About Our Organization

 History

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has served as the community's premier technical educator for many years. Originally funded by a bond election, the institution was established Sept. 1, 1959, and named the Asheville Industrial Education Center.

Following legislation creating the North Carolina System of Community Colleges that was enacted in 1963 by the General Assembly, the name was changed on Jan. 27, 1964, to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute. This legislation enabled the College to confer the Associate in Applied Science degree for the first time at graduation ceremonies in August 1964.

The Board of Trustees approved a third name change to Asheville-Buncombe Technical College on Aug. 6, 1979.

A final name change occurred Nov. 2, 1987, when the Board of Trustees approved Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, an action which became official when endorsed by the Buncombe County Commissioners on Nov. 3, 1987.
In October 1988 the College received approval to offer associate degree programs and in September 1989 enrolled its first class for the Associate in Science degree. The Associate in Arts degree was first offered during summer quarter 1990-91.
On Jan. 18, 1990, A-B Tech officially opened a satellite campus in Madison County. The College had served the county out of temporary quarters at the Marshall Elementary School since Dec. 12, 1984.

In its early years, the College administered the operation of four units located throughout Western North Carolina. These units have gained independent status and are now fully accredited community colleges.

By the fall term of 1997, the College had reengineered all programs and converted to the semester system.

On Oct. 23, 2000, BASF Corporation donated nearly 37 acres and three buildings to A-B Tech to establish a satellite campus in Enka that includes a small business incubator and a corporate technology training and conference center.

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 Administration

The College was initially administered by the Asheville City School Board of Education. Following the establishment of the North Carolina System of Community Colleges, control passed to an independent board of trustees.

From the beginning, prominent Asheville and Buncombe County business and community leaders have helped to guide the College. In addition, each academic program has an advisory committee made up of local practitioners. Several hundred local citizens provide guidance for the educational programs of the College.

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 Curricula

The first program offered by the College was Practical Nursing. Electronics Engineering Technology and the Machinist programs were started in 1960. These three curricula are still offered along with many other career and College transfer programs.

The College offers the Associate in Arts, the Associate in Science, and the Associate in Applied Science degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs are offered in the Division of Arts and Sciences. All career curricula and courses are offered through three divisions: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Business and Hospitality Education, and Engineering and Applied Technology. In addition, noncredit academic, avocational, practical skills, and occupational classes and activities are offered through the Continuing Education Division.

Continuing Education courses are generally offered, with sufficient enrollment, on demand. Curriculum courses are usually offered on planned schedules in both the day and evening/weekend programs. Many curriculum classes are also offered in clusters for unclassified students. Some Continuing Education courses-including Adult Basic Education, Human Resources Development, New and Expanding Industry Training, Small Business Center, Total Quality Management, and Focused Industrial Training activities-are ongoing or are repeated on a regular basis.

Both curriculum and Continuing Education programs are supported through the activities of the GED Testing program, Guided Studies, and the Learning Resources Center. Classes meet on campus and at various off-campus sites. Course requirements are the same without regard to meeting times or locations.

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 Campus Facilities

On March 15, 1961, the Industrial Education Center moved into two newly constructed buildings off Victoria Road. Over the years the Board of Trustees has acquired land that today totals 144 acres.

Twenty-one buildings house academic programs and campus services. Included in this total is the Smith-McDowell House, the oldest brick house in Buncombe County, leased to the Western North Carolina Historical Association.

On Jan. 18, 1990, the College established a campus in Madison County. The satellite operation provides adult education and College credit courses for the people of Madison County.

Over the years a combination of special funding has provided for campus expansion. Since 1985 the North Carolina General Assembly has approved $5 million in special legislation for campus construction.

Since 1987, Buncombe County voters have approved $13.5 million in bonds to be used for campus additions and renovations. In statewide bond referendums, voters approved $5 million in 1993 and $14 million in 2000 for capital projects at A-B Tech.

Buncombe County Commissioners purchased for A-B Tech property belonging to St. Genevieve Gibbons Hall, a private school that merged with Asheville Country Day School to form the Carolina Day School. The Board of Trustees acquired the title to these 12.77 acres and four buildings on Sept. 23, 1987. Additionally, in 1990 the Commissioners purchased 16.75 acres contiguous to the west boundaries of the campus. This purchase included Sunnicrest, the only remaining lodge constructed by George Vanderbilt. The lodge has been renovated to house the Business and Industry Services Division offices.

On Oct. 21, 1987, A-B Tech in cooperation with Buncombe Child Development opened a Child Care Center, which offers day service to students and faculty.

On Oct. 23, 2000, BASF Corporation donated nearly 37 acres and three buildings to A-B Tech to establish a satellite campus in Enka that includes a small business incubator and a corporate technology training and conference center.

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 Current Status

A-B Tech, with strong local support, has grown in facilities and land acquisition, in enrollment, in curricula, and in expanded services to the community. Today the College has the largest total headcount enrollment of any institution of higher education in Western North Carolina, serving 25,508 in 1999-2000.

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 Location

The main campus is located off Victoria Road in Asheville, North Carolina, a city repeatedly named as one of the most livable towns in America.
Situated near major interstates and on local bus routes, the College is convenient to the citizens it serves. Ample parking close to class buildings is provided free on campus. The Madison Campus is located in Marshall, NC. The Enka Campus is located in the Enka community near Asheville, NC.

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