Alamance Community College, established in 1958, is among the first organized community colleges in North Carolina. It signified a change in the landscape of education by offering manufacturing-based programs. Flash forward to the 21st century, where the College today boasts a student body of 5,000-plus who have opportunities to earn associate degrees and other credentials in Business, Arts, and Sciences; Health and Public Services; Applied Engineering, Agriculture and Skilled Trades; and in a host of university transfer courses.
Looking back in time, the school underwent an inevitable transformation as the needs of the community changed. The institution we know today took on several names as it expanded and updated its educational offerings: Burlington-Alamance County Industrial Education Center (IEC); Technical Institute of Alamance (TIA); Technical College of Alamance (TCA); and finally, in 1988 becoming Alamance Community College (ACC).
The College moved to its current home in 1976 by building on 48 acres of Haw River farmland donated by then-Governor Robert Scott and his aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott Carrington.
The next decade saw the main campus grow. In 1985, a 12,000-square-foot shop building opened to house automotive, welding, and new industry programs. The addition of the A-wing and B-Building followed, providing additional space for science and technology classrooms, laboratories, and offices.
ACC’s growing roster of continuing education courses eventually found a new home in 2008 with The Dillingham Center, a renovated retail facility that today houses Cosmetology, the Small Business Center, continuing education, and community service classes.
Voter-approved bonds gave the green light for new construction on the main campus. The Gee Building opened in 2005 with a new library and Student Development offices. It honored the memory of Wallace W. Gee, an Alamance County businessman influential in forming the NC Community College System.
Nursing, biotechnology, and medical assisting students gained a new facility to learn their skills when The Powell Building opened in 2007, named for an important local family influential in the fields of health and science.
The College expanded and renovated in the mid-2010s with a new Academic Advising Center, Student Activity Center, upgraded dental clinic, second Culinary Arts baking kitchen, and Literacy Building.
New construction brought high-tech and state-of-the-art facilities to the campus beginning in 2017. The Advanced Applied Technology Center (AATC) opened, providing a state-of-the-art home for Welding, Automotive Systems, Computer-Integrated Machining, Mechatronics Engineering, and HVAC. In 2023, the Biotechnology Center of Excellence (BCOE) and Student Services Center opened, financed with a voter-approved $39.5 million bond. The BCOE, overlooking I-85/40, serves as the permanent home for Biotechnology, Histotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, and Medical Laboratory Technology. The Student Services Center places all enrollment and payment-related offices in one location at the front of campus.
Ongoing as well was extensive relocation and expansion of EMS and ABSS Early College; Horticulture and Animal Care; Print Center; and a new industrial prep kitchen and dining area for Culinary Arts.
Since 2013, the College has added 19 new academic programs and partnered with 23 four-year institutions to increase opportunities for student transfer.
Future development of Alamance Community College will continue to be responsive to the educational, occupational, and cultural needs of the community.