In 1963, Johnson County Commissioners, recognizing the emerging community college movement and seeking to accommodate the rapidly growing population of Johnson County, Kansas, formed a committee to examine the feasibility of forming such an institution in Johnson County. The college was formally established following a successful county-wide election held in March 1967. The existing campus was made possible in 1969 after Johnson County voters approved $12.9 million in bonds to purchase 200 acres of land in Overland Park. Construction began in 1970, and classes and operations were moved to the new campus in the fall of 1972. Among the college's newest buildings, the Regnier Center and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, opened in 2007. Galileo's Pavilion, an environmentally friendly building, opened in 2012. JCCC broke ground in 2012 for the Hospitality & Culinary Academy, which opened in the fall of 2013.
Academics
JCCC offers a full range of undergraduate credit courses that form the first two years of most college curricula. Class size averages 25 to 30 students. The college has more than 100 transfer agreements with regional colleges and universities, which assure admittance without loss of time or credit. More than 41 percent of JCCC students enrolled in fall 2014 planned to transfer to another college or university. More than 50 one- and two-year career degree and certificate programs prepare students to enter the job market in high-employment fields. JCCC has nine selective-admission programs. The college has 926 full-time faculty and staff. Another 1,451 people work as adjunct faculty or part-time staff. Most faculty members have master's degrees, and many have or are earning doctorates. Faculty and staff have won many awards for excellence. JCCC has an open-admissions policy. Students wishing to attend the college must file an application, submit official transcripts and complete an assessment process. Students may register for classes via the Web.
Administration
JCCC is governed by a seven-member board of trustees elected at-large from the community to four-year terms. The board governs the college and sets the budget and local tax levy. Every other year, in odd calendar years, three trustees face re-election.
