Johnston Community College (JCC) is a two-year post-secondary
institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The main campus sits on 175
acres of beautiful mature landscape and has the opportunity to grow its campus
for many years. Before coming JCC, the institution
name had been changed twice in the history of the school. The original name in
1969 was Johnston County Technical Institute.
In 1971 they change the name to Johnston Technical Institute. Then in 1987 the Board of Commissioners changed
the school to Johnston Community College as it is known as of today.
JCC open their doors in 1969 after a long study done
by the request of the Chamber of Commerce in Johnston County. They concluded that Johnston County and the
neighboring counties needed a post-secondary educational institution. JCC
became the 51st institution in the North Carolina Community College
System. This institution would give the
local and neighboring counties the opportunity to continue their education after
high school or receive special vocational training. JCC became an asset for
this rural community; it helped the local economy and in return provided
excellent skilled employees.
Today, JCC is currently serving 4,216 students
annually in its credit and on-credit programs. JCC offers curriculum programs
in: College transfer, General education, Occupational/technical/career
programs, Middle/early College. They also offer many
continuing education programs; Basic skills, Business/industry/work related,
Computer related, Health and emergency services, Personal enrichment/safety, and
Small BusinessWith the continuing
growth JCC has added four off-campus centers Cleveland Center in Clayton, NC., Howell
Woods in Four Oaks, NC., Workforce Development Center in Clayton, NC., and
Kenly Center in Kenly, NC. Each of these
centers holds various educations and seminar classes for the students and local
businesses in the surrounding area of North Carolina.
Not
only do they focus on education by they are the home of the Jaguars. They
currently have three intercollegiate sports, Men's basketball, Women's
volleyball, Men's and women's golf and are part of the National Junior College
Athletic Association.
Mission
Statement
JCC has always been an open-door institution. They strive to be an effective, accountable
institution that is responsive in the changing needs of the local, regional,
and global community. JCC primary
mission is to assist all adults in achieving the highest quality of education
and to prepare them for future growth and employment opportunities.
General History and Growth of JCC
- March, 1967, is when the Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to study the need for a post-secondary education institution for Johnston County.
- September, 1969, the opening of Johnston County Technical Institute. The first year enrollment was 500 students for the 29 evening courses
- December, 1969, Adult high school classes and new industry training programs.
- June, 1970, General Office Technology was the Institute's first full-time program.
- August, 1970, was the first year of Adult High School graduation.
- September, 1970, Veterans Farm Cooperative training program started.
- January, 1971, Johnston County Technical Institute name was changed to Johnston Technical Institute.
- September 1976, students began classes on the new campus which is the current location of JCC
- July, 1977, became fully accredited by the North Carolina State Board of Education.
- December, 1977, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
- June 2, 1980, Johnston Technical Institute was changed to Johnston Technical College.
- January, 1981, enrollment exceeded 2,500 full-time students.
- August, 1983, North Carolina Truck Driver Training School, the oldest publicly operated program of its kind in the nation.
- August, 1987, the name of Johnston Technical College to Johnston Community College.
- November, 1999, the citizens passed a $3 million construction bond for a physical education building.
- November, 2001, the State of North Carolina passed a $3.1 billion bond referendum (the largest in the history of the United States) for the state's community colleges and universities. Johnston Community College received $10.2 million for new construction and renovations.
- JCC has only had three presidents since the door open in 1976
This
time line is a great example on showing you how much JCC has grown over the
last forty years. With this much
accomplishment in the education system what will JCC look like in another forty
years?
