History

Scottsdale Community College opened at its present location in the fall of 1970, with an enrollment of 948 students. The college currently serves more than 11,000 full- and part-time students each academic year.

Scottsdale Community College primarily attracts students from its surrounding communities, including Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. However, increasing numbers of students commute from other locations for signature programs like Culinary, Film and Theatre, Computer Information Systems (CIS), undergraduate research, and others. With a student population that closely mirrors the diversity of our service area, the college also attracts students from other countries and is a welcome environment for students of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

An important part of the college’s history is encapsulated in its mascot—the Artichoke. Born during a period of student unrest in the early 1970s, Artie the Artichoke was adopted as the school’s mascot to express a difference of opinion concerning budget priorities. Originally intended to be a source of embarrassment, Artie has been embraced by students, athletes, staff, and the community as a beloved character.

Scottsdale Community College is the only public community college located on Native American Land and continues to offer a dedicated student service program geared to the unique needs and interests of our Native American students.