While the vast majority of community colleges and many four-year colleges across the country are seeing population declines, some college systems are bucking the trend.
Freshman enrollment at The City University of New York overall rose 2.8 percent this fall to 40,768 students, a record for the University. Since 2010, the number of freshmen enrolling in CUNY’s senior and community colleges has increased by 17 percent, while freshman enrollment nationally has been flat during the same period, both at public and private institutions.
“The growth of our freshman classes is a product of CUNY’s high quality academics, extraordinary affordability and the outstanding outcomes our graduates can expect,” said Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “We are gratified that students recognize the tremendous opportunity that CUNY offers and we look forward to being part of their educational journey through graduation and beyond as proud CUNY alumni.”
Most of CUNY’s campuses saw increases in their first-time freshman enrollment this fall over last year. The number of freshmen at the 11 senior colleges went from 21,148 to 21,911. Among the seven community colleges, freshmen enrollment rose from 18,512 to 18,857.
Another example
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, SOWELA Technical Community College’s Fall 2019 credit enrollment total of 4,035 students has shattered the college’s all-time enrollment record. SOWELA experienced a 20% increase in attendance compared to last year’s enrollment total of 3,362 students. This marks the first time in the school’s 81-year history that enrollment has exceeded 4,000 students.
The majority of students enrolled at SOWELA are from Southwest Louisiana and its immediate surrounding area. To be included in the full-time enrollment count, students must register for and maintain 12 credit hours at the college in a current semester.
Currently, SOWELA boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 22 to 1. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
For the past two years, WalletHub has named SOWELA the best community college in Louisiana. In 2019, SOWELA was ranked 11th out of 710 community colleges in the nation in WalletHub’s national community college rankings. WalletHub factors in cost and financing, education and career placement when formulating their rankings.
SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall released the following statement on the college’s record-breaking enrollment:
“This is a very exciting time in the institutional life of SOWELA. The College has been ranked by WalletHub as the #1 community college in Louisiana for the second year in a row and #11 in the nation out of 710 community colleges for cost and financing, education outcomes, and career outcomes. Now SOWELA has made enrollment history by breaking the 4,000 credit student count. Enrollment for fall semester 2019 is 4,035 which is a 20% increase from fall semester 2018.
This increase can be first and foremost attributed to the great student focus that the faculty and staff practice each and every day. All SOWELA staff understand that the only reason we exist as a higher educational institution is to provide educational and training services to our students. Other major contributors to this historical enrollment increase are quality student support services through the new One Stop Student Services Division, new and updated facilities equipped with modern state of the art equipment reflective of that used in industry, comprehensive advisory committees that keep SOWELA directly connected to the needs of business and industry, strategically focused marketing and advising, and institutional accreditation through SACSCOC that ensures quality in programs, services, and faculty credentials.”
Recently, SOWELA announced the addition of the TC Energy Pipeline Training Academy to its campus. SOWELA also recently announced a $500,000 donation from Houston-based Cheniere Energy and the launch of a partnership in the form of an apprenticeship program. Next month, the college will break ground on a new $10.2 million Hospitality, Culinary and Gaming Building to fulfill the growing needs of Louisiana’s tourism industry.
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