PORT ANGELES – Peninsula College is once again breaking enrollment records as it heads into the next school year.
President Suzy Ames reports that enrollment increased significantly each quarter last year compared to the previous year.
“We’re up 30% spring and 73% summer. Fall numbers so far are almost 60%. We can see down the pike a little bit. We can see who’s applied for admission. We see who still has an advising appointment in the books for next week and the week after to then register for classes. So, we know more’s coming,” Ames told Newsradio KONP.
Ames says that this growth has positioned Peninsula College as first in enrollment growth among all community and technical colleges in the state.
She attributes the success to several factors.
“We’re getting the buzz out, and I think the new programs we started have a lot to do with that. And we’re trying to serve the whole student with all of your wraparound support services and you’re right advising and you’re the right instructional programs for you. I think word is out that the PC really can be a solution for me. Whether you need to earn a high school diploma, or you’re ready to get a bachelor’s degree or learn how to be a welder or learn auto repair. I think people are seeing that there’s so many opportunities,” said Ames.
However, Ames notes that with this success, the college will need to reinstitute some controls as the fall quarter approaches.
“Starting in September we will be setting admissions deadlines a few weeks before the quarter starts. That gives students time to fill out the admissions application, meet with an advisor figure out what classes are best for them. There’s a lot of data to show that the students who show up at the very last minute, don’t succeed. And it’s really unethical for us to bring you into this long, complicated process with just a couple weeks before the quarter starts and think that you’re going to have everything in place to be successful,” said Ames.
The first day of classes at Peninsula College for the fall quarter is September 23rd.