Galveston College officials have announced a double-digit increase in student enrollment for the fall 2018 semester from this same time last year.
The college recorded a census-day credit headcount enrollment of 2,450 students, which represents an 11.5 percent increase from the 2,197 students who attended Galveston College during the fall semester of 2017.
“Our growth is a testament to the support of our community and to the great work of our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, president of Galveston College. “I cannot emphasize enough the teamwork and collaboration across the college community. Everyone contributed to this successful student recruitment effort that produced such positive results.”
The enrolled students generated 20,070 student semester credit hours, an increase of 15 percent from the previous fall semester.
The growth in enrollment can be attributed to a number of factors, Dr. Shelton said, including the addition of new programs in Computer and Network Administration, Instrumentation Technology and a daytime Law Enforcement Academy in partnership with area law enforcement agencies.
“We are excited to have 17 students enrolled in our daytime Law Enforcement Academy in addition to the students in our existing evening academy,” Dr. Shelton said, adding that the college has collaborated with the City of Galveston, the Galveston Police Department, Galveston County, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies to provide high-quality law-enforcement education to the region.
Dr. Cissy Matthews, vice president of instruction, said the number of Galveston high school students participating in dual-credit programs also has increased significantly.
“We have 588 dual-credit students who are enrolled in 32 different classes or programs,” Dr. Matthews said. “Some of the classes with the highest enrollment are English Composition I, Medical Terminology and U.S. History I. On the workforce side, the Welding Technology program is popular with 64 students taking different levels of welding this year. The Emergency Medical Services program also has been well-received, with 23 dual-credit students.”
In addition to students enrolled in credit academic-transfer and workforce programs, Galveston College serves more than 1,725 individuals through workforce training, continuing education for professional and personal development, and other non-credit programs.
For more information about Galveston College, visit GC.edu or call (409) 944-4242.