More than 50 years ago, a visionary board of trustees that included such Dallas luminaries as R.L. Thornton II, Mrs. Margaret McDermott and Dr. Bill J. Priest, founding chancellor, set a daunting goal: Create the best community college district in the United States. They, and numerous other Dallas County civic leaders who supported their efforts, were dedicated to providing citizens with access to quality education that was both convenient and affordable. Thanks to their determination and hard work, Dallas citizens created Dallas County Community College District in 1965. El Centro College, DCCCD’s first, opened in 1966.
Today, the district has become Dallas College, which enrolls a total of 85,000 credit and 20,000 continuing education students each semester. More than a half-century of growth and progress are a credit to the vision of Dallas-area citizens. Dallas College originally operated as a district of seven independently accredited colleges. In 2020, those colleges united under a single name in order to offer our students a more streamlined, more convenient experience. The seven original campuses live on as our primary locations. Dallas College works to ensure that Dallas County is vibrant, growing and economically viable for future generations.
Our students benefit from our partnerships with local business leaders, school districts and four-year universities, and we have over 20 years of experience in online education. In addition, we provide economic benefits to business, taxpayers and the community.
For more information, please visit www.dcccd.edu.
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