Mississippi’s Community Colleges Experiencing Record Enrollment
Mississippi’s community colleges are seeing record-breaking enrollment for the fall of 2009. Preliminary headcount enrollment at Mississippi’s community and junior colleges for the fall semester is up by more than 14,500 students compared to a year ago. To put the current enrollment increase in perspective, the total of the five smallest community colleges’ enrollment is approximately the same as the enrollment growth seen in these preliminary numbers.
In an attempt to gather information earlier, the community and junior colleges submitted their preliminary enrollment numbers on Wednesday, September 2—the second week at most colleges. By law, final enrollment figures at community and junior colleges are captured on the last day of the sixth week of each semester. The numbers that have been provided by the colleges have not been audited by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. As we approach the statutorily required date for capturing final enrollment, we expect the 14,500 figure to decrease. However, when each colleges’ enrollment has been finalized, we are certain that we will have a substantial overall enrollment increase for Mississippi’s community colleges.
Dr. Eric Clark executive director for the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges said: “The boost in enrollment numbers show that Mississippians realize our colleges provide education, training, and job skills. These are helping bring our state out of the recession faster and stronger. Our community colleges are close to home and are a great value. They are a tremendous asset to our state, and they give students a chance to make their lives better.”
State Board for Community and Junior Colleges Release
9/9/9
