South Suburban College is a community college

Community college

A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...

 located in the south suburbs of Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

 serving the Chicago Southland

Chicago Southland

The Chicago Southland is the suburban region south and southwest of the City of Chicago, made up of approximately 70 municipalities. This region has been known as the Chicago Southland by the local populace and regional media for about 20 years....

. The main campus is situated in South Holland, Illinois

South Holland, Illinois

South Holland is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States and serves as the seat of Thornton Township. The population was 22,147 at the 2000 census.-History:...

 with a second campus called the University and College Center in Oak Forest, Illinois

Oak Forest, Illinois

Oak Forest is a suburban city about south/southwest of downtown Chicago in Bremen Township in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 28,051 at the 2000 census.-History:...

. South Suburban College is also affiliated with DePaul University

DePaul University

DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...

, University of Saint Francis

University of Saint Francis (Illinois)

The University of St. Francis is a Catholic, Franciscan university, serving more than 3,300 students at locations throughout the nation. USF's main campus is located at 500 Wilcox Street in Joliet, Illinois. It is located about southwest of Chicago in a residential neighborhood and serves 1,300...

, Chicago State University

Chicago State University

Chicago State University is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago.-History:Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867, largely through the initiative of John F. Eberhart, the Commissioner of Schools for Cook County...

, Governors State University

Governors State University

Governors State University is a public university located in University Park, Illinois. The campus is located south of Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1969, GSU is an upper-division university, offering undergraduate courses at the junior and senior levels as well as graduate level coursework at...

, and Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...

.

History

South Suburban College was founded in 1927 as Thornton Junior College. At that time, the College was an extension of Thornton Township High School

Thornton Township High School

Thornton Township High School, often simply referred to as Thornton is a public high school founded in 1899. The school is located in Harvey, Illinois one of the south suburbs of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools...

 in Harvey, Illinois

Harvey, Illinois

Harvey is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, near Chicago. The population was 30,000 at the 2000 census.Harvey is bordered by Dixmoor, Riverdale and Blue Island to the north, Posen and Markham to the west, South Holland, Phoenix, and Dolton to the east, and East Hazel Crest to the...

. The Illinois Community College Act of 1965 created Community College District 510 and enlarged the area served to include Thornton High School District 205, Thornton Fractional High School District 215, and Bremen High School District 228.

In 1969, the name was changed to Thornton Community College to emphasize the comprehensive mission of the College. The College moved into its existing main campus facilities in South Holland in 1972.

In June 1988, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to South Suburban College to more accurately reflect the geographic location of the College. In an effort to serve the western portion of the district and to provide opportunities for district residents to complete a four-year degree, the University & College Center was opened in Oak Forest in 1992.

Many students attend there.

Student Body & Demographics

On average there are more than 17,000 students enrolled at SSC. The current statistics for the demographics of the student body are 65% African American, 25% White, 7% Hispanic, 1% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 2% Other.

Notable alumni

• Tim Byrdak
  Tim Byrdak
  Timothy Christopher Byrdak is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. His previous major league experience came from to , when Byrdak played for the Kansas City Royals, an injury-plagued stint with the Baltimore Orioles, and one year with the Detroit Tigers.After playing for...
  
  , Major League Baseball player
• Ruth Johnson Colvin
  Ruth Johnson Colvin
  Ruth Johnson Colvin is the founder of the non-profit organization Literacy Volunteers of America, now called ProLiteracy Worldwide in Syracuse, New York, in 1962. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in December 2006.-Biography:Colvin was born Ruth Johnson...
  
  , Founder of the non-profit Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., now called ProLiteracy Worldwide
  ProLiteracy Worldwide
  ProLiteracy is an international nonprofit organization based in Syracuse, N.Y., that supports the people and programs that help adults learn to read and write.-History:...
  
  in Syracuse, New York
  Syracuse, New York
  Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
  
   in 1962
• Cliff Floyd
  Cliff Floyd
  Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early years:Floyd was born to parents Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Sr. and Olivia Floyd. After spending 13 years as an only child, Floyd was joined by brother Julius...
  
  , Major League Baseball player
• Rob Mackowiak
  Rob Mackowiak
  Robert William Mackowiak is an American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. He bats left-handed, throws right-handed, and is a utility player. During his Major League Baseball career, he has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and...
  
  , Major League Baseball player
• Ron Mahay
  Ron Mahay
  Ronald Matthew Mahay is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins....
  
  , Major League Baseball player
• Julius Matos, Major League Baseball player
• Steven Whitehurst
  Steven Whitehurst
  Steven Whitehurst is an African American author, poet, and educator. He is a divorced father who currently resides in Calumet City, Illinois.- Biography :...
  
  , author