Hutchinson Community College (HCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

A premier two-year institution, Hutchinson Community College (formerly known as Hutchinson Junior College) has been educating students for more than 80 years. The college opened its doors to students in 1928, serving 187 students consisting of 172 freshmen and 15 sophomores. First classes were held at the local high school. Over the years, land was acquired and buildings were constructed for HCC students to learn in and enjoy. Currently, residence halls, athletic facilities, classroom and administrative buildings, and a student union are among the many buildings making up the HCC campus. Over 5,500 students take advantage of all the campus offerings, making Hutchinson Community College a desirable place to learn.

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Information Summary

Ranks 38th in Kansas and 2436th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	57.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$14,604
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	15 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	60% / 32%
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,574

Academics

At Hutchinson Community College, students are able to gain experiences from eight different departments offering associate degrees and certificate programs.

Allied Health

The Allied Health Department at HCC helps students become highly employable in today’s competitive health care industry. They offer programs in nursing, health information technology, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, among others. The faculty stay current and focus on new developments, ensuring students are aware of the latest developments and techniques.

Business, Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences

This diverse department addresses a wide-range of skill-sets that students can hone. Situated in Kansas, it is very appropriate for HCC to offer areas of study in agriculture where students are able to study the business end of the industry.

Computer and Industrial Technology

The Computer and Industrial Technology department strives to prepare students for the future by providing them with the latest industry equipment, real working models, and networking experiences with the outside world. Students are encouraged to explore the world of technology in a variety of genres, including video-gaming and business.

Fine Arts

HCC students are able to study visual and performing arts through this department, which includes theater, art, music, broadcasting, and religion/philosophy. They are dedicated to introducing students to accomplished professionals in the field for practical learning and experiences. The students and faculty of the Fine Arts Department at HCC have become the essential contributor to the town of Hutchinson’s cultural climate.

Language, Literature & Communication

Students studying in this department focus on written and verbal communication aligned with today’s technologies. Published authors, journalists, and established professionals head up this department, giving students the opportunity to learn from real-life practitioners.

Natural Science & Mathematics

At HCC, students in the Natural Science and Mathematics Department are kept abreast of all new research findings, thanks to the dedicated faculty and staff. State-of-the-art labs dedicated to each discipline are available to students as they study biology, chemistry, physics, and math.

Public Safety

Cross-curricular integration is important for the Public Safety Department as prospective firefighters, dispatchers, police officers, and emergency medical providers work together to keep communities healthy and safe. A hand-on approach has been adopted by the apartment, requiring all students to gain clinical experience with real-life equipment and situations.

Social Science

The Social Science Department at HCC embraces student diversity and encourage students to challenge their mindsets every single day. A variety of forums are hosted by the department, allowing students and faculty members to share their questions, thoughts, and findings. Students are engaged in political, social, and psychological discussions relevant to today.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Hutchinson Community College accepts applications from students who fall into the following categories:

Regular Student
Ability to Benefit Student
International Student
Special Student
Guest Student
High School Student
Visiting Student
Non-credit Student

Regardless of the type, once admitted, students retain their admission status in the category in which they were originally granted the slot. Provisionally admitted students may enroll and attend classes prior to the arrival of their transcripts, but cannot receive financial aid or participate in activities. After the director of admissions certifies all required documents, students will then receive full-time status and may benefit from assistance and join in on activities.

Financial Aid

Students who wish to gain financial assistance for their studies at Hutchinson Community College are eligible to apply for a variety of types of assistance. These include scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities as provided by federal, state, and local programs. Financial assistance is generally needs-based or awarded to those with high academic esteem. In order to be considered for financial aid, students have to:

be enrolled at HCC in a degree-seeking major,
make satisfactory academic progress as stated in HCC policy, and
complete and meet all FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) requirements.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6261st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Kansas.

Students

Students at Hutchinson Community College are able to stay engaged and involved through a number of sports, activities, and organizations. One unique feature about HCC is the fact that they offer dormitory housing for students, rare for a two-year college. The dorms are spacious and include many present-day amenities such as cable TV, high-speed internet access, vending and change machines, mail service, community services, and laundry facilities. Students are even provided with refrigerators in their rooms.

On campus, a myriad of clubs and organizations are available for students, ranging in focus from academic subject areas to athletics. More than 80 groups exist on campus so there is something for everyone. Students are also encouraged to develop their leadership skills by joining the Student Government Association.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The HCC Blue Dragons compete at the intercollegiate level through the NJCAA or National Junior College Athletics Association. Students engage in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track, volleyball, and cheer. Recently, 76 athletes earned academic honors, making HCC students some of the most successful at balancing their studies with sports.

Athletes at HCC are served by the Sports Medicine Department, which offers them the best health care can provide. Trainers put together some of the best sports medicine programs to assure the highest levels of health and safety for students. There are two fully equipped training rooms on campus.

Local Community

Downtown Hutchinson, KS, continues to be revitalized by volunteers to physically improve buildings and businesses. There are a variety of shops to wander through, restaurants to graze in, and things to do in the downtown area. As the county seat of Reno County, KS, Hutchinson is located about 40 miles outside of Wichita, on the Arkansas River. Hutchinson is home to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, and aerospace museum near the state fairgrounds.

Dubbed “Salt City” by some, Hutchinson was founded upon the discovery of salt in the area. The first salt-processing plants west of the Mississippi River first sprouted in the Hutchinson area. They also boast the longest grain elevator in the world. Currently, the city also houses Siemens’ American wind turbine assembly facility, bringing jobs and revenue to the quiet town of less than 50,000 residents.

Bibliography

Boroch, Deborah, et.al. Student Success in Community Colleges: A Practical Guide to Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Print.

City of Hutchinson. Hutch Gov. n.d. Web. 27 July, 2011.

Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School. Hutchinson Community College. n.d. Web. 27 July, 2011.

Hutchinson Community College