Monroe Community College is a two-year college of the State University of New York, located in Monroe County, New York. The college has two campuses; the main campus in the town of Brighton, and the Downtown Campus in the City of Rochester. The college also has off-site learning at the Applied Technologies Center, Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility, extension sites in East Rochester, Greece, Spencerport and Webster and online.
History
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The origins of what became known as Monroe Community College begin in 1960, when a well-known local physician, Dr. Samuel J. Stabins (1901 - 1989) recognized the need to prepare students to work in hospitals and health care facilities. In 1961, MCC became part of the SUNY system, and its program offerings were expanded to prepare graduates for employment, or transfer to a four-year institution. Initially, the college was lodged in East High School located at 410 Alexander Street. The location was condemned by the city as a fire hazard, which forced the school to make renovations. On September 9, 1962, the original campus re-opened with the first class of 720 students.
Three years later in June 1965, MCC became the first college in the nation to receive accreditation within three years of its founding. Due to increasing enrollment, the college overflowed its first location's capacity. In 1968, the college moved to its present main campus on East Henrietta Road in Brighton. In 1991, the college announced plans for a second campus to serve a steady influx of students. The Damon City Campus, named in honor of longtime Trustee E. Kent Damon, opened its doors the following year in downtown Rochester, and educates students in law, criminal justice, human services and K-12 teaching.
As of 2010, MCC has served more than a quarter of a million people. Within the past several years MCC has welcomed the additions of the Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Center for Excellence in Nursing, and the PAC fitness and recreational facility to help meet evolving educational needs of people throughout our region.
Campuses
MCC occupies two campuses: the 314 acres (127Â ha) main campus on 1000 East Henrietta Road in the Town of Brighton, New York and the Downtown Campus on 321 State Street near Frontier Field and Kodak Tower. MCC also offers classes at the Applied Technologies Center on West Henrietta Road which includes automotive technologies, heating/cooling ventilation, and precision tooling and machinery. In addition, they train law enforcement, fire safety, and emergency medical services personnel at the county Public Safety Training Facility.
Organization and administration
President: Dr. Anne M. Kress
- Provost/Vice President of Academic Services: Dr. Andrea C. Wade
- Vice President of Administrative Services: Mr. Hezekiah N. Simmons
- Vice President for Economic Development & Innovative Workforce Services: Mr. Todd Oldham
- Vice President of Student Services: Dr. Lloyd Holmes
Academic profile
Today, Monroe Community College hosts a diverse student body and offers 83 degree and certification programs.
Of the approximately 41,000 students who take classes through Monroe Community College annually, more than 65 percent are under 25 years old, and more than half are women. The majority of students are enrolled in certificate and degree programs. In addition, the college trains the area's workforce through open enrollment and corporate training programs, serving small to mid-size employers such as Melles Griot and large employers including Kodak and Xerox.
Many students opt to take a "2+2" transfer program, in which they enroll in a program to earn their associate degree in two years with the intent of transferring to a college or university â€" primarily the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Saint John Fisher College, Roberts Wesleyan College, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, Nazareth College, or the Eastman School of Music â€" to complete a bachelor's degree.
Graduates of MCC have moved on to more than 100 different schools. In 2005, 2,680 people graduated from the college. Of those who transferred to another college, 62 percent chose one of the region's four-year colleges and universities. Of those graduates who enrolled at MCC to prepare for a career, 89 percent stayed in the greater Rochester area and found work in many local industries.
Student life
Students maintain a regular newspaper, The Monroe Doctrine, which includes both a bi-weekly print version and an online version which can be accessed at [1]. The radio station (closed circuit/web feed only) is also student operated and there are 57 student clubs and organizations for students to participate in.
The Student Association, of which all currently enrolled student life fee-paying students are members, is governed by the Brighton Campus Student Government Association (SGA) and the Damon Campus Student Events and Governance Association (SEGA). These governing bodies promote the general welfare of the student body, provide programs of educational value to the college community and promote, within the college, a spirit of harmony among students, administration, staff and faculty. These two governing bodies work closely together to actively engage students from both campuses in the life of MCC.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is the events organization at MCC. The CAB sponsors on-campus activities such as Freestyle Fridays, Fall Fest and Spring Fling. CAB also brings in Guest Speakers to present on various current issues facing students.
Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, has a chapter on the MCC campus. Alpha Theta Iota helps connect students to campus activities and scholarship opportunities available to Phi Theta Kappa members. The chapter also participates in the Honors in Action Study Topic and the College Project to remain a 5-star chapter.
MCC offers smart classrooms, interactive videoconferencing capabilities, eight electronic learning centers (the largest of which has 100+ workstations), the Warshof Conference Center (open to the public), dental clinic, fitness and dance studios, a new synthetic turf field, and a variety of dining and restaurant options on campus. Brighton Campus is one of the few college campuses that is nearly completely enclosed. The Brighton Campus, along with the Applied Technologies Center on West Henrietta Road and the Downtown Campus is completely wireless. In 2008, a 56,000 sq ft (5,200 m2). athletics facility â€" the PAC Center â€" was added to the Brighton Campus.
Unlike most U.S. community colleges, MCC provides residence halls for on-campus living. In 2003, the Alice Holloway Young Residence Halls opened on the Brighton Campus. Today, four more buildings have been added: Alexander Hall, Canal Hall, Pioneer Hall, and Tribune Hall. Each housing facility is equipped with modern technology services and has a strong sense of community.
Community programs
In addition to academics, MCC supports programming that provides solutions to community needs. They provide a G.E.D program, a support network for parents and infants called 292-BABY, and an AmeriCorps program called Rochester AmeriCorps.
Sport
The college athletic teams are nicknamed the Tribunes.
Notable people
Alumni
- Kelly Brannigan, model (Deal or No Deal)
- Robert Duffy (1988), Mayor of the City of Rochester, Lieutenant Governor of New York
- Chris Economides, founding partner, Rochester Rhinos; currently managing partner of the Carolina Railhawks
- Lou Gramm (1971), former lead singer of Foreigner
- Travis McCoy, lead singer of Gym Class Heroes
- Paul Overacker, Hollywood film and television director
- Tim Redding, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Dave Sarachan, assistant coach, LA Galaxy; former head coach, Chicago Fire, and U.S. soccer player
- Jeff Sluman (1976), professional golfer
- Cathy Turner (1984), Olympic gold medalist
Faculty
- Otis Young, actor; former assistant professor of Communications and head of the Drama Department at MCC.
References
External links
- Official website