The Area Vocational/Technical School concept, which led to Hawkeye’s creation, developed in Black Hawk County in 1957, with the initiation of a post-high school program in practical nursing. A detailed survey was conducted in Black Hawk County in 1964 which provided factual information on the need for a vocational-technical school in this area. After the passage of Senate File 550 by the lowa Legislature in 1965, 10 counties in this area of lowa met and developed an area school plan which was submitted to the Department of Public Instruction, State of lowa. This plan was approved and on May 25, 1966, the first area school Board of Directors was elected by the people of Merged Area VII.
On July 1, 1966, the Waterloo Area Vocational School, which had been operated by the Waterloo Public Schools, was officially transferred to Hawkeye Institute of Technology.
Gates Business College, a metropolitan area proprietary college of long standing, terminated its operation in June 1973. At that time, the Hawkeye Institute Board of Directors agreed to add a number of the Gates business programs to the Hawkeye curriculum under the Gates Department of Business.
In 1992, Hawkeye became a comprehensive community college with the addition of arts and sciences to the curriculum. In July 1993, the name was officially changed to Hawkeye Community College. Hawkeye Community College has graduated more than 30,000 credit students since July 1, 1966. In addition, we have had more than 725,000 registrations in Continuing Education programs.
The College is growing and expanding its educational programs and services to people. Six area sites house credit and continuing education programs:
Hawkeye supports and cooperates with public school districts in promoting and conducting continuing education programs, distance learning courses over the Hawkeye Telecommunications System, and other classes and programs.
