ACC Enrollment Sets New Record at 45,000+

More than 45,000 credit students are enrolled at Austin Community College this spring – setting a new record while lawmakers propose drastic reductions in state funding to community colleges.

“While demand continues to increase, we remain focused on student success and providing the critical programs needed to support economic growth throughout the region,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO. “ACC and other community colleges are key to closing the educational gaps in Texas, which helps drive economic recovery. Reducing community college resources would be counterproductive to the state’s goals.”

Credit enrollment now stands at 45,056, an increase of nearly 10 percent compared with spring 2010 (when ACC enrolled 41,050 students). Enrollment is up nearly 45 percent over five years ago (31,148 students in spring 2007).

Non-traditional age students are among those seeing growth this spring. Students age 25 and older now make up more than 44 percent of ACC’s credit enrollment.                                                      Â

“In recent years, we’ve seen significant increases in the number of students who come to us already holding a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or higher,” says Kinslow. “Not only is ACC the primary trainer of the local workforce, we are also the primary re-trainer for displaced workers and others interested in preparing for a high-demand career.”

Hispanic enrollment is up 16.4 percent this semester, for a total of 11,888 Hispanic students. ACC is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a federal designation indicating the college maintains 25 percent or greater full-time equivalent Hispanic enrollment (currently 26.4 percent). HSI status makes ACC eligible for additional federal funding in the future.

African-American enrollment is up almost 7 percent this semester, with a total of 3,983 African-American students.

ACC has an extensive, ongoing Student Success Initiative (SSI), which relies heavily on data-driven decision making to enhance learning and success for all students. Part of the college’s SSI commitment is a focus on traditionally underserved students, including minorities, those who are economically disadvantaged, and students who are first in their families to go to college.

“ACC is making tremendous strides in student success, and the increase in minority enrollments reflects that,” says Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems. “There is still much work to be done, but what we’ve accomplished already is contributing to a stronger regional workforce and a larger middle class.”

Data also show ACC is increasing student persistence, a core SSI goal. The college retained more than 67 percent of credit students from fall 2010 to spring 2011, up from 65.7 percent retention from fall 2009 to spring 2010.

In addition to its credit students, ACC also enrolls approximately 15,000 noncredit Continuing Education and Adult Education students each year.

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