Founded in 1966 as a branch campus of Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College became an independent member of the Community College System in 1968. At the outset, the college operated principally in space rented from Middletown Public Schools and loaned by Connecticut Valley Hospital. In 1973, the college moved to its present 38-acre campus, which overlooks the scenic Connecticut River and the City of Middletown. Middlesex Community College is conveniently located in Central Connecticut and is easily accessible via major interstates. Our college and our community are partners in a tradition of shaping the future, one person at a time. We believe our success depends upon our ability to treat others with respect, educate the whole person, recognize that each individual is vital to our mission, and develop programs and services responsive to the current and changing needs of our community.

Middlesex believes that a college education should be available to everyone, and is therefore committed to providing excellence in teaching as well as personal support in developing the genius of each student. An open admissions college, Middlesex awards associate degrees in more than 20 major areas and certificates in a variety of programs which lead to further study, employment and active citizenship. In addition, the college shares its resources and addresses community needs through numerous credit and non-credit courses, business programs, cultural activities and special events. Faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic, professional and career potentials. Such support is a continual process that recognizes student diversity in both background and learning ability. e educational goal of the college is to promote understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking.

In 1998 Middlesex opened a new learning site which is now located in downtown Meriden at 55 West Main Street. Students have the option of enrolling in credit, non-credit, day, evening, and weekend courses. Greater Meriden-Wallingford area business and industry take advantage of education and training through Meriden's Internet Training Center and certificate programs. Credit and noncredit courses are also offered throughout the year at the Shoreline location in Old Saybrook.

Trough its Center for Business and Industry Services (CBIS), one of the original centers in the statewide Business & Industry Services Network (BISN), the College provides companies throughout Middlesex County and the Meriden-Wallingford area with a full range of customized training, instruction and consultation services. e list of notable CBIS clients includes Hamilton Standard, Sikorsky Aircraft, Pratt & Whitney, Wesleyan University, the State of Connecticut Attorney's Office, and the City of Middletown.

One of Middlesex's most valued resources is its faculty. Recognized for their service to the local and wider geographic community, Middlesex faculty are the recipients of major awards, fellowships and grants. Faculty are distinguished authors and writers, artists, communicators, Emmy-award winning broadcast designers, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, consultants, counselors, law enforcement and medical professionals, engineers and technicians. e goal of the faculty is not only to prepare students with marketable skills and fluency in verbal and mathematical languages, but also to graduate individuals who respect themselves, others and their environment, and who have learned to act with courage, conviction, and dignity in their private and civic lives.

The College's four main air-conditioned and handicapped accessible buildings - Snow, Wheaton, Founders and Chapman Halls - are located on a scenic campus approximately a mile and a half from the center of Middletown. Within this complex are general purpose classrooms, a computer center and computer classrooms, art studios, a state-of-the-art broadcast communications center, special purpose chemistry and biology laboratories, a learning laboratory for reading and writing, an ophthalmic design and dispensing laboratory, faculty and administrative offices, cafeteria, bookstore, multi-purpose rooms, and a library. ere is ample free student parking; a municipal bus, which stops at the campus twice hourly, also serves the college. Because Middlesex is a commuter college, there are no dormitories or housing agencies.

To further serve the needs of its non-traditional students, faculty, staff and families in the Middletown area, the college offers both parttime and full-time child care (ages 3-6 years) through its preschool/pre-K Child Care & Preschool Center. A State of Connecticut licensed facility, the Center has a 2,250- square foot playground, is handicapped accessible, provides reserved parking for the drop-off and pickup of children, and offers flexible schedules.

To fulfill its mission, Middlesex has established the following objectives in its advancement of the principle of lifelong learning:

• General Education - To provide a range of courses enabling students to achieve occupational, educational, philosophical, recreational and personal goals for more satisfying lives.
• College Transfer Education - To provide appropriate programs and courses for those desiring to continue their education at baccalaureate institutions.
• Technical and Career Education - To offer associate degree and certificate programs of study for specific occupations.
• Student Services - To provide personal, career, and job support services that help students reach their academic potential; to serve students with special needs; and to create an environment supportive of students from varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Community Services - To provide non-credit courses, workshops and conferences for skill development, career enhancement and personal enrichment.
• Business and Industry Services - To assist area firms through consultation and educational services to take advantage of new technology and to improve staff skills.

Visit About the College webpages for additional information.