In December 1963, the New Jersey State Department of Education granted approval for the establishment of Atlantic Community College, which became the second college to be organized by the state on April 14, 1964. The site for the College was selected on November 19, 1964, and official groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Mays Landing in November 1966. Atlantic Community College opened its doors to students in September 1966 using facilities rented from Atlantic City High School. In February 1968, the College moved to the current main campus at 5100 Black Horse Pike (U.S. Route 322) in Mays Landing.
In the spring of 1982, major work was completed on a two-year, $7 million expansion project, which included two new buildings, expanded student service facilities, the Academy of Culinary Arts, and additional classroom and office space. In that same year, the former Atlantic City Electric Company building, located in Atlantic City, was purchased by Atlantic County for the College.
By 1984, a $4 million renovation project transformed the aging building into a modern college campus. With the aid of $5.5 million in state and county funding, the College expanded the library in Mays Landing in 1990 and built a two-story Academy of Culinary Arts facility in 1991. In 2009-10, the College renovated the gymnasium locker rooms and added a state-of-the-art fitness center for students and staff. The Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) building opened in January 2015 on the Mays Landing campus. The 32,475-square-foot, two-story facility features modern science labs, computer labs, office space and a partially vegetated roof with walkways and observatory. The building is also home to the Air Traffic Control and Aviation Studies degree programs and the Technology Studies Institute.
In 2018, the College opened the 22,000-square-foot, two-story Student Center at the Mays Landing campus, which houses student activities on the first floor and the Student Success and Career Planning Center on the second floor. The $10.9 million facility increases the College’s capacity to provide accelerated learning classes, career and personal counseling, and academic advising. It also provides space for student seminars, career planning and student engagement.
In 2023, the College opened its state-of-the-art Innovation Center and One-Stop Welcome Center at the Mays Landing campus. The $5.33 million Innovation Center features a gaming lab, computer and seminar classrooms, lobby and common areas. The facility houses the Esports, Cybersecurity and Game Design programs. The B Building courtyard was renovated and access between the three B buildings enclosed.
The $1.5 million, 7,270-square-foot One-Stop Welcome Center offers a student-centered enrollment experience designed to eliminate barriers and streamline the enrollment process. The Center includes an admissions area, 11 newly-constructed offices, copy room, work area, staff luncheonette, storage space, and a modified exit to allow for a uniform flow of foot traffic in and out of the Center.
Since 1973, the College has provided Cape May County residents with access to a convenient and affordable higher education. On January 1, 1999, the College officially became a joint college encompassing Atlantic and Cape May counties. Thus, in February 1999, the Board of Trustees approved renaming the College, Atlantic Cape Community College. The Cape May County campus, located on Court House-South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House, opened in September 2005.
The College's Atlantic City campus was renamed in memory of Atlantic County's first county executive, Charles D. Worthington, in April 2001. A plaque in the lobby commemorates the renaming of the campus. Mr. Worthington was involved with the College, first as chairperson of the Educational Opportunity Fund Advisory Board and then as Atlantic County Executive, in supporting the establishment of many of the College’s programs and the development of the Atlantic City campus. In 2008, the Health Professions Institute opened at the Atlantic City campus with additional rooms for college credit classes. The Caesars Entertainment Wing for Hospitality and Gaming Studies opened in the fall of 2014. This 20,000-square-foot addition brings the College's renowned culinary and hospitality training to Atlantic City. It features two teaching kitchens, a greenhouse, classrooms and a new gaming floor for The Casino Career Institute.