It was established in 1973 at the request of the Gadsden, Hatch, and Las Cruces school boards to provided vocational and technical education opportunities to the citizens of Doña Ana County.

The community college offers instruction leading to associate degrees and technical certificates and preparation for further academic work.

[4] Doña Ana Community College has six campuses, with three in Las Cruces, and one each in Anthony, Sunland Park, and Chaparral.

Espina and East Mesa Campuses and the Workforce Center are located in Las Cruces.

[8] In May 2015, a state judge ruled that the lawsuit would become a class action, and would include the 100 students enrolled at the time.