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Anson Smith, 203-332-5229
HCC GROWTH CONTINUES, NEW ENROLLMENT RECORDS SET
BRIDGEPORT - Housatonic Community College set two enrollment
records this semester, registering 4,272 students.
The 4,272 enrollment represents a one percent increase over the previous
record enrollment, which was set last fall when 4,247 students registered
at the downtown Bridgeport college. It also represents a new spring
semester enrollment record, topping last spring’s record 3,897
enrollment by 10 percent. Typically, college spring semester enrollments
lag behind those of the previous fall for a variety of reasons. Since
the college moved to its new campus at the site of the old Hi-Ho Mall
in January 1997, enrollment has jumped by 61 percent.
“We’re delighted that we’re able to meet the educational
needs of so many students from our service area,” said Housatonic
President Janis M. Hadley. “This shows that we’re steadily
making progress toward our goal of becoming the central educational
resource the community can turn to meet to meet its educational needs,”
she said.
The enrollment increase, she said, shows that people in the college’s
11-town service area are becoming aware that Housatonic offers a quality
education at a very affordable price. “There’s a growing awareness
that, by studying at Housatonic for two years then transferring to a
four-year school, students can dramatically reduce the cost of higher
education.”
“There’s also a growing awareness that the college maintains
transfer agreements with 19 top-quality colleges and universities, which
can ease the transition to a four-year institution,” she added.
The enrollment statistics show that Housatonic’s average student
is a 29-year-old female.
Along with the enrollment growth, there has been a 56 percent increase
in the number of students receiving financial aid and a 106 percent
increase in the amount of financial aid awarded. In the fall of 2001,
Housatonic awarded $3.5 million in financial aid to 1,780 students.
Most students received a full package that included tuition, books and
fees.
According to the latest figures released by the American Association
of Community Colleges, Housatonic ranks as the third fastest-growing
community college in the Northeast and the 34th in the nation.The college
has increased the number of programs offered from 43 to 65 since moving
to its new campus. Included among these are programs that respond to
workforce needs in South Central Connecticut.
The college’s state-assigned service area includes the Bridgeport,
Stratford, Fairfield, Easton, Monroe, Trumbull, Shelton, Milford, Derby,
Ansonia and Seymour. However, the college attracts student from across
the state, as well as nationally and internationally.
The college is located less than 150 yards from I-95 and Rte 8.
