Profile

January, 1996

Source: Phoenix College NCA Self-Study Report

Phoenix College is older than General Mills, older than the Book-of-the-Month Club and the Museum of Modern Art, even older than the Milky Way (candy bar). When its first student body, all eighteen of them, came to this college 75 years ago, they found teachers, administrators, and staff who were dedicated to providing equal access to quality education for every student who entered its doors. That dedication has never wavered.

The Phoenix Union High School District established Phoenix Junior College in 1920. It was housed on the high school campus in a couple of one room cottages and was staffed by two instructors. Tuition was free. The first graduating class (1922) included four men and one woman. The next had twelve men and seven women. The college is proud that it has never been racially exclusive or segregated. Even in troubled times of war and protest, it remained devoted to its goal of providing access to quality education for all comers. In 1962, the college became part of the Maricopa County Junior College District (later renamed the Maricopa County Community College District), which now includes ten colleges and one education center.

After several moves and much expansion, the college came to its present location at 15th Avenue and Thomas Road in 1939. The 52 acre campus has 25 buildings, athletic fields, tennis courts, mature landscaping, and the redbrick, ivy-laden atmosphere of the quintessential college.

Phoenix College is a comprehensive, urban community college. It offers AA, AAS, and AGS degrees and certificates in academic and occupational areas, as well as many credit and noncredit courses for personal enrichment. Serving students from a wide variety of economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds, it provides student support services and programs designed to meet the special needs of its diverse community. Headcount enrollment is approximately 12,000 students each semester. A highly qualified faculty, along with dedicated professional staff and administrators, maintain Phoenix College's reputation as an excellent, student-centered college. It is recognized nationally for its programs in gerontology, dental hygiene, fire science, emergency medical technology, mathematics, art, graphic design, creative writing, and administration of justice. Classes are small and tuition is a reasonable $46 per credit hour. A high percentage of the Valley's population has attended classes or participated in activities at Phoenix College. We are proud of our place in the heart of the city.

In November, 1994, the voters of Maricopa County demonstrated their commitment to the Maricopa Community Colleges by approving a major bond which will result in new buildings, major rehabilitation of facilities, and systems upgrades.

The Valley of the Sun

Phoenix, Arizona's capital, could be described as the buckle on the sun belt. The sixth largest city in the United States, its population increased from 789,704 in 1980 to 1,051,515 in 1994. Maricopa County's population increased from 1,509,175 in 1980 to 2,355,900 in 1994 (Source: Arizona Department of Commerce).

The metropolitan area has a mix of flavors from the Old West to futuristic. The diversity of cultures here includes a large Hispanic population and strong Native American influences, as well as a large retirement community and new arrivals still seeking the American Dream on a new Frontier.

Phoenix and its surrounding area are enjoying an economic boom, spurred by feverish new housing and construction, a strong electronics industry and world-class tourism. Many corporations have their national headquarters here, including Phelps Dodge, Dial, Circle K, Aztar, and UHaul. Other large employers are Honeywell and Motorola.

The metropolitan area offers many cultural and recreational resources including nationally reknowned theater and symphony, museums, professional sports teams, and an extensive system of desert and mountain parks.

Phoenix College serves a diverse, growing community from a wide geographic area. Although the majority of our students come from the urban area immediately surrounding the college, we also draw students from throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond because of our reputation for excellence and because some programs within the District are offered only on the Phoenix College campus.

updated 7/31/02