Colleges’ enrollment up 5 percent over last fall

VIRGINIA - An influx of new and part-time students helped boost enrollment this fall at the five colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED) by 5 percent over a year ago, reports NHED President Sue Collins.

The numbers released this week are the enrollment count of students taking credit-based courses on the 10th day of the fall semester. Tenth day enrollment is considered preliminary for the semester; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will release 30th day enrollment in mid October.

The District colleges grew over 200 students this fall. The number of new students was up 7 percent from last fall, and part-time enrollment increased by 6.5 percent.

President Collins reports that the strong fall enrollment is up across most programs and can also be attributed to the addition of several innovative programs, such as Eldercare/Gerontology at Hibbing Community College; Industrial Technology Power Generation and Pulp and Paper at Itasca Community College; Wind Energy Technician at Mesabi Range; and Energy Technician Specialist at all five of the District colleges. These new, innovative programs offer learners additional career opportunities and are in direct response to national and global market trends and demands. Technical program enrollment is up at both Itasca Community College and Mesabi Range Community and Technical College.

The percent change in technical program enrollment for the District colleges from fall 2005 to 2010 is up 73.7 percent. Increased enrollment may also be reflective of the regional economy. “Enrollment typically goes up when the economy is in downturn or recovery phases which is why our colleges are essential to our region’s economic vitality. Laid-off workers can retrain for new careers and employed individuals can enhance their knowledge and skills to help stay employed,” said President Collins.

“The colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District educate the people who are vital to the economic and cultural fabric of our communities – the accountants, auto mechanics, artists, scientists, communicators, computer specialists, managers, musicians, forestry and natural resource specialists, law enforcement officers, firefighters, business owners, health care workers and a host of others.”

The enrollment gain continues a trend in recent years of more students enrolling in the NHED colleges. The colleges offer a wide range of associate degrees, certificates and diploma programs, and tuition remains among the most affordable in the state. In 2011, the District colleges are scheduled to add five technical programs to their program mix, including a redesigned Industrial Technology program, Process Automation, Industrial Lab Technician, Industrial Construction and Information Management. These programs were designed specifically for industries by representatives of industry through a new design process initiated by the Northeast Higher Education District.

The Northeast Higher Education District, which is made up of Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Eveleth and Virginia, Rainy River Community College in International Falls, and Vermilion Community College in Ely, serves more than 7,000 students in credit courses annually and provides a variety of educational programs and delivery options.

Submitted by the Northeast Higher Education District, Virginia, MN.