Initially called junior colleges, community colleges are higher education institutions whose roots can be traced back to American roots. This contrasts with the European tradition associated with American four-year universities and colleges. William Rainey Harper (president of the University of Chicago) and J. Stanley Brown (principal of Joliet's public high school, Illinois), were the first to establish a junior college. Harper thought that secondary schools could provide the first two years of college and universities should focus on the senior and junior years. Harper inspired Brown to create Joliet Junior College, adding fifth- and sixth-year courses to high school programs. Joliet Junior College, a public college that has been in operation for over 100 years is still operating. Junior colleges were founded with the sole purpose of providing access to higher education to students that otherwise might not have the chance (A Policy Analysis on Community College Funding, Texas, Don). C. Hudson, 2008)." In 1947, the Texas Association of Community Colleges was officially established. Its core purpose is to improve educational opportunities in Texas' community colleges. In 1924, presidents and deans of community colleges created the Texas Association of Community Colleges. It has grown to be a multi-faceted association that facilitates communication among participating colleges and institutions and lobby for favorable legislation.