LCCC President Wants To Rename School ‘Wyoming State College’

Laramie County Community College President Dr. Joe Schaeffer is recommending changing the school's name to ''Wyoming State College."

That proposal will now go to the college's Board of Trustees, which will consider a resolution to formally change the name on Sept. 16.

According to a news release, the proposed name change follows four years of research, including interactions with over 3,000 people.

Why Change The Name?

The release says:

Research conducted by the College and its partners found that more than 65% of respondents outside LCCC’s immediate service area had never heard of the College. Among those familiar with LCCC, only 15% correctly identified Cheyenne as the location of its primary campus. Half of Wyoming respondents outside the local area said “Laramie County” created confusion about the College’s location, while 56% said the term “community college” suggested a limited range of degree options.

“The future talent pipeline for our communities and our state must come both from within our service area and from a broader region,” Schaffer said. “To reach those students, we first have to be understood and considered. Our research shows that the current name creates confusion about where we are located, while the community college label can lead prospective students to assume we offer fewer opportunities than we actually do. A clearer name will help us enter that broader marketplace and connect more students with the education and experiences that prepare them to contribute to Wyoming’s workforce.”

If the college trustees approve the change, it would take effect on July 1, 2027.