Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College
Established	1954
Type	Community college
Location	Warren, Michigan, Clinton Township, Michigan, USA
Website	www.macomb.edu

Macomb Community College is a community college with several locations in Michigan. Its headquarters are in Warren.

History

The Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction approved the establishment of South Macomb Community College as an extension of the traditional K-12 system in the Van Dyke Public School District on May 22, 1953. Through assistance from faculty and administrators at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, curriculum and a catalog were developed.

Classes officially began at South Macomb Community College on September 16, 1954 with 84 students in Lincoln High School. On August 7, 1962, Macomb County voters approved the creation of the Community College District of the County of Macomb and authorized a one-mil property tax to support its operation. Commonly known as Macomb County Community College (MCCC), the institution took form and began offering classes under the governance of its own elected Board of Trustees. Robert selected as the college's first president in 1963, and land was subsequently purchased in Warren and Clinton Township for two campus sites.

In September 1965, the first three classroom and administrative buildings opened on South Campus, located in Warren. In September 1968, the first classroom and administrative buildings were opened on Center Campus, located in Clinton Township. A third campus site was purchased in Ray Township, but the property was subsequently sold to the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) to be used as a site for a Park.

On July 1, 2008, Dr. Jim Jacobs became the college's fifth president, succeeding Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo, who had served as college president since July 1979. At the time of his appointment, Jacobs had been affiliated with the college for approximately 40 years, first as an instructor and later serving in a variety of administrative positions.

Although its legal name remains the same, the Board of Trustees shortened its popular name to Macomb Community College in 1981.

In 1982, the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts opened on Center Campus. The Macomb Center presently brings a diversity of cultural arts experiences to nearly 260,000 individuals annually. Building on its already strong commitment to provide meaningful enrichment programs for the residents of Macomb County, Macomb Community College introduced the new Macomb Cultural Center in September 2006. Adjacent to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, the new cultural center creates a unique opportunity for residents to be educated, entertained and celebrate the influences and experiences that shape our heritage. In 2007, the name of the cultural center was changed to the Lorenzo Cultural Center in honor of retiring president Al Lorenzo.

In 1986, the college undertook a feasibility study which showed Macomb County residents they were lagging behind their neighbors in Oakland and Wayne counties in both bachelor's degrees and annual salaries earned. This survey led to the passing of a millage in 1988 to establish Macomb's University Center at its Center Campus. On August 26, 1991, the first classes leading to a bachelor's degree were offered at the University Center. The first of its kind in the country, the University Center model is now replicated on dozens of community college campuses. Currently, the Macomb University Center accommodates eight senior partner institutions, houses the Professional Development Center, and the Engineering and Technology Center (UCII), built for higher-level engineering courses. UC III is currently under construction and is scheduled to open fall 2007.

In 1996, Macomb opened its Fire and Emergency Services Training Center near the County Government complex just north of Mount Clemens. Further expansion in 2003 has created a comprehensive Public Service Institute. for training emergency first responders from across the nation. With the purchase of additional land and further expansion slated for completion in 2007, the Board of Trustees designated the site as the College's East Campus in January 2006.

In 1999, Macomb Community College was awarded a $5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to build one of the state's 16 Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TEC). Opened in 2002, the M-TEC has become the headquarters for the Workforce Development Institute. It is located in Warren, only a half mile from the General Motors Technical Center and the U.S. Army TACOM facility.

The Physical Education Center on South Campus was also renovated in 1999, reopening as the Sports & Expo Center. The only expo space in Macomb County, this 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m²) facility meets the needs of the physical education and athletic programs along with playing host to community events and special interest shows that serve more than 100,000 community members each year.

Each semester at Macomb more than 27,000 students take degree, community education, and professional development classes at locations throughout the county. Three out of four college-bound seniors in the county attend Macomb within five years of their high school graduation. More than 2,700 students work toward completing their bachelor's or master's degree at Macomb's University Center. More than 100,000 Macomb alumni currently reside in southeastern Michigan. Annually, Macomb reaches more than 325,000 individuals of all ages through classes, training and performances at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts; family and athletic events at the college's Sports & Expo Center; and other special events hosted by the college. Nearly $10.5 million is awarded to Macomb students each year for degree-credit coursework through financial aid programs and Macomb's private scholarships.

Macomb Community College's South Campus is networked with a series of underground tunnels that are used by faculty and staff, especially during winter. For safety reasons and to prevent theft and/or destruction of college property, students are not allowed in the tunnels.

Macomb Community College, South Campus, 12 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088-3896.

Ongoing Developments

Beginning in the fall of 2008 Wayne State University has offered upper level engineering classes at the Macomb Community College South Campus. They plan to increase the courses offered in 2009.

In June 2009, Macomb Community College became the seventh college in Michigan to be a part of Achieving the Dream, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the success of non-Caucasian, low-income students, and under-prepared students.

Locations

South Campus 14500 E. 12 Mile Road Warren, MI 48088-3896

Center Campus 44575 Garfield Road Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139

University Center 44575 Garfield Road Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139

East Campus 21901 Dunham Road Clinton Township, MI 48036-1025

Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) 7900 Tank Avenue Warren, MI 48092-3936

At one point there was also a Fraser Campus, but this has been relocated to other locations.

Notable alumni

• Richard J. Notte, Mayor of Sterling Heights, Michigan
• Thomas Ligotti, Author of Horror Fiction

External links

• Macomb Community College
• Macomb College Online