Beginning in 1967, Twin Cities suburban school districts began advocating at the Minnesota Legislature for legislation that would create post-secondary vocational schools in rapidly growing suburban districts. In 1968, legislation passed which enabled the formation of a cooperative organization structure for vocational technical education among all of the independent school districts in suburban Hennepin County, known as Independent School District 287.[4]
Construction on two campuses began in 1970, and the Suburban Hennepin County Area Vocational-Technical Centers in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie opened at temporary sites in 1972. A site in Medina for a third campus was later sold.[5]
They became known as the Hennepin Technical Centers in 1978, and then Hennepin Technical Institute in 1987. The school became known by its current name, Hennepin Technical College, in 1989.[6]
There are a few student clubs and organizations that are active and sponsored by Hennepin Technical College, including Phi Theta Kappa, Pangea Multicultural Club, Student Life Board, SkillsUSA, Veteran Student Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, the HTC Student Senate and eSports Gaming Club.
