Manchester Review Features Manchester Community College as it Turns 50

Manchester, CT (November 27, 2013)…Dr. Gena Glickman, MCC president, and State Senator Steve Cassano ’68 appear with host Jack Peak on Manchester Review in December to discuss MCC’s growth over the years and to celebrate its 50th birthday. MCC has grown from a college without a campus in 1963 with an enrollment of 125 students to a 160-acre campus with 7,600 students from all walks of life. More than 23,000 students have graduated since its inception. It has become an economic catalyst for Manchester as well as a cultural and social center. MCC on Main, its newest addition, brings the college to Main Street, offering classes, art shows and a community meeting place. Last year over 9,000 people visited the arts and education center.

Programs offered at MCC have multiplied and include Allied Health, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Financial Service and numerous certificate programs for professional jobs as well as liberal arts courses preparing students to enroll in 4-year programs. Many courses are offered online. According to Steve Cassano there are two things that have not changed over the years: MCC’s close ties to the community and the fact that it remains an access point for post-secondary education for hundreds of students every year. In fact, they used to call it “2nd Chance U.” Cassano, a State Senator, was an MCC student in the 60’s and taught at the college for 28 years. Peak, Cassano and Glickman discuss trends in community colleges, the achievement gap, the growth of technology at the college as well as the quality of the classes offered. Cassano and Glickman discuss the college’s ability to prepare students for 4-year universities as well as for professional jobs. “Manchester Community College Turns 50: Trends in Community College” can be seen on Cox PATV channel 15 Mondays at 9 PM in December and on YouTube at any time (Manchester Community College Turns 50 Part I and Part II).

Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. The main, park-like campus, which is easily accessible from I-84, is also the home of Great Path Academy, a middle college high school, serving grades 9-12. The college’s second location, the Manchester Community College Arts and Education Center, opened in downtown Manchester in 2012. MCC takes pride in the quality of programs and the many ways we’ve helped students, families, businesses and community grow over the past five decades. Fifty Years Together. For Learning. For Life.

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