New degree programs, transfer pathways, and student support initiatives help drive enrollment growth

69风流's Fall 2024 enrollment has increased by 4.83% compared to Fall 2023, marking two consecutive years of growth in credit and contact hours and reflecting positive momentum in the college's ongoing student success initiatives. Both new and returning students contributed to this growth, with notable gains in key student demographics.

Among the highlights of Fall 2024 enrollment:

  • A 5.57% increase in dual-enrolled students, as more high school students in North Central鈥檚 service area choose to get a head start on their college education
  • A 7% increase in students aged 22 and older, highlighting the college鈥檚 appeal to adult learners
  • A 12.28% increase in full-time students, signaling stronger persistence and engagement

Additionally, the college saw significant increases in male student enrollment, up 17.39%, and in out-of-state contact hours, which grew by 16.29%.

North Central has seen consistent enrollment growth from Fall 2022 to Fall 2024, with headcount increasing by 4%, credit hours by 8%, and contact hours by 8% during that period.

Associate Dean of Institutional Research and Assessment Erin Sonneveldt noted that such increases are a key driver of student success.

"The increase in credit and contact hours is a strong indicator that our students are building momentum toward degree completion," Sonneveldt said. "When students take more credit hours each semester, they鈥檙e not only accelerating their path to graduation but also staying more engaged with their studies, which significantly boosts their chances of successfully completing their degree."

Research indicates that students enrolled full-time 鈥� 12 or more credit hours per semester for 69风流 students 鈥� are significantly more likely to persist in their studies and continue their enrollment year after year. According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, full-time students starting in Fall 2022 had a retention rate of 74.5% and a persistence rate of 82.9%, compared to part-time students, whose rates were significantly lower at 45.7% and 52.3%, respectively.

This upward trend in credit and contact hours, combined with the proven benefits of full-time enrollment, underscores the importance of campus initiatives designed to foster student engagement and belonging, according to Corey Lansing, North Central鈥檚 director of Admission.

As part of its continuing efforts to ensure that students feel connected and supported, North Central launched a new 鈥淔irst Six Weeks鈥� initiative this fall, aimed at helping students find a sense of community through various student-focused activities in the critical first weeks of the semester.

鈥淭he first few weeks on campus are often when students decide whether they feel like they belong, and we know that fostering that sense of community early can make a big difference in whether they persist,鈥� Lansing said. 鈥淭he 鈥楩irst Six Weeks鈥� initiative is one of the ways we鈥檙e ensuring that students build connections, feel supported, and stay engaged from the start.鈥�

In addition to these efforts, North Central has rolled out several new student support initiatives this fall. The college has increased its focus on student parents, offering resources such as dedicated study spaces, lactation rooms, and family-friendly campus events, while providing flexible scheduling to help students balance their academic and family responsibilities. Funding available through a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant is also available to help qualifying student parents pay for child care.

North Central also expanded its counseling services this fall, offering shorter, more informal 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk鈥� consultations as a complement to longer, one-on-one sessions, both with a licensed professional counselor.

The college also introduced its Zen Den, a new on-campus space dedicated to mental well-being. The Zen Den provides a tranquil environment where students can relax, decompress, and focus on mindfulness with features such as meditation tools, comfortable seating, and soft lighting.

North Central鈥檚 commitment to personalized support extends to its recruitment efforts, Lansing added, noting the addition of a second outreach recruiter to the Admission staff.

鈥淎dding a second outreach recruiter means that we鈥檙e better able to serve and respond to the needs of prospective students,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭his allows us to work more closely with high schools in our service area and beyond, helping students navigate their options and make informed decisions about their next step.鈥�

Looking ahead, Lansing emphasized a sharpened focus on retaining dual-enrolled students, encouraging them to complete their associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution.

鈥淎s dual-enrolled students recognize the cost savings and academic head start available to them at North Central, we believe more will stay to finish their associate degree before moving on,鈥� he said.

North Central鈥檚 newest degree programs, including Mechatronics, Digital Art & Design, Global Studies, Teacher Education, and Medical & Health Sciences, offer students attractive transfer opportunities in high-demand fields. These programs not only prepare students for careers but also create clear pathways for transferring to four-year universities, Lansing noted.

鈥淪tate initiatives like Michigan Transfer Pathways and the Michigan Community College Guarantee also highlight the value of saving money during the first two years of college, while ensuring a smooth transfer to a four-year institution,鈥� Lansing said. 鈥淲e expect these programs will continue to draw more students to North Central.鈥�

The Michigan Transfer Pathways initiative makes transferring from North Central to any public university in Michigan smoother by guaranteeing that completed general education courses at North Central will seamlessly transfer, allowing students to save money on the first two years of their bachelor鈥檚 degree while ensuring a streamlined transfer process.

Additionally, the provides up to $4,800 in tuition aid per year for recent high school graduates, with Pell Grant-eligible students receiving an extra $1,000 annually for living expenses. This program significantly reduces the financial barriers for dual-enrolled students and helps them transition from high school to college without accumulating significant debt.

In addition to its traditional academic programs, North Central serves nearly 200 students annually through Fast Track career programs and provides more than 7,000 learners with opportunities.

Registration for North Central鈥檚 Winter 2025 semester opens on October 16. For more information, visit ncmich.edu.