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LACOMBE, LA – June 27, 2026 – Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) proudly celebrates the 15th anniversary of Act 209 of the 2011 Louisiana Legislative Session, the landmark legislation that transformed Northshore Technical College into a comprehensive community college and forever changed the educational landscape of the Northshore region.
Signed into law on June 27, 2011, Act 209 expanded the mission of the institution's campuses in Hammond, Bogalusa, and Greensburg, creating new opportunities for students to earn workforce credentials, certificates, associate degrees, and university-transfer credits closer to home. The legislation also paved the way for the construction of new campuses in Lacombe and Walker, establishing the framework for the comprehensive community college NTCC has become today. What began as three campuses serving a limited mission has evolved into a five-campus institution serving five parishes and thousands of students annually across the Greater Northshore Region.
The visionary behind the legislation, former State Senator Ben Nevers, reflected on the significance of the anniversary and the impact of the law he sponsored. "When we worked to create Northshore Technical Community College, my vision was to expand educational opportunities and create a seamless pathway between technical education and higher education. For too long, students who completed technical college coursework faced barriers when pursuing additional degrees. Act 209 helped remove those barriers, opening doors for students to continue their education, advance their careers, and build better futures right here in Louisiana. I am proud to have been part of a legislative effort that has positively impacted thousands of students over the past fifteen years."
The implementation of Act 209 was led by NTCC's founding Chancellor, Dr. William S. Wainwright, who now serves as President of Southeastern Louisiana University. "I wish to congratulate the students, faculty, staff and administration of Northshore Technical Community College on the 15th anniversary of its founding. As a leading comprehensive community and technical college in the State of Louisiana, NTCC continues to build futures for Louisiana's graduates; many of whom transfer to Southeastern to continue their higher education journey. As founding Chancellor of NTCC, it is humbling to witness the transformation of communities throughout the Greater Northshore Region as a result of the many successes of Chancellor Carlson and his team of dedicated higher education professionals."
Over the past fifteen years, NTCC has experienced remarkable growth while remaining committed to its mission of providing accessible, high-quality education and workforce training. The college now serves more than 6,400 students annually across five parishes and has become one of Louisiana's largest community colleges.
Student success has been at the center of that growth. In May 2026, NTCC celebrated the largest graduating class in its history with 987 graduates earning degrees, diplomas, and industry-based credentials. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the college exceeded its statewide completion goal by awarding more than 3,700 credentials to students preparing for careers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, transportation, public service, and other high-demand industries.
The college's expansion has also included new academic transfer pathways, nursing and allied health programs, apprenticeships, dual enrollment opportunities, adult education services, and partnerships with universities and employers throughout the region.
Today, NTCC serves students through campuses and instructional sites located throughout Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. Recent investments include the development of a new Diesel Technology Building in Bogalusa, the launch of an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing, the expansion of RN and LPN to RN Bridge programs, and plans for a new Hammond Area Campus.
According to Chancellor Jim Carlson, the success of NTCC reflects the vision of those who created the institution and the dedication of those who continue to advance its mission. "Fifteen years ago, Louisiana leaders recognized that the Northshore needed more than a technical college—it needed a comprehensive community college that could expand educational opportunity and meet the workforce needs of a growing region. Thanks to the vision of Senator Ben Nevers, Dr. William Wainwright, the Louisiana Legislature, and Governor Bobby Jindal's signing of Act 209, that vision became a reality. Today, thousands of graduates have launched careers, continued their education, and strengthened our communities because of the opportunities created through this legislation. We are also grateful for the continued support of Governor Jeff Landry and state leaders whose investments in workforce training and campus expansion are helping position NTCC for even greater impact in the years ahead. While we celebrate the accomplishments of the past fifteen years, we remain focused on building a brighter future for the students, employers, and communities we serve."
As NTCC enters its next chapter, the college remains committed to expanding access to higher education, strengthening workforce development, and creating opportunities that improve the quality of life throughout the Greater Northshore Region.
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About Northshore Technical Community College
Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) is a comprehensive college with a rich history of providing workforce training and academic pathways to universities across the state of Louisiana. Beyond the traditional classroom and workforce training opportunities, NTCC provides opportunities for students seeking our Adult Education, ESL, and YouthBuild programs. NTCC is comprised of its Main Campus in Lacombe, Hammond Area Campus, Direct Connect Campus at Southeastern Louisiana University, Florida Parishes Campus in Greensburg, Sullivan Campus in Bogalusa, Livingston Campus in Walker, and Rayburn Correctional Center. In 2015, NTCC was recognized by the Brookings Institute as the first in the nation for economic value of its graduates. The Chronicle of Higher Education named NTCC in 2019 as seventh fastest growing colleges from 2007-2017. NTCC was also awarded the Greater New Orleans Top Workplaces by The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate every year since 2018. For more information about NTCC, visit www.northshorecollege.edu.
