Push is on for record numbers at Shawnee Community College

Shawnee Community College is on track for its largest credit hour increase in the past 20 years, its president announced Monday.

In addition, fall enrollment is already up over 200 students from last year, and Dr. Larry Peterson called for a final push for a history-making semester. Classes begin August 19.

The college is completing summer classes where enrollment jumped almost 20 percent from last year, and the first time the college enrolled more than 2,000 students for a summer semester, 2,328 altogether. In fact, the college’s summer enrollment has climbed nearly 40 percent over the past five years.

“In these next two weeks, I want to be as aggressive as possible in reaching out to our district,” Peterson said. “It is important that the residents of our district know what Shawnee Community College can do for them.”

Earlier today, employees hit the streets in Cairo going door to door with college information. James Darden, SCC’s dean of adult education and alternative instruction, led the effort in Cairo.

“This is an old fashioned approach,” Darden said of going door to door. “But I think it shows just how serious we are at reaching our district and offering the opportunity of education to everyone.”

In addition, the college is holding a “registration blitz” on Tuesday. The “blitz” will take place on the main campus and at each extension center, which includes Anna, Metropolis, and Cairo.

SCC’s Jean Ellen Boyd has led the effort on the blitz. “The idea is to set aside a specific day where students can come in, sign up for classes, and obtain any other information necessary to his or her registration,” Boyd said.

Peterson praised these and other creative approaches at reaching potential students. He also applauded the college’s recruiters who are working in the field each day.

“Their hard work is paying off,” Peterson said. “It is evident that we are reaching more potential students and providing the service they need to see them through the registration process.”

The college is also providing comprehensive counseling services to students who may face setbacks along the way. Monica Brahler is the student counselor. She said the idea is to not only get students enrolled, but to see them through graduation.

“College students typically encounter a great deal of stress during his or her college years. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and interfere with classroom work,” Brahler said. “We want to alleviate as much stress as possible and encourage success.”

Wesley Wright, a member of the college’s board of trustees, said in the 20 years he has served on the board, “I have never seen the college’s excitement level like this.”

Said Wright, “We have never done so much with so little. Despite the state’s budget concerns, we are creating educational opportunities and telling our story at an entirely new level. I think our numbers are reflective of that.”

Maxine Russell, chairperson of the board of trustees, praised Peterson’s leadership. “One of the main things he has said over and over is that we are all representatives and all recruiters for the college.”

Board member Manul Goins noted, “It makes us feel that all the work we’ve done is paying off.”