Tompkins Cortland Community College

Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public community college located in Dryden, New York, and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, which includes institutions like University at Albany, Binghamton University, and Stony Brook University. The college was founded in 1968, with the goal of providing affordable and accessible higher education to residents of Tompkins County and Cortland County, including students from nearby Ithaca, New York and Cortland, New York. Tompkins Cortland Community College has partnerships with other institutions, such as Cornell University and Ithaca College, to offer transfer programs and academic degrees in various fields, including business administration and nursing education, which are also offered by SUNY Broome and Onondaga Community College.

● History

The history of Tompkins Cortland Community College dates back to the 1960s, when the New York State Legislature passed legislation to establish a community college in the region, following the example of other community colleges like Erie Community College and Monroe Community College. The college was established in 1968, with its first classes held in 1969, and has since grown to become a major institution of higher education in the region, with a strong focus on liberal arts and career education, similar to Hudson Valley Community College and Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Tompkins Cortland Community College has a long history of collaboration with other institutions, including SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College, to provide students with a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as study abroad programs and internships with companies like Corning Incorporated and Paychex.

● Academics

Tompkins Cortland Community College offers a range of academic programs, including associate degrees and certificate programs in fields such as business administration, computer science, and nursing education, which are also offered by SUNY Adirondack and Jefferson Community College. The college has a strong focus on liberal arts and career education, with programs designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges like University at Buffalo and SUNY Geneseo, or for entry into the workforce with companies like IBM and Lockheed Martin. Tompkins Cortland Community College also offers online courses and distance education programs, allowing students to complete their degrees from anywhere, including New York City and Buffalo, New York, and has partnerships with other institutions, such as Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester, to provide students with access to a range of academic and research opportunities.

● Campus

The Tompkins Cortland Community College campus is located in Dryden, New York, and features a range of modern facilities, including academic buildings, librarys, and student centers, similar to those found at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Oneonta. The campus is situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, and offers stunning views of the Finger Lakes region, which is also home to Wells College and Keuka College. Tompkins Cortland Community College has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmentalism, with a range of initiatives aimed at reducing the college's carbon footprint and promoting green technology, similar to those found at SUNY ESF and Cornell University.

● Student Life

Tompkins Cortland Community College offers a range of student life opportunities, including clubs and organizations, sports teams, and cultural events, such as concerts and theater productions, which are also offered by SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Potsdam. The college has a strong focus on community service and volunteerism, with many students participating in service learning projects and internships with local non-profit organizations, such as American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Tompkins Cortland Community College also offers a range of support services, including academic advising and counseling, to help students succeed in their academic and personal lives, similar to those found at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Michigan.

● Athletics

Tompkins Cortland Community College has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Mid-State Athletic Conference, which also includes teams from SUNY Broome and Onondaga Community College. The college offers a range of sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, and has a strong focus on sportsmanship and teamwork, similar to the athletic programs found at University of Notre Dame and Duke University. Tompkins Cortland Community College has produced many successful athletes, including players who have gone on to compete at the NCAA level at institutions like Syracuse University and University of Connecticut, and has a strong commitment to promoting physical education and health and wellness among its students, similar to the programs found at Yale University and Harvard University.