Macomb Community College is a multi-campus community college in Macomb County, Michigan, which shares borders with Detroit and Canada. The college ranks in the top two percent nationally for the number of associate degrees awarded each year and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The College offerings include university transfer, early college, professional certification, workforce development, continuing education and enrichment, and through its nationally acclaimed University Center, which opened in 1991, bachelor's degree completion and graduate level programs. Growing steadily from the first 84 students that showed up for class on Sept. 16, 1954 at Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, Macomb now serves approximately 40,000 annually.
Macomb holds commencement exercises for its most recent graduates each May and December, selecting a Most Distinguished Graduate from those students with the highest grade point averages to deliver the commencement address.
Because of its location in Macomb County, often cited as a political bellwether, and its reputation for workforce training and retraining, Macomb has been a popular stop for both presidents launching new educational initiatives and presidential candidates on the campaign trail. It has hosted every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan at least once, including President Donald Trump twice in 2016.
History
South Macomb Community College, as it was first called, was founded by educators from the Van Dyke School District who believed the lack of access to higher education was greatly impeding the success of the county and its residents. The first classes were held after hours in the district's Lincoln High School, with a transfer curriculum developed in collaboration with educators from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
Enrollment at Macomb reached 3,000 by 1962 and with the College rapidly outgrowing the space allotted to it by the school district, its founders developed a plan and a proposal to expand its size and its scope. The go-ahead was given in 1962 when Macomb County voters approved an operating millage to support the Community College District of Macomb, autonomous of the Van Dyke School District. The 20-year operating millage has been reauthorized twice by voters.
After passage of the first millage, an ambitious construction program ensued for the newly named Macomb County Community College. South Campus in Warren opened in 1965, and Center Campus in Clinton Township opened in 1968. East Campus, which houses a training center for police, fire and emergency services personnel, opened in 1996 and M-TEC, dedicated to workforce development, opened in 2002. The College also purchased (and later sold) property in Ray Township for a North Campus that never materialized and previously operated a campus and a satellite in Fraser and Washington Township, respectively. The College shortened its name to Macomb Community College in 1981.
Today
The College offers nearly 200 degree and certificate programs, including those in high tech and high demand fields. Because of the generosity of donors to the Macomb Community College Foundation, there are more than 100 private scholarships to help Macomb students pay for their education. In 2009, Macomb also became one of the first community colleges to join Achieving the Dream, a national initiative aimed at helping community college students succeed. Additionally, the Dreamkeepers Emergency Assistance Fund and the Mall at Partridge Creek Student Assistance Fund, coordinated by the College's Student Options for Success office, provides financial assistance to eligible students in the event of a one-time financial emergency that hinders their ability to continue college.
As a community college funded, in part, by local tax revenue and state appropriations, Macomb is able to maintain a tuition rate that is considerably lower than that of four-year colleges or universities, amounting to a savings of approximately $18,000 for transfer students taking their first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree program at Macomb. Transfer agreements numbering more than 350 help assure that most credits earned at Macomb transfer to other institutions.
Other College Initiatives
Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), a regional resource and Macomb/Wayne State University partnership funded by the National Science Foundation
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a free resource for entrepreneurs â€" both Macomb students and community residents
Conference and Event Services, including the Sports & Expo Center: home to the College's men's and women's athletic teams (Monarchs - Michigan Community College Athletic Association members)
Innovation Fund Macomb Community College, Powered by JPMorgan Chase & Co., awarding seed funding to startups in an effort to stimulate regional economical development and job growth
Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center: providing an ever-changing slate of free cultural programming
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts: hosting national recording artists and touring companies as well as local arts organizations
Procurement Technical Assistance Center (inside MTEC): assisting local companies in securing government contracts
History of College Leadership
- Max Thompson (educator/co-founder) Superintendent of the Van Dyke School District during the College's formative years
- Walter Bradley (educator/co-founder) College's First Dean 1954-1963
- Robert Turner (engineer) College's First President 1963-1967
- John Dimitry (political scientist) President 1968-1975
- Robert Roelofs (industrial engineer) President 1975-1979
- Albert Lorenzo (accountant) President 1979-2008
- James Jacobs (economist) President 2008â€"2017
- James O. Sawyer IV(engineer/educator) President 2017â€"present
Notable alumni
- Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
- Thomas Ligotti, Horror author
- Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner
- Cynthia Watros, Actress and Daytime Emmy-Winner
- Anison Roberts, (aka The Impaler) Award-winning vocalist for Dangerous Pleasure & N2 Submission
Campus Locations
- South Campus: 14500 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088
- Center Campus: 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038
- East Campus: 21901 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036
- MTEC: 7900 Tank Ave., Warren, MI 48092
References
External links
- Macomb Community College website