| Record-breaking LMC Fall Enrollment Attributed to New Programs; Increase in Adult Students |
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October 28, 2009 BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI – In a presentation to the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees, Dr. John Selmon, executive dean of Student Services at LMC, detailed the College’s record-breaking fall semester enrollment. Final enrollment for the semester stands at 4,697 students, up 19 percent over Fall 2008; and up 11 percent over Fall 2004, which was the previous largest semester. In addition to the increase in the number of students, LMC saw an even higher increase in the number of contact hours in which students enrolled this semester; up 21 percent over last fall. Selmon explained that this is because of the large increase in the number of students who are considered full-time, taking 12 or more credits. “While the economy is influencing more students, especially adults, to come to Lake Michigan College, we have put a lot of effort into positioning ourselves for this over the past three years,” Selmon stated. “Those efforts have helped to make us the college of choice when people are ready to improve their job skills and get more education.” He explained that programs such as College Essentials, which is a seven-week session that orients adults to returning to school, as well as outreach efforts through advertising, information open houses and the efforts of the College’s admissions office, have laid important groundwork in conveying the training and education opportunities through LMC. New and expanded academic programs introduced in the past few years also have contributed to the strong enrollment. The Energy Production Technology Program currently boasts enrollment of more than 200 students. The expansion of the health care career programs in nursing and medical imaging have allowed for additional student capacity. This fall also marked the first time that the College is offering a complete Business Administration degree entirely at the Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles. Other notable enrollment statistics included the individual campus increases over Fall 2008: Napier Avenue Campus up 12 percent, Bertrand Crossing Campus up 26 percent, South Haven Campus up 25 percent, and M-TEC at Lake Michigan College up 32 percent. The South Haven Campus increase also represents a record breaking enrollment for the campus with 715 students. The College’s Early College program saw significant growth due to new career academies and the expansion of the program into high schools based in Allegan and Ottawa Counties. The Early College program provides academically prepared high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to enroll in college courses at LMC. “We are seeing growth in all student categories from recent high school graduates and adults, to full- and part-time students to Early College,” stated LMC President Dr. Robert Harrison. “It’s good to know that we are such an important resource for so many area residents who are looking for high quality college education and career training.” |
