“We continue to work on ways to make opportunities available in the format that fits the needs of our students,” Felder said. “We are continually looking at the student experience and looking to make improvements.”
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Clark State is one of the top 15 employers in Clark County, according to a new survey from the Chamber of Greater Springfield. It serves almost 6,400 students — many of them are local. It offers work force development courses and often works with local high schools to improve secondary education in the community.
The school has seen a 9 percent increase in students participating in the College Credit Plus program, she said. Students enrolled in it have an opportunity to jump start their college careers by earning college credit while still attending high school. Felder said the program is in its second year and has been a success so far for the college.
“That population continues to grow each year,” she said.
One reason behind the increase of high school students taking the courses is because more local schools are encouraging their students to take advantage of the College Credit Plus program, Felder said. The college has also made an effort to reach out to schools and offer assistance in classrooms.
Also the number of students taking courses online at the school continues to rise.
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“We’ve always been a leader in offering online options to students,” she said. “We continued to see a demand. We work very hard to meet the demand when it comes to online.”
Online students are up 6 percent, Felder said. The classes offer students a convenient way to get credits, taking courses on their schedule instead of at a set time when they have to be there.
“Another reason it is popular is because students want the convenience of taking classes between a work schedule,” Felder said.
Meanwhile, the number of traditional students at the school has remained steady, Felder said.
Some students on campus this week said they believe there’s also an uptick in adult students. Student Tiffany Bahan said her classes are filled with adult students looking for a better life.
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“People are coming back to class to change careers or rejuvenate their career path in general,” Bahan said. “This is an affordable place to go.”
She said the economy and the affordability of the school is why she believes enrollment is growing.
“It doesn’t surprise me. A lot of people need to come back and get a second wind and it is hard to find a good job,” she said. “(Clark State) offers classes at all different hours so most of us can squeeze it in around work and family and they make it easier to go back to school.”
By the Numbers
6 percent: The increase in students taking online courses at Clark State over the last year.
9 percent: The increase in College Credit Plus students over the last year.
6,394 — Total students enrolled at Clark State for the Spring 2017 semester.
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The Springfield News-Sun reports on important educational issues including report cards, local enrollment and school board decisions.
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