Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) was created as one of 12 junior colleges by the Alabama State Legislature during the first administration of Governor George C. Wallace (Act No. 93, approved May 3, 1963). The College was named Northeast Alabama State Junior College.
Numerous individuals and organizations were instrumental in locating the College on the DeKalb-Jackson County line. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and the Jackson County Board of Revenue collectively donated a 60-acre site for the College, 30 acres from each county. An additional 35 acres were purchased in 1969, 5.54 in 1982, 2.7 in 1991, 10 in 1996, and 3.76 in 2008. Additionally, 1.7 acres were donated in 1996. The NACC campus now consists of more than 117 acres and 18 buildings, with a credit enrollment of approximately 2,590 (Fall 2022). In addition to the main campus, NACC offers a Salon and Spa Management Program at the NACC Salon Institute in Scottsboro.
Dr. Ernest Rudder Knox was appointed on April 17, 1964, to work with the Alabama State Board of Education in planning the junior college program. He was appointed the first president of Northeast Alabama State Junior College on October 9, 1964, serving the College for 18 years.
Dr. Charles M. Pendley was appointed second president of Northeast Alabama State Junior College on July 1, 1982. Under his leadership, the E. R. Knox Science Laboratory Building, Tom Bevill Lyceum, and Bevill Administration Building (renamed Charles M. Pendley Administration Building in 2002) were added to the campus. Dr. Pendley served the College for 36 years. Upon Dr. Pendley’s death in March 2001, Dr. William Osborn served as interim president. On July 10, 2001, by a unanimous vote of the Alabama State Board of Education, Dr. David Campbell was named the third president of Northeast Alabama Community College. Dr. Campbell has overseen the completion of the Technology Center (DDT and ILT facilities); construction of the Health Education and Workforce Development Center and the NACC walking trail; the opening of the NACC Salon Institute; establishment of an English instruction and writing center; establishment of the College and Career Planning Center; completion of the Industrial Systems Technology building and the Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Technology Center; expansion of the campus; and numerous other improvements to campus, including extensive landscaping projects.
The College began operation on the quarter system (fall, winter, spring, and summer). The first classes began September 30, 1965, with an enrollment of 380 students. Beginning fall 1998, Northeast converted to the semester system (fall, spring and summer). NACC provides traditional day and evening classes as well as online and dual enrollment classes.
NACC became a community college upon action of the State Board of Education on May 14, 1992. This action gave approval for the development of a technical division and changed the name to Northeast Alabama State Community College. On November 12, 1996, the name of the College was shortened to Northeast Alabama Community College.