College History
Central Carolina Community College, a member of the N.C. Community College System, began as the Lee County Industrial Education Center. On July 1, 1961, William A. Martin became its first president. In August 1961, Job Instruction Training, the first class taught through the Center, began. That month, construction also started on the first building, now known as Wilkinson Hall.
Central Carolina Community College's main campus is located on a 41-acre site on Kelly Drive off Nash Street near U.S. Highway 421 (east), Sanford, North Carolina, and has 177,000 square feet of class room, shop, and laboratory space. Ample equipment, a large Learning Resource Center, and an efficient staff provide optimum training in a variety of adult programs.
The college offers two-year programs that lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree, one-year programs that lead to a diploma and the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree programs that transfer to a four-year college or university. Central Carolina Community College also provides College & Career Readiness training including the adult high school diploma and GED programs, as well as continuing education in technical, vocational, and general interest areas. The continuing education programs are generally non-credit but may award continuing education units (CEUs).
The Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center is a part of and is located on Central Carolina Community College's Lee Main Campus. The facility is composed of: (1) a large multi-purpose auditorium with a stage, (2) a 200-fixed seat capacity auditorium with an elevated floor and a stage, (3) various meeting rooms, and (4) a conference center that includes three meeting rooms and a gallery. This facility is available for use by the College and the community.
Central Carolina Community College's Harnett Main Campus is located on U.S. Highway 421 (East) between Lillington and Buies Creek. This campus has 38,000 square feet of floor space that includes classrooms, machinist, medical assistant, electronic, practical nursing, science, cosmetology and laser laboratories plus a full-service Learning Resource Center. Full-time counseling services are available. An additional site, located in Dunn, provides space for classes and serves as a small business incubator and Small Business Assistance Center.
Central Carolina Community College's Chatham Main Campus has 45,000 square feet of floor space that includes classrooms, shops, laboratories and a full-service Learning Resource Center at the intersection of N.C. 87 and 64 in Pittsboro. The Siler City branch campus is located at 502 West Third Street in Siler City in a 14,000-square-foot facility.
On the Chatham Main Campus and Harnett Main Campus, Associate in Applied Science Degrees, diplomas and certificates are offered in the curriculum programs. In addition to the college transfer A.A. and A.S. programs, these two campuses also offer non-credit courses in adult basic education, adult high school, occupational and general interest for which a certificate of completion is given and continuing education units are awarded. A Small Business Assistance Center is located at the Chatham Main Campus.
Central Carolina Community College is a tax supported, public non-profit school under the control of a local board of trustees.