The College

In this section, you will find our Mission Statement, history, accreditation information, hour of operation and a tour of our campus.

The College

Niagara County Community College is a locally sponsored college supervised by the State University of New York (SUNY).

Niagara County Community College is authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to award the Associate in Arts Degree (AA), the Associate in Science Degree (AS) and the Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) to regularly matriculated students upon successful completion of curriculum requirements.

The college’s Workforce and Community Development Division provides educational programming for those who have a specific, focused educational need over a relatively short period. The Division of Workforce and Community Development administers an array of credit-free courses, workshops and seminars; short-term vocational programs; training and education programs done through contract with business and industry (the largest such program in SUNY) and entrepreneurial courses through its Small Business Development Center.

NCCC plays an active role in workforce and community economic development as the home of the Niagara Small Business Development Center, International Trade Education Center, Corporate Training, Niagara Falls Extension Center, and Community Education.

Accreditation

Niagara County Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market St.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
(215) 622-5606

The college’s curricula are registered with the University of the State of New York (State Education Department) and approved by SUNY. All curricula are approved for the education of veterans under Public Law 634 (Children of Deceased Veterans) and Public Law 89-358 (Veterans Administration Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966).

Many of the specific curricula are accredited by specialized agencies for those professions. Such accreditations, primarily in the allied health fields, are noted below and also in the program descriptions in the college catalog.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
(703) 684-2782 or (800) 999-2782

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
35 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 553-9355 

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
6 West Dry Creek Circle
Suite 110
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 694-9262

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60606-2901
(312) 704-5300

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975 5000
www.nlnac.org

The Division of Professional Education -Registered Professional Nursing and Licensed Practical Nursing
The State Education Department
Education Building -2^nd Floor West
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-3817 Ext. 360
OPPROGS@mail.nysed.gov 

Governance

NCCC is governed under policies established by its Board of Trustees. All ten trustees are area residents, five appointed by the Niagara County Legislature, four appointed by the Governor of New York State and a student trustee elected annually by the student body.

Mission Statement

The mission of Niagara County Community College is to provide the a teaching and learning environment dedicated to excellence. Niagara County Community College is committed to maintaining the hallmarks of student centeredness, accessibility, comprehensiveness, collegiality, community partnership and life long learning.

Our college nurtures and empowers its students in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. NCCC offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates which are supported by outstanding student services. NCCC provides a variety of cultural, social and international experiences, as well as community education and work force development that supports economic development programs, which positively impact the quality of life. The College operates through a collegial model of shared governance and is accountable to meet the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

History

NCCC was created in 1962 and took its name from the County of Niagara, its local sponsor.

The contemporary campus opened in 1973, is an example of sound planning. Approximately 6,000 students are enrolled in credit programs and thousands more annually take advantage of the college’s extensive credit-free courses, short-term vocational programs and cultural and social events.

Goal Statements

The college will provide a teaching/learning environment dedicated to excellence by means of the following goals:

Student Centeredness

The college maintains that students are the highest priority, and as such, will be supported by the highest quality of services and programs.

Accessibility

The college will meet the diverse needs of students by remaining accessible in programs, policies, procedures, admissions, locations, facilities and tuition.

Comprehensiveness

The college will provide a broad-range of courses leading to associates degrees in university parallel and career programs as well as certificate curricula. To insure quality and appropriateness, all curricula are subject to periodic evaluations.

General education will be an integral component of all degree curricula.

The college will assist students in their academic, personal, social and cultural development by providing a comprehensive and integrated range of academic and student support services.

The college will seek to prepare students to function in the global/international community by providing academic, social and cultural experience which foster student awareness.

The college will seek to create an environment that recognizes and values our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity.

Collegiality

The college will provide an effective collegial governance structure that encourages active participation of all its constituents. The governance decisions will reflect the collective input of all relevant parties.

The college will continue to formulate, implement, maintain and refine ongoing, systematic evaluations of policies, programs and people that affirm rigorous academic standards.

The college will provide resources, opportunities and programs which encourage administrators, faculty and staff to pursue their professional development in order to enhance the programs offered by the College.

The college will continue to strengthen mutual respect among and between constituencies.

Community Partnership

The college will continue to develop short- and long-range planning systems which accommodate periods of growth, stability or decline and which assess the impact of such changes upon the College.

The college will continue to seek sufficient resources to accomplish its mission.

The college will be accountable to its constituencies by administering its resources within generally accepted audit standards and procedures.

The college will strive to maintain the highest standards of professionalism through ongoing, systemic evaluation.

The college will strive to enhance its positive image in the community.

Life Long Learning

The college will assist individuals in obtaining skills which allow them to become life long learners.

The college will continue to collaborate with business, industry, and other groups in order to play a central role in the educational, social, cultural, recreational and economic life of the community.

The college will provide a variety of community education and economic development programs which positively impact the quality of life.

Alumni Association

Alumni are encouraged to maintain an active role and interest in NCCC through the Alumni Association. The goal is to promote networking and continued involvement in NCCC to enrich and renew associations.

Who Can Be a Member?

Any former NCCC student in good standing, who has completed 50 credit hours or obtained a certificate or a degree from NCCC, is automatically a member of the Alumni Association.

Who We Are

The Alumni Association Committee is comprised of graduates who span the decades. This committee serves as ambassadors for all NCCC graduates.

What We Do

The Alumni Association sponsors activities which keep NCCC alumni updated and connected as well as provide scholarship opportunities to NCCC alumni whose children and grandchildren plan on attending NCCC.

A quarterly newsletter and bi-monthly email updates feature alumni achievements, campus highlights, exclusive benefits and opportunities.

Each year at the NCCC Foundation Scholarship Gala, Distinguished Alumni are inducted into the Alumni Gallery, located near the Henrietta G. Lewis Library.

 What Are Your Benefits?
Membership is free with additional exclusive benefits such as:

• Annual fitness membership for only $25
• Scholarship opportunities to children and grandchildren of NCCC alumni
• Library privileges
• Access to the college’s computer lab
• 2-6% discount on Dell notebooks and desktop computers with the NCCC Member Id: US15160789
• Discount campus theatre and art exhibit tickets
• Shop at www.igive.com and give back to NCCC at the same time
• Discounted insurance through Liberty Mutual
• Job locator and career related services through NCCC Student Development at 716-614-5923

Signature Events

The Alumni Association makes it part of their mission to service NCCC and the community.  By offering events that appeal to all, the Alumni Association supports scholarships at NCCC, spreads the word about alumni success stories, and supports other community organizations that help make Niagara County a great place to live and work.  During the spring and summer months the following signature events are open to alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the community:

Alumni Events:

• WINGSTOCK featuring live bands and local chicken wing vendors competing for the best chicken wing
• 5K Walk/Run

For more information contact:

NCCC Alumni Office
716-614-5910 Fax: 716-614-5913
alumni@niagaracc.suny.edu

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Email your current address to stay connected!

The NCCC Campus

The attractively landscaped campus of Niagara County Community College is equidistant from the three major Niagara County cities — Niagara Falls, Lockport and North Tonawanda. The campus consists of 250 semi-wooded acres.

The College complex consists of eight architecturally striking buildings, barrier free and connected by both interior and exterior walkways. Three distinctive courtyards bring natural light to all parts of the campus and contribute to its open ambiance. The campus is a smoke-free environment.

Notar Administration Building (A Building)

Housing the College’s administrative offices, the Notar Administration Building contains the offices of the President, Academic Affairs, Student Services (including Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration and Records, and Student Development). Administrative Operations, Workforce and Community Development, Testing Center, Institutional Research, Equity and Diversity Services, Affirmative Action, Public Relations, Cashier’s Office, Career Pathways, School to Work, Foundation Office and the Alumni Office.

The building is named in honor of Dr. Ernest Notar, the first president of NCCC, who served from 1962—1975.

Business Building (B Building)

This building houses the Business Division and its management and administrative assistant programs. The building includes classrooms and labs for accounting, business administration, hospitality management, office technology, and computer and information science.

Science Building (C Building)

This building houses the Divisions of Life Sciences, Nursing, Mathematics/Science and Technology.

The building contains generous lab space and lecture halls and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The Math Center provides tutorial support .

The Wellness Center is located in this building, as well as the Offices for Community Education, the Small Business Development Center and the Law Enforcement Academy.

Lewis Library (D Building)

The most architecturally striking building of the campus is the Lewis Library, the heart of the College in many ways. The building was named in October 2005 after Henrietta G. Lewis, founder of the Grigg-Lewis Foundation. The Foundation made a $1 million contribution to the NCCC Foundation Inc. that will be used to maintain the technology in the library.

The Henrietta G. Lewis Library’s four floors house the College’s collection of books, periodicals, media and audio visual equipment.

The Library has an online catalog (ALEPH) and web-based reference sources. It is open 60 hours per week, including Saturdays.

The V. James Renda Faculty Resource Center for Academic Excellence provides innovative services to assist NCCC faculty members in their teaching.

Located in D Building are Academic Computing, Administrative Computing and Technical Support Services. D-Building is also home to NCCC’s Digital Media Department. The facility includes both Mac and Windows computer labs, a state-of-the-art multi-camera HDTV studio, the N-Trip-cast podcast studio, an audio recording suite, and a video screening room. 

The television studio is used for production of videos, as a lab for students in TV courses and as the control for the campus-wide TV network. Niagara County Community College is a member of the SUNY SAT system and has an earth station downlink to receive satellite transmissions.

The licensed and accredited Day care center, an exhibition art gallery and the Distinguished Alumni Gallery are also in this building.

Humanities & Social Sciences Building (E Building)

The Liberal Arts building houses the English, literature, linguistics, languages, philosophy, history, government, psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics departments. The Liberal Arts, criminal justice, Human Services, Disability Studies and Chemical Dependency Counseling programs are also centered in this building.

The building is also home to the Academic Achievement Center and to the Language and Writing Center. Equipment and tutors are available for assistance in reading, writing and foreign language.

Arts & Media Building (F Building)

Housing the Division of the same name, the Arts & Media Building is the showplace of the college. Its 700 seat auditorium hosts NCCC Theatre productions as well as Music and Dance concerts, guest speakers and community events. Performances are supported by state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, full dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces and a scene shop.

The building also has five spacious art studios with floor-to-ceiling windows for optimum natural light. Recent upgrades include a front loading kiln for ceramics classes and an etching press for printmaking. There is also a state-of-the-art Fines Arts Mac computer lab and a dark room.

A large music performance space is available for group rehearsals and ensemble performances. Individual lab space is provided for student practice and course preparation. These spaces, shared with the Audio Recording & Production Certificate program, are equipped with mixing and production capabilities which enable students to develop, produce, design, and complete recording projects in a professional manner. A second Mac computer lab serves the needs of both the Public Communication and Audio Recording and Production programs.

Student Center (G Building)

There is always a flurry of activity in the Student Center. It is the hub of student life on campus and has unsurpassed facilities for recreational, social and educational needs.

There are lounges, recreation rooms, six bowling lanes and a game room.

Also in the Student Center are offices for student government, student publications and conference rooms.

The Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, which has a complete line of supplies, sundries and NCCC souvenir items, is on the first floor of the Student Center.

Students may choose to dine in the college snack bar, large dining room/cafeteria (also used for social events), or small dining room which also is used for small group dinners and meetings.

Offices in the Student Center are the College Association, Security Department and Student Life.

The Culinary Arts AAS degree, the Baking and Pastry Arts certificate and the Food Service certificate programs are also centered here, allowing for a relationship between the students in those curriculums and the college’s food service operations.

Athletics Building (H Building)

The facilities in this building are used by students for recreation, physical development and curricular needs.

A large all-purpose gym, which seats 2,000, is used for instruction, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics. A large multi-purpose area is ideal for archery, volleyball, badminton and aerobics.There are also regulation handball and squash courts, weight training rooms and a dance studio in the building.

In 2004-05, the center underwent a major renovation with new flooring and seating installed in the main gymnasium, installation of a Fitness Center and a computerized “smart” classroom.

The swimming pool seats 250 spectators. In the lobby of the building are photos of NCCC students who over the years have given the college a deserved reputation for excellence in athletic competition.

Hours of Operation

Classes generally run between the hours of

8 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday

during fall and spring semesters. The calendar for those semesters can be found in the front of this catalog.

The college operates two sessions of summer school between late May and late August. During the summer sessions, classes are held on Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The hours of open-access laboratories and offices of various support services vary. Evening and weekend hours are available. Anyone wishing to know the hours of operation of an office or service should call the switchboard operator.