Stark State College continues enrollment growth trend
with 10.3% increase for fall

Stark State College continues its enrollment growth trend with a fall enrollment increase of 10.3% or 874 new students, which brings the College’s enrollment to an all-time record 9,395 credit students.

“Stark State College is committed to building a workforce that meets the needs of individuals, businesses and communities in greater Stark County,” said John O’Donnell, president of Stark State, adding that the College’s vision is to “be a first choice in higher education and a catalyst for economic growth.” According to O’Donnell, the College’s growth aligns with the goals of the University System of Ohio (USO), which includes convenient, affordable college access for all Ohioans and more transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year institutions. “This alignment is evident in our K-12 partnerships and the increased numbers of high school students now taking college courses,” O’Donnell explained.

“Both summer and fall enrollments tell a story of our students’ aspirations,” said O’Donnell. The enrollments reflect an increase in summer full-time equivalents (FTE) of 16.6% and 11.9% for the fall, indicating that students are taking more credit hours per semester. “The increase in credit hours taken shows that our students are eager to accelerate completing their degrees and become part of Ohio’s workforce,” O’Donnell said. “Our associate degrees and certificate programs are designed to allow students to enter high-skill careers to climb the degree ladder and increase their earnings.

“Our goal is to ensure that Stark State provides value to our community, as a key higher education institution in the region and as a major employer,” O’Donnell pointed out. “As the College has continued to grow, we have added new jobs to the local workforce.” Since 2003, the College has created 77 full time and 212 part-time faculty and staff positions, increasing our college workforce by 53%.

Cheri Rice, interim vice president for student services and enrollment management, cited an increase of 67% in degrees awarded since 2003. “Graduation is a key measure of student success and our success as a college,” she said.

Stark State’s satellite centers in Alliance, Carrollton and Downtown Canton, which offer classes that lead to associate degree programs on the main campus, have experienced tremendous growth. The College also offers courses at R. G. Drage Career Technical Center and other sites.

“We have seen an explosion in dual-enrollment programs with high schools,” said Rice. “Benefits to dual-enrollment students include tuition savings and better college preparation. Stark State also gives high school students an early start to college through Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO), Early College High School and Seniors to Sophomores programs.”

New programs in emerging technologies, including biotechnology, defense metals, fuel cells and cyber security/computer forensics, have also driven the College’s continued high enrollment growth. The College works closely with the new Defense Metals Center and the Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Prototyping Center, both headquartered on campus, to develop learning opportunities for students. Students also are attracted to new programs in entrepreneurship, virtual office professional, technical communications and commercial music.

To accommodate its enrollment growth, Stark State has added over 110,000 sq. ft. of classroom space in the past four years. The College will open a new 49,000 sq. ft. health sciences building in the fall of 2009 in response to the community’s growing need for educated healthcare workers.

Stark State maintains one of the lowest tuition rates in the area at $127 per semester hour, and offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid programs. About 60% of all Stark State students receive some type of financial aid, including private scholarship support through the Stark State College Foundation.

Stark State College offers 49 associate degrees, 14 one-year certificate programs, advanced certificates of competency, contract training for business/industry, and continuing education for professional and personal development. For more information, call 330-494-6170.
 

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