Economy spurs community college enrollment

Ozarks Technical Community College - the state's third-largest community college with 13,194 students - experienced a 15.6 percent jump in enrollment compared to year ago, according to the Missouri Community College Association, while a college in Neosho posted the largest gains in the state.

Enrollment at Missouri's 12 community college systems has grown an average of 12.8 percent over last year, according to an MCCA report.

Crowder College in Neosho posted the largest increase, at 35.5 percent. OTC's growth rate was sixth-highest in the state.

More than 98,200 students were enrolled at the state's community colleges on opening day of the fall semester. That's an increase of more than 11,000 students since last fall, according to the MCCA.

"The record enrollments we are seeing across the state indicate that Missourians recognize the value higher education bestows on their earning power in an uncertain economy," said Robert B. Stein, Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education, in an MCCA news release. "The challenge for state leaders is to ensure that college remains affordable, even for the lowest income residents, and that our colleges and universities have the resources they need to accommodate the growing interest in higher education."

Aside from Crowder, the largest percentage increases were reported at Moberly Area Community College, 28.2 percent; and East Central Community College in Union, 24.8 percent.

At the beginning of the fall 2008 semester, OTC led the state with the most dramatic year-over-year enrollment increase among MCCA affiliates at 8.5 percent. Three OTC staff members, a faculty member and president emeritus Norman K. Myers serve on the MCCA Board of Directors, according to the association's Web site.

St. Louis Community College remains the state's largest community college with 27,113 students - up 8 percent from last fall - followed by Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City with 18,780, also an 8 percent increase, according to the MCCA.