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Our History

Our History

For more than 60 years, Daytona State College has evolved from a small campus into an academically superior, multi-campus institution providing educational and cultural programs for the citizens of Volusia and Flagler counties. It all began in 1957 when the Florida Legislature authorized Daytona Beach Junior College as one of the state's first comprehensive colleges. The College was divided into three divisions: college credit, adult education and the Mary Karl Vocational School. Although the three divisions were administered by one president, they essentially functioned as separate entities under the Volusia County School System.

Volusia County Community College, one of Florida's 12 black community colleges and also a separate entity under the school system, merged with DBJC in 1965. The 1968 Legislature combined the divisions into a single administrative unit under a District Board of Trustees independent of the county school system.

In 1971, the official name was changed from Daytona Beach Junior College to Daytona Beach Community College. In 2008, the District Board of Trustees and the state of Florida approved the College's request for yet another name change - Daytona State College. This was done to reflect the institution’s transition to a four-year institution offering workforce baccalaureate degrees.

Today, Daytona State offers more than 100 certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree programs, with graduates serving in critical fields that include healthcare, emergency services, business, education, hospitality, engineering, technology and more. The College also offers the Associate of Arts University Transfer degree, which provides students the first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree, saving our students and their families thousands of dollars in the process.

As a Level II state college, the institution also offers the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, as well as seven bachelor's degrees in education, including: Mathematics (grades 6-12), Biology (grades 6-12), Earth/Space Science (grades 6-12), Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12), Chemistry (grades 6-12), Physics (grades 6-12) and Elementary Education (grades K-6). The College also offers the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

Daytona State prides itself on its ability to provide students with affordable tuition, convenient and flexible course scheduling, and an expanded array of online programs. The College's online bachelor's programs have been rated among America's best by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education placed Daytona State's annual tuition for full-time students among the top 50 most affordable in the nation. Community College Week, one of the nation's leading publications focusing on higher education institutions that offer two-year associate degrees, also named Daytona State among its list of Top 100 Associate Degree Producers.

Over the years, the College has fostered a tradition of excellence in academics and service to a growing community. A leading partner in the area's workforce and economic development initiatives, Daytona State is continually developing new means to deliver educational services to the community. The college now serves approximately 25,000 students annually.

Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Since 1957...

Here's a snapshot walk down memory lane of remarkable moments in Daytona State College history.

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  • 1950s
    1955 - The Florida Legislature establishes the Community College Council, charging it with the responsibility of developing a long-range expansion of community/junior colleges in the state.

    1957 - The State Board of Education authorized the establishment of two colleges to serve Volusia and Flagler counties on October 4, 1957. Daytona Beach Junior College (DBJC) was approved as the state’s first comprehensive community college, offering the first two years of a four-year degree, vocational training and adult education. Volusia County Community College (VCCC) was approved to serve the Black population of Volusia County with the first two years of a four-year degree, vocational training and adult education.

    1958 - Dr. James Snyder becomes the college’s first president on January 1, 1958, with a starting salary of $9,000. The Legislature appropriates a budget of $37,666 for teaching and office supplies. Classes are held at the Mary Karl Vocational School, located on the current site of the Daytona Beach Campus, and at the Princess Issena Hotel on the beachside.
     
    1958 - Mr. J. Griffen Greene becomes the founding and only president of VCCC which opened its doors on September 2, 1958. Facilities were located in several locations, including Bethune-Cookman College's Trades Building. 
  • 1960s
    1960 - Dr. Roy F. Bergengren begins a 14-year term as the college’s second president. During his tenure, many milestones are established, including accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, major capital construction projects, a merger of the institution with Volusia County Community College, and a change in administrative responsibility from the public school system to a District Board of Trustees.

    1960 - First graduating class consisted of 57 associate of arts degree students.
     
    1963 - DBJC takes on the nickname of "Scots" because of the campus location in the "highlands."
     
    1965 - A statement from the Division of Community-Junior Colleges initiated the integration and merger between Volusia County Community College and Daytona Beach Junior College in May 1965: “We strongly recommend that each county operating two junior colleges immediately take some steps toward consolidation of these institutions.” The merger brought an end to the segregated community college system in the region.  
     
    Fall 1965 - Daytona Beach Junior College initiated a two-year program in Law Enforcement in the Fall of 1965. Officials of the Daytona Beach Police Department and representatives of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. cooperated in the development of this program.

    1968 - The college reports a total 82,411 students have attended classes during the institution’s first 10 years.
     
    1968 - On July 8, the college's governing structure changed from being a part of the Volusia County School System to a separate and independent District Board of Trustees.  
  • 1970s

    1971 - The institution’s name changes from Daytona Beach Junior College to Daytona Beach Community College.

    1974 - Dr. Charles H. Polk is appointed the college’s third president. At 31 years old, he is the nation’s youngest community college president ever.

    1976 - The Women’s Center opens its doors at DBCC, providing women in crisis the means to learn self-sufficiency through educational and employment opportunities.

    1977 - The college’s first regional campus opens in a converted supermarket in DeLand.

    1978 - DBCC celebrates its 20th anniversary. By this time, a regional campus also is established in New Smyrna Beach and, in 1979, in Palm Coast with land donated by ITT Community Development Corp.
  • 1980s
    1981 - Growth at DBCC’s first branch campus is rapid; the Florida Legislature appropriates $1 million toward a permanent site for the DeLand Campus at 1155 County Road 4139.

    1982 - DBCC begins leasing airtime from local television stations to broadcast college credit courses.

    1988 - DBCC’s TV station, WCEU TV-15, takes to the airwaves in Central Florida. It becomes certified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting/PBS a year later.
     
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  • 1990s
    1990 - Dr. Philip R. Day Jr. becomes the fourth president of DBCC. The college begins a methodical process of overhauling curriculum, focusing on student success and academic excellence.

    1992 - The Wetherell Student Services Center and Administration Building opens on the Daytona Beach Campus. The Southeast Museum of Photography occupies two stories of the building.

    1995 - DBCC launches into the technological age, building a networking infrastructure to support academic initiatives and administrative protocols.

    1996 - The college’s first website is created, leading the way to online student services and web-based courses.

    1999 - In a rededication ceremony and reception, the college renamed Building 14 to the "J. Griffen Greene Center" on February 23. The building was named to honor VCCC President Greene and recognize the achievements of Volusia County Community College.
     
    1999 - Student government representatives make another link to Volusia County Community College by adopting VCCC's nickname and mascot "Falcons," replacing the name "Scots."
     
    1999 - Dr. D. Kent Sharples became the fifth president of the college.
  • 2000s
    2000 - The college embarks on a multi-million dollar facilities expansion and improvement program.
     
    2001 - The Advanced Technology College opens with a class of 176 dual-enrolled high school students along with over 500 adult students. Its opening hails the arrival of a new type of technology education for Volusia and Flagler students, one that today is mirrored throughout the nation.

    2003 - DBCC’s Virtual College is established, allowing students to earn all required general education course credits online, as well as associate of arts and associate of science business degrees.

    2004 - DBCC’s Deltona Campus opens, creating new educational opportunities for Volusia County’s largest and fastest growing city. The facility features 42,000 square feet of space, including classrooms, computer labs and administrative offices.

    2005 - The State Board of Education approves DBCC’s application to offer its first baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. Six months later, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approves DBCC’s application to move from Level I to Level II, officially making the college a four-year institution.

    2006 - DBCC reaches an agreement with Florida State University to open a branch medical school on the Daytona Beach Campus. The arrangement makes DBCC host to approximately 40 FSU students in their third and fourth year of medical school.

    2007 - The Mori Hosseini School of Hospitality and Culinary Management, a $26 million, state-of-the-art training facility for Hospitality and Culinary Management programs, opens its doors.

    2007 - DBCC celebrates 50 years of Shaping Our Community.
     
    2008 - To reflect its stature as a four-year degree-granting institution and its expanded mission, the college adopts a new name -Daytona State College.

    2009 - The college adds seven new bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, Secondary Mathematics, Biology, Earth/Space, Chemistry and Physics Education.
  • 2010s

    2010 - The State Board of Education in late May approves the college’s ninth four-year degree, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology.

    2011 - Dr. Carol W. Eaton becomes the college’s first woman president.

    2012 - The new DSC Writing Center opens on the Daytona Beach Campus, providing critical support services for students enrolled in writing-intensive gateway courses, as well as for those seeking to improve their skills.

    2012 - Building 200 on the Daytona Beach Campus, which houses the college’s B.S. in Education programs, is renamed George C. Nunamann Hall during a dedication ceremony honoring the institution’s largest contributing benefactor.

    2012 - The college dedicates its new Veterans Center on the Daytona Beach Campus. Comprehensive services for veterans are established on all campuses. The college would later be designated a Military Friendly School by veteran-owned Victory Media for three straight years.

    2013 - U.S. News and World Report ranks Daytona State No. 2 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The college remains among the nation’s best for five years running.

    2013 - State Board of Education approves Daytona State’s bid to offer the bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

    2014 - DSC celebrates 50 years as home to one of the nation’s top photography schools.

    2014 - The college completes construction of a $7.6 million, two-story building on the Flagler/Palm Coast Campus, featuring a state-of-the-art, “next-generation” teaching-and-learning environment.

    2015 - Dr. Thomas LoBasso is named the college’s seventh president by the District Board of Trustees.

    2015 - Daytona State joins the DirectConnect to UCF partnership, opening the door for DSC AA graduates to make a smooth transition to UCF to earn their bachelor’s degrees.

    2015 - In its continuing push to make college more affordable, Daytona State becomes first in Florida, and among only a few in the nation, to reduce tuition.

    2015 - Daytona State’s B.S. in Elementary Education (K-6)/ESOL/Reading, is ranked among the best in Florida based on annual performance reviews by the Florida Department of Education.

    2016 - DSC expands its athletics program to include Men’s and Women’s Soccer. Construction begins on a new $3 million Soccer Stadium Complex on the north side of the Daytona Beach Campus, with a completion date of fall 2017.

    2016 - The National Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology formally grants accreditation to DSC’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology program.

    2017 - The college breaks ground for an 84,000 square-foot Student Center/Workforce Transition facility on the Daytona Beach Campus.

    2017 - May’s commencement marks more than 100,000 certificates and degrees awarded by the college.
  • 2020s
    2020 – Daytona State launches inaugural FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) Chapter

    2021 – The College dedicates new Forough B. Hosseini Hall

    2021 - DSC holds groundbreaking for first Student Residence Hall.

    2022 - DSC names Lemerand Student Center Patio in Honor of Gary R. Libby

    2022 – College officials hold ribbon cutting ceremony for first Student Residence Hall.

    2022 – College and community officials hold groundbreaking ceremony for new classroom and lab building on Deltona Campus

    2022 – The Center for Women and Men is renamed the Falcon HOPE Center

    2023 - DSC launches Commercial Driver's License training program at the Advanced Technology College

    2023 – The College begins offering Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science

    2023 - DSC adds women's flag football as an intercollegiate sport

    2023 – Officials hold groundbreaking ceremony for new Law Enforcement Academy Indoor Firearms Training Center on DeLand Campus

    2023 – Daytona State adds Esports as an intercollegiate sport

    2023 - DSC names School of Engineering Technology in honor of Angela and D.S. Patel

    2024 – Daytona State begins offing Associate of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

    2024 - DSC begins offering fully online Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology Concentration