Academic Calendar

College Vision, Mission Statement, Institutional Goals

HISTORY
Moving Ahead
While Southwestern Community College’s superior rating achieved statewide recognition for the second year in a row in 2007, it was also the year the college received national attention and ranking.

In a first-ever listing of America’s best community colleges, Southwestern was rated number four, according to Washington Monthly. The ratings were based on results from the nationwide Community College Survey of Student Engagement survey, along with federal graduation rates.

Following a rigorous reaffirmation process, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirmed the college’s accreditation.

Initiated by Southwestern, the nation’s most advanced rural fiber-optic network serving public and private enterprise and educational institutions in far Western North Carolina, was completed.

The new 27,600- square-foot Macon Campus on Siler Road in Franklin opened and students began taking classes there fall semester. Calling him “the visionary leader” behind the project, the SCC Board of Trustees named the new campus after the college’s President Cecil Groves.
Plans for the expansion of the Jackson Campus, including new facility construction and a new campus access road, were finalized.

The college added two new degree programs- medical assisting and civil engineering technology.

An information technology articulation agreement was signed with East Carolina University.

A Fine Arts coordinator was hired and classes began for the new visual arts program of the Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts, a joint venture among Southwestern, the Eastern Band of Cherokee and Western Carolina University.

Student enrollment growth, up six percent, exceed expectations and set new records.

Looking Back
Founded in 1964, Southwestern Community College takes pride in a history characterized by community involvement and collaboration resulting in excellent educational opportunities for the people of Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, the Qualla Boundary and beyond. Significantly, these educational opportunities have brought economic, personal and cultural benefits to the region and its people.

On December 1, 1964, the Jackson County Industrial Education Center officially opened with 60 students enrolled in full-time classes and 133 students signed up for short-term courses. Since that time, the College has evolved from an industrial education center to a technical institute to a technical college and finally to a fully-accredited community college. During that evolution, Southwestern has awarded more than 7,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates and has offered more than 5,000 different classes.

Throughout its history, SCC has responded to and anticipated the educational needs of the community and region, offering an ever-widening range of programs through which students prepare for the job market, transfer to senior institutions, and achieve professional and personal goals.

SCC offers more than 50 curriculum programs in Arts and Sciences, Career Technologies, College Transfer and Health Sciences. In addition, the college provides a variety of Continuing Education courses at various locations throughout its service area. Most of these courses are designed to prepare students for entry into an occupation, upgrade skills of employed individuals, and provide opportunities for self-improvement.

The expansion of such programs over the years has grown hand in hand with a growth in physical facilities, the number of students the College serves and in the College’s role in the region.

Today the SCC campus in Sylva includes seven buildings that house classrooms, administrative offices, an auditorium, and a library. SCC also has facilities in the service area that include: a center in Cashiers; the Public Safety Training Complex, Business and Industry Training Center in Macon County; the SCC Cherokee Center on the Qualla Boundary; and the Swain County Center at Almond which also houses the SCC Small Business Center. In addition, construction is underway on a 31-acre site in Franklin for a new Macon Campus.

Always at the forefront of computer technology, SCC provides top notch computer support for students and employees with more than 1000 computers networked. The College has 25 computer labs for various curriculum programs and an open computer lab in the Library. In addition, the College has initiated online learning offerings for curriculum and continuing education offerings and put in place an infrastructure to the public schools and other community partners.

To support these educational services, the College receives county, state and federal funding. To augment this funding and provide for extensive services, during the past three decades, SCC has sought and received more than $21 million in grant money. These funds have included federal construction grants, Appalachian Regional Commission grants, US Department of Education grants, New Century Scholars, basic education grants and a variety of other sources. In 2005 SCC received the largest grant in its history, a $5.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are directed to public schools in the college’s three-county service area for GEAR UP (Gaining Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). The SCC program is designed to increase the number of income eligible students in Macon, Swain and Jackson counties and the Qualla Boundary who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Also, the SCC Foundation, Inc., incorporated in 1973, strives to provide support for needs not covered by public funds or grant monies. Over the years, the Foundation has made significant contributions to the College in student scholarships, equipment donations and in capital improvements. In addition, many individuals and businesses have contributed to Foundation for specific needs.

Of course, SCC’s primary purpose is to provide educational opportunities to students who enroll in courses and programs at the College. Additionally, the College has always believed it had a broader responsibility to the community and the people of the region at large. While this has been characteristic of the College since 1964, it was never more evident than when the College took a leadership role to bring the latest in technology and training to our rural region.
In 2003 SCC became a participant in an effort to make high-speed affordable Internet access a reality in the region. Known as BalsamWest Fiber NET, the high-speed fiber optic network will ensure that southwestern North Carolina can participate fully in a global economy by providing open and affordable access to this state-of-the art infrastructure.

In the same spirit that led to the birth of Balsam West FibertNET, SCC trustees and foundation board members, president, instructors and staff strive to reach out through collaborations and partnerships to enrich the lives of the people of the region.

SCC FACTS
Presidents:
Edward E. Bryson, 1964-1980; Norman K. Myers, 1981-1991; Barry W. Russell, 1991-1996; Cecil Groves, 1997-Present

September 1963 – Jackson County furnishes 17-acre site for a technical school. Construction of first building begins.

May 1964 – First class graduates.

June 1, 1964 – Edward E. Bryson appointed resident director of Jackson County Industrial Education Center, a satellite of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute.

December 1, 1964 – JCIEC opens with 60 students enrolled in full-time classes and 133 in short-term classes.

Late 1965 – First building, Vocational Building (now Founders Hall) completed.

February 25, 1966 – Commencement exercises held for 23 students of Class of 1966 at National Guard Armory.

September 5, 1967 – College becomes independent school. It was decided the college would also serve Macon and Swain counties and the name was changed to Southwestern Technical Institute.

January 2, 1968 – College begins classes as an independent unit of the NC Department of Community Colleges. First Student Government Association formed and elections held.

January 22, 1968 – First meeting of the Board of Trustees. William B. Dillard elected chairman. Other members: Odell Shuler, vice-chairman; W. Paul Hold, Jr.; Charles S. Slagle; Walter Jackson; Oscar Ledford; R. Paul Buchanan; Bruce McMurray; George J. Steward; John Wikle; Paul Ellis; and James B. Childress.

1969 – SCC becomes the regional GED testing center.

September 1, 1970 – Technical Building (now Oaks Hall) completed.

December 1971 – College receives accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

1973 – SCC Foundation incorporated.

1974 – Services Building (now Bradford Hall) and Carpentry Building) now Maintenance Building) completed.

May 30, 1974 – First on-campus commencement ceremony held.

1976 – SCC Cherokee Center established and Job Placement Office established at Jackson campus.

1979 – SCC Cherokee Center built at Boys Club Complex.
February 1983 – Learning Resources Center (now the Pines) completed.

October 1984 – Trades Center (now The Summit) completed.

Spring 1987 – SCC Macon County Center opens.

1988 – SCC Swain County Center opens in Bryson City.

October 1, 1988 - $3.5 million WNC Regional Allied Health and Geriatric Training Center (now Balsam Center) dedicated.

1988 – STC changes name to Southwestern Community College.

April 1989 – College opened Child Care Center in Oaks Hall.

1990 – SCC Regional Fire and Rescue Training Center opened, later becoming the Public Safety Training Center.

February 26, 1994 – Community Link, a fully interactive television system linking 13 educational sites in Western North Carolina became operational.

September 1994 – Regional Law Enforcement Center established in Macon County.

2000 College receives $10.4 million from state bond referendum funds.

2004 – College sees record fall enrollment.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Southwestern Community College offers over 40 degree, diploma or certificate programs that are designed to suit a wide range of interests. Southwestern is committed to quality programs that prepare students for employment or transfer to four-year institutions.

Jackson Campus Map