Kirtland Community College

Motto	Be the future
Type	Public community college
Established	1966
President	Thomas Quinn
Location	Grayling , Michigan , United States 44°36′06″N 84°42′30″W / 44.6017178°N 84.7084255°W / 44.6017178; -84.7084255
Campus	Rural
Nickname	Firebirds
Website	www.kirtland.edu

Kirtland Community College is a public community college in Grayling, Michigan.

History

Kirtland was founded in 1966 when six local school districts, Crawford-AuSable, Fairview Area, Gerrish-Higgins, Houghton Lake Mio-AuSable, and West Branch-Rose City, voted to create Kirtland Community College under the provisions of Michigan's Public Act 188 of 1955, it is the state's largest community college district geographically, totaling 2,500 square miles (6,500 km2) and consisting of all or part of nine counties. Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon, and Crawford counties, as well as areas of five other counties, are serviced by Kirtland. Approximately 65,000 people reside within the district. Kirtland opened the doors of its five portable classrooms in 1968 with 160 students. The college is named after the Kirtland's warbler.

Kirtland's new central campus was built in 2016, which houses the health and science programs. In addition, Kirtland maintains classrooms and community spaces at two regional locations in Gaylord and Roscommon, Michigan.^[1]

Academics

Kirtland offers 38 degrees and certificates for its students. This includes transfer associate degrees and areas of study in arts and sciences, business, professional programs, industrial trades, health science, public safety, and more. The ASA (Associate in Science and Arts) allows students to complete their basic classes at Kirtland. If students choose to take in-person classes most of the classes are located at the main campus in Grayling. However, some are available in Gaylord and at high school campuses for dual-enrolled students.^[2]

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college also holds membership in the Michigan Community College Association and the American Association of Community Colleges. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the predecessor to the Higher Learning Commission, granted Kirtland Community College status as a candidate for accreditation in 1972 and the college has been accredited as an associate degree-granting institution since 1975.

Athletics

The college competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the Eastern Conference of the Michigan College Athletic Association. The Kirtland Firebirds compete in men's and women's golf and cross-country running. Kirtland has half- to full-ride scholarships available. In 2015, Kirtland added bowling to their athletics department. In 2022, Kirtland added men's and women's basketball to their athletics department. E-sports has been their latest addition. The Kirtland firebirds have their home playing fields located a few miles from campus at Hanson Hills for cross country, Hi Skore Lanes in west branch for their bowling team and the grayling country club for their golf team. The boys and girls firebird basketball players play at home in their more recently built gym at the current/expanding campus in Grayling.^[3]