Founding (1967–1968)

The N. C. General Assembly initially authorized Martin Community College as Martin Technical Institute during the 1967 session. Exercising authority given by state lawmakers, the State Board of Education contracted with the Martin County Board of Education to establish a unit of the N.C. Community College System. This action was finalized on September 7, 1967.

Martin County Commissioners and the local Board of Education then appointed an eight-member board of trustees for the college. The trustees selected and appointed the college’s first president with approval coming from the State Board of Education.

An administrative staff was appointed, and extension courses were initiated during the 1968 summer quarter. That same year, vocational and technical curriculum programs were started during the fall quarter. Administrative headquarters and classrooms were temporarily located in Everetts in an old public school building remodeled for that purpose.

Independent Status and New Campus (1969–1975)

In June 1969, a favorable county-wide vote enabled the institute to apply for independent status. The change was completed a month later on July 21, and the original contract with the county Board of Education terminated. Local and federal funds were secured to construct new facilities on a 65-acre tract just west of Williamston. The facilities were to be completed April 1, 1971. The college moved into its new home the week of May 24, 1971, and an open house and graduation exercises were held just days later on Sunday, May 30.

A bond election was held November 7, 1972, and a million dollars of matching funds for construction was approved. The 1973 General Assembly awarded $570,000 of capital construction funds to build a Learning Resources Center (Building 2), Automotive Shop/Classroom Building (Building 3), and Business/College Transfer Building (Building 4). The Learning Resources Center was completed in the fall of 1974, and the Library and Learning Laboratory were moved from the original facilities. Numerous instructors moved their offices to the new building along with the Division of Continuing Education. The Automotive Shop/Classroom Building and the Business/College Transfer buildings were ready for occupancy in December 1975.

Community College Status (1975–1976)

The General Assembly granted Martin Technical Institute community college status on June 26, 1975. Funding for a two-year college transfer program was appropriated five days later. The college’s name was officially changed to Martin Community College on July 1, 1976.

Continued Growth (1982–1983)

Construction of a Shipping and Receiving building began in July 1982. This 3,840 square foot building was completed and operational in the fall of 1983.

Bertie Campus

Since the college’s establishment in 1968, an additional campus was added in Bertie County. The Bertie Campus – located on Granville Street in Windsor – is a 12,000 square foot facility that includes a 20-seat networked computer lab and a multipurpose room with a 175-person seating capacity. Services provided at this multi-use center include adult basic skills, adult high school education, and occupational and technical programming.

Equine Facility Development

MCC’s first Equine facility – consisting of an 18-stall barn, breeding shed, and a riding ring – was added in the summer of 1984. Two years later, an additional barn with a covered riding ring was added. As the program grew, plans for an expanded MCC equine facility were developed with a ground breaking held in the fall of 1987. Phase I was completed in 1989 and Phase II the next year. Phase III began August 1995 and was finished in July of the following year. Renovations to these facilities got underway in 2017.

Building 3 Renovations (1986–1990)

Building 3 was renovated in 1986 to meet the needs of changing curriculum offerings and additional special support services. Renovations included a Physical Therapist Assistant lecture/laboratory, Automotive Systems Technology specialized training areas, and HVAC laboratory. The Medical Assisting program was moved to Building 3 in the fall of 1990. Major renovations were made to these facilities in 2015 and 2016.

Modernization (2015–2017)

Beginning in 2015, MCC remodeled Allied Health Labs, the Automotive Systems Technology rooms, the HVAC rooms as well as Electrical Systems, Welding and Cosmetology. In 2017 the Facilities Master Plan was updated as a priority list for future capital expenditures.

Recent Expansions (2018–2019)

In 2018 new electronic signs were placed at each end of Kehukee Park Road and extensive renovations were made to the BLET classroom and Equine facilities. In 2019 the Public Safety Training Burn Tower was completed and other improvements were made including: the Equine Arena roof, Equine outside riding ring, and a new Bertie Campus sign. Building 1 received minor renovations and in Building 2 the Library received major renovations and a new Student Success Center was created.

Latest Developments (2020–2022)

In 2020 the Public Safety and Equine classroom buildings were completed, Arena Barn C was renovated to accommodate twenty more stalls, the Apprentice Line Technician Academy and pole yard were added with the help of a Golden Leaf Grant, and minor renovations were made to Building 3 and 4.

In 2021 and 2022 the Orthopaedics program was added with renovated space in Building 3, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program was expanded with space renovations in Building 4, Cosmetology was expanded to include a Manicure Lab in Building 1, the Continuing Education Learning Lab was renovated and divided into spaces for the Human Resources Development (HRD) and College & Career Readiness (CCR), and partnerships with NCWorks Career Centers in Martin and Bertie Counties lead to housing these services on both Martin and Bertie campuses.