Cayuga County Community College

Cayuga County Community College stands as a cornerstone of accessible higher education within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. As a public community college, it is deeply rooted in its community, dedicated to providing quality education and workforce development for students and families in Cayuga County and beyond.

The college’s journey began on April 9, 1953, when the SUNY Board of Trustees approved its establishment as the system's very first community college. Classes commenced in September 1954 at Auburn Community College, initially serving sixty-nine students in a former elementary school. A significant transformation occurred in 1977 when Cayuga County assumed sponsorship, leading to its renaming as Cayuga County Community College. The foundational leadership of Albert T. Skinner, who served as dean from 1953-1955 and president from 1955-1978, was instrumental in guiding the college from its humble beginnings to its current expansive campus, with many of its core buildings added during his tenure.

Over the decades, Cayuga Community College has steadily grown and modernized its facilities to meet evolving educational needs. After moving to its current location six years post-opening, the campus expanded with crucial additions like the library (1964), the technology building (1970), Spartan Hall (1980), and the nature center (1983). Further expanding its reach, the college opened the Fulton Campus in 1994. A key development in 2003 was the inauguration of the Regional Economic Center, a hub for learning and innovation. This center houses not only classrooms for students but also the NASA-sponsored Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology, along with the college’s Business and Industry Center, a vital complex for workforce training.

Under the leadership of President Brian M. Durant since 2015, Cayuga Community College continues its commitment to empowering students through relevant academic programs, cutting-edge technology, and strong community partnerships, ensuring its legacy as a vital educational resource for the region.