Spring enrollment at Three Rivers Community College sets record

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three Rivers College reported an enrollment of more than 3,700 students for its spring 2011 semester, which began Jan. 18.

As of Jan. 19, enrollment stood at 3,710 students, a 6.8 percent increase over last year and a record for spring enrollment. Credit hours are at 39,780, almost a 10 percent increase.

"These numbers are indicative of the work we are doing with academic intervention, student retention initiatives, and our continuing focus on putting students and their needs first," said Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of the college.

Numbers are bolstered by Three Rivers' new center at Dexter, Mo., a 17,000 square-foot facility.

"Over 170 students are taking classes here now," Dexter center coordinator Bill Hampton said. "This center is a tremendous opportunity for both Three Rivers students and the Dexter community."

Also opening for the spring 2011 semester is the new Nursing and Allied Health Center, located at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center campus in downtown. Three Rivers' Nursing and Medical Laboratory Technology programs are currently being housed at the center.

Poplar Bluff Regional is leasing the space to Three Rivers for $1 a year. Additional funding for the new center came from the Caring for Missourians program and Gov. Jay Nixon's Training for Tomorrow Initiative.