FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College (CCC) was recently ranked as one of the fastest growing community colleges in the country by Community College Week, CCC reported in a media release.
The college was ranked No. 15 on the magazine’s top 50 list of community colleges with enrollments between 2,500 and 4,999 students. Community College Week analysis is based on the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Post-secondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
“Our continued growth is a reflection of the great programs we offer and dedicated staff that is focused on student success,” said Dr. Leah Bornstein, President of Coconino Community College.
Community College Week is a national industry magazine that provides in-depth analysis of issues, trends and news impacting two-year educational institutes. Each year, the magazine examines annual enrollment activity, overall degree attainment, degree attainment for various ethnic groups and other relevant statistics among community and technical colleges. The data analyzed is from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. This year the study that included CCC compared 2012 and 2013 enrollment numbers leading to two-year degrees or certification. Approximately 1,100 colleges were examined and categorized by size of enrollment and percentage of growth.
Between 2012 and 2013, CCC experienced an 8.1 percent increase in enrollment, which secured its position on the list. During CCC’s fall 2012 semester, 3,416 students were enrolled in courses qualified by the study. A year later an additional 278 students enrolled in classes for a total of 3,694 students.
CCC attributes its growth to providing a high-quality and affordable education, and creating an effective learning environment. The college also offers a special program that allows students to make a seamless transition to Northern Arizona University, save on tuition costs and stay on track to earning a four-year degree.
Community College enrollments have been declining steadily from the 2010 peak, with enrollments throughout the country declining by an average of 2.2% during 2012 and 2013. Typically community college enrollments decline when the economy is improving. The Gross National Product (GDP) during this time period was 2.8%.
About Coconino Community College
Student success is the heart and purpose of Coconino Community College as shown by the fact that CCC is ranked among the top 50 community colleges in the U.S., according to education website, www.thebestschools.org, which cites factors such as learning outcomes and student support. CNN Money has ranked CCC as No. 25 in its listing of the best community college values. The College has served residents across 18,000 sq. mi. of Coconino County since 1991 and helped create the region’s skilled workforce, which is improving overall health, safety and the economy in the region.
The award-winning CCC2NAU program has become a state and national model for transitioning community college students to a four-year university. The program has served more than 1,700 students, compared to a starting cohort of 15 in 2008.
The CCC2NAU program provides an innovative way to smooth a student’s path toward a bachelor’s degree with tailored advisement and institutional collaboration, including access to amenities at NAU. The program focuses on a truly seamless transition from CCC to NAU. Outcomes from the CCC2NAU program include higher grade point averages, greater retention and higher degree completion rates than students who are not enrolled in the program at CCC and other community colleges throughout the state.
The College provides affordable tuition and a wide variety of certificates and degrees including career/technical programs with more than 60 certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in various fields including nursing, fire science, law enforcement and business.
CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County including Williams, the Grand Canyon/Tusayan, Page/Lake Powell, Fredonia, Tuba City and other remote areas on the Navajo, Hopi and Supai Tribal Lands with instructional sites that offer classes through online, in person and Interactive Television classes to meet the needs of students in these rural and remote areas. Nearly 25 percent of CCC’s student population comprises Native American learners and Community College Week says CCC was ranked as number 29 in 2012 for all community colleges awarding associate degrees to Native American students.
When CCC first opened its doors, nearly 1,000 students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus in the first semester. Since then, the college has experienced an astounding growth rate and today serves more than 7,500 students per year with two campuses in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Lone Tree campus houses the College’s administration offices, as well as the majority of the general education courses. The Flagstaff Fourth Street campus houses the Flagstaff Medical Center Institute for Nursing Education as well as other vocational programs like fire science and construction management.