By TARA HETTINGER
For the sixth time in a row, Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg has reached record enrollment numbers, according to Terry Nolot, vice chancellor for enrollment services.
Nolot said it started three years ago and has continued since, with every fall and spring semester.
Enrollment is now 4,608 students, up 9.9 percent from last spring.
“I think it’s exciting that so many people in the community see value in the programs and degrees that we offer,” Nolot said. “It’s challenging with the limited space we have.”
The school is slated for a major building project that will increase the size of the school, which is scheduled to be done in 2010.
However, space is needed now. So, Nolot said the school is getting creative by offering more classes on the weekends, more online class options, later class times and more. He said he also foresees the school having to expand the student parking in the fall.
Nolot said he believes the continued growth is due to the low cost of tuition and the economy being down. He said the school also offers more degree and transfer options, which attracts more students.
“It’s rewarding, because we believe in the community college mission and we think we bring value to the community,” Nolot said. “More than 90 percent of our students stay in the community after receiving their education to live and work.”
Nolot said he hopes the school’s building project will help the school to grow even more, thus providing more graduates to work in the community.
Overall, enrollment at Ivy Tech’s campuses throughout the state increased by 11,261 students. Now, 90,627 students are enrolled statewide, which is up 14.2 percent compared to the first day of classes last spring.
Each of the school’s 14 regions saw growth in enrollment numbers.
