In
a recent speech , Dr. Rhodes, President of EPCC, said that enrollment
numbers have gone up more than 40 percent in the past half decade,
graduation numbers have gone up to 78.4 percent.
But adjusted statistics from the Office of Institutional Reasearch
are even better news.
Rhodes spoke to faculty and staff at the general session of faculty
development of Jan. 8. New statistics from Jan. 29 reveal that from
the between the fall of 2000 and the fall of 2006 enrollment increased
40.6 percent.
According to the Office of Institutional Reasearch 1,278 students
graduated in the academic year 2001. In 2006, the number of graduates
was 2,293. That represents an increase of 79.4 percent.
Rhodes pointed out that not only is the college enrolling more students,
but they are performing better.
Students choose to attend and receive an Associate’s degree
from EPCC for many reasons. A few of these include affordability,
great opportunities, smaller classrooms and extensive help from faculty
and staff.
Christopher Reyes, 22, has been a student at the college for two years
now and plans on getting his Associate’s here.
“I think it’s great that our enrollment and graduation
numbers keep growing. I personally chose EPCC because it was what
I could afford at the time. I think people get their Associate’s
here in order to take as many classes as possible for a lower price,”
said Reyes.
During his two years at the college, Reyes has attended classes at
three of our campuses.
“I have seen quite a few people from high school in each of
the campuses. It’s a good school and it truly is the best place
to start,” he said. The number of enrolled students during spring
of 2005 was 24,074. By spring of 2006, the number went up to 24,444.
According to Daryle Hendry, Director of Admissions and Registrar,
“both student population and the number of students graduating
increase every year.” Hendry agreed with Reyes’ views
on the college’s success.
“I believe students choose EPCC to attend and graduate from.
Our smaller classes allow a better student-teacher ratio as opposed
to big universities. One reason we have so much part time faculty
is to keep our classrooms like this,” said Hendry.
Aside from our large faculty, EPCC also has many academic advisors
who can help students set their educational plans.
“Our academic advisors are very consistent and helpful with
our students. Getting an Associate’s degree before moving on
to a university shows a strong sense of completion and the will to
move on to bigger and better things. We here at the college, try to
plan our curriculum to meet the students needs as best as possible,”
said Hendry.
El Paso Community College remains one of the largest and fastest growing
colleges in the nation. It is even bigger than many large universities
and still keeps growing.
