MCC sees surge in enrollment
Massreconnect, Early College programs boost student numbers
LOWELL >> After the COVID-19 pandemic caused a tangible decline in college enrollment across the board, Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson said MCC has experienced a substantial rebound in enrollment thanks to the new Massreconnect program. Gov. Maura Healey launched Massreconnect last summer, and it serves as a program that provides the opportunity for free community college for Massachusetts residents age 25 or older who have yet to obtain a degree. The program pays for all tuition and fees, and provides an allowance for books and supplies.
“This was designed by recognizing that, despite the reputation Massachusetts has for its higher education, there are 750,000 people in Massachusetts with no credits, degrees or applicable credentials,” Sisson said Friday. “They often have nothing they can apply technically to the workforce.”
The level of interest in such a program was immediately apparent. Last spring, MCC had 5,212 students enrolled in courses at the school. Now, Sisson said that figure has risen to 6,204, an increase of 19%.
“That has not happened in at least the last 10 years,” said Sisson.
He said about 1,100 people had expressed interest in enrolling in MCC through Massreconnect, and about 800 students have enrolled through it.
The program requires that prospective students submit a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), and Sisson said they have seen a 30% jump in applications.
After the pandemic sent schools at all levels into chaos with phased remote learning and hybrid campuses, this program has resulted in the first year “POST-COVID” in
which Sisson said the MCC campus has returned to a more complete sense of normalcy and a “more vibrant campus.”
“We are now seeing many adults over 25 returning to school, which is what the program was
designed for,” said Sisson.
Even in the years leading up to the pandemic, MCC was experiencing a “trickle decline” in enrollment, Sisson said, which may have been in part due to changing societal attitudes towards getting a degree. Now, those numbers have made a significant turnaround.
“We are seeing our parking lots filled in ways we
haven’t seen POST-COVID,” said Sisson.
Though Massreconnect is playing a significant role in MCC’S resurgent enrollment numbers, another program has contributed as well. MCC also participates in the state’s Early College Initiative, which allows local high schools to partner with area community colleges to allow high school students to take college
courses that can earn them college credits before they even get their diploma.
“These are smaller classes that surround career decision-making and acclimating the students to college expectations,” said Sisson.
While the Massreconnect program is free for those over 25, the Early College Initiative offers
credits at half their normal cost.
“This has been an amazing partnership with Lowell High School. We’ve even had a number of students in the dual enrollment program that graduate with an associate’s degree before they even finish high school,” said Sisson.
Sisson said he hopes to see these two programs continue their success as
the state begins exploring the viability of making community college free for all Massachusetts residents, an idea that is currently being considered by members of the state Legislature. He noted that free community college could end up being part of the fiscal 2025 state budget, as was suggested by state Senate President Karen Spilka last month.