NCCET History By Year & Timeline
Since its beginnings in the 1960s, NCCET has grown alongside the community college movement to become a national leader in continuing education, workforce development, and community services. From the formation of early interest groups to the establishment of a formal national council, NCCET has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of educators and students. Our history reflects decades of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to advancing accessible, high-quality educational programs across the country.
Our Journey
Bylaws were revised again, simplifying board member structure and titles and aligning governance with the association management company model.
The board transitioned from a single executive director to contracting with an association management company to serve as executive director and Executive Office.
Bylaws were revised to convert regional directors into national directors, with eight national directors established.
NCCET celebrated its 40th anniversary, updated the bylaws, adopted a Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, and Confidentiality Statement. The website was updated, and the first webinar was hosted.
William Flynn retired and was named managing director emeritus. Sandra Gaskin was contracted as NCCET Executive Director.
Bylaws were revised and approved, regions expanded from six to eight, and new board positions were added, including vice president for communications, special liaison directors, and at-large directors.
William Flynn was appointed as the first NCCET managing director to handle administrative services, membership, meetings, conferences, and publications
The board assumed responsibility for managing the annual conference, contracting with a national conference director rather than relying on local committees.
Distance learning was added as a fourth functional area, joining community services, continuing education, and workforce development.
At the Boston national conference, the board reorganized to reduce the number of regional directors to six and added functional directors. Executive committee titles were updated to include president, president-elect, immediate past president, vice president of membership services, vice president for marketing and development, and vice president for finance and administration
At the national conference in Mesa, Arizona, members voted to rename the organization the National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET), reflecting its broader focus on continuing education, workforce development, and community service.
AACJC reorganized, and the Council became one of its operating councils. The name changed to the National Council on Community Services and Continuing Education to reflect the expanding roles in adult and continuing education.
The Council began funding and publishing its own journal, The Community Services Catalyst.
January: The first issue of the Community Services Forum newsletter was published, highlighting the community services mission of community and junior colleges.Members met in Seattle and Des Moines to survey the field, form committees, and recommend that AACJC establish a Commission on Community Services.
May: The National Council on Community Services was officially formed with 224 charter members.Later in 1969: First official meeting in Washington, D.C. with 40 participants from 16 states; constitution approved and interim officers elected.
December: The Galaxy Conference meeting attracted over 240 members who joined for $15 each.
May: With NEA support, the interest group met in Southfield, Michigan, chaired by Walter Fightmaster, with 100 participants from 18 states and 3 Canadian provinces. William Shannon encouraged the continuation and evaluation of CS/CE practices.
November: AACJC established the Community Services Project, supported by the Kellogg Foundation and directed by Dr. Kenneth Cummisky.
A formal Community Services/Continuing Education interest group was formed during an NEA conference in Philadelphia, providing a foundation for national collaboration.
During the early community college movement, there were no national organizations specifically for Community Services (CS) and Continuing Education (CE) directors. Leaders participated in associations such as the Adult Education Association, National University Extension Association, Association of University Evening Colleges, and National Association for Public School Adult Educators.
