Clatsop Community College's accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities was reaffirmed in 2011. The NWCCU is one of six regional organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions within the United States. The Commission is incorporated as a legally established, private 501 non-profit corporation for the expressed purpose of accrediting higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
History
CCC was established under the direction of the Astoria Board of Education in 1958 and constitutes Oregon's first community college. The original curriculum included two years of classes that could be transferred and two year sequences in Electronics, Business, Automotive and Building Construction. In 1962, Clatsop County residents voted to form a county-wide education district and separate the College from the school district. Renovation of the former Astoria High School began in June 1962 and this facility became the home of CCC. In October 2008, the college broke ground on the Jerome Campus Redevelopment project. This project, now complete, resulted in the renovation of Towler Hall, renovation of Patriot Hall and the construction of Columbia Hall. .
Community Education
In addition to credit classes, CCC offers a quarterly schedule of workforce training and education for life opportunities. Examples of workforce training include: CPR, flagger training and ham radio operation. Education for Life courses typically include: art, computer skills, fitness, foreign language, music and driver safety.
Facilities
CCC's main campus in Astoria is located on a hillside overlooking the Columbia River. The campus includes the Art Center Gallery that hosts approximately six exhibits annually. In addition, the college operates a Performing Arts Center and conducts maritime, fire and technical programs at its Marine and Environmental Research and Training Station located east of Astoria at Tongue Point on the Columbia River. As part of its maritime science program, CCC maintains and operates the training vessel Forerunner. Small business and economic development services, along with other classes, are conducted at the South County Campus in Seaside.
