50th Anniversary

El Paso Community College (EPCC) was established in 1969 when individuals in El Paso County voted to form a junior college district and elected a board of seven trustees to administer the college. By 1971, the Board of Trustees and citizens of the community requested state financial assistance to start its first classes. The 62nd Texas Legislature appropriated funds and El Paso Community College became a reality, enrolling 901 students in September of that year.

Since then, EPCC has offered high quality, affordable education and has been transforming the lives of our students for more than 50 years. With more than one million students served and more than 100,000 degrees and certificates awarded, EPCC makes a positive impact on students, their families, and our community.

EPCC is the largest two-year post-secondary institution in the Paso Del Norte Region. The college offers a variety of academic programs, continuing education classes and workforce training. These successful programs support our community and give students an opportunity to achieve their dreams.

The college is nationally recognized for excellence in programs and support services. EPCC was named as one of the Top 10 Community Colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute in 2015 and has also been the recipient of the prestigious Student Success Award by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) among numerous other national accolades. EPCC has been consistently nationally among the top colleges for the number of associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students.

EPCC continues to strengthen our region. The college serves as a leader in training the emerging workforce and provides expertise to area business and industry. EPCC has established partnerships with K-12 and 4-year institutions creating strong educational pathways for our region. As a result, EPCC has improved educational attainment and economic mobility for our community.

Today, EPCC serves nearly 25,000 students and offers more than 154 programs. The college remains focused on engaging students, growing community partnerships, and fostering excellence. By creating a college-going culture and implementing innovative student success initiatives, EPCC is transforming the pathway to higher education and developing a better prepared workforce for our region.