About Nunez

Mission Statement

Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth.

Our Core Values

  • Student-Centered
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Caring
  • Integrity
  • Innovation

Locations

The College's physical address is 3710 Paris Rd. in Chalmette, LA. This is the main Nunez campus where most classes are held.

View the Printable Campus Map.(Adobe .PDF)

The College

Elaine P. Nunez Community College is a unique institution of higher learning that has an equally unique history. The College bears the name of the late wife of the Honorable Samuel B. Nunez, Jr., President of the Louisiana State Senate from 1982-1988 and 1990-1996.
 
Nunez Community College was the first public institution of higher learning in Louisiana to be named after a woman. Elaine P. Nunez was a lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish, and was extremely supportive of public education. When Mrs. Nunez died, St. Bernard lost a civic-minded and dedicated individual who helped set the stage for growth and improvement in local education.

In recognition of Mrs. Nunez's support of public education, the 1992 Louisiana State Legislature passed Act 341, which established Elaine P. Nunez Community College. The Act merged Elaine P. Nunez Technical Institute and St. Bernard Parish Community College to form a comprehensive community college, offering both vocational and technical programs and arts and sciences programs.

The new College was placed under the management of the Board of Trustees or State Colleges and Universities, effective July 1, 1992, and Dr. James A. Caillier, the president of the Board of Trustees, acted as the College's first president. True to its heritage, Elaine P. Nunez Community College experienced a unique beginning when Hurricane Andrew struck the New Orleans area on the day registration for classes was scheduled to begin. With strong support from the local community, the College was able to open three days later.

On July 1, 1999, the management of the College, along with five other community colleges, was transferred to Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. At the same time, the title of the Colleges chief executive officer was changed from president to chancellor.

SACSCOC Public Disclosure Statement

Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nunez Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The Storm

StormOn August 29, 2005, Nunez Community College and its entire service area was struck by Hurricane Katrina. The Hurricane and subsequent flooding became the greatest natural disaster in U.S. history. St. Bernard Parish, was almost completely decimated as it took a direct hit and suffered flood waters that in many areas did not recede for weeks. The first floor of every building on the Chalmette campus was flooded more than seven feet.

Despite dire predictions, the College presented a fall mini-semester within weeks of the disaster. Nunez enrolled students in on-line classes, in classes at Slidell High School, and other locations. By the end of December, the Facilities Department, along with volunteer crews, had gutted the first floors of the buildings and restored electricity, water, and sewer hook ups in the Arts, Sciences, & Technology Building. The College became an oasis in the ravaged parish and a catalyst for business and industry revitalization. Nunez opened the campus for business in January of 2006 and resumed classes immediately.

Beginning in 2006, the College experienced unprecedented growth, exceeding its pre-Katrina enrollment in 2010. The College continues to grow and expand programs in career and technical education, transfer degrees, non-credit and workforce programs, and strives to serve the entire community, including a significant number of dually enrolled high school students from surrounding parishes.

Dr. Tina Tinney, a native of St. Bernard Parish and a former instructor at Nunez, was installed as Nunez chancellor on January 4, 2018, succeeding Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Tommy Warner. Her return as chancellor brought a focus on student-centered instruction, community partnerships and workforce development. Nunez Community College has expanded programming offerings to support community partnerships and workforce, which include but are not limited to Paralegal Studies, Coastal Studies and GIS Technology, and Wastewater Plant Operator. In 2018 Nunez Community College began offering Aerospace Manufacturing Technology, the only program dedicated to Aerospace Manufacturing Technicians in the state of Louisiana.