The Art Barn - Organizational Background
History and Accomplishments
The beginning of the College was modest. As the result of the vision of leaders in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and our own Montgomery County Commissioners, Montgomery County Community College opened our doors to the first 558 students in 1966. Few would have been bold enough to predict the growth or achievement to come.
The impact on the lives of our students and the surrounding community has been nothing short of dramatic. Our graduates, 70 percent of whom continue to live and work in the County, are productive and informed citizens and workers, able to respond to continuing economic and social changes within our growing County. We offer 82 degree and certificate programs in 46 areas of study. A recent economic impact study reported that the College has an economic impact of $174 million on the local economy. All the while, enrollment has been growing - 29 percent overall in the last five years - and is now more than 30,000 (credit and non-credit at all campuses and on-line). Montgomery County Community College is one of the most successful of the 1,186 community colleges around the country, which today enroll 45% of all the country's undergraduates. These colleges have been an important agent for change in American society, offering quality and affordable education, workforce training and opportunities for personal growth to all who have the desire to improve themselves. This access to education is an important factor in our country's continuing global leadership and in our county's success as a dynamic economic powerhouse.
