CC reports drop in fall enrollment

Clarendon College’s fall enrollment is down compared to one year ago, but college officials say they have slowed the decline and expect a rebound beginning in January.

CC reported a total enrollment of 1,215 students following the 12th class day last Wednesday, September 11. That reflects a headcount decline of 2.9 percent compared to the 1,252 students in the fall of 2012.

Numbers on the Clarendon campus improved over last year with 367 students compared to 356 a year ago, but the college was down 18 students at its Pampa Center and down 28 students in dual credit classes, which are offered through area high schools.

CC President Phil Shirley said the college is blessed to have full dormitories in Clarendon and that overall the college’s enrollment picture looks good.

“I’m very optimistic that we’ve slowed the trend,” Shirley said. “We’re also doing very well in looking at other colleges which are down in numbers generally speaking.”

All three Panhandle area community colleges were reporting lower enrollments, but Amarillo College said its numbers were down five percent, and Frank Phillips College in Borger reported losing about 3.5 percent. FPC remains the smallest college in the state, reporting 1,140 students this fall.

Clarendon has brought two workforce programs – vocational nursing and welding – back to the home campus, and CC officials are expecting great things – as many as 80 students – when its new cosmetology center opens in Amarillo in November.

Additionally, the college is working with officials at the Clements Unit in Amarillo to offer welding classes there.

“We are working on creating programs that are needed,” Shirley said, and he praised the college faculty and staff for doing a great job in recruiting and retaining students. CC has taken steps to make improvements in its dormitories in an effort to give students a more enjoyable experience.

Shirley also noted that it is difficult to grow college enrollment in times when the economy appears to be growing.

The drop in dual credit students, Shirley said, is due to area school districts having a lack of master degreed teachers qualified to teach those classes. CC is exploring ways of offering dual credit classes to area ISDs with college faculty teaching via teleconferencing.

“The changes we are making will take effect soon,” Shirley said, “but not in time to count for the fall semester. They should make an impact for the spring 2014 semester.”

CC’s enrollment total for this semester breaks down as follows: Clarendon 367, Pampa 341, Childress 49, Distance Education (Online) 83, and Dual Credit 375.