Some Colleges Feel Growing Pains After Surge In Enrollment

Posted:

COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Colleges and universities across the country are reporting record enrollment. The experts said the economy is the driving force.

The traditional teen and early 20s college student still makes up the majority of the student population, but there is a definite demographic shift on campus.

"Fitting it all in. I work two jobs and I'm going to college too," said Columbia State student Lela Evans. "You're never too old to go back."

After years out of school, Evans decided to go back. She signed up for night classes at Columbia State Community College to earn a degree in elementary education. The first step was her Wednesday night sociology class.

Veteran Columbia State students said foot traffic has gone up.

"It's a lot. There's a whole lot that came back," said Columbia State student Kassaundra Greene.

Assistant Vice President for Student Services, Cecelia Johnson, said enrollment is up 17 percent from one year ago.

"We've made it, but it's been a challenge," said Johnson.

She said traditional students are staying closer to home, and displaced workers are also going back to school.

"With the economy the way it is, it's a good time to retool so we're seeing growth in those students as well," said Johnson.

Limited state funding has lead to growing pains. Administrators and instructors are doing more with less.

Assistant Professor Candace Warner's class load has been affected.

"I'm teaching six [classes] because of the demand because we have so many students who are asking for different types of classes. It's definitely made a difference," said Warner.

Administrators at Columbia State are adamant the quality of education remains high. Columbia State is one of many local higher education institutions dealing with increased enrollment.

Volunteer State Community College has growth of about 16 percent. MTSU and Belmont are both seeing record enrollment.

President Obama announced a plan to spend $12 billion in the community college system. The goal is increasing the number of community college graduates by five million in the next ten years.