A guide to Laredo Community College

Established with the aim of educating returning American soldiers after World War Two, Laredo Community College serves a three-county area composed of Webb, Jim Hogg and Zapata counties in Texas. Some of the historic buildings at its main campus are listed as archaeological landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places.

History and location

Origins Established in 1947 as Laredo Junior College, Laredo Community College adopted its present name in 1993. Its main campus is situated on the site of Camp Crawford (later Fort McIntosh), an outpost built for the protection of the frontier town back in 1849, the college occupies a 200 acre site on the banks of the Rio Grande. With some classes and administrative duties taking place within the original military buildings, the campus is steeped in history. However, things are not standing still. There has been much building on the site throughout its time as a college campus. Hence, the Laredo Community College District Board of Trustees has recently approved a facility master plan with a budget of almost $100 million. This will be used to renovate many of the historic buildings on the site, as well as leading to the creation of brand new facilities.
The South Campus There is also a South Campus located in South Laredo, which opened in 2004. seven buildings, including an academic and advanced technology building, a full-service library, and a state-of-the-art child development lab. Other anchor programs at the South Campus are transportation technology, where students learn the latest techniques in automotive technology and repair. The 60-acre site consists of seven buildings. Located here are a full-service library, a state-of-the-art child development lab and an academic and advanced technology building. The campus is the focus for some of the college's vocational programmes, with one of its anchor programmes being transportation technology (automotive technology and repair). The South Texas Border Regional Police Academy, which houses the area’s only indoor firing range, is also located at the South Campus.

Learning and lifestyle

Courses available The college serves around 12,000 students, offering an affordable mix of courses. These consist of technical and vocational programmes, adult education courses (which help adults from the area obtain English skills, jobs skills or a General Educational Diploma), as well as traditionally academic programmes.
Accreditation The college is accredited by a host of respected institutions. Some of these include the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Board of Nurse Examiners, Department of State Health Service and The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Activities There is a host of social activities available at the college, with a good standard intercollegiate athletics programme and a popular intramural sports programme.