Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College's Main Campus (2012)
Type	Community College
Established	1901
Endowment	$5.5 million
President	Dr. Judy Mitchell
Academic staff	296 full-time, 1130 part-time
Students	15191 (approx.)
Location	Joliet, Illinois, USA
Campus	Suburban, 273 acres (110.5 ha)
Colors	Purple and White
Mascot	Wolves
Website	www.jjc.edu

Joliet Junior College (JJC), a community college based in Joliet, Illinois, is the first public community college founded in the United States. JJC offers pre-baccalaureate programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university, as well as occupational education leading directly to employment. Additionally, JJC offers adult education and literacy programs, workforce development services, and student support services.

In Spring 2014, the college enrolled 16,375 students. Every year, 48,000 students enroll in the college's academic programs and in non-credit programs.

Joliet Junior College was founded in 1901 by Joliet Township High School Superintendent J. Stanley Brown and President of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper. Brown, who came to Joliet in 1893, first served as the principal of the high school. Throughout his time in Joliet, Brown became a well-known supporter of higher education, and would often encourage his students to attend college after graduation. Unfortunately, many students did not attend college because it was too expensive. Brown consulted his friend, Harper, and together they created Joliet Junior College. Classes took place at Joliet Township High School. The first class was made up of six students in 1901.

In 1916, the name of the institution was formalized. In 1917, Joliet Junior College received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Joliet Junior College's student newspaper, The Blazer, was first published in October 1929. Before The Blazer, college bulletins were reported in the high school paper.

Joliet Junior College moved to its current location, at 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet, in September 1969. The building at this location became fully operational in 1974. Joliet Junior College's first president, Elmer Rowley, was instrumental in establishing this new building and location.

Today, Joliet Junior College has locations not only in Joliet, Illinois, but in Romeoville, Illinois, Morris, Illinois, and Frankfort, Illinois.