Initially the college operated in space rented from the Middletown Public School district and loaned by the Connecticut Valley Hospital.

Over the years, numerous signature programs were established such as precision manufacturing, business and industry, new media production, and early childhood education.

The campus is located on a scenic hillside overlooking the Connecticut River valley, about a mile and a half from the center of Middletown.

New facilities such as the Pavilion, deck, solar patio, as well as the collaborative Learning Commons space offer a variety of places for students to study, socialize, and participate in activities.

The Beta Gamma Xi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (the academic honor society for two-year colleges) is active at CT State Middlesex.

In 2013, MxCC (now CT State Middlesex) was the first community college to offer a chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society.