NEWS RELEASE - for immediate
release
Contact: Bryan Armstrong, (859) 246-3210
Fall enrollment
in KCTCS colleges sets record, tops 71,000
LEXINGTON,
Ky. (Sept. 17, 2003) - Fall enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical
College System (KCTCS) is setting another record, topping 71,000 students.
KCTCS reported to the Council on Postsecondary Education an enrollment estimate
of 71,061 students, up 4.8 percent from fall 2002 official enrollment.
The enrollment estimate reported by the community and technical colleges of
KCTCS comprises students already in class and those who will enroll in course
sections that will open in the coming weeks.
KCTCS will report final, official enrollment to CPE in early November. In each
of the last two years, the final enrollment submitted in November has exceeded
the September estimate.
The estimated enrollment for this fall exceeds the 2002 final enrollment of
67,812 full- and part-time students in credit programs. KCTCS colleges have
increased enrollment by 56 percent since fall 1998.
“The colleges of KCTCS are changing lives by enrolling students in quality,
affordable education programs,” said Michael B. McCall, KCTCS president.
“As the primary access point to postsecondary education, our colleges are
bringing more people into the system, exposing students to opportunities that
will enhance workplace skills and general knowledge.”
McCall attributed the most recent enrollment increase to several factors:
- Colleges in KCTCS are
sharing and implementing best practices in enrollment management, such as
marketing and recruitment plans.
- Colleges are working
with secondary institutions to enroll high school students in college courses.
The practice is spreading statewide, but is particularly successful in such
partnerships as the “Explore College” at Southeast Community College
and the “Discover College” at Owensboro Community and Technical
College.
- Partnerships with business
and industry are increasing enrollment in workforce training courses.
- While enrollment of full-time
students remained steady, enrollment of part-time students increased more
than 8 percent.
KCTCS colleges change lives by providing academic and technical associate
degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate
education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training
for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit
www.kctcs.edu