State report says Three Rivers among fastest growing colleges in state

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Growth in enrollment at Three Rivers College is outpacing nearly all two- and four-year schools in the state, according to a report from the Missouri Department of Higher Education which was presented Wednesday during the monthly board of trustees meeting.

Three Rivers saw a head count gain of more than 13.5 percent from 2010 to 2011, and nearly 9.5 percent in all full-time equivalent (FTE) hours, the report shows.

This was second only to the four-year Central Methodist University's 15.26 percent growth in head count and the two-year Wentworth Military Academy's almost 12 percent jump in FTE. The report offered data on 60 public and independent two-year or four-year schools.

"I'm really proud of this," said college president Dr. Devin Stephenson. "We've seen almost double-digit growth now every semester for the last five or six."

Registration for the upcoming winter and spring sessions is also on track to see an increase over the past year, said Jason Hoseney, vice president for student success. Enrollment for both is ongoing.

Enrollment for winter session is up by more than 33 percent compared to the same period last year, and is already nearly 27 percent over the final head count for 2010. Credit hours are up 17 percent.

Spring enrollment is up about 10.6 percent compared to the same time last year. It is still about 11 percent below last year's overall semester figures, Hoseney said, adding students often wait until the end of spring registration time to enroll.

Increased enrollment was among the items highlighted in the annual report, which will be mailed this week, Stephenson said. Three Rivers began the school year with more than 4,000 students for the first time this fall.

Pertinent address:

2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO