HISTORY

THE COLLEGE

     Elaine P. Nunez Community College is a unique institution of higher learning with an equally unique history. The College bears the name of the late wife of the Honorable Samuel B. Nunez, Jr., President of the Louisiana State Senate from 1982-1988 and from 1990-1996, and was the first public institution of higher learning in Louisiana to be named for a woman.  Elaine P. Nunez was a lifelong resident of St. Bernard, where she was educated. She was extremely interested in, and actively supportive of, public education.

     When Mrs. Nunez died, St. Bernard lost a civic-minded and dedicated individual who helped set the stage for growth and improvement in local education.  In recognition of Mrs. Nunez’s support of public education, the 1992 Louisiana State Legislature passed Act 341, establishing Elaine P. Nunez Community College. The Act merged Elaine P. Nunez Technical Institute and St. Bernard Parish Community College to form a comprehensive community college, offering both vocational and technical programs and arts and sciences programs.

      The new College was placed under the management of the Board of Trustees or State Colleges and Universities, effective July 1, 1992, and Dr. James A. Caillier, the president of the Board of Trustees, acted as the College's first president.  True to its heritage, Elaine P. Nunez Community College experienced a unique beginning in that Hurricane Andrew struck the New Orleans area on the day registration for classes was scheduled to begin. With strong support from the local community, however, the College was able to open three days later.
 

     In the spring of 1993, Elaine P. Nunez Community College was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: telephone number 404-679-4501) to award Associate Degrees and Certificates. This accreditation was reaffirmed for ten years in 1997.  On July 1, 1999, the management of the College, along with five other community colleges, was transferred to Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. At the same time, the title of the Colleges chief executive officer was changed from president to chancellor. 

The Storm>>