CC fall enrollment increases almost 10 percent

By Ashlee Estlack, Clarendon College

Clarendon College fall enrollment is the second highest in the school’s 118-year history with 1,482 students enrolled on the 12th class day.

Total enrollment settled at 1,482 following the 12th class day last Thursday. That’s up 9.8 percent from the Fall 2015 enrollment of 1,350.

Several factors have contributed to the increased number of students.

“Our growth is due to increased enrollment in the correctional units, dual credit programs, and distance education,” CC President Dr. Robert Riza said.

“The Second Chance Pell for students in correctional facilities as well as new program offerings at the Roach unit along with increased marketing for online programs have contributed to the increase we’re seeing this fall.”

This fall’s enrollment is a 23.6 percent increase over the Fall 2014 semester, and Riza said that is the result of hard-working employees.

“I am happy with the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff to continue to increase enrollment each year,” Riza said.  “We hope to continue to provide opportunities for our service area and build on the success we’ve seen in the last two years.”

The increased enrollment this fall comes in spite of some changes to programs at the College.

The Vocational Nursing program start dates were pushed back from this fall to January 2017 to better align with the Associate Degree Nursing program.

The VN program enrolls 40-50 students that would have been reflected in the fall enrollment, but will now be included in spring numbers.

In addition, this fall the College implemented 8-week start dates for the Amarillo Cosmetology program to better meet the needs of students, and a new cohort will start this October.

Dual credit enrollment is at 621 compared to 541 in fall 2015.  Enrollment at the Jordan and Roach correctional units is at 142, up from 44 last fall; and distance education is at 118, up from 55.

Enrollment on the home campus in Clarendon is now 290 compared to 328 last spring.  The Pampa Center has an enrollment of 230, down from 266; the Childress Center is at 46 students compared to 73 last fall; and the Amarillo Center is at 35, down from 43.