JANUARY 20, 2012
Three Rivers enrollment continues to climb
In addition, for the first time in recent history, the college reports that its spring enrollment numbers have eclipsed those of the previous fall semester.
"This is the first time spring numbers are ahead of our fall numbers - normally spring semester numbers drop a little," said college president Dr. Devin Stephenson. The college experienced a record-breaking enrollment of 4,235 students last fall, which marked the first time for enrollment to cross the 4,000 mark.
"This spring, we are seeing an increase, and I feel that is due in part to the scaled-up retention efforts of our Student Success division," said Stephenson. "If instructors report that a student is falling behind or not attending class, our Student Success advisors and staff reach out to that student through phone calls and emails until a solution to the problem is reached, rather than leaving them to fail or drop out."
"Colleges nationwide typically see enrollment numbers go down in the spring," said Marcia Fields, Director of Student Services at Three Rivers. "Many students who were among the newcomers in the fall are not retained because they were unprepared for the responsibility and academic rigor that comes with going to college. We have focused on targeting at-risk students early on, before they make any more decisions that would prevent them from returning for another semester."
As of the first day of classes on Tuesday, Jan. 17, the college reported a 16.7% increase in headcount over Spring 2011. Enrollment increased as the week continued; as of Thursday, Jan. 19, the Student Success office reported that the college had enrolled a total 4,330 students taking 45,201 credit hours.
In addition, all of Three Rivers' off-campus centers have reported increased enrollments over fall 2011, with most locations reporting higher numbers over last spring. Most notable among these is the Center at Dexter with a 318% increase in the number of credit hours students are taking. Headcount at the center has more than doubled to over 300 since its opening in January 2011.
The centers at Sikeston and Kennett, which have been open since 2005, continue to show strong, steady increases. The Center at Kennett has enrolled students in 21.2 % more credit hours than last spring, while Sikeston student enrollment has increased by almost 15%. Three Rivers credit hour production at the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher has increased by 6%, and the off-campus site at Portageville continues to serve New Madrid and Pemiscot counties and reports a 10% increase in credit hours delivered.
"People are hearing about the college," said Dexter Center Coordinator Bill Hampton. "It seems like everyone wants to further their education for the possibility of a better job and a better living."
