Founded by Phillip Gannon in 1957 to address the growing demands of regional manufacturing, LCC has adapted comprehensive curricula that serve the diverse needs of learners and employers in Michigan, the United States and internationally[i][ii].
LCC applied for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the North Central Association as an Associate degree granting institution in 1964. This application was accepted, and LCC began awarding Associate degrees the following year[iii]. In 1965, LCC established a Board of Trustees that consisted of local luminaries John Dart, Albert Boyd, David Diehl, Lee Trumble, David Froh and Cecil MacDonald[iv].
1966 saw the college begin an ambitious campus expansion project, and work on LCC’s Arts and Sciences Building began that year. LCC acquired the buildings that are now the Mackinaw Building and Early LCC in 1967 and purchased the campus-adjacent historic Rogers-Carrier and John T. Herrmann homes[v].
Expansion of the Downtown Campus continued throughout the 1970s.
Construction of the Gannon Building began in 1973 and by 1975, finished portions of the building were opened to campus operations. In 1976, purchase of satellite buildings near the existing campus further expanded the college’s presence in Downtown Lansing[vi].
Throughout the 1980, LCC continued to grow. 1980 brought with it construction of the Dart Auditorium and the Rogers-Carrier and Herrmann houses were designated as Michigan historical sites in 1987 after considerable restorations by LCC to both buildings[vii].
In 1998, the largest construction project in Downtown Campus history resulted in the completion of the 155,000-square-foot Abel b. Sykes, Jr. Technology and Learning Center. The Sykes building includes LCC’s 43,000-square-foot library and state-of-the-art classrooms, multimedia facilities and ambient spaces dedicated to scholastic achievement and technological advancement[viii].
The college committed to a larger physical presence in mid-Michigan in 2004 and broke ground on West Campus, which is now an expansive 290,536-square-foot complex dedicated to manufacturing education, public service training and business and corporate trainings[ix]. The Paula D. Cunningham Administration Building constructed in 2005, and opened the 141,992 square-foot Health and Human Services Building shortly thereafter[x].
Dr. Brent Knight became LCC’s sixth president in 2008[xi]. Knight immediately set forth a college-wide program of student and employee engagement, ambient space beatification and technologically advanced academics that lead to fast, lucrative employment.
The University Center opened in 2009, beginning a comprehensive building, landscaping and renovation project that culminated in the complete renovation of the Arts and Sciences Building in 2013[xii]. Also in 2013, the Herrmann House was extensively renovated to serve as the LCC presidential residence[xiii].
LCC reasserted its commitment to manufacturing with the establishment of its Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME), which opened in the fall of 2016. Driven by state-of-the-art technology, highly advanced new facilities and an immensely qualified faculty brimming over with real-world experience, the CME has created a conduit between advanced manufacturing training and the growing demand for qualified manufacturing and automation technicians[xiv].
In October 2016, Schools.com voted LCC the number one community college in Michigan[xv].
In 2017, Delta Air Lines chose the Aviation Maintenance Technology program as a partner school, one of only 43 such partnerships awarded to AMT programs across the country[xvi]. The Nursing program has been continuously accredited since 1971 by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing[xvii]. These are but two of the 214 associate degrees and certificates offered by LCC, all of which are consistently recognized for their excellence, the transferability of their content and the employability of their graduates[xviii].
LCC annually awards more than 2,800 degrees, credentials and certifications to graduates and more than 3,700 LCC students transfer to four-year colleges and universities per year. These numbers highlight LCC’s commitment to continuing education. LCC has eight 3+1 agreements with four-year colleges and universities in Michigan, including Lake Superior State University, Siena Heights University, Ferris State University and Northwood University. In 2009, LCC opened its University Center, which allows students to earn 16 bachelors and several master’s degrees without leaving its Downtown Campus[xix].
The college is committed to innovation and navigating the ever-changing scope of higher education. This commitment has resulted in more than 900 sections in more than 230 courses offered entirely online, with more than 16 associate degrees and certifications available through online study. LCC has also made a commitment to Open Educational Resources (OER). Through the OER program, LCC has saved its students in excess of $1,081,700 in textbook costs through OER, and more than 70 faculty teaching more than 25 courses representing about 150 sections use OER at LCC[xx].
In addition to making technology and open education a priority, LCC also pledged itself to be responsible for maintaining a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. In 2016, 387 international students from 50 countries attended LCC, and the college offers extensive study abroad programs on every continent through a partnership with Michigan State University[xxi].
LCC’s commitments to its community and state extend beyond traditional academics. The Community Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) division at LCC houses the Business and Community Institute. In 2016 alone, CEWD facilitated more than 700 training programs for more than 7,000 employees in a diverse array of industries ranging from manufacturing to health care, transportation to information technology, and more. With a 97.5 percent customer satisfaction rate, CEWD partners include companies such as Dart Container, Sparrow Health System, McLaren Greater Lansing, Liquid Web, Eckhart and Meijer[xxii].
About the College
Lansing Community is an open enrollment college located in Lansing, Michigan. Fittingly for a college located in the state’s capital, LCC is consistently listed as Michigan’s best community college, leading Michigan in scholastic excellence and scholarly success. Those who matriculate at LCC enjoy a campus combination of ambience and technical sophistication unique among similar regional institutions.
Among the largest community colleges in Michigan, LCC’s commitment to academics of distinction guides students toward successful completion of more than 200 diplomas and certificates. The college is fortunate to serve in excess of 25,000 individuals each year, and maintains national Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation.
The college, in keeping with its commitment to scholarship, awareness and cognition, is a national leader in Open Educational Resource (OER) implementation and has adopted the ambitious Academic Success Coach initiative, which aims to enhance comprehension, retention and success for LCC graduates and transfers.
[i] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 1.
[ii] Wirbel, Louise. (1988). A college for all seasons: a history of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College.
[iii] Wirbel, Louise. (1988). A college for all seasons: a history of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College.
[iv] Wirbel, Louise. (1988). A college for all seasons: a history of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College.
[v] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 2.
[vi] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 3.
[vii] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 4.
[viii] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 5.
[ix] http://www.secondwavemedia.com/capitalgains/devnews/lcc0227.aspx
[x] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 6.
[xi] https://www.lcc.edu/president/bio/
[xii] Siwik, D. (2013). A college like no other: a historical tour of Lansing Community College. Lansing Community College. Pp. 6.
[xiii] http://lansingcitypulse.com/article-8394-The-Knight-house.html
[xiv] https://www.lcc.edu/leadingthenation/
[xv] http://www.purelansing.com/Company-Community-News/ID/287/Lansing-Community-College-Ranked-1-in-Michigan
[xvi] https://www.lcc.edu/leadingthenation/amt/
[xvii] https://www.lcc.edu/hhs/programs/nursing/
[xviii]https://www.lcc.edu/about/facts/Fast_Facts.pdf
[xix]https://www.lcc.edu/about/facts/Fast_Facts.pdf
[xx] http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2017/08/15/lansing-community-college-cutting-costly-textbooks/551936001/
[xxi] https://www.lcc.edu/resources/the_centre/
[xxii] https://lansingbusinessnews.com/digital-issue/2017/10/october-2017-digital-issue/ p. 34
