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Media Contact:
Sonji Joyner
Communications Manager, Office of Communications
joynersr@pgcc.edu
Prince George's Community College celebrates 65 years of being a prominent regional leader in education and empowerment
PGCC Commemorates its 65th Anniversary Guided by its Theme “A Legacy of Commitment: Empowering People and Building Strong Communities”
LARGO, Md. (October 30, 2023) Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) is celebrating its 65th anniversary of being a prominent regional leader in education and empowerment for Prince George’s County residents. This year’s anniversary theme is “A Legacy of Commitment: Empowering People and Building Strong Communities.” This theme is aligned with the College’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan to become the region’s premier center for dynamic teaching and learning, strategic partnerships, and community engagement to advance knowledge, economic equity, and lifelong personal development.
Founded in 1958, PGCC was the first institutional education to integrate in Prince George’s County and began offering classes at Suitland High School in Forestville, MD, with a total count of 185 students. After a decade, the College relocated to its Largo campus with a student body that quickly grew to 40,000 following years of rapid growth and expansion through integral partnerships, grants, and initiatives, such as becoming the first community college in Maryland to offer the Promise Scholarship Program with Prince George’s County.
“Over these past 65 years, Prince George’s Community College has become a leader in educating and empowering our region’s workforce through strategic learning and innovative partnerships,” Dr. Falecia D. Williams, president of Prince George’s Community College, said. “We are honored to recognize this significant milestone and celebrate our 65th anniversary with the College community and beyond.” President Williams was recently chosen by “Washingtonian” magazine as one of the Most Powerful Women in Washington for 2023.
Over this past year alone, PGCC has announced an estimable number of accomplishments and partnerships, such as receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, signing a new articulation agreement with NewU University, launching a new Mass Communication Speaker Series, hosting the annual PGCC Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament, joining the Maryland Education Alliance, becoming an Amazon Career Choice program partner, and partnering with the Education Advisory Board’s Moon Shot for Equity. This year, the College has also hosted the honorable U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore on its campus.
PGCC will hold several events to commemorate its 65th anniversary, starting with the upcoming Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic event to provide free dental, vision, and medical services to community members on Saturday, November 11, and Sunday, November 12. Next year, the College will host a community summer block party, launch a new speaker series, host various events at the Center for Performing Arts, and hold the Partners for Success Gala on October 18, 2024.
This year’s anniversary chair is Dr. Sherrie Johnson, Vice President, External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement. Co-chairs are Angie Crews, Senior Director, Office of Communications, Dawnica Jackson, Director, Office of Marketing, and Dena Wilson, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Advancement and Foundation.
In honor of the College’s 65 years of service, a 65-second anniversary video of PGCC’s history and its perpetual impact is now available on the College’s YouTube channel.
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About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2022-2027), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skill sets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 25,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree, and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the College’s website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education.