Company Profile
Highland Community College
Company Overview
Highland Community College is governed by a six-member Board of Trustees comprised of residents of Doniphan County, the location of the original campus, who are elected for four-year terms. Three members are up for re-election every two years. On the state level, HCC is coordinated by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), which governs the state’s six universities. KBOR was reconstituted by legislative action in 1999 to include coordination of the state’s 19 community colleges and 12 technical schools. Prior to 1999, Kansas community colleges and technical schools were under the auspices of the State Board of Education, which governs the state’s K-12 system. The 1999 change was designed to implement a seamless system of higher education in the state.
MISSION STATEMENT
HCC, the first college in Kansas, provides lifelong learning opportunities and contributes to economic development to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.
VISION STATEMENT
Highland Community College is recognized as the college of choice in Northeast Kansas.
Company History
Highland Community College began as Highland University in 1858, making it the first college in Kansas. Through seven name changes (see below), the College has been providing higher education opportunities to the people of Northeast Kansas for over 155 years. The College has traditionally prepared students to continue their studies at baccalaureate institutions. Studies conducted at the Regents universities in Kansas show that students who begin their college careers at HCC and then transfer do as well or better academically as all other students who transfer to those universities and those who start there.
Approximately 3,200 students are enrolled on the main campus or at our 33 regional locations in our nine county service area. The 33 locations are coordinated by regional centers in Atchison, Baileyville, Holton, Perry, and Wamego. HCC offers Associate degrees in 50 concentration areas and has 15 programs that are technical education degrees. The main campus is located in a small, rural Northeast Kansas community surrounded by agricultural land, and has 39 buildings, including 18 apartment-style residence halls, one being a living/learning center for Fine Arts students. The Technical College in Atchison merged with Highland in July of 2008, allowing HCC to enhance its technical education opportunities in its service area.
The history and mission of the College can be described best as providing opportunities for higher education that citizens in the region would not have otherwise. Whether as a conduit to a four-year degree, entry to a technical trade, for professional enhancement, or personal development, the College has provided affordable access to higher education for thousands of proud alumni from Northeast Kansas.
Today, the College is financially sound and serving more students than any time in its history. The College is governed by a six member Board of Trustees elected from Doniphan County and is coordinated by the Kansas Board of Regents.