Evolution, Challenges and Opportunities

By Ross Gittell, Chancellor and Shannon Reid, Director of Communications

August 2013

The Community College System of New Hampshire has evolved continuously in its fifty-year history. As the needs of the State, its businesses, industries, communities and citizens have changed, the System has transitioned to maintain and increase its critical economic and social relevance.

In many respects the evolution described in this chapter, from trade schools and “voc techs” to comprehensive community colleges, has occurred later in New Hampshire than in other states. It has occurred in a state that takes its motto “Live Free or Die” seriously, with significant pride in being frugal with public funding, including the funding of public higher education.

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