Area colleges pleased with enrollment data

Still, numbers reflect decline from last year

Although there are fewer students enrolled in area colleges this year, the slight decline is not a major concern for school officials.

With only small changes in enrollment at Lake Erie College, Terry Finefrock, vice president for enrollment management, is pleased with this year’s data.

In fall 2017, there were 698 undergraduate students enrolled at Lake Erie College, compared with the 719 who were enrolled in 2016. However, the incoming freshman rate was unchanged at 220.

“Our incoming numbers last year were exactly the same,” she said. “Both years came in ahead of 2014 and 2015 numbers.”

She added that private colleges throughout Ohio have seen both significant declines and increases.

“So, we were happy to sit in the middle of the boat,” she said.

Finefrock said many factors affect student enrollment, including perception of affordability, athletic scholarships and limited academic offerings relating to certain career paths.

“Students may write us off as too expensive before understanding how our

financial aid, merit scholarships, etc. make our price tag competitive,” she added.

Another private higher learning institution in South Euclid had similar statistical changes this year.

The overall number of full-time students at Notre Dame College is down, primarily because of graduating the largest and secondlargest classes in 2016 and 2017, said Brian Johnston, the college’s chief communications officer. In 2016, the total enrollment was 1,985 and in 2017 it was 1,681.

On the other hand, Johnston said, “Our number of incoming freshmen is up slightly and combined with 99 transfer students who are first-time Notre Dame attendees, new student enrollment is 415.”

Beth Ford, who is the vice president for enrollment and student success, said Notre Dame College is close to what she feels is the optimal number for on-campus traditional students, based on the available programs, facilities, faculty and staff.

“We are focusing on recruiting more online students, an area where growth is practically unlimited, and in retaining our currently enrolled students,” Ford said.

Recruitment and retention is a priority.

“To foster student engagement and retention, we have implemented a number of student support operations, such as our First Generation Center, Student Success Center, Enterprise Development Center, Writing Center and “Falcon Flag,” a means for any faculty or staff member to identify any student who may be in need of helpful intervention,” Johnston said.

Generally, the things that affect all colleges and universities are program offerings, location, public or private, urban or suburban, and tuition Ford said.

“What is most important is finding the proper ‘fit’ for each student,” she said. “There is no one-size-fits-all college or university. Every student is unique and it is essential for his or her success that both the student and the college are right for each other.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, the increase in undergraduate enrollment from fall 2000 to fall 2015 occurred at a faster rate at private for-profit institutions than at public institutions and private nonprofit institutions.

Conversely, data shows that between 2015 and 2026, undergraduate enrollment at two-year institutions is projected to increase by 21 percent, while enrollment at four-year institutions is projected to increase by only 9 percent.

Lakeland Community College in Kirtland continues to expand its facilities and programs, making it more desirable for higher learning.

William Kraus, who is the associate provost for enrollment, said the number of continuing students remained steady, reflecting the success of college programs designed to increase retention and completion rates.

“Lakeland Community College enrolled 7,571 students this fall, including 1,508 high school students participating in the popular College Credit Plus program,” Kraus said. “CCP enrollment increased by 2.4 percent as more families take advantage of the opportunity to save money on a college education.”

However, overall enrollment was down 4.7 from last fall, which Kraus said was expected because of fewer high school graduates and an improving job market.

“Community college enrollment often correlates with the state of the economy,” he said. “As the economy improves, more adult students choose jobs over higher education. Ohio community colleges experienced an overall average decrease of 4.4 percent this fall.”

Similar to Notre Dame, Lakeland has implemented numerous efforts to enhance student success, including early alerts, a mandatory First Year Experience course and a requirement that all new students meet with a counselor during their first semester to develop a “completion plan.”

“This year, Lakeland is implementing a text messaging program called Nudging for Success, funded by a grant from Jobs for the Future,” he said. “All new students receive text messages to help them stay focused and motivated to reach their educational goals. Lakeland also received a grant for Encouraging Additional Summer Enrollment to help prevent the phenomenon called “summer melt.” Research shows that student enrollment in the summer enhances student success and completion.”

Meanwhile, nationally there has been a significant increase in college enrollment, which is expected to continue to rise.

The National Center for Education Statistics said between 2000 and 2015, total undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions increased by 30 percent, from 13.2 million to 17 million. By 2026, total undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase to 19.3 million students.