Welcome to Kirtland Community College – Gaylord
In 1985 a group of citizens, business professionals, and elected officials gathered in Gaylord to explore the feasibility of enhancing post-high school educational opportunities in Northern lower Michigan, for both college bound and technical trade students from throughout the region.
A new collaborative model was incorporated, the Alpine Regional Education Center (AREC), and two colleges began to offer classes on campus to 22 students. Within ten years, 4 more college/university partners were providing courses toward degree completion.
With such proven success, and the need to expand instructional resources, taxpayers in Otsego County voted their support with a 20 year millage to build and operate a new state of the art facility, housing both Kirtland M-TEC & University Center at Gaylord. Hundreds of students were served annually by our many college and university partners. We also started proctoring tests during this time. Many high-stakes testing companies used our location as an exam site and our employees were trained as proctors.
Kirtland Gaylord-MTEC, our main partner, owned the whole north wing of the building with state-of-the-art electrical, HVAC and welding labs. The proximity to Gaylord High School also made it possible for high school classes to be offered in these labs. The emphasis on the open learning environment at the M-TEC was notably successful; flexible scheduling and individualized learning opportunities were optimized to better meet the needs of the student and employers in the region.
The other University Center Gaylord partners included Davenport University, Madonna University, North Central Michigan College, Michigan State, Spring Arbor University, Ferris State and Northwood University. Rooms were rented out to businesses, but most were used for classes.
All of that changed with COVID.
When everything suddenly shifted online during COVID, our technologically advanced classrooms became ideal meeting locations for local businesses, government agencies and corporate boards. In addition, our university partners no longer needed the office space & classrooms to connect with students.
Today we are starting to be known as Kirtland Community College – Gaylord instead of University Center Gaylord and Kirtland M-TEC. We still proctor dozens of tests every week, rent rooms and teach skilled trade classes, plus we always welcome the public to use our facilities!