| Kirtland Community College | |
| Motto: | Be the future |
| President: | Gary Roberts |
| Established: | 1966 |
| Type: | Public community college |
| City: | Grayling |
| State: | Michigan |
| Country: | United States |
| Campus: | Rural |
| Nickname: | Firebirds |
Kirtland Community College is a public community college in Grayling, Michigan.
Kirtland was founded in 1966 when six local school districts, Crawford-AuSable, Fairview Area, Gerrish-Higgins, Houghton Lake Mio-AuSable, and West Branch-Rose City, voted to create Kirtland Community College under the provisions of Michigan's Public Act 188 of 1955, it is the state's largest community college district geographically, totaling 2,500 square miles (6,500 km2) and consisting of all or part of nine counties. Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon, and Crawford counties, as well as areas of five other counties, are serviced by Kirtland. Approximately 65,000 people reside within the district. Kirtland opened the doors of its five portable classrooms in 1968 with 160 students. The college is named after the Kirtland's warbler.
Kirtland's new central campus was built in 2016, which houses the health and science programs. In addition, Kirtland maintains classrooms and community spaces at two regional locations in Gaylord and Roscommon, Michigan.[1]
Kirtland offers 38 degrees and certificates for its students. This includes transfer associate degrees and areas of study in arts and sciences, business, professional programs, industrial trades, health science, public safety, and more. The ASA (Associate in Science and Arts) allows students to complete their basic classes at Kirtland. If students choose to take in-person classes most of the classes are located at the main campus in Grayling. However, some are available in Gaylord and at high school campuses for dual-enrolled students.[2]
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college also holds membership in the Michigan Community College Association and the American Association of Community Colleges. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the predecessor to the Higher Learning Commission, granted Kirtland Community College status as a candidate for accreditation in 1972 and the college has been accredited as an associate degree-granting institution since 1975.
Welcome to Alpha Omicron Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Kirtland Community College, the International Honor Society for the two-year college! The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is two-fold: recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Individuals who join Phi Theta Kappa receive recognition for their academic achievement; eligibility for scholarships, including transfer scholarships; letters of recommendation and transcript notation. Requirements: Students must be enrolled at Kirtland Community College and have completed at least 12-college level credits with a 3.5 or higher grade point average.[3]
The college competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the Eastern Conference of the Michigan College Athletic Association. The Kirtland Firebirds compete in men's golf and men and women's cross-country running. Kirtland has half- to full-ride scholarships available. In 2015, Kirtland added bowling to their athletics department. In 2022, Kirtland added men's and women's basketball to their athletics department. E-sports has been their latest addition including Overwatch. The Kirtland Firebirds have their home sport areas located a few miles from campus at Hanson Hills for cross country, Hi Skore Lanes in West Branch for their bowling team and the Grayling country club for their golf team. The boys and girls Firebird basketball players play at home in their more recently built gym at the current/expanding campus in Grayling.[4]
The Kirtland Firebirds compete in cross-country, golf and bowling in the MCCAA (Michigan Community College Athletic Association), and go head-to-head with four-year universities in Michigan and Ohio in regional competitions and at the national level for the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletics Association) Division III.[5]
Firebirds have earned Academic All-American and All-American status, and teams have recently ranked in the top 10 nationally for academic success, while traveling to National Championship competitions in places like Garden City, Kansas and Lansing, Michigan. From top-tier recruits to walk-ons, all our student-athletes earn scholarships, and Firebirds have a track record of transferring to join teams at four-year universities.[6]
With home sport areas in Grayling at Hanson Hills, at Hi Skore Lanes in West Branch and at the Graying Country Club golf course, there is plenty of opportunities in the region for fans to attend matches and support our student-athletes.[7]
The Kirtland Esports Club is the forum at Kirtland for researching and promoting online and competitive esports gaming. With the goal to build community and student growth, the Esports Club will provide a venue for Kirtland students to socialize, form teams for intercollegiate tournaments, and develop the future Firebird Esports Varsity Team. From competitive gaming to streaming production and shoutcasting, the Kirtland Esports Club will be crucial in the success of esports at Kirtland.[8] As of 2023, Kirtland now offers a Dungeons and Dragons club.
Kirtland Community College offers a 5K Run at the Grayling Campus. Walk or run around with your fellow Firebirds. Those who attend will be treated to a healthy potluck meal following the activity.[9]
The college offers housing constructed back in early 2023. These housing options are Kirtland's latest addition and renovation to its campus. The campus offers two villas that are labeled in villa A and B, 4 bedrooms a villa for 16 residents total between both buildings. The bedrooms each also include a bathroom. Kirtland offers these suites to students enrolled in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Winter Semesters or 6 credit hours in the Summer Semester. As well as requiring Students to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. People are also offered up to one roommate per room. These suites offer many conveniences to their layout. Kirtland’s campus housing places residents within walking distance of campus. Kirtland also offers financial aid to help in costs to live in these suites but the cost of living in the dorms at Kirtland Community College varies depending on factors such as room type and meal plan options.[10]