[5] Centennial College has been recognized as a culturally diverse post-secondary institution; almost 100 ethno-cultural groups are represented and 80 languages are spoken on campus.

[4] Its main research facilities are its Wearable, Interactive and Mobile Technologies Access Centre in Healthcare, established in 2015 through a $1.75 million federal grant[6] and its aerospace innovation hub, under construction at the former de Havilland plant in west-end Toronto.

[8] Founded in 1966, the college offers programs in business, communication arts, community and consumer services, applied computing, engineering technology, health sciences, animation, music, theatre, film and design.

As Centennial College's first site, Warden Woods Campus opened on October 17, 1966, with 514 students enrolled in 16 career-oriented programs, including journalism, secretarial science, and early childhood education.

[11] Centennial College proliferated, necessitating the establishment of additional campuses in the east end of Toronto to accommodate new programs and students.

The programs offered there (located at 941 Progress Avenue, near Markham Road and Highway 401), are in computer science and technology, business, hospitality, and culinary arts.

In 2017, Ashtonbee Campus' library renovation project was one of 10 winners in the 2017 Ontario Association of Architects Awards Design Excellence division.

In November 2016, work on the $72 million Downsview Park Aerospace Campus officially got underway with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and federal Hon.

[26] With joint funding from the provincial and the federal government, the aerospace campus is being built on the site of the former de Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd. assembly plant in Downsview Park, Toronto.

Rapid enrolment growth, fuelled by international students, compelled the college to examine building a new residence[33] on the Progress Campus property.

The new building is a hybrid: the ground floor is dedicated to Centennial's School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts, complete with seven kitchen labs, eight classrooms and a restaurant and cafe (The Local) open to the public.

[8] These programs emphasize experiential learning with laboratory instruction, paid cooperative education opportunities, and industry and agency field placements.

Centennial was among the first colleges in Ontario to receive approval for applied-degree programs in computer and communication networking, and software systems: design, development, and management.

In July 2010, the students in the School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts participated and partnered for the very first time with North America's Largest Cultural Festival – Scotiabank Caribana (now formally called Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto (SBCCT)- Festival Management Committee and Tribal Knights with Dexter Senshuai created a Queen costume worn by Salome Odney a hospitality student under the theme "Tropical Amazon" which was presented at the Annual King and Queen Competition and then at the Annual Parade.

Thousands of volunteers went to 11 major cities of Toronto and planted trees, spread mulch, and removed trash from waterways and nature trails.