Jefferson College (Missouri)

Jefferson Community College, Hillsboro, MO
Type	Public community college
Established	April 2, 1963; 61 years ago
President	Dena McCaffrey
Students	4,179 (Fall 2019)
Location	Hillsboro, Missouri, United States
Colors	Red and Columbia Blue
Mascot	Victor the Viking
Website	www.jeffco.edu

Jefferson College is a public community college in Jefferson County, Missouri, in the city of Hillsboro. As of Fall 2019, Jefferson College enrollment included 4,179 full and part-time college credit students.^[1]

History

The history of Jefferson College began in the spring of 1961 with the passage of Senate Bill Number Seven, presented by Senator Earl Blackwell of Hillsboro, made possible the formation and financing of public junior colleges in Missouri. Several Jefferson County citizens began to recognize the need for a public junior college in their community, they met, organized and petitioned the State Board of Education for the formation of a Junior College District. The Community College District of Jefferson County was voted into existence on April 2, 1963.

Classes were first held at Hillsboro High School in 1964 until the following year (1965) when the college moved to its present 400+ acre campus on Highway 21 near Hillsboro. Jefferson College became the second junior college district in Missouri to be approved.^[2]

Accreditation

Jefferson College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.^[3]

Campus locations

Main Campus

The Main Campus is located in Jefferson County, with a portion in the city of Hillsboro and most of it in an unincorporated area.^[4] This campus is about 30 miles (48 km) south of St. Louis.^[5]

It includes the following features: the Library-Administration Building, Career & Technical Education Building, Fine Arts Building, Technology Center (established 1986), Arts and Sciences Building, Arts and Sciences II, Field House, Athletic Fields, Student Center, Area Technical School, and Student Housing [Viking Woods]. JC Online, was formally established in 2010 as the college's virtual campus, providing a full range of classes and e-services to students who prefer this highly popular method of instruction.^[6]

Jefferson College Arnold

Jefferson College Arnold is located in Arnold. This campus is about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of St. Louis.^[5]

Jefferson College Arnold was opened in 2007 to expand educational services to those in northern Jefferson County. The 40,000 square feet (3,700 m²) facility is located at 1687 Missouri State Road behind the Arnold Library and Recreation Center.

Jefferson College Imperial

Jefferson College Imperial is in Imperial, near Arnold and approximately 15 miles (24 km) south of St. Louis.^[5]

Jefferson College Imperial opened in 2010. The 20,000 square feet (1,900 m²) building is located at 4400 Jeffco Boulevard and is home to the Law Enforcement Academy, EMT-Paramedic programs.

Academics

Jefferson Community College offers degree programs in the following programs.

Associate of Applied Science: The A.A.S. degree includes a variety of career and technical education programs not generally designed for transfer. The A.A.S. degree generally provides the option to pursue either a degree or a certificate.
Associate of Arts: The Associate of Arts A.A. degree is a program of general studies designed to transfer to four-year institutions. Many subjects are offered.
Associate of Arts in Teaching: The A.A.T. degree is designed to transfer into a four-year Teacher Education program for those who want to be certified to teach early childhood, elementary, middle school, or secondary education.
Associate of Fine Arts: The A.F.A. degree is designed for transfer to another college or university as part of a bachelor's degree in fine arts.
Associate of Science Degree - Pre-Engineering: The A.S. degree is designed to transfer to an engineering institution, specifically the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Athletics

Jefferson College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I, NJCAA Region XVI and the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference. The college fields teams in men's baseball and soccer, and women's basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. The teams are known as the Vikings.^[7]

Jefferson College Foundation

Founded in 1991, the Foundation supports the educational opportunities at Jefferson College by hosting events. Proceeds from the events help provide scholarships for students in need of assistance. The Foundation also provides entertainment for members of the community and their families.^[8]

Student life

Victor the Viking is the mascot of Jefferson College.

Student media

Jefferson College Television (JCTV) provides educational opportunities in broadcast journalism.

Student organizations

The Office of Student Development includes a variety of clubs and organizations on campus that provide students the opportunity to participate as members and/or take leadership roles. In addition, students are made aware of volunteer opportunities available within the community.^[9]

Library

The Jefferson College Library has a book collection of over 70,000 volumes. The library's collection includes print periodicals, best sellers, graphic novels, DVDs, music CDs, eBooks and audiobooks. The library is also home to the Jefferson County History Center,^[10] which serves as an archive for Jefferson County. The history center is used for genealogical research by residents of Jefferson County, Missouri. Jefferson College Library serves as a selective federal depository^[11] for Missouri's Third Congressional District through its participation in the Federal Depository Library Program.^[12] Many government publications are available in the library in either a paper or an electronic format.