Special to IFN
The Fall 2024 semester is off to a successful start with Mitchell Community College seeing significant growth with over 4,000 students enrolled in curriculum classes, contributing to a record-breaking 16 percent FTE increase – up 9.7 percent since Fall of 2023.
The current enrollment has surpassed the college’s previous enrollment record in the Fall of 2011 (3,774 students).
Full-time equivalency (FTE) reflects the number of students taking a full-time load of classes.
Additionally, over 1,000 students are enrolled in Mitchell’s Continuing Education classes this fall with the number expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Combined, the college has a total enrollment of over 5,000 students for curriculum and continuing education for the Fall 2024 semester.
Mitchell’s Career & College Promise, a college transfer pathways program, has seen a 22 percent increase compared to last year’s numbers. Mitchell’s College Transfer is up 15 percent, Associate of Applied Science programs are up 28 percent, Associate of General Education up 22 percent, and Diploma programs up 16 percent.
This growth can be attributed to several factors, including Mitchell’s focus on building strong partnerships that provide active engagement in and with the community – an initiative aligned with the College’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan: Mitchell Empowers Futures.
Through this strategic planning, the college has made it a goal to provide inspiring teaching and learning that contributes to a student’s academic and personal growth. This helps students in achieving economic mobility through their achieved degree, diploma, short-term credentialing or certification.
Mitchell’s marketing strategies have been aligned to the college’s strategic plan by communicating more effectively and strategically with different audiences that could benefit from the educational opportunities that the college has to offer.
The Student Services Division has incorporated multiple enrollment and retention initiatives, including partnering with Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District to facilitate a head start for students’ transition into higher education. Another initiative was the college’s inaugural Springfest, an open house concept, that introduced prospective students to academic programs, student services, community employers, and alumni in a fun, festival-like atmosphere, creating a lasting impression on future students.
Throughout the summer, the college continued building connections through various programs, including Admitted Maverick Days, which prepared over 300 new students for their first semester in college by sharing resources, offering information, and networking with peers, faculty, and staff.
Mitchell’s Student Services also hosted virtual information sessions for parents and students, worked personally with students who risked being deregistered from classes, and assisted students with financial aid support such as the NC NEXT Scholarship. During the first week of classes, Mitchell hosted a Welcome Week with daily events featuring food, games, and information to engage both new and current students.
The college offers 44 degree options, 13 diploma options, and 60 certificate options through in-person and online courses at its Statesville and Mooresville campus locations.
LEARN MORE
Visit mitchellcc.edu.