SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine 鈥� Fall enrollment at 91制片厂 (91制片厂) is up 10.5% in headcount and 16.4% in credit hours, according to numbers released Wednesday by the Maine Community College System (MCCS), boosted by a new Free College scholarship.
“Maine’s Free College initiative, our flexible and accessible programs, and our dedicated and talented staff and faculty who have been working diligently to assist students have had a significant impact on our increased enrollment,” 91制片厂 President Joe Cassidy said. 鈥淥ur new students are excited to start or continue their educational journey after a difficult few years due to COVID-19. Our free and affordable tuition options allow them this opportunity.鈥�
Total headcount at 91制片厂 this fall is up by 572 students, from 5,435 last year to 6,007 this year, according to an official tally on October 18, with first-time student enrollment up 46.9%. 91制片厂鈥檚 Assistant Dean of Enrollment Amy Lee said the Free College initiative and an increased focus on community outreach contributed to the increase.
鈥淲e grew our partnerships with every Maine high school and tech center in New England, hosted several online Free College Info Sessions and heavily promoted the Free College scholarship,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淚n addition to increased enrollment numbers this Fall, we have already processed hundreds of Fall 2023 Free College-eligible student applications.鈥�
More than 38% of 91制片厂鈥檚 2022 enrolled students are Free College eligible. Maine High school graduates or equivalent from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 all qualify for Maine鈥檚 Free College Scholarship. The scholarship pays 100% of tuition and mandatory fees after grant aid has been applied to student accounts.
Also contributing to the increase in enrollment is the stream of students who enroll at 91制片厂 after participating in 91制片厂鈥檚 Early College program and earn college credit while in high school, noted Matt Goodman, 91制片厂鈥檚 Dean of Academic Excellence and Strategic Initiatives.
鈥淲e are seeing more of these students continue on to 91制片厂 after graduating from high school. Opportunities like Spring Ahead, an innovative program in which high school seniors spend the spring semester at 91制片厂, have seen nearly 100% of students enroll at a college or university the fall of their high school graduation, many of whom enroll at 91制片厂,鈥� said Goodman.
Additionally, Goodman highlighted that an increased focus on strengthening community partnerships was a contributing factor in growing enrollment at 91制片厂.
鈥�91制片厂 continues to engage in innovative collaborations with community partners like the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, In Her Presence, and PropserityME to help support the career and educational goals of New Mainers, immigrants, and asylees,鈥� Goodman said. 鈥淲e could not be more excited about these collaborations and where they’ll lead us in the future.鈥�
Increased outreach efforts resulted in students participating in on-campus and online one-to-one or group advising sessions where they enrolled in fall classes and created an individualized plan for success.
鈥淭he 91制片厂 Advising Office offered over 2,300 student appointments to new and persisting students between March and July,鈥� Associate Dean of Student Success Kathleen Doan said. Approximately 1,000 of these sessions were with students who were eligible for Free College.
In addition to an increase in those enrolling in degree and certificate programs, 91制片厂 has seen an increase in those enrolling in and completing short-term training opportunities in leadership training, education, and healthcare fields, including 91制片厂鈥檚 new LPN program. These programs benefit students while meeting Maine鈥檚 critical workforce needs.
鈥淥ur short-term training opportunities are a chance for individuals to earn the skills they need to find gainful employment in an expedited fashion. With many programs offered free of charge and some with attendance incentives, students can get the hands-on training they need while still affording to live their everyday lives, said Jim Whitten, Dean of Workforce Development and the Midcoast Campus. 鈥淎nd, if they decide they鈥檇 like to continue their education down the line, our supportive staff will help them determine the best path to take.鈥�
鈥淥ur mission is to help better the lives of our students and the members of their communities,鈥� President Cassidy said. 鈥淲e are more committed than ever to achieving that goal while helping each and every one of our students to achieve theirs.鈥�