The present community college system in Nebraska started in 1971 when the Nebraska Legislature created eight technical community college areas across the state. One of these new areas was called the Eastern Nebraska Technical Community College Area, which encompassed Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. An area vocational technical school operated by the Omaha Board of Education already served part of this area.

Metropolitan Community College was created in 1974 when the Legislature consolidated the original eight technical community college areas into six. That year, the programs, personnel, assets and liabilities of the former Omaha Nebraska Technical Community College Area merged with the Eastern Nebraska Technical Community College Area under a new name stipulated by amended legislative statutes: the Metropolitan Technical Community College Area. In 1992, the Legislature voted to change the name to Metropolitan Community College Area.

MCC is currently one of the fastest growing postsecondary institutions in Nebraska. Three new buildings, the Construction Education Center, Center for Advanced and Emerging Technologies and the Career and Academic Skills Center, are now open on the Fort Omaha Campus. The new MCC North Express center will open soon at the Highlander Accelerator project near 30th and Parker streets and offer a mix of continuing education, workforce training and outreach services. Planning has started on the Industrial Training Center renovation and for a new facility for the Automotive Technology program.

The addition and enhancement of instructional facilities are geared specifically to prepare students for success in college and the workforce in the four-county area for years to come.