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History of MCC

MCC Has Served the Community for 50+ Years!

MCC has provided tens of thousands of students from all ages and backgrounds with high-quality education, flexible scheduling, and special program options.

Through our services, the College continues to help students reach their goals and fulfill their dreams. Many of whom go on to pursue associate, bachelor's and advanced degrees and life-long success. 

We support our students through providing opportunities for:

  • Meaningful career paths
  • Workforce trainings
  • Professional development
  • Personal enrichment

MCC's first president, James E. Houlihan Jr.Within the first 10 years of joining the Massachusetts community college system, the College served the Bedford community. In the fall of 1970, we leased two buildings from the Bedford Veterans Administration Hospital to teach classes. On opening day, Dr. James E. Houlihan Jr. began his tenure as MCC’s first president.

During this period we:

  • Held our first commencement in 1972
  • Offered continuing education courses
  • Opened a dental hygiene clinic and health service center

Purchased Marists Brothers property to establish a permanent Bedford campus

MCC's 1980 Graduation PhotoBy the 1980s, our student enrollment numbers increased by more than 30 percent reaching 8,000 students, with 1,400 of them being full-time. In 1988, Dr. Evan S. Dobelle became MCC’s second president.

To offer our students more classes and services, the College:

  • Opened campuses in Burlington and Lowell
  • Created Business and Industry Programs
  • Welcomed international students

MCC President Carole Cowan outside of MCC's Showcase John Nesmith HouseIn our third decade, permanent campuses were constructed in both Bedford and Lowell to offer students more learning spaces and opportunities. Dr. Carole A. Cowan became the College’s third president in 1990.

Our footprint and influence also expanded with:

  • The MCC Foundation’s first major campaign, as well as the purchase and renovation of Lowell’s John Nesmith House by the Foundation
  • Service-Learning opportunities for students
  • The opening of our Health, Science and Technology Center 
  • The College’s first online course offerings

As technology advanced and we entered a new millennium, we launched several new projects and ventures, including:

  • Starting the Honors Program and Links Program
  • Opening and acquiring new buildings in Lowell
  • Partnering with Lahey Clinic to start the Nursing Partnership Program
  • Acquiring a Meetinghouse in Bedford and launching the Annual Fund

MCC's Ribbon Cutting for the Academic Arts Center in 2018Cowan served for 25 years before Dr. James C. Mabry became MCC’s fourth president in 2015. By the end of the fifth decade, the College made major shifts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, growing and adapting our teaching tools and structures to include virtual and hybrid options, as well as safe in-person opportunities. 

Our focus was on:

  • Strengthening our STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) offerings
  • Enhancing our performing arts offerings by opening the Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center
  • Addressing barriers to education and having conversations on equity

MCC employees and student with President Sisson holding the AACC award.In 2021, Philip J. Sisson became MCC’s fifth president. Through President Sisson’s leadership, we raised our enrollment numbers post-COVID and implemented free college through state initiatives MassEducate and MassReconnect for eligible students. In addition, we enhanced our existing spaces to increase our opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.

These include:

  • Creating the Learn & Earn programs to offer students paid internships while working toward an associate degree
  • Enhancing our career development opportunities through the Office of Career Integrated Learning
  • Developing and implemented industry-driven micro-credential options
  • Renovating spaces to offer state-of-the-art biotechnology lab, nursing simulation and laboratory, and a culinary lab

At MCC, we value and foster diversity, equity and belonging (DEB). The College strives for everyone to feel included, have a sense of belonging, and find a community of people at MCC.

Due to our DEB efforts, we:

  • Received first place at the 2024 American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence Ceremony for Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging
  • Opened The Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation to engage with our students and local communities
  • Started hosting Tuition Equity sessions to help students understand new Massachusetts law

As we look to the future, MCC aims to provide our students with more services, resources and educational opportunities that will prepare them for success and life-long learning. We are dedicated to building leaders who can contribute to their communities and become productive members of society.