College History
Haywood Community College opened in August 1965 as Haywood Industrial Education Center with one curriculum program and 39 students. Today, Haywood Community College offers over 30 curricular programs to almost 2,000 students. Approximately 2,500 more students attend classes through its Workforce and Industry Training Division, including adult basic education, High School Equivalency Diploma preparation, occupational courses, and community service programs.
In 1973, the College was first accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
In 1975, the Haywood Community College Foundation was founded to aid, strengthen, and further the work and service of Haywood Community College.
The Haywood Community College Board of Trustees approved the start of the campus arboretum in October 1977 and John Palmer was appointed as the founding director in November.
In 1986, the College opened its Regional High Technology Center. This was the first advanced technology center of its kind in the state of North Carolina. It has provided services to over 50,000 people and over 100 companies. Today, the Regional High Technology Center serves Western North Carolina by providing high technology training and by promoting the growth of regional industry.
The 1991 donation of a 320-acre tract of forest land to the Haywood Community College Foundation by Raymond and Bernice Fowler, known as the Raymond J. Fowler Conservancy and Teaching Forest, enabled the College to have a teaching forest for its natural resources program.
The John T. and Catherine R. Beaty Natural Resources Classroom, a 54-acre tract of forestland donated to the Haywood Community College Foundation by Catherine Beaty in memory of her late husband John, opened in 2002.
In 2009, Haywood Community College acquired a 328 acre tract of land located at Balsam Gap through a generous gift from the Conservation Fund. As a natural extension of protected forest land, the Balsam Gap property serves as a teaching environmental laboratory for Haywood Community College’s Natural Resources programs.
In 2013, a new tax-payer funded facility was completed that provides space for creative arts curriculum and workforce and industry training courses. The building is the home of the Professional Crafts Fiber, Clay, Jewelry, and Wood programs. Additionally, the building houses a modern computer lab, gallery, classrooms, and a 21st century lab for music instruction.
In 2016, Haywood Community College opened the Public Services Training Facility (PSTF). The PSTF is a highly specialized building that allows HCC to safely and effectively train Haywood County’s fire, law enforcement, and EMS personnel. This training facility provides state-of-the-art, “real world” tools and training in a controlled environment for first responders of all levels of experience.
In 2021, with support from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, Haywood Community College was able to upgrade and expand the 18-hole on-campus disc golf course.
In 2022, Haywood Community College opened the Health Services Education Building. This 16,000 square foot building features a lecture auditorium, skills lab, and lab space with state-of-the-art manikins.
Documents pertaining to the history of the college are maintained in the college library.