In the 1960s, residents of Johnson County began to seriously consider the
creation of a local college. The area had a rapidly growing population and
a good school system from which a local college could draw students, and it
was hard to ignore the community college movement emerging in California,
Florida, Illinois and Texas. The idea was not unopposed, however; some
residents felt the county didn't need to assume the increased expenses of
maintaining a college.
Then, in June 1963, the nation's leading experts in community college
education gathered in Kansas City for the Midwest Junior College
Conference to discuss the potential of community colleges in the U.S.
Residents in Kansas City, Mo., were considering forming a large district
that would probably include three community colleges. The movement was
hard to resist.
Across the state line, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
formed a committee of 18 residents to study the feasibility of a community
college for Johnson County. The chairman of that committee was Dr. Wilbur
T. Billington, a prominent banker with the Kansas City Federal Reserve
Bank and a member of the board of education of one of the local school
districts. With the help of the League of Women Voters and the American
Association of University Women, the feasibility committee conducted a
county-wide needs assessment that demonstrated a greater need for a local
college than had heretofore been suspected. The committee began to build
the case for a community college in Johnson County.
A citizens action committee was mobilized to implement the recommendation
of the feasibility committee. A petition signed by all school boards in
the county requested the formation of a community junior college district
to be governed by six trustees elected at large. Johnson County Community
College became the first new college recommended for creation under the
Kansas Community Junior College Act of 1965. A special county-wide
election was held in March 1967, and the proposed community college was
approved by a 3-1 majority. The district was formally established in June
1967, and voters were asked to elect college trustees in September.
Thirty-six people filed for the election. Among the six elected to the new
board was Dr. Wilbur Billington.
In 1968, the board obtained a "no-fund warrant" to provide for interim
financing until the first tax levy could be established. The board also
selected the first president for the college, identified the site that
would eventually become the permanent campus and developed the first
mission statement for the college.
In 1969, county residents voted approval of $12.9 million in general
obligation bonds to purchase more than 200 acres in Overland Park, which
would turn the idea for a college campus into a reality. In the meantime,
the first JCCC classes were conducted in leased facilities in Merriam that
fall. Initial enrollment was 1,380 students.
Three years later, in the fall of 1972, classes and all operations were
moved to the permanent campus at College Boulevard and Quivira Road.
Nearly 100 full-time faculty members were teaching more than 3,600
students.
Over the years, JCCC has continued to expand its student enrollment,
instructional program, faculty and staff, and physical facilities to meet
the needs of the community. Today, more than 18,000 credit students and
about 15,000 continuing education students enroll at JCCC each semester.
Full-time faculty and staff number approximately 875, with another 1,800
people working part time. A full range of undergraduate credit courses is
available, forming the first two years of most college curricula. In
addition, more than 50 one- and two-year career and certificate programs
are offered to prepare students to enter the job market in high employment
fields.
JCCC has become the state's third-largest institution of higher education,
the largest of its 19 community colleges and a member of the League for
Innovation in the Community College.
JCCC Through the Years
1963
Johnson County Commissioners appoint a citizens committee to perform a
feasibility study of the need for a two-year community college in the
county. The committee unanimously recommends that such a college be
established.
1967
Voters approve the creation of a junior college district in Johnson County
by nearly a 3-1 margin and elect the first board of trustees: Maxine
Allen, Dr. Wilbur Billington, Ellen Laner, John Robinson, Dr. O. Dale
Smith and
Dr. Hugh Speer.
1968
Dr. Robert G. Harris becomes the first president of JCCC.
A site, located at 111th Street (later known as College Boulevard) and
Quivira Road, is selected by the board of trustees for construction of a
permanent campus.
1969
Ben Craig is appointed by the board as the chairman of a citizens committee
for a bond campaign.
Voters approve 2-1 a $12.9 million bond issue to buy and build a permanent
campus on the present site.
The college is granted correspondent status by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools.
On Sept. 4, classes open on the temporary campus headquartered at Merriam
Elementary School at 57th Street and Merriam Drive.
On Sept. 11, the college announces it cannot accept any more students - all
classes are filled. Final enrollment is 1,380.
1970
Construction begins on the new campus at College Boulevard and Quivira
Road.
JCCC holds its first graduation ceremonies at the Glenwood Theater.
JCCC holds its first summer session.
1972
The college is granted recognized candidate status by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools.
Classes begin on the new campus. Six buildings compose the original campus:
the Commons, the Educational Media Center, the Science Building, the
General Education Building, the Campus Services Building and the
Gymnasium. Nearly 100 full-time faculty teach more than 3,600 students in
credit transfer and career programs.
1973
The Johnson County Community College Foundation is formed.
The college is fully accredited by the Kansas State Department of
Education.
1975
Dr. John E. Cleek becomes the second president of JCCC.
JCCC is granted accreditation from the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools.
1977
The world's only four-year college for the deaf, Gallaudet College,
establishes its first Regional Extension Center on campus to serve the
hearing impaired in a five-state region.
1978
JCCC becomes a member of the League for Innovation in the Community
College.
1980
The college's accreditation is continued by the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools.
1981
Dr. Charles J. Carlsen becomes the third president of JCCC.
The new Arts and Technology Building opens for classes.
1983
The "Kansans," the original name of JCCC's teams, become the "Cavaliers."
The board approves the name change for JCCC teams following a campus-wide
referendum conducted by the Student Senate.
JCCC creates the Business and Industry Institute to provide professional
development and job training for area businesses.
1984
The board authorizes the college to join area school districts in applying
for a cooperative Johnson County Area Vocational Technical School.
The college's eighth building, the Office and Classroom Building, is
dedicated.
1985
The Small Business Administration funds JCCC's Small Business Development
Center to provide training and counseling services to area small
businesses.
JCCC sponsors Project Finish, which conducts literacy programs for adults
living in Johnson County who have less than a high school education.
1986
JCCC receives the maximum 10-year accreditation from the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools.
1987
The first Some Enchanted Evening, a gala fund raiser sponsored by the JCCC
Foundation, is held to support scholarships at the college.
1988
JCCC enters into a unique agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway and builds the Industrial Technical Center on campus to house
BNSF's national training programs and provide significant additional
office and classroom space for the college.
1990
JCCC dedicates The Children's Center, a separate structure built to house
JCCC's child-care operation. The center can accommodate 80 children at a
time; it is open to the children of students, faculty and staff.
The Cultural Education Center, a $21 million arts complex, opens. The
structure houses a 1,250-seat theater, Yardley Hall; a 400-seat theater; a
recital hall; a Black Box Theatre for student performances; a gallery of
art; and classrooms and offices for JCCC's continuing education programs.
1993
A new Classroom Laboratory Building is dedicated. The CLB houses science
labs, math classrooms and faculty offices. New construction more than
doubles the size of the ITC, shared by Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway and JCCC. The college opens a new Welding Lab Building just behind
ATB.
1995
The board of trustees asks voters to approve a $72.3 million bond issue
that would cover the costs of three new buildings, needed to accommodate
growing enrollment, and the acquisition of new technology. After an
unexpected increase in property tax assessments, the voters say "no."
JCCC agrees to assume responsibility for postsecondary vocational education
in Johnson County. The local school districts enter into an interlocal
agreement to develop secondary programming as part of the newly created
JCTEC.
1996
JCCC again receives the maximum 10-year accreditation from the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1997
JCCC opens a new facility at West Park Center, 87th and Farley, offering
continuing education classes in computer applications and information
technology.
JCCC establishes its first intensive, academic English-as-a-second-language
program, The Intensive English Program, for learners who desire to improve
and strengthen their English proficiency and cultural understanding for
academic, career-enhancing, or personal success.
1998
Rolling Stone magazine names JCCC as one of the "most respected" community
colleges in the country.
The Cultural Education Center is renamed the Carlsen Center in honor of
JCCC's third president, Charles J. Carlsen.
1999
The Kansas Senate passes Senate Bill 345, placing all of the state's
community colleges under the coordination of the Kansas Board of Regents.
2000
The Student Center opens, housing JCCC's student services, including
counseling, admissions, registration, student activities, testing services
and financial aid, as well as a new bookstore and dining services.
The Business and Industry Institute becomes the Center for Business and
Technology. To better reflect its range of programs, the new name
exchanges "institute," which carried a limited connotation of business
classes, for "center," which represents the center's role as a broad-based
central business resource.
2001
The Educational Media Center is renamed the Billington Library in honor of
one of the college's founders, Dr. Wilbur Billington.
JCCC opens an expansion to the Gymnasium, housing a classroom and locker
rooms needed for physical education classes, a larger fitness center, a
six-lane track, and basketball and volleyball courts.
The Police Academy opens, built through a partnership between JCCC and the
Johnson County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association. The academy trains
full-time officers employed by more than 30 law enforcement agencies,
primarily in northeastern Kansas.
The Horticultural Science Center opens, housing state-of-the-art
greenhouses, a plant propagation room, a head house and a classroom.
2002
JCCC opens classrooms at Mission Center Mall, Johnson Drive and Roe.
2003
JCCC wins the Kansas Excellence Award, the third and highest level of
recognition for quality given by the Kansas Award for Excellence
Foundation.
The Children’s Center was renamed the Hiersteiner Child Development Center
in honor of benefactors Jean and Walter Hiersteiner.
2004
The Parking Garage at Galileo's Garden opens.
2005
JCCC qualifies for the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) for
maintaining accreditation through the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools.
2006
JCCC maintains accreditation through the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools.
Dr. Charles J. Carlsen retires. Dr. Larry W. Tyree becomes JCCC's interim
president.
2007
JCCC maintains accreditation through the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools.
Dr. Terry Calaway becomes JCCC's fifth president.
The Arts and Technology Building is expanded to include four new automotive
bays.
The Regnier Center opens. The Regnier Center houses the Center for Business
and Technology, an entrepreneurship center, a biotechnology lab, and credit
and noncredit classes in computer applications, information technology and
interactive media.
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art opens. The museum houses galleries to
display changing exhibits and the college’s permanent collection, the
Hudson Auditorium and Cafe Tempo.
2008
The college opens a Healthcare Simulation Center in CLB and unveils “Oral
Health on Wheels,” a 40-foot mobile dental clinic.
The board of trustees approves the establishment of a campus police
department. The college issues firearms to those officers who are Kansas
peace officer standards and training (POST) certified.
Program History
1969
JCCC first opens its doors, offering courses in aviation (eliminated in
1975), biology, business administration, business office technology,
chemistry, English, foreign language, history, marketing and management,
mathematics, physical science, physical education, physics, political
science, psychology, sociology and speech, as well as audiovisual and
library services. Over the years, degree and certificate programs, as well
as support services, are added to the curriculum.
1971
Academic Achievement Center
Administration of Justice
Fashion Merchandising
Nursing
1972
Dental Hygiene
Police Academy
Television Services
1975
Anthropology
Communication Design
1976
Fire Science
1977
Accounting
Computer Information Systems
Drafting Technology
Electronics Technology
Food and Beverage Management
Paralegal
1978
Emergency Medical Science
Equine Studies (eliminated in 1984)
Journalism and Media Communications
1979
Writing Center
1980
International Education
Interpreter Training
Quick Step
1981
Automotive Technology
Chef Apprenticeship
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Hotel/Motel Management
Interior Merchandising
1983
Business and Industry Institute (renamed the Center for Business and
Technology in 2000)
Center for Continuing Health Education (renamed the Center for
Professional Education in 1986, merged with the Center for Business and
Technology in 2003)
Civil Engineering Technology
Small Business Development Center
1984
College Now
Metal Fabrication Technology
1985
Administrative Assistant
Personal Computer Applications
1987
Respiratory Care
1990
Science Technology
Technical College Preparation
1991
Educational Technology Center
Language Resource Center
1992
Entrepreneurship
1993
Construction Management
1994
Electrical Technology
1995
Railroad Electronics
Railroad Operations
1996
Cosmetology, Esthetics and Nail Technology
Health Occupations
1997
Information Technology
Intensive English Program
1998
College Close to Home
Early Childhood Education
Interior Design
Interior Entrepreneurship
1999
Interactive Media
Legal Nurse Consulting
On Your Site
2000
Career and Technical Academy
2001
Biotechnology
Fashion Design
Horticulture
2002
Power Plant Technology
2003
Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
2004
English for Academic Purposes
2006
Animation
Game Development
2007
Education
2008
Floriculture
Sustainable Agriculture
