Mendocino College was formed by vote of the citizens of the Anderson Valley, Laytonville, Potter Valley, Round Valley, Ukiah, and Willits Unified School Districts. In the Spring of 1973, the planning for the development of the college began and in July 1973 classes were offered. On November 5, 1974, the citizens again voted to expand the district to include Lake County Districts of Upper Lake, Kelseyville, and Lakeport. Established in 1975, the new district boundaries covered 3,200 square miles of land. In 1981, the district was named Mendocino-Lake Community College District. The new name better reflected the geographical location and area being served.
