ABOUT MCC

MORGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE is one of 13 colleges comprising the Community College of Colorado System (CCCS) https://www.cccs.edu/colleges/. Morgan Community College is located on I-76, 80 miles northeast of Denver approximately 100 miles east of the Rocky Mountains. Morgan Community College provides quality lower division and occupational education through innovative and non-traditional delivery to an 11,500 square mile service area in eastern Colorado. The College serves this vast, rural, agricultural area from its main campus in Fort Morgan and through four sites located 75 to 150 miles from the main campus. Students are enrolled in traditional classes, distance learning including multiple fiber networks and online classes.

As a member of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), Morgan Community College is governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) established by the 1967 General Assembly of the State of Colorado and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission www.hlcommission.org.

Governance

Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Chancellor

The State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE)

The Colorado Community College System is governed by a nine-member State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). The Board is unique in the nation, with responsibility for both secondary and post-secondary career and technical education and community college governance. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for staggered four-year terms. One community college faculty member and one student representative serve in non-voting capacities for one year each.

The list of current board members can be found at:

https://www.cccs.edu/about-cccs/state-board/#Board-Members

Advisory Council

MCC has a seven-member college advisory council, composed of residents from our service area who meet with the MCC President, in compliance with statute and State Board Policy (B.P. 2-25). The purpose of the college advisory council is to:

• Advise the College President and the Board on the long-term educational needs of the area served by the college and on other matters identified in statute. (see C.R.S. 23-60-206);
• Serve as liaison between the college and area employers in order to facilitate assessment of employment, training and educational needs of the service area;
• Serve as liaison between the college and local school boards, county commissioners, city councils, other local elected officials and other relevant groups or person;
• Promote the college’s programs and services among the communities and constituencies in the college’s service area.

Advisory Council Members

• Chair Mary Zorn, Retired Educator
• Vice-Chair Betty McKie, Retired Vice President of Instruction
• Gary Bruntz, Retired School District Superintendent
• Glenn Crossley, Vice-president, Morgan Federal Bank
• Jenifer Elrick, Economic Development Specialist, City of Fort Morgan
• Dawn Garcia, Eastern Workforce Region Regional Director
• Monica Johnson, Superintendent, Strasburg School  District
• Brad Wickham, Owner/Operator, Wickham Tractor Co.

Program Advisory Committees

Morgan Community College Dean of Instruction/Dean of Workforce Development and faculty of Career and Technical Education Programs (CTE) work in conjunction with Program Advisory Committees made up of community members, area business persons, and professionals who have expertise in that program. The Advisory Committee members review changes and new programs and courses along with the faculty and provide input from the business community on what is needed in the workforce. Their participation is a vital asset to the college and its students as they keep programs abreast of new technologies and practices as well as needs of the businesses in the service area.

Curriculum Committee

The MCC Curriculum Committee reviews and recommends changes in content of and policies for Associate of Arts, Science, Applied Science and certificate courses. The committee is formed of faculty representatives, the Dean of Instruction, along with the Vice President of Instruction. The committee emphasizes a systematic analysis leading to innovative curricula that meet college goals and accreditation standards. The Committee is also charged with dissemination of curriculum and program changes throughout the college and advises about the effect of college policies upon courses and programs.

Our Goals

MISSION

To empower students and enrich communities.

VISION STATEMENT

To develop learners and responsive leaders who inspire innovations and passion in future generations.

VALUES

• The individual
• Integrity
• Diversity
• Equity
• Excellence

MCC's Pledge 2014-2018

STUDENT ACCESS

MCC provides students with diverse pathways to learning.

STUDENT SUCCESS

MCC partners with students in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and values.

TEACHING EXCELLENCE

MCC delivers quality instruction that enables students to develop critical thinking, creativity, and personal/professional responsibility.

VALUING PEOPLE

MCC fosters a climate of trust, respect, and responsiveness in all professional relationships.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

MCC demonstrates excellence as a steward of the public trust in the management of its resources within a safe and secure environment.

INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP

MCC encourages both innovation and calculated risk-taking to create opportunities for student success.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP

MCC builds strong alliances with our students, our communities, and other institutions to improve the quality of life for those we serve.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

MCC develops and continuously reviews programs, procedures, and services to support a dynamic learning environment.

MCC History

1970 ~ February 15, 1970, first basic education class of Morgan County Community College held in basement of 300 Main St, in Fort Morgan. Susan Cribelli hired as first MCC instructor.

1972 ~ Greater Gifts scholarship program initiated. First commencement includes five associate of art degrees, four one-year certificates, and 29 Waivered Licensed Practical Nurse certificates.

1973 ~ College joins the state system and is renamed Morgan Community College.

1976 ~ MCC becomes the target of political maneuvering meant to force its closing. An investigation shows outstanding records and performance in every department and the college survives.

1977 ~ Dr. Robert W. Johnson resigns; Robert Datteri becomes second MCC President.

1978 ~ Phi Beta Lambda, national business fraternity wins eight first place awards and chapter of the year at the Colorado State Leadership Conference and then is named National PBL Chapter of the year. Betty Smith of Burlington graduates; Smith is the first student to earn a degree without setting foot on the main campus at MCC. August 1978, groundbreaking ceremonies take place at permanent site on Barlow Road.

1979 ~ "Art in Public Places" program commissions artist John Young to render exterior sculpture, "The Victory of Olaf M" on the west lawn of Cottonwood Hall.

1980 ~ Faculty and staff move to permanent campus located on Barlow Road just south of I-76.

1982 ~ Dr. Larry Carter becomes MCC president. H.B. Bloedorn and Helen Williams are honored at first Founders’ Day event. Alternative High School established. "Learning at a Distance" technology developed.

1987 ~ Dr. Harold Deselms assumes fourth MCC presidency. First coordinator of student activities hired and the modular classroom building is redesigned to serve as the student center. Community Access Cable network, MCC Channel 10 adds to methods of class delivery.

1988 ~ Bennett, Wray, Burlington, Woodlin, Seibert, and Hugo high schools hold MCC courses delivered by television or Op-Tel.

1989 ~ First "distance learner", Barbara Kershaw of Wray, graduates. Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity, chartered.

1990 ~ Associate Degree in Nursing approved. MCC’s Small Business Development Center helps administer disaster relief funds to the victims of a tornado in Limon.

1991 ~ Dr. Richard Bond takes the reins as fifth president at MCC.

1992 ~ MCC signs an agreement for an exchange program with Yamagata Prefectural College of Agriculture in Yamagata, Japan. MCC is granted an unconditional re-accreditation by North Central Association.

1996 ~ Dr. John McKay becomes sixth president of MCC. Expansion of Learning Resource Center begins.

1999 ~ Groundbreaking for Student Center; furnishings provided by the Jack Petteys Memorial Foundation of Brush as a memorial to Anna C. Petteys.

2000 ~ MCC serves seven counties in Eastern Colorado Morgan, Washington, Yuma, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Adams and Arapahoe. More than 3,000 students enroll each year and more than 330 instructors and staff are employed. Renovation begins for Aspen, Cottonwood and Spruce Halls.

2001 ~ Ground is broken for the Automotive Technology building to be called Elm Hall.

2003 ~ MCC’s seventh president, Dr. C. Michele Haney, stabilizes the college after imposed state budget cuts and initiates new accreditation process. Wray Center moves to new building.

2004 ~ MCC offers 50 academic and vocation programs and has enrolled 16,000 students since summer semester of 1987. The college service area includes 11,500 square miles of eastern Colorado with regional centers in Bennett, Burlington, Limon, Wray, and Yuma. Nursing program expands to 83 students.

2005 ~ MCC is one of four colleges in the state community college system to experience increased enrollment. Thirty-fifth Anniversary Celebrations includes Annual Gala and reunion for founders and first students. $2 million capital gifts campaign, "Dream Connections" is announced to Brush and Fort Morgan Chambers of Commerce and the business people of Wiggins. Nursing program courses offered in Wray.

2006 ~ Burlington Center moves into the newly built Burlington Community Education Center. MCC achieves 1000 FTE.

2007 ~ MCC Foundation plans a new Adult Basic Education building to be built on the Fort Morgan Campus. MCC/Cargill Meat Solutions Workplace Education program receives national recognition.

2008 ~ Dr. Kerry Hart becomes the eighth college president. Leadership Academy graduates first class.

2009 ~ MCC Foundation funds a new building on campus, Cedar Hall, for Adult Basic Education, GED and ESL. MCC Nursing Program received national accreditation by NLNAC. MCC Jazz Ensemble created.

2010 ~ 40th Anniversary of MCC. New nursing, health science and technology addition and renovation completed. MCC ranked one of America’s top 50 community colleges by the Washington Monthly.

2011 ~ Received endowed chair gift from the Williams Family Foundation for Radiologic Technology Coordinator. Established the MCC Center for Art and Community Enrichment. Received the Morgan County Economic Development Committee (MCEDC) Partnership Award.

2012 ~ A record 100 Students completed their GED with ABE program this year. MCC received the highest quality climate survey ratings at the AQIP Accreditation Strategy Forum, and for the second year in a row was rated a "Great College to Work For" by The Chronicle of Higher Education. 

2013 ~ MCC named one of the Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges to Work For" for third consecutive year. El Pomar Foundation awarded MCC a $50,000 grant to implement the college's second entrepreneurial business plan class and competition. The Morgan County Economic Development Corporation presented MCC with the "2013 Investor of the Year Award."

2014 ~ Viaero Wireless donates $10,000, and the El Pomar Foundation grants $105,000 to support MCC's Business Partnership Program in addition to technology upgrades for the College. MCC Nursing program received national accreditation by ACEN. The Center for Arts and Community Enrichment hosts dedication ceremony for the Dahms-Talton Band Shell. MCC named "Great Colleges to Work For" for fourth year.

2015 ~ President Kerry Hart was named a Fort Morgan Chamber Star for his service to the community. MCC opens a new welding facility, Birch Hall, on the Fort Morgan campus. MCC named "Great Colleges to Work For" for fifth year. MCC's Center for Arts and Community Enrichment offered over twenty artistic & cultural events and produced a documentary on Glenn Miller's high school connection to Fort Morgan, and how this later influenced his famous big band sound.

2016 ~ MCC recognized for sixth year in a row as a "Great Colleges to Work For." Ranked #1 community college in Colorado, by WalletHub, published in the Denver Business Journal.  Aviation Technology Program adopted. The college debuted its first documentary, "Glenn Miller: The Birthplace of His Music."

2017 ~ Dr. Curt Freed becomes the ninth college president. MCC joins the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.  MCC named one of The Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges to Work For" for the seventh consecutive year.

Roadrunner Mascot

The roadrunner became a symbol for Morgan Community College early in the College’s beginning. With some saying MCC was like the smart and speedy roadrunner made famous by the cartoon character in Looney Tunes-always one step ahead.

The MCC Roadrunner was officially elected by students, faculty, and staff during spring registration beginning in November 1977. Final approval of the Roadrunner took place on January 9, 1978 by the Morgan Area Council (MCC’s governing body). The new roadrunner was featured on the cover of the 1978 yearbook.

Personnel & Staff Directory

A current listing of full-time faculty and staff, their academic credentials, office locations, and contact information can be found on the MCC website: http://www.morgancc.edu/staff-directory/