BPCC FALL 2011 ENROLLMENT BREAKS RECORDS
By: Ray Doughty
Updated: September 13, 2011
Bossier Parish Community College's fall 2011 enrollment reached 7,077 students, an increase of 9.33% over fall 2010. Once again, for the 5th semester in a row, BPCC has reached its highest enrollment in the school's 44-year history.
Chancellor Jim Henderson attributes the enrollment increase to a number of factors. "BPCC has purposefully invested in programs aligned with opportunities in this regional economy: nursing and allied health, engineering technologies, oil & gas, cyber," says Henderson. "In addition, we have strengthened the whole of our academic offerings to ensure BPCC is the college of choice for those beginning their higher education journey."
Based on 14th class day credit enrollment figures, BPCC's enrollment increased 604 students from 6,473 students in fall 2010.
Henderson adds, "The faculty and staff at BPCC are dedicated to the prospects of access and success, finding innovative ways to serve more students with higher quality. As a result, BPCC continues to be one of the most efficient colleges in the state in terms of tax dollars appropriated per student, and one of the highest performing according to GRAD Act performance metrics."
Former state representative and BPCC supporter Billy Montgomery echoes Henderson's comments, "Seven thousand-plus students enrolled at Bossier Parish Community College-what an accomplishment, what a success story. This did not just happen on its own. Thanks go to the faculty, staff, and administration for achieving what I believe to be one of the top 5 successes in education in Louisiana in the past 25 years."
What's next in BPCC's future? Henderson looks to new and innovative programs and services to meet the local workforce needs. "Seven thousand students is a milestone, but we have yet to realize our full potential or satisfy the needs of this regional economy," says Henderson. "We will continue to develop high demand programs delivered through innovative means providing students with unparalleled paths to opportunity and giving our employers a talent-based competitive advantage."
