Highland Community College began as Highland University in 1858, making it the first college in Kansas. After eight name changes, the College is now in its 153rd year of providing higher education opportunities to the people of Northeast Kansas in a small rural setting. The College has traditionally prepared students to continue their studies at baccalaureate institutions. Studies conducted at the Board of Regents universities in Kansas show that students who begin their college careers at HCC and then transfer do as well or better academically than all other students who transfer to those universities and those who start there.