Tri-County Community College is a community college

Community college

A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...

 located in the westernmost tip of
North Carolina. It is a member of the North Carolina Community College System

North Carolina Community College System

The North Carolina Community College System is a statewide network of fifty-eight public community colleges. Each college has a distinct governance system and policies. In total, the system enrolls over 800,000 students, and is the third largest community college system in the nation...

.

Accreditations

Approved by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Arts

Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing

Commission on College of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.

Serving the Counties of

Tri-County Community College serves the counties of:

• Cherokee
  Cherokee County, North Carolina
  - Transportation :Cherokee County is well known in North Carolina as the westernmost of the state's 100 counties. Several US and state highways serve the county, linking it with other regions of North Carolina, along with the neighboring states of Georgia and Tennessee.US 64 - the longest highway...
  
  

• Clay
  Clay County, North Carolina
  -Communities and Townships:Hayesville, with a 2000 population of 297, is the only incorporated town in the county, the county seat, and center of economic activity for Clay County...
  
  

• Graham
  Graham County, North Carolina
  -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,993 people, 3,354 households, and 2,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 5,084 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
  
  

Campus Location(s)

There are ‘’’two’’’ campus locations:

• Main Campus

21 Campus Circle
Murphy, NC 28906

• Graham County Campus

145 Moose Branch Rd.
Robbinsville, NC 28771

Local Cities

• Cherokee
  Cherokee, North Carolina
  Cherokee is a town in Swain County, North Carolina, USA, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. It is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley, near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and U.S...
  
  

• Murphy
  Murphy, North Carolina
  -Household Income:The median income for a household in the town was $24,952, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $30,395 versus $16,908 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,926...
  
  

• Robbinsville
  Robbinsville, North Carolina
  Robbinsville is a town in Graham County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 747 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Graham County. Robbinsville High School is the only high school in Graham County...
  
  

• Hayesville
  Hayesville, North Carolina
  Hayesville is a town in Clay County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 297 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clay County.-Geography:Hayesville is located at ....
  
  

History

Amidst the tumultuous 1960’s the foundation for what is Tri-County Community College were laid.

Important Dates in Tri-County Community College History

1964- North Carolina Board of Education approved Tri-County Industrial Education Center operation

1965-Cherokee County Board of Education negotiates lease agreement for occupation by college of the abandoned Cherokee County Prison Camp

1970’s- Renovation and construction of three buildings on the Murphy campus (now renamed Tri-County Community College) completed.

Three buildings named:

• McSwain-- Holland McSwain—Tri-County Community College’s First President

• West- Herman West- (a State Legislator and Entrepreneur)

• Crisp- Vincent Crisp –Tri-County Community College President from 1972-1992

1984 NC Legislature allocation of funds for construction of new multi-purpose building

1989- Complete of new multi-purpose building named the Enloe building (named for State Legislature Jeff Enloe, whose support of the college enabled successful appropriate of funds for building construction)

1993- Passing of a Statewide Bond Referendum to fund the Graham County Center.

1995- Land and buildings conveyed for Graham County Center.

1998-Opening of Graham County Center.

1998- Dedication of a new building for dual use as a Student Activities Center and an early childhood education center both aptly named to honor worthy school supporters:

Student Activities wing is named for Sarah Easley Harper originator of the Student Support Center

Early childhood education wing is named the Jarrett/Oglesby Center.

Presidents

• Holland McSwain — First President

• Vincent Crisp – President from 1972-1992

• Dr. Henry Jarrett - President from 1992 to 1995

• Dr. Norman Oglesby - President from 1996 to 2006.

• Dr. Donna Tipton - Rogers (2008 - )

Range of Programs

• College transfer
  College transfer
  College transfer is the movement of students from one higher education institution to another and the process by which academic credits are accepted or not accepted by a receiving institution.-Background:...
  
  

• Vocational

• Technical

• Adult Education
  Adult education
  Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
  
  

Graham County Center Programs:

The Graham County Center offers courses in:

• Computer science
  Computer science
  Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
  
  

• College Transfer
  College transfer
  College transfer is the movement of students from one higher education institution to another and the process by which academic credits are accepted or not accepted by a receiving institution.-Background:...
  
  

• Business administration

• Office Systems Technology

• Accounting

• Criminal Justice
  Criminal justice
  Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
  
  

• Plumbing
  Plumbing
  Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping...
  
  

• Welding
  Welding
  Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes...
  
  

External links

• Tri-County Community College Official Website