Community colleges in Texas are outpacing schools in other states. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports that community college enrollment nationwide is on the decline. That’s definitely not the case on most campuses in Texas.
Lone Star College in Houston is not just showing increased enrollment figures, the system set an all-time record enrollment of 85,661 students this fall. That represented a 2 percent increase over the previous year.
In Corpus Christi, Del Mar College’s enrollment in continuing education courses, including workforce training and certifications, has doubled since 2011. And the overall headcount at Del Mar was up 4 percent from fall 2014 to fall 2015.
Photo by Mark Ramsay
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the fall enrollment count at the state’s community colleges from 2014 to 2015 was up 1 percent. Twenty of the state’s 50 community colleges recorded enrollment increases during that period. One of the largest enrollment increases was at the six-campus Alamo Colleges in San Antonio, where a student headcount of 58,292 increased to 60,495.
The Great Recession and its ongoing recovery are partially to blame for enrollment losses at community colleges nationwide. During the recession, enrollment climbed 22 percent as students trained to start new employment paths. But since that time, many community college students either transferred to four-year institutions or took jobs as the economy rebounded.
There are many reasons why Texas community colleges are faring better than others across the nation. Lone Star College, for instance, has been able to attract students partly because Houston has become a more affordable city. That draws potential employees and increases the number of students who often enroll in community colleges for specialized training. Tuition is cheaper than four-year institutions and the college offers many specialized courses.
Lone Star also offers a popular dual-credit program that allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in courses that result in both high school and college credit. Ranking as the second-largest enroller of dual-credit students in the state, Lone Star draws 20-25 percent of high school graduates in its area to its campuses. Officials believe enrollment at the college will be between 105,000 and 110,000 by 2020.
Austin Community College is also expanding its current degrees and technical certification programs. The college has many campuses, employer training programs and various types of programs that lead to specialized certifications.
In the Brazos Valley, the Research Valley Partnership’s Talent Pipeline Initiative is studying ways to develop and expand career opportunities. One option could even be creation of a new community college district.
Texas businesses, industries and local governments all work to support and invest in community college workforce programs. That’s good for the systems but also good for the state. There is no greater attraction for new industry and economic development than a skilled and trained workforce. Let’s hope community colleges in Texas continue to outpace the rest of the nation.
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