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NACC Enrollment Increases at
Record-Setting Pace
Northeast Alabama Community College continues to experience
enrollment increases at a record-setting pace. At this point
2,708 students officially have registered at Northeast for the
Spring Semester of 2009, a more than thirteen percent increase
over enrollment for the Spring Semester of 2008. This
percentage, college officials note, could increase to as high as
a fifteen percent increase after all admissions papers for the
term have been processed.
“Our faculty and staff have worked hard to make educational
services at Northeast more and more accessible,” stated Dr.
David Campbell, NACC President. Campbell pointed out that over
the past several years, NACC personnel have expanded the college
curriculum, added new programs, added online courses, and worked
with area educators to establish dual enrollment programs. He
noted that personnel also have created a very student-friendly
class schedule, provided business and industry training
programs, expanded community outreach, promotions, and
recruiting events, and increased financial aid services. “These
changes, along with the country’s current economic climate, have
resulted in substantial enrollment increases at Northeast,”
Campbell said.
College officials point out that while student enrollment
numbers have increased significantly, credit hour production
numbers at Northeast have increased even more. “We are currently
at a seventeen percent increase in our credit hour production,”
stated Dr. Joe Burke, NACC Vice President and Dean of
Instruction. “This could go as high as nineteen percent before
the term ends.” Credit hour production, on which the college’s
tuition is based, is the number of hours taken per student.
Spring Semester numbers show that NACC students who are enrolled
are taking more courses and hours at the college. “Much of this
is due to the great job our faculty and division chairs have
done to make classes available online and at accessible times,
as well as greater financial aid opportunities and services,”
Burke stated.
College officials emphasize that the increase in credit hour
production could not come at a better time, as state
appropriations to education are cut due to the economy and
resulting proration. “The increase in credit hour production
helps us make up for budget cuts,” stated Dean Larry Guffey,
NACC Business Manager. College officials point out that the cost
of education at the college is very affordable, especially in
this age of rising tuition at four-year institutions. Core
classes at the college are guaranteed to transfer to the state’s
public four-year colleges. Additionally, Athens State University
operates a University Center at Northeast through which students
may obtain their four-year degrees in certain programs,
including business and education, without leaving the NACC
campus. NACC recently signed an agreement with Troy University
to provide the final two years of various university degrees
online through Troy. NACC also operates an extensive dual
enrollment program for college credit with area high schools.
Tonie Niblett, NACC Dean of Student Services, has worked with
local superintendents and high school principals to expand the
dual enrollment program and services to the community.
The college continues to add programs to serve the community.
Renovation will begin soon on a recently purchased building
adjoining campus to house the college’s new Industrial Systems
Technology program. The building, scheduled for opening in the
fall, will house programs in industrial maintenance, welding,
and machining. “The college will continue to work to provide
educational services and training that will lead to jobs,”
stated Mike Kennamer, NACC Director of the Division of Workforce
Development and Job Skills Training.
Summer Semester Registration is approaching. Online Registration
begins April 3; early registration (for sophomores) is April
6-7; early registration (for freshmen) is April 13-14; and
regular registration is May 29.
For information about enrolling at Northeast, visit the web
pages about Admission.
NACC is experiencing record-setting growth in
enrollment. Pictured are current spring semester students
visiting outside the Pendley Administration Building with
Admissions Office Assistant Andrea Harvey. Kneeling are Jonathan
Townsend and Kyle Putman of Scottsboro; standing are Andrea
Harvey, NACC Admissions Office Assistant; Whitney Wigley,
Rainsville; Marcus Gipson, Henagar; Matt Poe, Scottsboro; Beth
Clifton, Sylvania, and Alicia Cherbonned, Mentone.
(Photo taken by Debra A. Barrentine, Director of Promotions and
Marketing).
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