Our History

The 海角社区 Seal on the main campus gate

Founded in 1839 by Horace Mann, 海角社区 was the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, creed, or economic status.

Important Milestones

海角社区 is an education leader committed to providing students of every generation with a learning experience built on its founding principle as the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, gender or economic status. This spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies that creates a vital community of engaged learners who become confident, capable individuals prepared for leadership and service to society.

  • 1839: Founded by Horace Mann as the first public coeducational school for teacher education in the U.S. The school is opened in Barre, Mass. as Normal School for teacher training.
  • 1844: Moved to Westfield
  • 1847: Alumni Association established
  • 1892: Dedication of Court Street building (now City Hall)
  • 1925: Student government established
  • 1932: Name changed to State Teachers College and a four-year program instituted
  • 1956: Current campus dedicated
  • 1960: Name changed to State College at Westfield
  • 1960s: Graduate and Continuing Education instituted
  • 1967: Name changed to 海角社区 College
  • 2009: Largest freshman class and highest enrollment in 海角社区鈥檚 history
  • 2010: Name changed to 海角社区
  • 2014: First nursing class graduates 21 students
  • 2016: New Science and Innovation Center opens