In June of 1975, the State Board for Community Colleges approved a proposal for the creation of a community college to serve the postsecondary vocational and technical education needs of the residents of Worcester and Wicomico counties. The college was designated to operate as a "college without walls." In November of 1975, the college's board of trustees appointed Dr. Arnold H. Maner to serve as president of the college. Continuing education courses were offered in the fall of 1975, and the college opened its doors to credit program students in the fall of 1976. In 1989, state legislation was enacted to allow Somerset County residents to attend Wor-Wic at the in-county tuition rate.