History of Mohave College
Institutional History
Mohave Community College (Mohave College as of 2025) was established as a county college by a vote of the people in October, 1970. Recognizing the vastness of the service area, the first Board of Governors made a commitment to establishing three main campus sites. In June 1971, J. Leonard and Grace Neal donated 160 acres of land where the college’s first facilities were developed. The college operated out of temporary facilities in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City at first. In October 1972, McCulloch Properties donated a parcel of land located in Lake Havasu City to the college. Later, 320 acres in Mohave Valley were acquired from the Bureau of Land Management to meet expanded needs.
During the 1971-1972 and 1972-1973 school years, the College courses were occupational in nature and were offered primarily at night. During the fall of 1973, the College began to offer classes in academic areas, including university transfer courses, leading to associate of arts and associate of applied science degrees. In 1974, the College’s plan for integration into the state system was signed into law, and the college became part of the Arizona State System of Community Colleges.
In 1981, the College received full accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). In 1982, the college received full accreditation of its Associate’s Degree in Nursing. In the same year, the Board of Governors approved the development of a telecommunications system to link the three main campuses together electronically.
In 1988, the college began plans to expand the telecommunications system to Colorado City, linking the upper one-third of the college’s service area to the other campuses.
In the late 1980s, the College became the primary provider of Adult Education/GED program services in the county. It also began delivering instruction by videotape (Distance Education). The nursing program became available at North Mohave Center (Colorado City), and a new casino training facility opened at the Bullhead City Campus.
The 1990s proved to be an equally eventful time in the life of the College. The College experienced significant growth in terms of student enrollment, program offerings, facilities development, and staff and faculty growth.
When it opened in 1971 the college offered just 27 courses. Today the College offers more than 60 degree and certificate options for students, plus several bachelor’s degrees, NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams, and the tuition rate has remained affordable at under $100 per credit hour.
TIMELINE
1970
The College was established as a county college by a vote of the people in October. Recognizing the vastness of the service area, the first board of governors made a commitment to establishing three main campus sites.
1971
In June, J. Leonard and Grace Neal donated 160 acres of land where the college’s first facilities were developed.
1972
Mohave College held its first graduating class of Practical Nursing students. The first class was made up of 24 women and one man.
1973
Fall of 1973, the College began to offer classes in academic areas, including university transfer courses, leading to associate of arts and associate of applied science degrees.
1974
The College’s plan for integration into the state system was signed into law, and the college became part of the Arizona State System of Community Colleges.
1975
Mohave College increased its faculty and staff to meet the demands.
1976
1976 the College received its first major federal grants. A $76,500 National Science Foundation Grant was applied for and received to develop science labs for the college and a $36,000 grant was received to allow the college to develop Office Education Learning Centers.
1977
Student Activities Council held its third Annual Miss Mohave College Beauty Pageant where the winner would represent the College in the Fiesta Bowl Queen Competition. Miss Mohave College for 1977 was Jean Orewyler from Mohave Valley. She was the first to wear a tiara made of copper and turquoise, designed and created by the College jewelry department.
1978
The College received approval from the State Board of Nursing to offer an Associate of Science in Nursing.
1979
The Ford Motor Company provided valuable support for the College and gave a $10,000 grant for computers.
1980
In September, the college laid out plans for building permanent facilities at NCK, BHC and remodeling at LHC. The total cost was $2.5 million and was financed by using saved student fees, state matching funds and revenue bonds.
1981
The College received full accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1982
The Board of Governors approved the development of a telecommunications system to link the three main campuses together electronically.
1983
The College received full accreditation for an Associate of Science in Nursing.
1984
Northern Arizona University announced that it would offer courses through Mohave College’s telecommunications system in the spring semester.
1985
“College for Kids,” a new summer program where Kingman and Bullhead City kids were able to enroll in two-week classes like “Creating with Clay,” “Exciting World of Computers,” and “T.V. Special Effects”
1986
The College celebrated its 15th anniversary by hosting various activities, like hosting an Autumn Festival and taking a group photo.
1987
Mohave College entered a contract with the Bullhead City Casino Gaming School to provide training for individuals who wish to work in the casino industry in Laughlin, Nevada.
1988
The college began plans to expand the telecommunications system to Colorado City, linking the upper 1/3 of the college’s service area to the other Mohave College campuses.
1989
Mohave College expanded its nursing program to Arizona Strip. Expansion would bring locally trained nurses in some rural areas in Arizona and Utah.
1990
The College announced a collaboration with county high schools to set up ACE program, which allowed instructors to hold college-level classes at high schools.
1991
The College added new classroom buildings in all southern campuses and hosted ribbon cuttings at each campus. The ceremonies also coincided with the 20th anniversary.
1992
The College was evaluated by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and was awarded a 10-year accreditation.
1993
The College expanded its campuses. The governing board approved giving campuses a new look, which included new classroom buildings at LHC, replace or remodel various trailer-type buildings at NCK, BHC and LHC. The expansion project cost $4 million.
1994
Mohave College held two graduations for the first time because of growing audiences. The first ceremony was for students earning certificates and the second for those earning degrees.
1995
The College received a quarter of a million dollars from Grace Neal and Arthur Arnold for the wildlife habitat project. Monies were used for landscaping. Plans included a garden that would attract wildlife, an arboretum and “a nature trail that winds its way through Mohave Sonoran and Great Basin Desert.”
1996
Don Laughlin donated his deed to his ranch home in the Hualapai’s and 20 acres of adjacent property near Kingman, valued at more than $1.1 million.
1997
A groundbreaking ceremony took place for the NAU-Mohave building on the Kingman campus. The building opened in November and housed interactive TV studios, a computer lab, a classroom and six offices. The project cost $550,000. In 1998, the College established a partnership with NAU. The partnership consisted of sharing resources by allowing NAU to utilize space at Mohave campuses, NAU can focus on providing programs with its resources, rather than constructing new facilities.
1998
The College offers educational opportunities to out of county residents. Colorado River Compact permits residents of Mohave, La Paz, Yuma, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California to attend any community college in the compact.
1999
The College Nursing program placed fourth in the state among all nursing programs for the 1998 licensing exam pass rate, according to Arizona State Board of Nursing. With 42 out of 44 students passing their state board licensure exam, 95.5%, Mohave’s registered nursing students ranked above the national average of 85.2% and the state average of 90.5% with its pass rate.
2000
Groundbreaking ceremony for the two-story complex at LHC that houses the library, 2+2 program and bookstore. Jointly financed by the College, NAU and the Mohave College Foundation. The complex will provide 16 additional classrooms.
2001
Music program was implemented. Scholarships and coordinator position made possible by the Foundation.
2002
Surgical Technician received full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs. In the first graduating class of Surgical Technology students, nine students received certification.
2003
The board approved a Dental Hygiene program and enrollment started in the Spring of 2004. Shortly after, the dental assisting program was offered in 2005.
2004
The College partnered with local high school districts to offer college courses at the high school to be counted as college and high school credit. The College and the Colorado River Union High School District developed an agreement that will serve as a model for similar agreements with other Mohave County high schools.
2005
The Kingman campus placed a plaque on the wall around the pond, which was completed by maintenance staff and R.J. Esquerra, mason. Esquerra contributed to the college one-half of the cost of his labor. The plaque reads: This wall is provided by the Mohave College Foundation and R.J. Esquerra in honor of Raymond B. Esquerra, Pioneer of Mohave County.
2006
Kingman Regional Medical Center and the College teamed up for a CNA scholarship. Students in the CNA program were able to get tuition reimbursed and healthcare workshop costs by KRMC. The initiative was in hopes to increase the number of local CNAs and hope they would move onto the nursing program.
2007
Lake Havasu City campus debuted Rocks of Mohave County exhibit. Doyle Wilson and Tim Montbrainel Traveled all over the county to collect the boulders.
2008
The College and NAU announced a new opportunity for students, the Dual Admissions Agreement. Students were offered the opportunity for admission into NAU and to enroll in concurrent classes.
2009
The College was approved by the Higher Learning Commission to offer full certificates and degrees through distance and online education.
2010
The College celebrated the opening of the Detroit Avenue Center for nursing instruction with a ribbon cutting and grand opening in September. Dr. John and Diana Lingenfelter donated the land to the Mohave College Foundation and made the construction of the center possible.
2011
The College Governing Board approved offering a Radiology Technology program and agreed with the Legacy Foundation to help construct a new facility in Bullhead City to house the program.
2012
Two new degree programs were added, Associate of Science in Engineering and Associate of Arts in Secondary Education, with approval by the Mohave College Governing Board.
2013
The College enters I-40 corridor agreement with Northland Pioneer College and Coconino Community College to maximize available educational resources through common and complementary resources of each institution.
2014
The College partners with BHC, BHC Chamber, and Harrah’s to provide 5 Mohave College business students with internships to gain real-world experiences.
2015
Hodel Library in Lake Havasu City underwent a renovation that included new carpet, shortened bookshelves to improve accessibility, new furniture and a rearranged layout to maximize public space. The library celebrated its 10-year anniversary in March from when it was renamed the Hodel Library
2016
The major construction project at Mohave College this year is the Neal Campus Kingman new student center (bldg 300) and the 200 building renovation. During the project, faculty were relocated to several different buildings with plans to move into their new offices in the 200 building just prior to the end of the spring term.
2017
The North Mohave Campus held a groundbreaking for its new building. The facility includes a cutting-edge nursing classroom and laboratory, business incubator, & multipurpose community room.
2018
The College honors veterans by creating educational centers solely for them. The centers were part of a $5,000 grant from the nonprofit group Support Education & Employment for Vets, known as S.E.E.4VETS.
2019
The College debuts the electrician program and a new building on the Kingman campus.
2020
The world was hit with a pandemic that forced the college to close and think of innovative methods, such as video conferencing, to safely continue classes and strategic planning during the pandemic.
2025
In 2025, Mohave Community College officially rebranded as Mohave College to reflect its expanding academic offerings, including bachelor’s degrees, and its continued growth and evolution.
History of Leadership
Mohave College was established in 1971, became part of the Arizona Community College System in 1974 and was first accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges in 1981.
College leadership began with the initiatives of the first governing board: Dr. Walter Brazie, Gordon McKellips, Tom Schrimsher, E.J. McCarthy and Dr. Lawrence. These founding members selected Dr. Keith West to be the first president (1971-1984).
In 1984, Dr. Charles Hall was selected to serve as the College’s second president. He served until 1997, when Michael Tacha succeeded him and served until June of 2002.
Dr. Thomas C. Henry took over in July of 2002. He served through October of 2007.
Dr. Michael J. Kearns accepted the presidency on November 1, 2007, retiring in 2019. Prior, Dr. Kearns was the founding director of the Dental Hygiene program (2004), dean of the Bullhead City Campus (2005) and vice president of instruction (2006).
Dr. Stacy Steve Klippenstein became the sixth president of Mohave College on July 1, 2019
Dr. Chrissy Holliday became the first woman president of the College in July 2026.