A historically black junior college in Daytona Beach (1958–1965) founded to maintain racial segregation.
Volusia County Junior College opened in 1958 as one of twelve black junior colleges created by the Florida Legislature to maintain racial segregation in higher education. The college was established in response to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which mandated school integration. Florida's state constitution at the time prohibited racial integration, and the Legislature sought to demonstrate a "separate but equal" system for African American students. The college served Volusia, Flagler, and Seminole Counties.
The college offered both college-level and vocational-technical programs, as well as adult GED preparation. At its peak, enrollment reached 5,600 students, with 494 in the college program and 5,106 in adult and vocational-technical programs. The institution operated from temporary storefront facilities initially, then moved to a dedicated classroom building by 1960 at Lockhart and Loomis Streets. Additional facilities including a library, band room, and physical education facility were added before closure.
Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Volusia County Junior College was closed abruptly in 1965 and merged with the previously all-white Daytona Beach Junior College (now Daytona State College). A "Volusia Center" offering only sophomore courses operated during 1965–66 with discontinued transportation. Of 450 black students who transferred, fewer than 100 remained after one year. Ten of sixteen full-time black faculty members were transferred; President Greene was reassigned to a position with no responsibilities and subsequently resigned.