College History
Kankakee Community College was organized in October 1966 by a group of citizens concerned with providing a post-secondary educational resource for the people of the Kankakee area. The first college classes began on Sept. 23, 1968. Since that date, it has served as an educational, vocational, and recreational center for residents of Community College District 520, an area encompassing all of Kankakee County, and portions of Iroquois, Ford, Grundy, Livingston, and Will counties. KCC serves a population of approximately 150,000.
From its beginnings in a rented room in the Kankakee Hotel, KCC has grown to an accredited educational institution offering associate degrees and certificates of completion in more than 45 disciplines.
KCC plays a key role in workforce development within the college district. The college offers training toward industry credentials and certifications through programs including Electrical Engineering Technology, Early Childhood Education, Manufacturing Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Paramedic, Radiography, Respiratory Therapist, Solar-Photovoltaic and Welding.
KCC was named one of the top 50 best trade schools in the U.S. for 2020-21 by learn.org. The college also is recognized as Military Friendly by militaryfriendly.com. 
In addition, the Office of Continuing Education and Business Partnerships has numerous workforce training and personal development courses offered throughout the year. That area of the college offers seminars, customized training, and personal enrichment courses for community members and the business community.
Seven presidents have served KCC:
- Dr. Robert Zimmer
- Dr. John Samlin
- Dr. L.H. Horton Jr.
- Dr. Larry Huffman
- Dr. Jerry Weber
- Dr. John Avendano
- Dr. Michael Boyd (since July 1, 2019)
KCC has graduated more than 16,500 students who work across all professions and trades.
College Buildings
The college completed Phase I of its permanent facility in 1972 and Phase II in 1973. Phase I and II, which include the three-story main building and two-story Technology Building, house more than 60 classrooms and laboratories, the Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library, College Center, cafeteria, auditorium and administrative offices. The George H. Ryan Activities Center for athletic and recreational programs opened in the fall of 1988.
In spring 1993, the one-story Prairie Building opened, connecting the Technology Building to the main building. A three-story addition was added to the east wing of the main building as well. The Workforce Development Center was completed in 2004. In January 2007, the 41,000 square foot Arts & Sciences Building opened on the Riverfront Campus.
A renovation completed in Fall 2022 transformed the Technology Building into the Industrial Technology Center. The building features learning labs for specialized training in automotive technology, computer graphic technology, electrical engineering technology, and law enforcement. Major funding support was provided by Nucor of Kankakee.
Another recently opened building, the Advanced Technology Education Center (2019) houses KCC's award-winning Electrical Engineering Technology program. The 21,000 square foot building is U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold certified.
The Harold and Jean Miner South Extension Center in Watseka opened in June 2013. It replaced a satellite center which had been open since 2002. The Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Center on Route 45/52 opened in January 2014. The facility houses several technology programs, including air-conditioning and refrigeration, machine tool technology and welding.
KCC opened a North Extension Center—the first LEED Gold building in Kankakee County—in Bradley in spring 2014.
Athletic Successes
The Cavaliers athletics teams have enjoyed tremendous success beginning with the baseball team's first trip to the national tournament in 1974, where they finished ninth. Since then, the women's basketball team earned a national championship in 1995, and has been runner-up four times. Women's softball earned a national championship in 2015 and was the runner-up in 2010. The baseball team won the national championship in 2017. Two other teams have been national runners-up: men's basketball and volleyball. In all, KCC teams have won 83 region championships and have played in 71 national tournaments. Numerous student athletes have been recognized by the NJCAA as All-Americans and for academic achievement.
The 1994-95 women's basketball team was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in December 2013. Two coaches are in the NJCAA Hall of Fame: Dennis Clark, softball, 1983-2017; and Denny Lehnus, men's basketball, 1974-1993.