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In The Beginning
Considered the nation's first community college, Joliet Junior College began in Illinois in 1901 as an experimental postgraduate high school program. It was the brain-child of Joliet Township high school, J. Stanley Brown, and the president of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper. The school's initial enrollment was six students. Today, Joliet Junior College serves a student base of more than 35,000. -
Arizona's Beginnings
The First Junior or Community College in Maricopa County began as part of the Phoenix Union High School and Junior College District . Phoenix Junior College would later change it's name to Phoenix College and join the Maricopa Community Colleges in 1962. -
The Great Depression Impacts Community College Curriculum
As the Great Depression reached it's lowest point, community colleges began to offer job training as well as traditional cirriculums. This trend would continue into 1940's and 50's. -
Junior College Bill Introduced
The first State Junior College bill, HB 238, is introduced in the second regular session of the 23rd legislature. -
Junior College Districts In Arizona Authorized
The Arizona Legislature authorized the State Board of Directors for Junior Colleges and enacted legislation to create junior college districts supported by county and state funds. -
Junior College District Is Formed
By a voting margin of 90,000 to 40,000, the citizens of Maricopa County elect to establish the Maricopa County Junior College District (MCJCD). -
Maricopa Skill Center Created
The Maricopa Skill Center begins classes at Phoenix Union High School with federal funding from the Manpower Development and Training Act. -
Glendale Community College land purchased
160 acres of land is purchased to begin GCC's main campus. -
Welcome Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College begins operations as an extension of Phoenix College, with 3 buildings and 2 houses on ¾ acre of land in East Mesa. They would welcome 330 students in their first semester. -
Phoenix and Mesa Extend
The Glendale and Camelback extensions of Phoenix College opens in the West Valley, while a Mesa extension opens in the East Valley. -
First College On Board
Phoenix College is transferred to the jurisdiction of the Junior College District Governing Board becoming its first institution as of July 1, 1963 by a vote of 805 to 59 -
Mesa CC gets its land
Land is purchased for the new Mesa Community College campus at Baseline and Southern Roads, Mesa. -
Civil Rights Act Established
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. Racial segregation in schools ends. -
Mesa CC begins as Independent
Mesa Community College is approved by the Governing Board as an independent college. -
Glendale Classes Begin
Glendale Community College begins classes at Camelback & Maryland Ave. locations. -
New MCC Campus Construction Begins
Construction of the new Mesa Community College campus begins. First phase of buildings include the Student Union, Life Science, and the Maintenance buildings. -
GCC Ground breaking
Groundbreaking is held for Glendale Community College. The South American Cowboy, or "Gaucho" is chosen as the school's mascot. -
First Graduation at MCC
Mesa Community College’s first graduating class of 27 students conducts their commencement ceremony on the Phoenix College athletic field. -
War In Viet Nam Impacts College Enrollment
200,000 + troops are sent to Viet Nam during the later months of 1965. College enrollment increases across America. Students begin strongly protesting against the US policy in Vietnam. -
MCC Opens Perminent Campus
Mesa Community College opens at its new site at the corner of Dobson and Southern. Buildings include the student center, the science building, the maintenance building, and 26 portable classrooms, which gives the college it's nickname: "Portable University". -
Glendale Perminent Campus Opens
Glendale Community College begins classes at its permanent facility: 6000 W. Olive Avenue. -
SCC Funding Approved
The Governing Board approves the creation of Scottsdale Community College. -
Maricopa Colleges Accredited
Phoenix College, Glendale Community College and Mesa Community College and the district receive institutional accreditation from North Central Association. -
Gateway Community College Begins
The District Governing Board names the new college located at 1st Street & Washington, Maricopa Technical College. The college later is renamed GateWay Community College. -
Maricopa Tech Opens
Maricopa Technical College, now known as GateWay Community College, opens its doors in Phoenix in 1968. -
MCCCD Bond Successful
A $9.8 million bond issue for the Maricopa Community Colleges is approved by voters. -
SCC Offers First Classes
Scottsdale Community College opens as Mesa Community College Extension with 100 evening courses offered at Scottsdale High School. More than 1,000 students are expected to enroll. -
SCC's Perminent Location Opens
Scottsdale Community College begins classes at its permanent site with portable buildings. -
Nights Surpass Days
Fall enrollment shows 19,864 night to 17,229 daytime students across Glendale, Maricopa Tech, Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale Community Colleges. -
Skill Center Recognized
The Maricopa Skill Center is recognized as one of the top five skill centers in the nation. -
Scottsdale Adopts The Artichokes
An important part of the college’s history is encapsulated in its mascot—the Artichoke. Born during a period of student unrest in the early 1970s, Artie the Artichoke was adopted as the school’s mascot to express a difference of opinion concerning budget priorities between students and administration. Originally intended to be a source of embarrassment, Artie has been embraced by students, athletes, staff, and the community as a beloved character. -
Phoenix College Grows
Phoenix College grows to 18 permanent buildings & 6 portable buildings on 55 acres of land. -
MCCD Foundation Is Formed
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is formed to actively seek contributions from public and private sources. -
Rio Saldo Extends
Rio Salado leases 180 facilities throughout Maricopa County, making it a valley-wide college. -
Rio Salado Established
The Governing Board approves the development of Rio Salado College as its sixth college. Walter Morrison is appointed as Provost. -
SMCC Approved
South Mountain Community College was created by the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board on April 16, 1978. -
South Mountain CC Breaks Ground
Groundbreaking ceremony is held for South Mountain Community College. -
Scottsdale CC Accredited
Scottsdale Community College earns first accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. -
SMCC Dedicated
The dedication of South Mountain Community College was celebrated November 6. In attendance were Chancellor Elsner and the president of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. -
Rio Salado Accredited
Receives five-year accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the maximum possible for a new institution. -
Paradise Valley Resident Seek A Community College Of Their Own
Incorporated in 1961, Residents of the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley vie for their own area community college. -
Gateway Gets Permanent Location
GateWay Community College, formerly known as Maricopa Tech, begins classes at its permanent facility at 108 N. 40th Street. -
Development Of PVCC Approved
The Governing Board approves the development of Paradise Valley Community College. -
PVCC Graoundbreaking
The ground breaking ceremony is held at 32nd Street and Union Hills dedicating the Northeast Valley Education Center, which is renamed Paradise Valley Community College -
First Classes At Paradise Valley, Glendale
Paradise Valley Community College classes begin an extension of SCC and Chandler-Gilbert Community College begins offering classes as an extension of MCC. -
CGCC Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking is held for Chandler-Gilbert Community College's Pecos Road Campus in Chandler. -
25th Anniversary of MCCD
The Maricopa Community Colleges celebrate their 25th anniversary as a district. -
PVCC Campus Opens
PVCC classes open at the 32nd Street & Union Hills campus. the campus is comprised of ten buildings totaling 175,000 sq. ft. and a 100 station computer lab -
CGCC Campus Opens
Chandler Gilbert Community College opens their new 50,000 square foot campus featuring instructional facilities, classrooms, offices, a child care center, learning resources center, computer and sciencs labs, a cafeteria and an exercise room. -
Maricopa Skill Center Moves
The Maricopa Skill Center begins classes at its permanent 40th Street location. -
First Classes Offered For Estrella Mountain
First classes for Estrella Mountain Community College are offered at the following High Schools: Tolleson Union, Agua Fria Union, Westview, and Buckeye. -
US News and World Report Article
U.S. News & World Report contains an article about the Maricopa County Community College District. “Enrolling some 177,000 full-time students on its 10 campuses, the Maricopa system has become the model for community involvement – launching programs to aid everything from literacy to small business start-ups. During the past five years, the District has developed 350 customized employee-training programs for local businesses and government.” -
Estrella Mountain Campus Opens
The Maricopa County Community College District opens Estrella Mountain Community College center in Avondale. The campus operates as a satellite location of Glendale Community College. -
Phoenix College Turns 75
Phoenix College celebrates it's 75th anniversary. -
Estrella Mountain opens Southwest Skill Center
Located on the EMCC Avondale campus, the SouthWest Skill Center has provided more than 3,000 students with high quality short-term training programs for immediate job entry into skilled professions. -
Glendale Community College North Opens
Glendale Community College North (GCC North or GCCN) opens as an extension of Glendale Community College on Happy Valley Road, between 57th and 61st Avenues. -
Mesa CC Opens Red Mountain Campus
Mesa Community College at Red Mountain opens with a fall 2001 enrollment of 2,462. -
80 Acres Purchased For Estrella Mountain
As part of the 2004 Bond Program, Estrella Mountain Community College purchases 80 acres of land in Buckeye to serve as a future campus site. -
Rio Avondale Opens
Construction of the 12,170 sq. ft. Rio Salado College Avondale (420 N. Central Ave) is completed. The building includes a testing center, computer lab, meeting space and classrooms dedicated to adult education. -
MCCCD And ASU Expand Transfer Partnership
Leaders of the Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University sign an agreement that provides for smoother transfers of thousands of students from the community colleges through the MAPP program with 100+ majors eligible. -
MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES & UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SIGN NEW AGREEMENT TO MAKE STUDENT TRANSFER EASIER
Leaders of the Maricopa Community Colleges and the University of Arizona sign agreement allowing collaboration on programs easing Maricopa student transfer to UA. -
EMCC Reaccredited
Estrella Mountain Community College receives notification from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) that the college's accreditation has been continued.