SMI suspended its classes during World War II. The resumption of classes took effect upon the cessation of hostilities and held them under buildings owned by stockholders. In 1945, the death of Mr. Feliciano Berenguel brought about change of leadership under Col. Aurelio M. Mendoza, a veteran educator & graduate of the University of the Philippines who took over the realms of the school. Under his stewardship, the school embarked on a program of expansion and improvement which made SMI the leading learning institution in the region. Additional school buildings were also constructed. SMI offered its first college courses in 1956 and achieving various recognitions such as the first to offer Law, Graduate school, Commerce and Secretarial courses. It was during his term that the school gymnasium was completed, the first Gymnasium in Pagadian City.

​

          Working closely with leading colleges and universities in the country then, Southern Mindanao Colleges became a member of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), the Association of
Christian Schools and Colleges (ACSC), the Philippine Association of Graduate Education (PAGE), Philippine Association of Private Technical Institution (PAPTI) and the Philippine Association of Private Schools,
Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU). Through its membership in these distinctive organizations, the school kept abreast with progressive education through interchange of information and training in new educational trends, philosophies and movements.

​

          Dr. Jose G. Hofileña, Sr. a medical practitioner and the incumbent school Vice-President assumed the Presidency after the death of Dr. Aurelio M. Mendoza in 1977. His efforts and sacrifices, with the wholehearted support of the Board of Trustees, the officers of the administration, the faculty, and the majority of stockholders of the school, has brought the school to a greater glory. In their desire to become a distinct school, they gave him a vote of confidence to make sweeping reorganizational reforms and the offering of
new courses which were in demand in the province and region, including the hiring of qualified faculty members. His greatest achievement was the construction of the old five-storey administrative building located in the heart of the city, which is now housing the classrooms, skyroom, graduate school library and laboratories.

​

          The death of Dr. Jose G. Hofileña, Sr. in 1991 brought about another new stewardship under Prof. Lorenzo G. Asuelo Sr., a University of the Philippines graduate; fresh from Silliman University where he taught for eight years. He steered the school to prominence from 1992 to 1999 when he died as oldest surviving founder of SMI now SMC. He effected sweeping administrative reforms, and strengthened existing curricular offerings like Civil Engineering, Business Accountancy, and Computer Education. Enrolment figures soared high which made SMC a regional success. The new administration building located in front of the old administration building housing the President’s Office, Board Room, Administrative and Purchasing Office, Deans’ Offices, Registrar, Accounting, Auditor, Main Library, Crime Laboratory, classrooms as well as a Criminology Mini Gym are the remembrance of his projects.

​

          Another tragedy struck the school in 1999, when Prof. Lorenzo G. Asuelo Sr. had gone to his rich rewards. A son of a former President, a young and dynamic Sillimanian and a medical graduate of UST, took over as President. He continued the good works of his predecessors and once again embarked on a massive development particularly in various curricular offerings, unprecedented in the history of the school. Supported strongly by very dynamic and progressive members of the Board of Directors, which is the governing body of SMC, Dr. Romeo C. Hofileña, Sr. looks forward for more progress in terms of curricular offerings and campus experiences despite of the strong competition of new schools now operating in the region.

​

          Always guided by the vision of providing better infrastructure and facilities for the most conducive learning atmosphere, another milestone was achieved with the construction of the twenty five million pesos Engineering Building located along Cabrera and Araullo Streets in 2005. This modern structure, fully equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, is now housing the Engineering deans and faculty office, classrooms and laboratories, HRM and Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) laboratories and Engineering Library.

​

          Year 2020, the school marks its 80th founding anniversary of the service to the people, particularly the youth. It can look back with pride and satisfaction to the vast army of professionals and civic, social, business, industrial, military and educational leaders it had helped educate, which in a measure, reflects the school’s contribution to the general uplift of the nation.

​

          Today, SOUTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGES has grown to a prominent organization dedicated to produce the best graduates with utmost dedication, honor, pride and strong idealism. While many things have
changed, SMC’s commitment to service has been a highlight of its popularity since its inception.

​

          Southern Mindanao Colleges, “The Maker of Today’s Leaders in Western Mindanao”, will continue to bring itself to the region and to the nation, and the region and the nation to Southern Mindanao Colleges.