Role and Scope

CT State Community College Housatonic is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut's largest city, and serves an eleven-town area in Southwestern Connecticut. A member of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, the campus opened its doors in 1966 as a branch of Norwalk Community College and became independent in 1967 until the completed merge with CT State in July of 2023. In 1997 HCC moved to its present site in downtown Bridgeport. In 2008 Beacon Hall became the second building on the HCC campus. The Housatonic Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden are part of the teaching mission of the college. With nearly 4000 works in the collection, and over 1700 displayed throughout the building, the Museum offers lectures, demonstrations, and changing exhibitions in the Burt Chernow Galleries. 

The newly renovated Lafayette Hall includes a new welcome center, student services office, restored art studio and the expansion of the school library and science labs.

CT State Community College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

In response to community and student needs, CT State offers associate degree programs in preparation for transfer to four-year institutions, as well as occupationally-oriented associate degree and certificate programs. Short-term, non-credit courses, seminars and workshops, as well as targeted student services help meet community and personal enrichment needs. These programs prepare students for employment, and advancement in business, industry, manufacturing, health services, fine arts, theater, digital media, early childhood education, natural sciences, computer arts and information systems, and human services. The college also assists local businesses and institutions to train and update the skills of their workers. 

CT State Community College Housatonic is a student-centered institution and is a national Achieving the Dream institution. The college strives to provide high quality, accessible instructional and student services within an environment of mutual respect among faculty, staff, and students. These services are provided through an open-door admissions policy at affordable cost in a variety of settings and through a variety of teaching methods and approaches.

Special support services responding to student and community needs include disabilities support services, career and transfer counseling, academic support and tutoring, library facilities and instruction, English as a Second Language programming, and an array of student clubs and activities.

The student body reflects the diversity of the service region. Changes in student and educational goals, economic diversity, and industry needs are responded to with flexibility and responsible adjustment in programs and services. Outreach to the local community is part of the mission of the college. Non-credit courses, seminars, cultural events, and forums focus on the changing requirements of the workplace as well as personal enrichment.

Mission Statement

Connecticut State Community College provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The college supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, and advances positive change for the students, communities and industries it serves.

Vision

CT State will be recognized for exceptional student success, educational leadership and transformative collaboration with business and industry, government, educational and key stakeholders while advancing diverse opportunities for Connecticut’s citizens and communities.