Somerset Community College - McCreary Center: A History of Service and Growth
The history of Somerset Community College's McCreary Center is rooted in a commitment to making higher education accessible to the people of McCreary County and the surrounding region. Long before a permanent facility existed, Somerset Community College was meeting students where they were. Beginning in 1981, the college offered its first off-campus courses in McCreary and Wayne counties. Classes were held in a variety of community locations, including the public library, the fiscal courtroom, local banks, churches, and storefronts. As interest in higher education opportunities continued to grow, enrollment in McCreary County increased from 178 students in the spring of 1989 to 292 students by 1991.
A major milestone occurred on November 5, 1990, with the formation of the McCreary County Educational Development Foundation. The Foundation played a critical role in establishing a permanent Somerset Community College presence in McCreary County. Through community support, vision, and determination, efforts began to acquire and develop what would become the McCreary County Center. Those efforts culminated on August 31, 1992, when the SCC McCreary Center officially opened its doors to students. The center began operations with a dedicated staff that included Debra Bruce, office assistant; Rick Sparks, maintenance; and Peg Taylor, director. Faculty members from Somerset Community College, along with adjunct instructors, many of whom traveled long distances to teach, provided educational opportunities to local residents.
As enrollment and community demand continued to increase, the Foundation partnered with Somerset Community College in 1994 to launch the Partners in Progress Fundraising Campaign. The goal was to expand the McCreary Center by adding classrooms, laboratories, a student lounge, library space, and administrative offices. Despite the economic challenges facing the county, the Foundation successfully raised more than $534,000. Combined with grants, gifts, and loans, these efforts fully funded the expansion and renovation project. In January 1999, the new addition opened, providing modern classrooms, a science laboratory, and a computer laboratory. An official dedication ceremony followed on April 21, 1999, celebrating a project valued at approximately $1.34 million, including equipment and furnishings.
Another landmark achievement occurred on June 19, 2001, when the McCreary Center, along with sixty-five acres of surrounding park land, was officially deeded by the Foundation to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. At the time, the property's appraised value was $1.8 million, demonstrating the substantial investment made by local citizens and community leaders in expanding educational opportunities for future generations.
The McCreary Center continued to grow to meet the evolving needs of students and employers throughout the region. On June 10, 2010, a new facility was officially opened to provide additional classroom and office space. By the fall semester of 2010, enrollment had reached 307 students, reflecting the center's growing impact on workforce development and educational attainment in the county.
Today, the Somerset Community College McCreary Center continues its mission of transforming lives through education and workforce training. From its humble beginnings in borrowed community spaces, the center has evolved into a vital educational hub serving students from McCreary County and neighboring communities. As of 2026, the campus offers programs in Welding, Electricity, CPR, Nurse Aide, LPN/Paramedic to RN, EMT, Advanced EMT, and Nail Technology, in addition to a full range of general education courses. Through strong community partnerships and a longstanding commitment to student success, the McCreary Center remains a cornerstone of educational opportunity and economic development in southern Kentucky.
