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Shaping Lives, Connecting Communities: SLCC's Legacy and Future
Salt Lake Area Vocational School opens its doors at 431 South 600 East. School Motto: "Learn to Earn – Learn to Live."
Salt Lake Community College Celebrates 75 Years of Inclusivity and Transformation
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has a rich tradition of transforming lives and strengthening communities. Initially established in 1948 to train returning WWII veterans, today, Salt Lake Community College is Utah's largest two-year college with 50,000 students, proudly educating the state's most diverse student body in eight areas of study at eight locations and online. Almost half of our students are first in their family to attend college, and over 24% are from Hispanic/Latinx communities. As we work toward becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution, we deepen our commitment to inclusive and transformative education.
School is renamed the Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute.
Salt Lake Community College Prioritizes Students and their Educational Journey
Salt Lake Community College professors are passionate about sharing their expertise and nurturing students' academic success and growth. Students enjoy hands-on experiences, inside and outside the classroom, such as internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and civically engaged classes that reinforce learning, develop critical thinking skills, and promote community engagement. The average class size is 19 students to one instructor.
We believe higher education should be available to everyone. We work hard to ensure SLCC is responsive to each student – attracting, retaining, and launching the next generation of leaders. Students choose SLCC at different stages in their lives, from concurrent enrollment to recent high school graduates to seasoned professionals.
While most enroll in SLCC to earn credit hours (around 70% of our graduates transfer to a 4-year institution), each year, we support 12,800 students who come to SLCC for not-for-credit training and technical education. We work with industry to develop and maintain curriculum that prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. We collaborate with employers to ensure our instructional labs meet or exceed industry standards. More than 85% of our students plan to stay in Utah to work and raise families, contributing to the state's vibrant economy and high quality of life.
The school is granted full accreditation by the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities.
Salt Lake Community College Works to Make Education Affordable for Everyone
Salt Lake Community College students juggle competing priorities as they pursue their education. More than 78% of students work while attending school, which makes affordability and flexibility top priorities for students and the college. We cultivate flexibility by offering eight areas of academic study, nine locations, online classes, and flexible schedules.
We proactively keep tuition and fees low and are deeply committed to removing the remaining financial barriers that keep students from enrolling and persisting at SLCC. We offer scholarships, provide on-campus student employment, help with financial aid applications, and support our faculty's open resource project, an alternative to costly textbooks, which saves students over $3.5 annually. Our comprehensive support is so deep that over 81% of SLCC graduates leave the institution with little or no student debt.
Two-year associate degree in nursing is offered.
Salt Lake Community College is Committed to the Whole Student
We know it takes more than affordability and flexibility to support students in the 21st century. The word "community" is central to our name, and SLCC strives to be a positive force in our student's lives and the neighborhoods where we work, live, and thrive. At SLCC, we prioritize the well-being of our students and the health of our communities. We provide affordable childcare for students and employees and access to robust mental and physical health services and well-being resources. We also collaborate with government and nonprofit organizations to provide students and those living in the region with many free or low-cost resources, services, and cultural enrichment activities.
Governor Norm Bangerter signs bill to create Salt Lake Community College.
Salt Lake Community College is Your Community College
As we proudly celebrate our 75th year, we draw strength from our long-standing reputation of collaboration, community, inclusivity, learning, and innovation. It is these core values that center our work for the next decade as we explore new ways to deepen our commitments to students and the communities we serve. Salt Lake Community College is more than just a college; it's a community that nurtures dreams, fosters innovation, and empowers futures. It's your Community College.
College celebrates 75 years of supporting Utah's economy and helping students from all backgrounds achieve their dreams.