title: Prince George's Community College
text: Prince George's Community College (PGCC) is a public community college in Largo in Prince George's County, Maryland. The college serves Prince George's County and surrounding areas, including Washington, D.C.
  
  History
  
  Founded in 1958, Prince George's Community College came into existence because there was perceived to be a need for educational opportunities for the residents of the county, particularly those who were still in the K–12 grades of the public schools in the late 1950s.
  
  Classes commenced at Suitland High School, with a student body of 185; thus, the college celebrated 50 years of service in 2008. The college was the first educational institution to integrate in the county, and today serves more African-American students than any other post-secondary institution in the state of Maryland. In 1967, the college moved to its permanent location in Largo, Maryland, where it has grown to an enrollment of nearly 40,000 students. During the past decades, a handful of buildings on the campus has grown to 22 facilities.
  
  In Spring 2007, the college selected its first female president, Charlene Dukes.
  
  Academics
  Prince George's Community College provides higher education to the local population. The college offers over 100 fields of study through its academic, workforce development, continuing education, and personal enrichment programs. More specifically,  PGCC has 68 academic degree programs and 34 professional certificate program, many of which feature distance learning options.  The college awards Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees.  In addition, PGCC allows students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
  
  Accreditation
  Prince George's Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its education, engineering, nursing, radiology, paramedic and respiratory therapy programs have specialized accreditation.
  
  They also participate in dual-enrollment for high school junior and senior students from PGCPS. Students can take courses while still in high school, earning both high school and college credit.
  
  Community focus 
  The school hosts a number of special programs that address the needs and interests of county residents. These include the Book Bridge Project, the Center for Business and Industry Training and the Children's Developmental Clinic. College meeting rooms and recreational facilities are also available for use by the public. These facilities include the Robert I. Bickford Natatorium, which is open to individuals and groups. More than 1,000 events sponsored by community organizations are held at the college each year.
  
  Campuses and training facilities
  
  The main campus is located in Largo, Maryland, which opened in 1967.  PGCC operates extension centers at University Town Center in Hyattsville, and Andrews Air Force Base as well as Skilled Trades Center in Camp Springs.  The college shares an extension center with Howard Community College in Laurel called the Laurel College Center.
  
  Within the last six years, the college has seen the completion of two new modern facilities: the Center for Advanced Technology and the Center for Health Studies. There are several more developments underway including a brand new Culinary Arts Center, renovation and expansion of Lanham Hall, the Queen Anne Arts Education Center, a renovation of the Rennie Forum auditorium, and a health and wellness center.
  
  Student life
  
  PGCC serves approximately 40,000 students.
  
  The college also offers many student services and resources like the study rooms, print services, and computer labs with tutoring. It also includes many places where students can hang out: the student lounge and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.
  
  Clubs and organizations
  The college has 43 student clubs and organizations representing a wide variety of interest, including an Active Seniors Club, the African Student Union, a Caribbean Student Association,  an Honors Society, Intercollegiate Athletics, Improvisational Theatre, a Muslim Student Association, a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and a Student Governance Board to name a few.  The school mascot and also the name of the student newspaper is The Owl.
  
  Intercollegiate athletics
  
  Prince George's Community College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MD JUCO). Ten intercollegiate teams represent the college in the NJCAA and MD JUCO, including: 
   men's soccer
   women's soccer
   women's basketball
   men's basketball
   men's cross country
   women's cross country
   men's baseball
   women's softball
   men's track & field
   women's track & field
   cheerleading
  
  Notable former students 
  
   Peter Bergman, actor
   Reginald Dwayne Betts, poet, teacher
   Frank Cho, cartoonist
   Fred Funk, professional golfer
   Ginuwine, singer-songwriter
   Karen Handel, 26th Secretary of State of Georgia
   Andrea Harrison, politician
   Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
   Jan C. Scruggs, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund founder
   Tulu, professional soccer player
   Troy Weaver, NBA executive
  
  References
  
  External links
   Official website
  
  1958 establishments in Maryland
  Community and junior colleges in Maryland
  Largo, Maryland
  NJCAA athletics
  Two-year colleges in the United States
  Universities and colleges in Prince George's County, Maryland
  Universities and colleges established in 1958