Fall enrollment in KCTCS colleges sets record, tops 72,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 13, 2003) - Colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) have set another enrollment record, surpassing 72,000 students according to final totals for the fall semester.
The final enrollment of 72,023 submitted to the Council on Postsecondary Education exceeded fall 2002 enrollment of 67,812 by more than 6 percent. Since 1998, KCTCS colleges have increased enrollment by 58 percent.
Official enrollment for fall 2003 also topped the enrollment estimate issued in September - 71,061.
Every KCTCS district except one enrolled more students in fall 2003 than in fall 2002. The largest increases were recorded by Henderson Community College, 20 percent; Southeast Community College, 18 percent; Central Kentucky Technical College, 15 percent; Somerset Community College, 13 percent; and Gateway Community and Technical College, 13 percent.
KCTCS President Michael B. McCall attributed recent enrollment increases to several factors:

• KCTCS colleges enrolled 11,793 secondary students in dual credit/dual enrollment opportunities, a 31 percent increase over fall 2002.
• The colleges are continuing to build on traditional enrollments of full-time students. Full-time enrollments at the colleges increased 5 percent, to 29,252, in fall 2003
  
  "Our colleges are sharing and implementing best practices in enrollment management, such as marketing and recruitment plans," McCall said. "Also, KCTCS and its colleges are expanding access to postsecondary education through new facilities, distance learning, and new methods of delivering instruction to students."
  
  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