CHEYENNE, WY — In a unanimous vote on Sept. 16, the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) board of trustees approved a name change that will take effect on July 1, 2027. The college will be known as Wyoming State College, a decision the board says is the result of extensive research, stakeholder engagement and a record of steady enrollment and graduation growth.
Leadership backs the rebrand
LCCC President Joe Schaffer, who has championed the effort since it was announced last month, described the change as a natural evolution for a community college that has thrived despite budget cuts and the challenges of recent pandemics. “The work we’ve done is really to be celebrated, not to be shied away from,” Schaffer told the trustees. He added that the new name will help the school compete in a broader marketplace and attract more students to applied baccalaureate programs that will feed Wyoming’s workforce.
Opposition from neighboring college
Central Wyoming College (CWC) in Riverton expressed concern that the new name could create confusion with the University of Wyoming and appear to place LCCC on a higher tier than the state’s other community colleges. A memo from CWC trustees read, “The name essentially downgrades the other community colleges since it is implied that they serve a subservient part of the entire state of which the Wyoming State College serves.” CWC chair Paula Hunker, who appeared virtually at the LCCC vote, urged LCCC to choose a name that would not “inadvertently harm Wyoming’s seven sister community colleges or the University of Wyoming.”
Board members defend the decision
Trustee Don Erickson countered the criticism, saying the rebrand is an opportunity for all Wyoming colleges to benefit. “If LCCC rises due to this name change, so will everyone else. That’s important for the state as a whole,” he said. Trustee Bob Salazar emphasized that the decision reflects the college’s current growth, not a desire to outshine peers. “This wasn’t something that was done overnight,” Salazar noted. “It was something that has happened through a stage of concerns. None of those concerns were about raising us above the other colleges, but rather raising the state of Wyoming.”
Implementation plan
The board said the transition will be phased, with updates to signage, marketing materials, the website and other branding elements scheduled over the coming months. Core elements such as the college mascot and colors will remain unchanged.
According to the college’s release, the name change is intended to reduce confusion for prospective students who currently associate “Laramie” with the University of Wyoming, located 40 minutes away in the city of Laramie. By adopting a statewide identifier, the institution hopes to signal a broader range of educational opportunities, including new applied baccalaureate degrees offered in partnership with Sheridan College and Casper College.
Community response
Local residents and alumni have voiced mixed reactions. Some applaud the forward‑thinking branding, while others share CWC’s concerns about potential confusion. The board, however, remains confident that the four‑year research process—described as “research, analysis and stakeholder engagement focused on the institution’s awareness, perception and future growth opportunities”—provides a solid foundation for the change.
As the July 1, 2027 deadline approaches, LCCC will continue to communicate the transition details to students, faculty and the broader Wyoming community, emphasizing that the core mission of affordable, high‑quality education remains unchanged.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
