An Overview of BBCC The Bahamas Baptist Community College (BBCC) was established under the leadership of President Emeritus of The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention, the Rev. Dr. C.W. Saunders, C.B.E. The College is now the tertiary education arm of the Baptist educational system.   This dynamic centre of higher education opened its doors in September 1995 and grew out of a successful Continuing Education Division that offered Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and other certificate courses for adults and young people.  Prior to this, for some five years, The Bahamas Baptist Community College in partnership with The College of The Bahamas, prepared students for entry into that institution by means of The College Preparatory Programme.   The College has grown to become the nation's largest private College and the second largest tertiary institution in the country.  From the inception of the College in 1995 to August 2002,  Rev. Dr. Baltron B. Bethel, C.M.G., served as the President. He was succeeded by Dr. Brendamae Cleare, formerly of The College of the Bahamas, who served as President until August 2005. Her successor was Dr. Celestine Williams who also served as Academic Dean.   Today, The Bahamas Baptist Community College offers some thirty (30) Associate of Arts Degree majors and numerous professional programmes and maintains a large College Preparatory Division.  The student body is made up of recent high school graduates and mature adults.  The College also operated a distance education programme in Eleuthera.   In addition to being registered and approved by the Ministry of Education, the College's associate of arts degrees are recognized by the Department of Public Personnel.  The institution adheres to high standards and maintains systems of internal and external control.  As a result, BBCC has established Articulation Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding and relationships with a number of Colleges and Universities.  The list includes The University of the West Indies (Jamaica), Florida Memorial University (USA), The College of the Bahamas (Bahamas), Mars Hill College (USA) and Berkeley College (USA).  Credits earned at BBCC are readily accepted at accredited institutions locally and abroad.  The College is a member of  the Association of Tertiary Institutions in the Bahamas and the Association of Caribbean Education Administrators.   For the first seven (7) years of the College's existence it occupied its own small premises at No.8 Jean Street, Gleniston Gardens and shared facilities with Charles W. Saunders Baptist High School and the Central Baptist Church.  In September 2002, a new academic building was commissioned.  This represents the first phase in the construction of a greatly expanded campus.   The College represents a bold commitment on the part of The Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention to respond to the crucial tertiary level needs of the nation.  While pursuing excellence in education in a Christian environment, the College is committed to providing opportunities for as many Bahamians as possible, at all levels of society.  Studies can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis so that students can benefit from the wide variety of programme offerings at the College.       Back                                                        Top of page