Short History
Glendale Community College (GCC) keeps pace with the constant growth of the West Valley, offering increased breadth and depth of educational opportunity. Each year, more than 40,000 students enroll in dozens of courses and degree and certificate programs at one of three GCC locations, making the College's enrollment the second largest in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). More than 319,000 students have completed associate degrees, certificate programs, industry-specific training and university transfer courses.
Created in 1962 with one college, the MCCCD currently consists of ten separately accredited colleges. Currently MCCCD is the largest community college district in the United States. On April 12, 1965, GCC was established by the Governing Board as the second MCCCD college, and charged with serving the higher educational needs of the West Valley. In August 1967, the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools first accredited GCC as an individual college. Accreditation continues today through The Higher Learning Commission / North Central Association and includes GCC main campus, GCC North and the GCC-ASU Partnership at the West Campus (formerly University-College Center).
GCC
Located at 59th and Olive Avenues, the GCC main campus spans 147 acres and serves as a focal point for diverse community activities. The College offers a friendly, welcoming environment for learning. During GCC's inaugural fall semester in 1965, 2,000 students enrolled in classes held at two temporary locations. September 16, 1966, brought the first day of classes to the present beautiful, palm tree-lined campus. A dynamic, future-oriented Facilities Master Plan guides the ongoing development of GCC main campus to accommodate the changing needs and interests of thousands more students and community members. Planning is underway for two new classroom buildings and multiple renovation projects as a result of the citizen-approved 2004 bond.
GCC North
GCC has grown with the communities it serves and reaches out aggressively to where students live. A good example is the GCC North extension at 57th Avenue and Happy Valley Road. GCC North opened in fall 2000 with 839 students and in fall 2004 exceeded 2,500 students. GCC North, created to meet higher education needs in the Northwest Valley, offers a variety of courses and programs.
GCC North is also home to the Northwest Education Center (NEC), a career pathway program for high school juniors and seniors from the Deer Valley Unified School District.
GCC North is projected to enroll 7,950 students annually by 2014. In preparation for this growth, GCC North's Facilities Master Plan includes expanding facilities to include a new classroom building and a student services building. Funding for expanded facilities will come from the citizen-approved 2004 bond.
