More turning to community colleges during recession

As a nation looks to rebound from a sluggish economy, a growing number of Americans are looking for answers at their local community colleges and McCook Community College is one of a number of colleges experiencing enrollment increases as a result.

Addressing MCC faculty and staff at his annual "state of the college" speech last week, Mid-Plains Community College President Dr. Michael Chipps told MCC employees that with recent downturns in the economy, now more than half of America's college students are enrolled in community colleges.

At MPCC, fall enrollment was up about 8 percent over the fall semester of 2008 according to Marcus Garstecki, Area Dean of Enrollment Management. He said while the numbers for spring enrollment are constantly changing he believes the spring term enrollment at MPCC is "very healthy" as spring-term classes begin today.

Chipps said that while the economy is responsible for part of that increase, he believes there are two more major factors for that increase: Quality of instruction, and providing students an education at reasonable cost. Contributing to the local enrollment boosts are expanded paramedic programs at MCC, the establishment of the Center for Applied Science and Technology, and expansion of MCC sports programs as well as the impact of Union Pacific employee training in North Platte.

Yet, there still challenges.

With a 3.4 percent decrease in state aid, MPCC must find a way trim its budget while constantly looking for new opportunities. Chipps said that the Mid-Plains area has identified neighboring states as a source for new student recruitment and staff members have spent more time recruiting in South Dakota, Colorado, and Kansas. He believes the success of the CAST program offers additional opportunities and MPCC is looking to fund additional instruction there. Opportunities are being explored at extended campuses in Imperial, Ogallala, Valentine and Broken Bow.

Also at the all-campus meeting, Dr. Richard Tubbs introduced several new MCC employees; Darin Morgan takes over for Jon Burkey as MCC Physical Resource Director. He previously worked for the City of Stillwater, Okla., as the Building Official, reporting directly to the city manager. Angela Franke begins as Director of Housing and will serve as MCC volleyball coach.