Established in 1958, North Central Michigan College (NCMC) was created to ensure that education beyond high school be available, financially possible, and conveniently located for learners in Emmet County. Initially learners attended NCMC from Michigan's tip of the mitt, however, currently the population of student learners are even more geographically diverse. Over the next several decades, programs included liberal and studio arts, nursing, allied health, criminal justice, data processing and many more continue to evolve to the present day. A 207-acre campus was established in 1960 in Petoskey, and the first buildings were opened just three years later. In 1973, College education centers were added in Cheboygan and Gaylord.