The Association of Florida Colleges was founded in 1949 as the Florida Association of Public Junior Colleges by the presidents of Florida's first four public junior colleges. Chipola Junior College was one of the founding institutions.

AFC's original mission was to unite the colleges to advocate for Florida's public junior colleges and help the Legislature understand the junior college mission in the state's long-range higher education plan.

In 1971, the Association became the Florida Association of Community Colleges. In 2010, it adopted its current name to reflect the growth of baccalaureate degree programs and institutional name changes across the system.

AFC has become the most inclusive higher education organization serving any college system in the nation. Today, all 28 state colleges support the Association through institutional dues, along with nearly 7,500 regular and retired members.

Read the full History of the Florida College System (PDF)