Missouri community colleges see big enrollment gains

It looks like another record-breaking year for Missouri community colleges, with enrollment soaring 8 percent from 2008.

Explosive growth sounds like a broken record for a post-secondary education system that has posted record enrollment for the past five years and, as of the first day of fall classes, boasted a census of 106,000 students.

"What's interesting is this year for the first time ever Missouri community colleges are educating more Missouri undergraduates than any other sector of higher learning," said Zora Mulligan, executive director of the Missouri Community College Association.

Southeast Missouri's two-year institutions have seen significant increases.

At Three Rivers Community College, 3,612 students were enrolled on the first day of fall classes, up 5.2 percent from the same census in 2009. Enrollment at Mineral Area College rose 10 percent from last year, with a headcount of 3,992 students.

At a White House summit Tuesday, President Barack Obama described the nation's community colleges as "unsung heroes," serving on the front lines of economic recovery in training the next generation of high-tech workers. He touted a $35 million project by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to try to reduce college dropout rates, among other public/private partnerships.

But as enrollment soars on the fringes of economic recession and state budget cuts, community colleges are faced with some tough choices.

'Golden age'

In many ways, the worst recession since the 1930s and its glacial recovery have been good for community colleges. With unemployment hovering around 10 percent, a lot of people are retraining, and a lot of those displaced workers are pursuing their education at two-year colleges.

"In general this is the golden age of the community college, in spite of the fact that we've seen continual declines in state support," said Wesley Payne, Three Rivers' vice president for learning.

Enrollment at Missouri's community colleges climbed 27 percent between 2001 and 2009, as institutions raced to keep up with demand.

While the downturn and rapidly changing technology have driven much of the enrollment spikes, Mulligan said affordability, classroom accessibility and faster-moving degree programs have played a big part.

"As people's finances are squeezed, low-cost options look pretty attractive," she said.

This year marked the genesis of the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education. The educational initiative of Three Rivers, Mineral Area College and Southeast Missouri State University has brought associates degree programs to the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. Enrollment in its first semester this fall is about 200 students in nearly 30 classes, Payne said. He foresees an enrollment of 1,000 students in the coming years.

But with growth has come growing pains.

Mineral Area College, like its peer institutions, has experienced a strain on its facilities, and that has affected the delivery of services, one executive said.

"We're seeing classes spread out throughout the day," said Gil Kennon, vice president of college affairs. Mineral Area College is adding about 10,000 feet for its allied health program, a project financed through existing funds and without debt, Kennon said.

"We're making some strides, but we're not quite keeping pace with our growth," he said.

Funding gap

As community colleges serve record numbers, funding continues to decline.

The Missouri Legislature has appropriated $140 million for community colleges in fiscal year 2011, about $13 million less than the budget in fiscal year 2001.

"We've not had a real increase in years, and the projected outlook on the state level is not good for 2011 and 2012," Kennon said. "We're gearing up for up to 25 percent reduction" in the state's community college budget.

Eventually, community college officials say, the shortfall will have to come from higher tuition, affecting the people who often can least afford tuition increases.

That's why public/private partnerships are becoming increasingly important, education officials say. Payne said about 10 percent of Three Rivers' $19 million budget last year was derived from private and grant sources, about double what it has been.

Community colleges, experts say, will have to become even more efficient and financially nimble as they work through the enrollment boom and the reality of tight state budgets.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627