College hits a record 36,600 students
Austin, Texas, February 11, 2009 – Enrollment set a new record at Austin Community College (ACC). With final figures just tallied, ACC enrollment is up 13 percent this spring over last spring with more than 4,200 additional credit students in one year.
Total enrollment reached 36,601 students this spring, compared with 32,369 last year. The largest increases have been among minority students — African American students (up 19%) and Hispanic students (up 16%).
“ACC is working closely with the community to ensure residents have affordable access to high-quality higher education and training programs,” said Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president and CEO. “Clearly, more students are seeing the value of a postsecondary education and getting the proper training for high-demand careers. A well-educated, highly skilled workforce benefits the entire community.”
ACC’s enrollment increase is among the highest in Texas. ACC joins community colleges across the nation experiencing record enrollments in part due to a downturn in the economy.
“We’re seeing many students who are concerned about job security, who want to become better trained to compete in the marketplace,” said Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems, noting ACC has long been the No. 1 college destination for local high school graduates and adults.
Tim Whitaker, 33, is among the new students at ACC. “I was working odd jobs until renewable energy caught my eye,” said Whitaker. “My plan is to get an associate degree at ACC and transfer into the electrical engineering program at Texas State. I want to design renewable energy systems.”
Among the programs seeing the largest growth from spring 2008 to spring 2009 are:
- Early College Start (ECS) increased 17 percent. The program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn up to one year of transferable college credit before graduating high school. Tuition is free to in-district students.
- Weekend College increased 36 percent. The program allows busy professionals to complete a college degree, certificate, or transferable core curriculum while attending classes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Now offered at five ACC campuses: Cypress Creek, Eastview, Northridge, Riverside, and South Austin.
- Round Rock area enrollments increased 48 percent. An additional 1,200 Round Rock residents enrolled at ACC in spring 2009 from the year before. The growth can be attributed to the May 2008 vote to annex RRISD into the ACC taxing district, giving residents the opportunity to take advantage of the in-district tuition of $39 per credit hour.
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About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 35,700 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”