About
The History of CCSNH
1945 - 1960
The public post-secondary system of two-year colleges originated in New Hampshire in 1945 with the establishment of two trade schools in Manchester and Portsmouth. These colleges were established to provide trade and vocational training, with first preference given to veterans that were demobilized after World War II. In 1949 the two schools were renamed New Hampshire Technical Institutes. In 1961 an act was passed entitled, “Technical Institutes and Vocational Technical Schools”, which combined the two technical institutes at Manchester and Portsmouth into one facility to be located in Concord. All technical training would be carried out at this new facility. The two former technical institutes would become vocational-technical institutes with the specific responsibility of training skilled workers to meet the occupational needs of the State.
1961 - 2006
The 1961 law provided a plan for the construction of four additional vocational technical institutes at Berlin (1968), Claremont (1968), Laconia (1967) and Nashua (1971). With the completion of the construction in 1971, the name, “vocational – technical colleges”, was approved by the NH State Legislature. From this fundamental structure and mission, the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) was formed.
2007 - today
In July 2007, legislation was enacted that created CCSNH. The New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), Title XV: EDUCATION, Chapter 188 – F as amended, provide the full details regarding the organization and governance of CCSNH. Today, seven independently accredited community colleges (Great Bay Community College; Lakes Region Community College; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community College; NHTI – Concord’s Community College; River Valley Community College; and White Mountains Community College) and the Chancellor’s Office (referred to as the System Office) comprise CCSNH.
CCSNH’s mission is to provide comprehensive, market-driven, accessible, quality programs of higher education and services that respond to the changing needs of students, businesses, and communities. The vision is to serve as a key access point for the broad spectrum of New Hampshire learners, providing evolving programs responsive to regional and state social and economic needs.
CCSNH will continue to be a key community resource woven into New Hampshire’s quality of life, providing a seamless pathway of lifelong learning and career development.