LCCC President recommends Wyoming State College as new name

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Laramie County Community College President Dr. Joe Schaffer today recommended Wyoming State College as the institution’s new name. The recommendation marks a significant milestone in the college’s efforts to strengthen its visibility, reach a broader market and help build the talent pipeline needed by Wyoming’s communities and employers.

The recommendation will now move to the Laramie County Community College Board of Trustees, which will consider a resolution to formally change the name during their meeting on September 16, 2026.

The recommendation follows four years of research, market analysis and engagement with more than 3,000 current-past-potential students, employees, alumni, community members and other stakeholders. Surveys, focus groups, interviews and community conversations consistently identified challenges involving awareness of the College, confusion about its location and an incomplete understanding of the educational opportunities it provides.

“This recommendation represents the next evolution of a college that has continually adapted to meet the needs of its students and communities,” Schaffer said. “Our current name has served us well for more than 50 years, but the college has grown significantly in the breadth of its programs, the students it serves and the impact it creates. Wyoming State College honors that legacy while more clearly communicating who we are today and where we are going.”

Research conducted by the College and its partners found that more than 65% of respondents outside LCCC’s immediate service area had never heard of the College. Among those familiar with LCCC, only 15% correctly identified Cheyenne as the location of its primary campus. Half of Wyoming respondents outside the local area said “Laramie County” created confusion about the College’s location, while 56% said the term “community college” suggested a limited range of degree options.

Schaffer said the findings reveal more than a marketing challenge; they represent a barrier to reaching the students Wyoming will increasingly need.

“The future talent pipeline for our communities and our state must come both from within our service area and from a broader region,” Schaffer said. “To reach those students, we first have to be understood and considered. Our research shows that the current name creates confusion about where we are located, while the community college label can lead prospective students to assume we offer fewer opportunities than we actually do. A clearer name will help us enter that broader marketplace and connect more students with the education and experiences that prepare them to contribute to Wyoming’s workforce.”

The proposed name would not change the college’s mission, governance, accreditation or service area. The institution would remain open access and continue its comprehensive focus on workforce development, university transfer, college readiness and community development.

“We are not changing who we are or whom we serve,” Schaffer said. “We are changing how clearly people understand who we are. This recommendation is about removing barriers, carrying our mission and legacy forward, and ensuring the College remains strong, accessible and relevant for generations to come.”

The college’s most recognizable traditions would remain in place. The Golden Eagles would continue as its mascot, blue and gold will remain its colors, and existing visual elements would provide the foundation for the future brand identity.

If approved by the Board of Trustees, the College would begin a phased transition, with the new name taking effect July 1, 2027. The timeline would allow for required notifications, development of the broader brand, and orderly updates to college materials and systems. The transition would be managed responsibly and would not reduce funding for scholarships, academic programs, advising or other essential operations.

Additional information, answers to frequently asked questions and an opportunity to provide feedback are available at lccc.wy.edu/name. Community members are invited to learn more about the recommendation and share their thoughts through the website.