NPC sees increased enrollment
National Park College’s 2019 fall semester has seen an overall increase in enrollment with only a few areas remaining steady or decreasing.
According to a news release, Jerry Thomas, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, reported an increase of 3% in enrollment this year, making 2019 the second consecutive year the school has had an increase in new students at the college.
The college reported having 2,081 degree-seeking students. Last year at the same time, the college had 2,022 degree-seeking students. Thomas stated in the release that NPC has “awarded 32 percent more President’s and Academic Achievement scholarships this year.”
Kelli Embry, vice president for workforce and strategic initiatives, reported in the release that the Community and Corporate Training programs had served
487 students and recorded 26,871 contact hours since July 1. This was an increase of
41 percent over last year’s statistics from
the same time of year.
Bill Ritter, adult education director, reported they had served 477 students at this time last year and 493 since July 1 of this year, which is an increase of more than 3%.
While many areas of enrollment have increased at the college, not all have.
Concurrent credit enrollment of high school students has decreased from last year’s 662 students to 495 this year. National Park Technology Center enrollment has remained flat, with this year seeing 674 students and 677 last year, according to NPTC Director Mike Wiles.
This year’s class also includes students from 32 Arkansas counties, as well as 14 new out of state students, the release said.
“The majority of colleges and universities across the state saw decreased enrollments,” Thomas said in the release.
“Those are the metrics we use and we’re very pleased with those results obviously, especially in this marketplace, which is very tight,” NPC President John Hogan said.
“Our increase is a result of our investment in student success, improvements in classrooms, campus facilities — including the Student Commons. Students are aware that we’re making additional investments.”
Hogan also pointed to the expansion of the NPC Nighthawks athletics program, improved scholarship plans with “20% more financial investment in scholarships” and the college’s partnership with Southern Arkansas University as reasons for the enrollment increases.
“I think all of those things played a major role in adding up into the final count,” he said.
Hogan credited the new Student Commons building, near completion of the Marine Technology building, and construction on the school’s residence halls as making the campus “feel different” and attracting more students.
“There’s been a lot of action,” he said. “It has made for a much more vibrant and active campus. I think that adds up to a lot of energy and interest. And I think that students appreciate that we’re listening to their voice and investing in their future.”