Summer 2011 established another new enrollment record for NIC.
The number of seats taken increased 26 percent over a one-year period, and 133 percent over a three-year period. The total student headcount for summer enrollment, as of June 9, 2011, was 2,261. Three years ago it was 1,058.
These numbers are derived from the Board of Trustees Meeting agenda for the June 22, 2011 meeting.
One of the factors for this increase is an expanded lineup of courses and sections offered by the college for the summer session. NIC listens to what students say they need to get through their degree program.
“More is offered in summer to help students stay on track if they can’t get into all their classes in the traditional season,” said Sheldon Nord, vice president for student services.
As to the question of change in the demographic of students NIC is now serving, Nord said, “What we are finding is that more and more, it is hard to identify what a typical student looks like, because it is so different. They may be mid-career or unemployed, so that tends to push the age of our students up. They have different patterns than we’ve ever seen before in higher ed.”
NIC has a mission to expand educational opportunities for all students and prospective students. As its offerings continue to grow, so does the student population.
Summer courses, as well as online and hybrid courses, generate an increase in tuition received by the college.
This helps to enable NIC to meet the increasing demand for teachers and support staff for student services.
Tuition at NIC is still considered very affordable in comparison to other institutions of higher education.
Outreach Centers in the Silver Valley, Ponderay and Bonners Ferry have made education more geographically accessible. It is also more financially feasible for a growing number of students.
More high school students want to pursue a higher education. The Dual-Credit (WINGS) program allows high school students with a 3.0 grade point average or better to receive both high school and college credit.
That, in turn, goes towards completion of NIC courses at a reduced rate.
The technical program allows junior and senior high school students to get an early start on a college technical program.
This can be accomplished by taking approved courses, by earning NIC technical credit and by enabling them to move from high school to college without repeating technical courses.
These programs have all encouraged high school students to pursue a higher education.
Students as young as eighth grade are given the vision of a college education by programs such as NICH (North Idaho Coalition for Higher Education).
In addition, adults who are retooling for new careers or just polishing up on ttheir skills have added to the overall enrollment at NIC..
NIC is better able to handle the increase in student population by offering more classes that do work available online or through hybrid courses.
As Nord said, “You can grow your enrollment without building buildings.”
