Rio Salado College, known as "the college within everyone's reach," is the largest of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges and has never built a traditional campus. Rather, from its Tempe, Arizona administrative headquarters (in the same office complex as the headquarters for the entire Maricopa Community Colleges system), Rio Salado utilizes technology and forges partnerships to deliver educational opportunities to diverse populations throughout Maricopa County and around the world. Rio Salado College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Established in 1978, "it was designed to be the college that provided education to the underserved and unserved geographic areas of Maricopa County ... Rio Salado has evolved into one of MCCCD’s fastest growing colleges, with a focused mission to create convenient high-quality learning opportunities while specializing in customized unique programs and partnerships, accelerated formats, and distance delivery." The college began offering courses over the Internet in 1996.