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Enrollment Soars at Northeast Alabama
Community College--Largest Summer Term Enrollment in 39 Years
Some three hundred more students are attending Northeast Alabama
Community College this summer than last summer, representing a
21 percent increase in student enrollment, according to college
officials. “We’ve been having substantial enrollment increases
over the past several years,” stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC
President. “This summer increase is one of the largest that we
have had.”
NACC officials note that community colleges are increasing
enrollment throughout Alabama and the nation. Most attribute to
economic conditions around the country as people facing
uncertain times turn to community colleges for new careers or
retraining. “That is certainly a factor in our increase this
summer,” Campbell stated. “However, our enrollment here at
Northeast has increased about seventy percent over the past
seven years.” NACC officials attribute the enrollment increase
to new programs of study that have been added, an expanded
curriculum, emphasis on financial aid and student loan programs,
dual enrollment, new services in Admissions, and more promotions
and community events, or working closely with and the support of
local school systems.
Campbell added that the economy is certainly a factor in this
summer’s enrollment increases and that college personnel are
grateful that people can turn to Northeast to position
themselves for new jobs and careers. “We’ve attempted to do some
new and specific things to help people through these trying
times,” Campbell noted. “Our Adult Education program has
established some very well received special needs programs for
those who have lost jobs due to plant closings, and we are
providing ‘Ready to Work’ and job readiness services. Our
Workforce Development Division has begun some excellent job
training programs, including those in industrial maintenance,
welding technology, and machining technology.” A new Industrial
Systems Technology Center is scheduled to open on the Northeast
campus in August. College officials say that they are hopeful to
provide even more job training opportunities for area residents.
The college also has submitted grant proposals with the
Governor’s Office for Workforce Development to establish other
workforce development programs.
NACC officials also point out that many students attending
four-year colleges are enrolled at Northeast this summer. NACC
Dean of Students Tonie Niblett noted that by taking courses at
Northeast while they are home for the summer, students attending
four-year schools make progress toward their baccalaureate
degrees. These students also save on expenses with the lower
tuition that Northeast offers. Tuition at Northeast, as well as
other schools within the Alabama Community College System, is
approximately fifty percent lower than at the state’s four-year
colleges. NACC officials say that the substantial majority of
students at Northeast are enrolled in academic transfer courses.
Through the state’s articulation agreement, courses within
NACC’s core curriculum are guaranteed to transfer to any public
college in Alabama. NACC students consistently have ranked at
the top among Alabama community colleges in their academic
success when they transfer to a four-year college or university.
Northeast officials say records show that this summer’s
enrollment is the largest summer enrollment at the college in
thirty-nine years. For additional information about Northeast,
telephone the Admissions Office at ext. 222, or go to
Admissions.
Shaded tables outside the Student Center are
popular with summer students.
(Photo taken by Andrea Wheeler) |
