Owensboro Community and Technical College had a significant enrollment boost last fall, and the spring semester saw a return to pre-pandemic numbers of students, according to OCTC President Scott Williams.
Williams said that the 4,111 students enrolled in Fall 2021 was is the largest population OCTC had seen in 7 years. There were 3,769 students enrolled in Spring 2022.
“I’m pleased to report to you all that at OCTC, we’ve rebounded from the pandemic and had a strong enrollment this year, this fall was up 5.3% … the spring we were up 20%,” Williams told City Commissioners last week. Even further, he said the college’s Black and Hispanic enrollment is up 35%.
Williams added that 35% of the students that graduated from OCTC were 25 and older. With so many adult graduates, he said working with the organizations and businesses in town is crucial. Williams reported 875 businesses having employees at OCTC during the 2021-22 school year.
Williams also addressed upcoming Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center, which will be a partnership between Owensboro Health ant several area colleges and universities.
They are creating an operational organization and working agreements between the institutions. Staff is in the process of being hired as they plot out what renovations and equipment will look like for the Simulation Center.
Pathways must also be made for the curriculum, which will range from introductory level jobs like nurse aid and phlebotomist to higher levels including physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner. There will also be an accelerated education pathway this fall for students to take dual credit while in high school that will jumpstart their education in college.
