Roxbury Community College: A Comprehensive Overview

Roxbury Community College (RCC), a public community college located in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, has been serving the educational needs of the community since its establishment in 1973. As a comprehensive, multicultural, urban, student-centered, and open-access institution, RCC provides learning opportunities for all who may benefit, with a commitment to helping students enhance the quality of their lives and communities.

History and Founding

Roxbury Community College was founded in 1973. The college opened its doors on September 10, 1973, to 400 students, marking the beginning of its journey as an educational institution. In 2023, RCC commemorated the community activism that played a pivotal role in the state's decision to dismiss the proposed 8-mile extension of Interstate 95 from Canton to the South End back in 1972, as part of the college's 50th-anniversary celebration. Karilyn Crockett, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the author of People Before Highways, highlighted the significance of the anti-highway movement, noting that it had a profound impact, giving rise to a generation of local civic leaders. In 1984, the Boston Business School, founded in 1914, merged with the school, further expanding the college's offerings. Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide visited Roxbury on April 29, 1992.

Campus and Facilities

The 16-acre (6.5 ha) campus comprises six buildings housing classrooms and specialized science and computer laboratories. Additionally, Roxbury Community College (RCC) is authorized by Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the Massachusetts General Laws and operates under the direction of a board of trustees, which has 11 members. The campus is located at 1234 Columbus Avenue, adjacent to Malcolm X Boulevard and Cedar Streets.

Accreditation and Programs

Roxbury Community College is an accredited public institution offering associate’s degrees and certificate programs. Students can earn degrees and certificates in 26 different fields. The college provides quality post-secondary education in developmental academic skills, the liberal arts and sciences, career and transfer programs, workforce development, and private and public sector training. RCC also offers online courses, corporate and community education programs, and lifelong learning programs. The school utilizes a semester-based academic year.

Special programs offered at RCC include:

Read also: The WREC's Tumultuous Past

English as a Second Language program
Academic remediation
Learning disabilities services
Student-designed majors
Honors program
Internships
Off-campus study
Summer session for credit
Part-time undergraduate degree programs

Popular programs include Health Professions and Related Programs, Business Administration and Management, General, and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.

Admissions and Student Life

The school has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences. Applying to Roxbury Community College for the Fall of 2023 saw a total of 225 entering students. In the Fall of 2022, the ethnicity distribution of the student body was primarily Black or African American. The age distribution of students in Fall 2022 was as follows: Under 18 (2%), 18-24 (40%), 25-64 (58%), and Over 65 (0%). The student-faculty ratio is 15-to-1.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In-state tuition and fees for 2020-2021 were $5,784, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $11,088. There is no application fee. At Roxbury Community College, 66 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and the average scholarship or grant award is $4,182. Books and supplies are estimated to cost $2,000.

Governance and Administration

RCC’s board operates under regulations promulgated by the Commonwealth’s Board of Higher Education; this includes setting policies, approving budgets, monitoring quarterly performance, and participating in the approval of internal audits. Eight members are appointed from the general public by the Governor to serve five-year terms; 1 is an RCC graduate appointed by the Governor to serve a five-year term; 1 is an RCC graduate elected by the alumni association to serve a five-year term; and 1 is a student who is elected to serve a one-year term. The president of RCC reports to the board of trustees and is the administrative head of the college.

The president is supported by a team including:

Read also: Board of Education Meeting Recap

The director of public safety
The director of enterprise systems
The executive director of development
The associate vice president of facilities and operations
The library director
The chief information officer
The director of financial aid
The executive director of workforce development
The vice president of institutional effectiveness
The dean of science, technology, engineering, and math
The executive director of communications, marketing, and external affairs
The assistant dean of athletics, health, and wellness
The assistant dean of enrollment
The dean of arts, humanities, and social sciences

Presidents

Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson joined Roxbury Community College (RCC) as the institution’s 18th President on July 1, 2024. President Valerie Roberson resigned in November 2021 under accusations of mismanagement, a steep drop in enrollment, and a slow mass resignation of staff.

Roxbury Community College (RCC) Mission

Roxbury Community College (RCC) provides a nurturing environment, where all community members are welcome, regardless of past education. We believe that all students, given the appropriate resources, have the ability to reach their full potential. The College is therefore committed to helping our students enhance the quality of their lives and our communities.

Financial Information

RCC received appropriations of $10,623,766 and $10,960,216 from the Commonwealth for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center (RLTAC)

RLTAC is an indoor track facility at 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury Crossing, owned by the Commonwealth and governed by RCC. In accordance with Section 22A of Chapter 15A of the General Laws, RCC’s board of trustees is responsible for the management and operation of RLTAC. To operate RLTAC, RCC received appropriations from the Commonwealth of $900,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $925,000 in fiscal year 2019. According to the fiscal year 2018 and 2019 budget summaries, RCC also has a retained revenue account for RLTAC from which it may spend money-no more than $529,843 per fiscal year-that it has received from fees, rentals, and facility expenses associated with running and operating track meets, athletic events, conferences, and meetings. External events are events held at RLTAC by organizations and groups that are not controlled by RCC; internal events are held by departments within RCC.

Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) Designation

In 2021, the Department of Education classified Roxbury Community College as a Predominately Black Institution (PBI).

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

tags: #roxbury #community #college #information