Building a Better Education
The citizen group for Affordable Community Education (ACE) is helping to expand community college classes in our area. Our goal is a permanent community college campus in our area, offering two year degree programs, general studies, state-of-the-art technical training as well as lifelong learning opportunities. We are in the service area of Moberly Area Community College and we are working with MACC to offer expanded college level courses through the Hannibal Area Higher Education Center. Courses in technical training, computer, and general education are currently planned, and more classes will be developed in response to area need. In addition, the Center will offer college transfer credits and two-year Associate of Arts degrees and act as a feeder college to other area 4 year colleges.

The Need
Economic development in Northeast Missouri is severely hampered by lack of trained workers. This is directly related to limited opportunities for higher education and targeted technical training. Numerous area surveys have shown the need for affordable community education in our region. Ninety-four percent of Hannibal area high school students indicated the desire to continue their education after graduation. Cost has become a prohibitive factor for many students. A community college education has become the choice of a greater number of students who wish to earn the first two years of a four-year degree in a cost effective manner. MACC has vast experience serving this clientele. The improved access to higher education-both geographically and financially-achieved through MACC’s active and continued presence in Hannibal is responsive to the state and national priority of accessibility to higher education for all citizens. MACC has well-established partnerships with local business and industry. MACC has provided many training projects that local businesses need to be competitive; however, a permanent building will give business increased access to training opportunities.

Residents of Northeast Missouri who are looking for affordable community college education opportunities have few choices, largely due to the fact that the region lacks a permanent community college campus. Currently, students have three regional Community College choices:

1. Cross the River to John Wood Community College in Quincy.
This choice limits those who need financial assistance not offered to Missouri residents.

2. Attend Moberly Area Community College classes in Hannibal at the Clinic Road location, which offers a tuition break for
Missouri residents but is limited by space and facilities constraints in what classes it can offer.

3. Travel the more than 120 miles roundtrip to Mexico, Edina, Columbia, Kirksville or Moberly to earn course credits
or their degree based on a full set of MACC course offerings with Missouri A+ tuition assistance.