Manatee Community College: history, diversity, and academic resources

Manatee Community College

Prospective college students have a wide variety of options when choosing a college. Not only are there hundreds of 4-year universities and colleges, but students must also consider whether to take the community college route toward accomplishing their educational goals. If community college is a student's best choice, than Manatee Community College (MCC) is a good option to consider. MCC is among the top 100 producers of associate's degrees in the country, and students attend classes at two full-service campuses in Bradenton and Venice, the Center for Innovation and Technology at Lakewood Ranch, many business and public sector sites throughout the community, and from their homes through distance learning opportunities. MCC offers quality programs, excellent facilities and top-level faculty, all designed to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Because of its history and student-body diversity, its academic resources and excellent graduation rates, Manatee Community College is an attractive choice for college students.

History and diversity

Manatee Community College has established itself as a top college in the community, and from its inception has shown a commitment to diversity in its student body. MCC is an accredited, public two-year college serving residents of Florida's Manatee and Sarasota counties. The College was established in 1957 by the State Board of Education as the first public institution of higher learning in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The first classes were held in 1958 in a former senior high school with 500 students enrolled. In 1959, MCC held classes at the current Bradenton location, a 100-acre campus near Sarasota Bay. The College Board of Trustees established a center in Venice in 1977 and in 1985 dedicated the current 100-acre campus located between Venice, North Port and Englewood. The Center for Innovation and Technology opened at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, in January 2003. More than 8,500 students are enrolled in credit classes to earn an associate in arts degree for university transfer or credit classes in 27 associate in applied science and/or associate in science degree programs. Through its Center for Corporate and Community Development, MCC serves several more thousand residents who take noncredit classes workshops and seminars that provide professional development and personal enrichment opportunities. In addition to serving students from different disciplines, MCC also has an ethnically diverse population. In 2003, 10% of students were African-American, 6.2% were Hispanic, and nearly 4% of students were Asian and international students.

Graduation rates and performance

Manatee Community College boasts both excellent graduation rates and success at placing graduates in positions in their fields, and the majority of students have GPAs that are well above average. In 2003, the success rate for students seeking Associate of Arts degrees was 87.6%, significantly higher than the national average of 81%. For students seeking Associate of Science degrees, the success rate was 81.8%, again above the national average of 79.9%. Not only are graduation rates high, but current students also enjoy above-average GPAs; in 2003, 85.1% of students had a GPA of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Because of its high GPA and graduation rates, MCC has awarded an average of 908 degrees and certificates annually since the 1993-94 academic year. MCC graduates then go on to make their mark in their careers: More than 98% of Manatee Community College's A.S. And A.A.S. graduates are set on their chosen course when graduate. In fact, 84% of those graduates are hired in their chosen career fields and another 15% go on to continue their college education.

For a student looking for a well-established, diverse college community, excellent academic resources and high graduation and placement rates, Manatee Community College is a great option. MCC provides an accessible, dynamic learning environment that encourages and assists its students in achieving their goals. By placing a priority on academic excellence, innovation and diversity, MCC fulfills its mission and more. Although college students have a wide variety of educational options in today's world, choosing Manatee Community College offers what students need: excellence, accountability, community, respect, and most importantly, opportunity.