Summer classes begin with enrollment up 15.1% from 2008

With summer classes beginning today, enrollment at Ozarks Technical Community College has increased once again.  A total of 4,007 students are enrolled this summer, 15.1% percent higher than the summer of 2008.  The most significant growth is at the College’s Branson Education Center and at the Richwood Valley campus in Christian County, which are showing increases of 62.9% and 61.5% respectively.  101 students are enrolled in Branson, 189 at the Richwood Valley location.  

“Community colleges typically see larger increases in enrollment when the job market is struggling,” explained Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “Students often choose community colleges because we are affordable, and because we make it possible for them to enter the workforce much more quickly than if they pursued a four-year degree.”

Enrollment is up by 23.5% at the College’s Lebanon Education Center, with 126 students taking classes this summer.  1,599 students are exclusively taking online classes, an increase of 20.3%; nearly 2,000 students are taking at least one online course.  The Springfield campus is up by 3.7%, with 1,930 students enrolled.  The College’s newest education center, in Waynesville, is serving 45 students in its first summer semester.