recognition as a member of the North Central Association. This was a pivotal moment in displaying the level of quality inherit in the college's programs of study.

  • HIM Program at Phoenix College

    HIM Program at Phoenix College
    The Health Information Management program was formed at Phoenix College. The program consisted of an all-Native American student body. The students were trainees from local hospitals who paid for their student's education. This was a significant event as it advanced the education of Native Americans who had been systemically disenfranchised in the region.

  • First Female President at Phoenix College

    First Female President at Phoenix College
    Dr. Myrna Harison was named the first female president of Phoenix College. This was a historical event because it took the college about 69 years to install a female head. This was a significant event in women's liberation in the community college environment in Phoenix, AZ.

  • American College Promise

    American College Promise
    President Obama revealed this program designed to offer two years of free community college education to anyone willing to work for it. This opened the door for more students to attend college, though the program has not been implemented nationwide.

  • Senate Bill 1453

    Senate Bill 1453
    The bill allows community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees in Arizona, marking a historic moment for Arizona's families. The state has joined 23 other states across the nation in its efforts to make education more affordable and accessible to students who wish to continue their education.