The college was founded in 1969 as the result of a 1967 act of authorization by the
New Mexico Legislature. Legislation to establish the school was sponsored by State Senator
Ray Leger. The school was named "Luna Area Vocational Technical School" after Captain Maximiliano Luna, who was a Speaker of the
New Mexico House of Representatives and a member of the
Rough Riders. The name was changed in 2000 to Luna Community College. However, in November 2019, the Higher Learning Commission extended the college's probation, concluding that the institution remains out of compliance with two criteria for accreditation and meets five other criteria with concerns. In November 2020 the Commission reevaluated the college and removed its probationary status. ==References==