RCC welcomes back students, sees growing enrollment trend
The first day of college brought a lot of excitement and energy to the campus of Robeson Community College on Monday. Students could be seen hitting the books in class, walking down the hallways and along the sidewalks, and congregating in the student center.
It was a welcome sight for faculty and staff.
“There’s just something about having students on campus,” said Melissa Singler, the President of RCC. “Bouncing back from COVID, it is so wonderful to see students returning to class, bringing our campus back to life.”
There does seem to be more foot traffic on campus this fall compared to last. Fall 2022 curriculum enrollment trends are showing an increase of 13% compared to this time last year.
“This is pre-census trend data,” stated Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott, Vice President of Instruction and Student Support Services. “What this preliminary data shows is that we are seeing more students attending RCC as COVID rates have dropped, but our final numbers will not be available until the end of the semester.”
According to Elliott, Robeson Community College has seen a 10% growth since 2018-2019.
“Even with the pandemic, we continue to trend on the positive side,” Elliott said.
The growth isn’t just seen on a spreadsheet, walk into any building and you’ll see the proof in our classes.
Cosmetology – full; nursing – overflowing; respiratory therapy – at capacity; radiography – no additional seats are available.
The Early Childhood Education program and the University Transfer program had to add sections to fill the growing needs of students.
The culinary arts program is almost full, as is Emergency Medical Science and Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration – programs that just two years ago were struggling to make, due to low enrollment.
But Singler says there’s still opportunity to enroll and she encourages students to stop by and see what classes may still be available for them.
“We still have room for more students,” stated Singler. “We will be launching several online classes on August 29 for anyone that wasn’t able to register in time for the classes that began on August 15, and there are still many 12, 10, and 8-week classes available.”
Some of the late start classes include basic law enforcement, criminal justice courses, college transfer offerings, accounting and business-related courses, early childhood education electives, and an EMS bridging course for EMT’s looking to earn an associate’s degree.
“It’s never too late to enroll,” Singler said.
In addition to late start classes, the college will also be enrolling career and college promise students in the coming weeks, which will be sure to add an additional boost to an already growing enrollment trend.
“I am excited that we are back on campus for in-person teaching and learning,” stated Singler. “I continue to be impressed by the potential each new academic year presents and I look forward to meeting all of our students, and watching them succeed in the classroom, as the semester goes by… It’s an exciting time to be at Robeson Community College…. To all of our students, welcome home.”
