Rift Valley College, as the institution was formerly known, became operational in October 2000 in Adama Town with a total number of 154 evening program students and five part time faculty staff. Many of the teachers were the founders of the College. This new "learning community" was housed in just one rented block that consisted of a single administrative office and a few classrooms. The Assela campus was created two months later with Accounting, Law and Marketing Management being the fields of study. By the end of the year 2000, the total enrolment at the two campuses was about 250 students in the five diploma programs of study.