Cleveland State Community College experienced the second highest enrollment in its 46 year history. (The highest was two years ago in the fall of 2011.) A total of 3,790 students are attending CSCC for the fall semester. Enrollment for full time equivalent (FTE) students is 2,467.
“As a comparison to fall 2012, our headcount was 3,640 and FTE was 2,466.8,” said Gail Eaves Greenwood, assistant director of Enrollment Services and Registrar. “This year’s totals reflect a gain of 150 students in headcount and almost an exact match in FTE.”
Dr. Michael Stokes, vice president for Student Services, said, “CSCC is one of five community colleges whose enrollment was up this semester…and this is even after two record graduating classes from CSCC.”
Dr. Stokes credits this to a significant increase in dual enrollment, the number of recent high school students, continued enrollment growth at the CSCC Athens site, as well as the number of Cleveland and Bradley County students participating in the tnAchieves program. Dr. Stokes went on to add that Meigs County High School was also added as a tnAchieves partner this year, which could also have contributed to the increase.
tnAchieves is a post-secondary access and success program whose mission is increasing higher education opportunities for Tennessee students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance. The program has experienced substantial success utilizing volunteers in business and community-based organizations to guide its students through the college access and success processes.
According to Dr. Stokes, retention was also an important factor in the enrollment increase. “Approximately 2/3 of the tnAchieves students returned this fall,” he said. “An initial increase in new students, coupled with our initiatives in advising and other student support services, such as our First-Year Experience (FYE) initiatives, all played a part. These services offer even more support of students being successful once they do get here. It’s not just about getting students here; it really is about helping them succeed and keeping them.”
The goal of CSCC’s FYE program is to challenge and support first-year students through six components: New Student Online Orientation (NSOO), New Student Advising and Registration (NSAR), Freshmen Connection, First-Year Seminar, Advising and Early Alert.
“I’m very pleased with our increase in enrollment this semester,” said Dr. Carl Hite, CSCC president. “I think it is important to thank the faculty and staff whose hard work, dedication and commitment made these enrollment numbers possible.”
For more information on Cleveland State Community College, call 423 472-7141. For the Athens site, call 423 745-8486.