HCC Fall Enrollment Up Sixteen Percent

Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) announced today record enrollment of more than 3,700 students for the 2009 fall semester, a 16.1 percent increase over fall 2008. This represents the second largest annual enrollment increase since HCC joined the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) in 1998, and the largest since 2000.

This increase in enrollment clearly shows HCC is providing Kentucky what it needs right now; real opportunity for individuals to transform their skills and knowledge in order to meet the workforce demands of todays economy, said HCC President James Selbe. We are excited about the growth, but at the same time such a large increase does strain our already limited resources. Our college has endured numerous budget cuts over the last few years while serving more and more students. This speaks to the incredible staff and faculty we have at HCC. I want to commend them for the additional hours and work that they have put in to ensure that all our students are served.

During the 2008-09 academic year, KCTCS eliminated programs, reduced the number of courses and services offered to students and reduced the number of faculty positions in order to absorb a $13.5 million reduction in state appropriations. KCTCS began the 2009-10 year with an additional $4.4 million cut to its budget.

Our sister institutions across the state have experienced similar growth, said Dr. Selbe. In todays economy, people everywhere are reevaluating their education and work skills. Community colleges are a key piece to the Commonwealths economic recovery. Once we come out of this recession, we will have a highly educated work force.