College History

Oakland County voters overwhelmingly established funding for the Oakland Community College District on June 8, 1964, and have consistently continued to help support the College’s mission for the past five decades. The district encompasses roughly 900 square miles, and has an assessed property value exceeding $25 billion.

There are currently 28 public school districts with 45 public high schools, and 37 private high schools within OCC boundaries.

The College opened in September 1965, with a record community college initial enrollment of 3,860 students on two campuses - Highland Lakes, a renovated hospital in Union Lake, and Auburn Hills, a former Army Nike missile site in Auburn Hills.

The Orchard Ridge Campus, with its award-winning architectural design, opened in Farmington Hills in September 1967, and was followed by a Southeast Campus System based in leased facilities in Oak Park. That system quickly expanded through the remodeling and purchase of buildings in Royal Oak Campus, and the Oak Park location was replaced by a new campus facility in Southfield Campus in 1980. A new campus complex was built in Royal Oak in 1982.

Across its multi campus system, OCC has served one million students and become a source for community development and engagement since opening its doors.