Carroll Community College, located on an 80-acre campus 30 miles northwest of Baltimore County, began as a branch of Catonsville Community College in 1975, one year after the Commissioners of Carroll County appointed a special citizens' committee to recommend higher education alternatives for the county.
In September 1976, Carroll offered its first schedule of classes in a vacant elementary school in Westminster. More than 700 full-time and part-time students enrolled that year. Two years later, building sites were evaluated for possible expansion.
In 1979, the county purchased a site on Washington Road. Prior to a groundbreaking ceremony at that site in October 1985, the college utilized other educational facilities in the vicinity, including the East End Elementary School and the North Center Street Building, which was originally a center for exceptional children.
In 1993, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Carroll Community College as a two-year community college, giving it degree-granting status. In July 1993, the school became Maryland's 18th community college. In May 1994, it celebrated its first class graduation.
In the first building phase, an Academic/Administration Building was built in 1990. The college's newfound visibility at its new location contributed to a 26 percent increase in enrollment during its first year. The plan also called for an additional academic building (built in 1993), and a Library Resource Center in the second phase.
The fourth building on campus, the Random House Learning Resources Center, was made possible by a quarter of a million dollar donation from the publisher and was dedicated in 1997. This facility, which includes the library and study center, has more than 25,000 books, 150 microfilm titles and approximately 1,000 audiovisual materials.
Completed in 1998, the Rotary Amphitheater -- an outdoor facility dedicated to community use -- was the fifth building added to the campus. This addition enabled the college to start fulfilling its goal of becoming a cultural center for performing arts.
Opened in 2002, the Robert Annis & Phyllis Barrett Scott Center for the Fine and Performing Arts features a 425-seat theater that serves as the site of concerts and art exhibits.
The Life Fitness Building, also opened in 2002, features a gym with exercise equipment and showers. Physical education courses and health-related classes are held here. Also housed in this facility is the Wellness Center, which offers services to help students lose weight, quit smoking, exercise and reduce stress. Intramural athletics offered by Carroll Community College include: Badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball.
The campus continues to grow through its partnerships with other higher learning institutions. In 1999, the school entered into an agreement with the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Medical Imaging, allowing students to register at the Carroll campus for courses that will prepare them for several medical fields taught at Hopkins. A partnership with the University of Maryland University College allows Carroll students the opportunity to take UMUC courses at Carroll. Another partnership with The Community College of Baltimore County-Essex offers a veterinary technology degree at the Carroll campus.
Majors available include business management, computer/information sciences, graphics, education, health, liberal arts and visual/performing arts. Liberal arts, business/marketing and health sciences are the most popular majors.
After graduation, two-thirds of students completing a degree program go directly on to further study. College fairs are held on campus for students transferring to four-year colleges. Additional assistance is provided to students through resume preparation, interview workshops, career/interest testing, career counseling and a job bank.
Other activities available include choral groups, drama theater group, Student Government Association and the Christian club. The school hosts a free one-day program in late August for freshmen and their parents. The day's agenda includes orientation and introduction to the campus, faculty, staff and policies.
With an eye toward career trends, Carroll Community College has planned an allied health and nursing facility slated to open in 2004. The school strives to establish a sense of community for students. It is accessible and affordable, and provides flexible learning opportunities to fit the needs of the community it serves.
In September 1976, Carroll offered its first schedule of classes in a vacant elementary school in Westminster. More than 700 full-time and part-time students enrolled that year. Two years later, building sites were evaluated for possible expansion.
In 1979, the county purchased a site on Washington Road. Prior to a groundbreaking ceremony at that site in October 1985, the college utilized other educational facilities in the vicinity, including the East End Elementary School and the North Center Street Building, which was originally a center for exceptional children.
In 1993, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Carroll Community College as a two-year community college, giving it degree-granting status. In July 1993, the school became Maryland's 18th community college. In May 1994, it celebrated its first class graduation.
In the first building phase, an Academic/Administration Building was built in 1990. The college's newfound visibility at its new location contributed to a 26 percent increase in enrollment during its first year. The plan also called for an additional academic building (built in 1993), and a Library Resource Center in the second phase.
The fourth building on campus, the Random House Learning Resources Center, was made possible by a quarter of a million dollar donation from the publisher and was dedicated in 1997. This facility, which includes the library and study center, has more than 25,000 books, 150 microfilm titles and approximately 1,000 audiovisual materials.
Completed in 1998, the Rotary Amphitheater -- an outdoor facility dedicated to community use -- was the fifth building added to the campus. This addition enabled the college to start fulfilling its goal of becoming a cultural center for performing arts.
Opened in 2002, the Robert Annis & Phyllis Barrett Scott Center for the Fine and Performing Arts features a 425-seat theater that serves as the site of concerts and art exhibits.
The Life Fitness Building, also opened in 2002, features a gym with exercise equipment and showers. Physical education courses and health-related classes are held here. Also housed in this facility is the Wellness Center, which offers services to help students lose weight, quit smoking, exercise and reduce stress. Intramural athletics offered by Carroll Community College include: Badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball.
The campus continues to grow through its partnerships with other higher learning institutions. In 1999, the school entered into an agreement with the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Medical Imaging, allowing students to register at the Carroll campus for courses that will prepare them for several medical fields taught at Hopkins. A partnership with the University of Maryland University College allows Carroll students the opportunity to take UMUC courses at Carroll. Another partnership with The Community College of Baltimore County-Essex offers a veterinary technology degree at the Carroll campus.
Majors available include business management, computer/information sciences, graphics, education, health, liberal arts and visual/performing arts. Liberal arts, business/marketing and health sciences are the most popular majors.
After graduation, two-thirds of students completing a degree program go directly on to further study. College fairs are held on campus for students transferring to four-year colleges. Additional assistance is provided to students through resume preparation, interview workshops, career/interest testing, career counseling and a job bank.
Other activities available include choral groups, drama theater group, Student Government Association and the Christian club. The school hosts a free one-day program in late August for freshmen and their parents. The day's agenda includes orientation and introduction to the campus, faculty, staff and policies.
With an eye toward career trends, Carroll Community College has planned an allied health and nursing facility slated to open in 2004. The school strives to establish a sense of community for students. It is accessible and affordable, and provides flexible learning opportunities to fit the needs of the community it serves.