Skagit Valley College, originally named Mount Vernon Junior College, began serving students in 1926 as an adjunct to Union High School in Mount Vernon. The name was changed to Skagit Valley Junior College in 1948, and in 1958 the present name was adopted. SVC has the proud distinction of being the second oldest community college in Washington state. During the early years, classes were held on the top floor of the high school building. In 1955, a permanent site of 35 acres was purchased and a complex of six buildings was completed in 1959. Because of immediate increases in student enrollment, another 10 acres of land was purchased and a new Library building was constructed. Additional purchases of land have brought the total campus area in Mount Vernon to more than 110 acres. Skagit Valley College is a public community college, operating under the supervision of a local Board of Trustees appointed by the governor. SVC’s district includes Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. Skagit Valley College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Currently, SVC serves students at the Mount Vernon Campus in Mount Vernon and at the Whidbey Island Campus in Oak Harbor. The college also operates two centers: San Juan Center in Friday Harbor and the Marine Technology Center in Anacortes.