LCCC's Name Change

LCCC exists today because people before us took a bold step. Back in 1968, there were plenty who doubted a community college could be built in Cheyenne and Laramie County. This community chose to believe otherwise. They invested in a future they couldn’t fully see yet – and that decision made all the difference.

For more than 60 years, Laramie County Community College (LCCC) has shown up in all kinds of meaningful places—on diplomas, résumés, shirts, hats, family photos, and LinkedIn profiles. Those aren’t just items; they’re part of people’s stories.

At the same time, we’ve reached a moment that asks us to think carefully about what it really means to honor the schools legacy.

Our commitment to our students and our community members isn’t changing. This will always be at the heart of what we do. But the college itself has grown in ways our current name doesn’t always fully capture. Today, students learn with us in person and online. They come for certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees, transfer opportunities, workforce training, athletics, student life, and career pathways that extend well beyond our immediate community.

We know a change in our name takes courage. It requires transparency, thoughtfulness, and a clear sense of responsibility. There are real costs involved, and we’ll be open about those as the process moves forward.

The conversation about changing our name isn’t about leaving LCCC’s history behind – it’s about carrying it forward. It’s not about stepping away from the communities we serve – it’s about strengthening our role here at home by preparing to serve more students, meet more needs, and help Wyoming thrive.

Project Timeline:

FAQ Section:

1. Why is LCCC considering a name change?
   
   LCCC is changing its name because the college has grown, and we need a name that more clearly reflects who we are, where we are, and who we serve. Today, we offer bachelor’s degrees, residence halls, high-demand workforce programs, and more — our scale has exceeded the bounds for institutions traditionally considered community colleges. LCCC isn’t the only college to have faced this dilemma. Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs, formerly Pikes Peak Community College, for example, just navigated a similar consideration.

2. Isn’t the current name already clear?
   
   A lot of people hear “Laramie County Community College” and know exactly what it means. They know Cheyenne is in Laramie County. They know LCCC is a community college. They know the college’s history and place in the community. But not everyone comes to LCCC with this local knowledge. Prospective students and families from other parts of Wyoming, Colorado and nearby states may not understand the difference between Laramie County and the city of Laramie. Some people see the name and make assumptions about where we are or what kind of college we are before they ever learn more.

3. Is this just about people being confused by geography?
   
   The name-change discussion is also about how well our name reflects what LCCC has become. Today, LCCC offers bachelor’s degrees, residence halls, high-demand workforce programs, transfer pathways, student life, athletics, technical education, healthcare programs and community education. Many people are surprised by how broad and distinctive the college’s programs and opportunities are. The question is not only whether people can find us on a map. The question is whether the name helps people understand the full value of the college.

4. Has a new name already been selected?
   
   No. The Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the intent to change the college’s name and directed President Joe Schaffer to lead a process that includes identifying possible names, developing a timeline and preparing a projected budget.

5. How long will this process take?
   
   The process is expected to take 18 to 24 months. We believe the process should not be rushed. The college needs to gather input from the public, study options, understand costs, build a timeline and communicate clearly with students, employees, alumni and the public. After a name is determined we will develop an implementation plan to support the transition.

6. How much will the name change cost?
   
   A final cost has not yet been determined. This is animportant questions the college must answer as this process moves forward. LCCC will evaluate the costs associated with renaming and rebranding the institution and will prepare a projected budget and timeline.

7. Why not spend this money on students, scholarships, programs, or advising?
   
   LCCC exists to serve students. If this process were only about changing signs or buying new materials, skepticism would be understandable. The reason the college is moving forward is the name change is tied to a larger goal: helping more students understand LCCC’s value, strengthening enrollment, supporting workforce needs, and positioning the college to serve this region for decades to come.
   
   Wyoming needs more people prepared for careers in healthcare, technical fields, business, education, public service, and other areas that keep communities functioning. LCCC’s role is to help students build those futures here.

8. Will tuition go up because of the name change?
   
   No, tuition will not increase as a result of the name change. Tuition is determined by the Wyoming Community College Commission.

9. Is LCCC trying to stop being a community college?
   
   No. Our mission, as our supporters understand it, will not change. The services will not change. The access will not change. LCCC’s mission remains grounded in access, affordability, transfer, workforce preparation, and community service. A new name would not change the college’s commitment to helping students earn credentials, prepare for careers, transfer to universities, and improve their lives. LCCC is not walking away from these values. The college has changed over time, but the purpose has not changed. We are here to help students transform their lives through learning.

10. Is LCCC trying to become a four-year university?
    
    No, LCCC offers bachelor’s degrees in specific applied areas, but the college is not becoming a university. The name-change process is about better reflecting the college’s full role today and in the future, including transfer, workforce training, technical education, community education, student life, and applied bachelor’s degree opportunities. LCCC will continue serving students who want to earn a certificate, complete an associate degree, transfer to a university, train for a career, or return to school later in life.

11. I graduated from LCCC, will I have to get a new diploma?
    
    No. Your diploma reflects the College's name at the time you attended and completed your education. It remains a valid and official record of your academic achievement.
    
    You will keep your current diploma, and you will not receive a new or updated diploma as a result of the College's name change. Your existing diploma continues to represent your educational experience and credentials earned during your time at the College.

12. What should people do if they have concerns?
    
    Contact us below if you would like to express concerns or share your thoughts and suggestions about the name change.