History

1936

The former Worthington Community College was established as an institution of higher education to meet the needs of the community and surrounding area. The first campus was located in the Worthington High School.

1964

Worthington Junior College was transferred to the State Junior College Board and was named Worthington State Junior College. 

1966

The college moved to its current, 76-acre campus located to the north of Lake Okabena.

1973

The name was changed to Worthington Community College and was placed under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Community College System.

1985

The four area technical institutes at Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, and Pipestone were officially merged to form Southwestern Technical Institute.

1989

The Minnesota State Legislature renamed all technical institutes, technical colleges.

1995

Southwestern Technical College was a member of the former Minnesota Technical College System and became a member of the Minnesota State colleges and universities system.

1995

Worthington Community College became a member of the Minnesota State colleges and universities system.

1997

Southwestern Technical College located in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone and Worthington Community College merged and became Minnesota West Community & Technical College.

Centers were developed to serve the students of those areas:

2006

Fairmont (2006-2014)

2007

Luverne (2007-Current)

2009

Marshall (2009-Current) and Redwood Falls (2009-2016) 

2013

Worthington Fire Hall was purchased and the Center for Career Education was established offering technical classes.

Our Southwest Minnesota campuses were originally under the jurisdiction of local high school board of education and offered programs that served the local and regional economy. The individual campuses have a history dating back as far as 85+ years.
Former names of the two institutions include Worthington Community College, Worthington State Junior College, Worthington Junior College, Southwestern Technical College, Southwestern Technical Institute, Southwestern Vocational Technical Institute, Canby Area Vocational Technical Institute, Canby Vocational Technical Institute, Canby Vocational School, Jackson Vocational Technical Institute, Jackson Vocational School, Granite Falls Area Vocational Technical Institute, Granite Falls Vocational Technical Institute, Granite Falls Vocational School, Pipestone Area Vocational Technical Institute, Pipestone Vocational Technical Institute, Pipestone Vocational School.