Throughout the United States, community colleges are the largest and fastest growing segment of higher education. In this decade nearly six million students have registered for credit courses in more than 1,200 public community colleges. Most community colleges began in the 1960s; however, Western Nebraska Community College, with a very unique history, was established in Scottsbluff in September 1926.

Established as an extension of the University of Nebraska, Western Nebraska Community College was originally named Scottsbluff Junior College. The College became inactive after only one year and was reopened in September 1929, as part of the Scottsbluff Public School System. The College operated as part of that system until September 1932, when it became a public, two-year institution. In May 1965, Scottsbluff Junior College came under the auspices of Scotts Bluff County.

In 1966, a bond issue was approved for the construction of a new campus. In June 1968, Scotts Bluff College became Nebraska Western College.

In 1965, Western Nebraska Vocational Technical School was founded by the State Legislature in Cheyenne County at the former Sioux Army Depot, located approximately twelve miles west of Sidney. In October 1966, classes began at the technical vocational school.

In 1971, the school changed its name to Western Nebraska Technical College.

In 1973, the State Legislature formed the Western Technical Community College Area, which included Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College, and the Alliance School of Practical Nursing. In the spring of 1973, Nebraska Western College was granted initial accreditation by the North Central Association/Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three
entities into a single college, multiple campuses setting.

The Alliance School of Practical Nursing started in 1957 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1979, the school hired a part time coordinator and began offering a variety of general education and vocational classes in conjunction with Nebraska Western College.

In 1982, the Alliance School of Practical Nursing merged with Nebraska Western Community College to become the Nebraska Western College of Practical Nursing Program.

In 1983, Western Nebraska Technical College became a Candidate for Accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

On July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the College to Western Nebraska Community College - Scottsbluff Campus and Sidney Center. On June 22, 1990, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) granted continued accreditation to the College for ten years.

On June 30, 1991, the State Legislature changed the Area name to Western Community College Area.

In August 1995, the Scottsbluff Campus expanded its facilities; the Sidney Center moved to new facilities located at 371 College Drive.

The Sidney operations were previously located in Sidney at the Town Center Building and also at the Sioux Army Depot. Classes began in the new Center Fall Semester 1995. In August 1996, the campus, located at the Sioux Army Depot, was sold to a private enterprise. The Aviation Maintenance Program was the only instructional program, which remained at the Depot.

In October 1996 ground breaking was held at the Cheyenne County Airport, the new home of the Aviation Maintenance Program. Classes in the new aviation facility began in June 1997. The new aviation facility was made possible through a partnership between the College, the City of Sidney, the Cheyenne County Airport Authority, and the Western Nebraska Endowment Association.

Alliance, centrally located in the Nebraska panhandle, is the College’s newest growth area. Over the past few years the College has experienced increased enrollment, demonstrating a need for a new facility and additional staff. Previously located at Box Butte General Hospital and temporary downtown facilities, the Alliance Center relocated fall 1998 to the new Alliance Learning Center constructed by the City of Alliance, adjacent to the Alliance Public Schools.

Given the increase in demand for worker training, retraining, and economic development activities, the College established a Center for Business and Individual Training (CBIT). The CBIT, located at 2620 College Park, was made possible from the use of LB840 dollars from the City of Scottsbluff. Opening during the 1997-98 academic years, the CBIT provides short-term, high impact skills training to assist in job creation and capacity building for area companies. The 42,000 square foot facility includes computer-based training, construction trades, machine tool, and hazardous materials training, in addition to flexible training spaces.

In spring 1997, the College opened an operational center on the campus of Chadron State College (CSC) to serve an expanding population of students needing developmental courses. The enrollment growth was a consequence of admissions changes by Chadron State College. In addition, the CSCWNCC Center serves as an administrative base for continuing education, ABE/GED Testing, and industrial training activities. The Center also serves as a registration and admissions office for the northern tier of the WNCC service area.

Today, the Western Community College Area serves 12.5 counties comprising the Nebraska Panhandle. Credit and non-credit courses are offered at the main campus in Scottsbluff, at the Alliance and Sidney Centers, and at various sites throughout the service area. The College works closely with communities to ensure that course offerings meet the educational needs of each community.