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Region's junior colleges show growth once again

By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern

Friday, September 5, 2008 8:57 AM CDT

Community colleges just will not stop growing.

Yet again, community colleges in Southern Illinois have shown some growth in enrollment compared to last fall.

While the rise at all four colleges is in single-digit percentages, representatives from each school see the increased enrollment as a positive sign.

John A. Logan College saw a 1.7 percent increase with 6,167 students but had a 1 percent decrease in credit hours.

Shawnee Community College had a 5 percent increase with 2,035 students and a 5.64 percent increase in credit hours. Rend Lake College's enrollment increased by 6 percent with 2,328 students and 34,923 credit hours. Southeastern Illinois College's enrollment came in at 1,774 students, which is not an increase, but Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dana Keating said it is about even with last year.

However, because some numbers, such as students taking dual credit courses, have not been counted yet, Keating said there is still room for an increase.

"It's hard to say how enrollment is going to look in a semester until it's over," Keating said.

SCC President Larry Peterson said their increase is a result of the determination of the college's staff.

"We're very excited about the increase," Peterson said. "It's a testament to the hard work the student services people have done."

Steve O'Keefe, director of community relations and marketing at JALC, said in a past interview that much of Logan's increases can be attributed to their growing online studies program, which rose by 58.28 percent since last fall.

Vickie Schulte, director of student records and registrar at Rend Lake College, said reasons for increases at community colleges include mass manufacturing layoffs driving people to go back to school and the fact that getting two years at a community college before moving on with higher education can be less stressful on bank accounts.

"Some people are looking to get as much education as they can for a lower price," Schulte said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804