PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
September 28 , 2016
NPC BOARD DISCUSSES INCREASED ENROLLMENT, NEW MEASUREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 28. Items for report included increased student enrollment and updates to the campus’ high priority objectives.
The Board welcomed new hires, Melinda Goldberg Institutional Services Assistant, and Tim Jackson, Clinical Coordinator for the Emergency Medical Services program.
The Board approved updated measurements for success. The campus’ high priority objectives include increasing student persistence, workforce development contact hours, persistence and completion of underserved students, fall enrollment, fundraising, transfer students, and reducing administrative expenses.
The Board voted to rename the Math and Science building, Legacy Hall. The building will serve as a location to commemorate the College’s history, and honor past Board members, presidents, faculty and staff.
Dr. Jerry Thomas, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management reported the official fall enrollment. Last year the College reported 2,153 degree seeking students. This year’s count increased by 65 students to 2,218 college students. Full-time equivalent (FTE) for college students is up approximately 9.5 percent, from 1,626 last year to 1,797 currently. The largest increase is in traditional students, ages 18 to 21. The College has 716 high school concurrent enrollment students enrolled, a 16.9 percent decrease from last year. The decrease is due to tightened regulations on instructor credentials by the regional accreditation body.
National Park Technology Center (NPTC) programs are serving 574 students, down 44 students over last year. NPTC Director, Mike Wiles says he attributes the decline to conflicts with new scheduling at a number of the high schools, but has plans to adapt the schedule for next year.
The Adult Basic Education program has served approximately 700 students since July 1, consistent with numbers last year at this time. Enrollment is increasing at the Hot Springs School District Jones Administration building location and partnerships with the Garland County Detention Center and the Garland County District Courts continue to thrive. The fourth graduation at the detention center is scheduled for October 10.
Kelli Albrecht, Vice President for Workforce and Strategic Initiatives reported Community and Corporate Training programs have logged 12,990 contact hours since July 1.
Vice President, Jeff Weaver presented the new marketing campaign for the year. The plans include targeting traditional and non-traditional age students with the message that NPC is less than half the cost of a four-year university, and students can gain a university experience close to home with expanded transfer opportunities.
Dr. John Hogan concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He congratulated the faculty and staff for working hard to increase enrollment. He expressed sadness for the loss of NPTC instructor, Relda Steelman and Dr. Martin Eisele. Steelman was a beloved instructor in the health science technology program. Dr. Eisele was an NPC Foundation Board Member with emeritus status and a tireless advocate for NPC. He invested in NPC because he believed in the College’s ability to impact the community. He was instrumental in helping to secure funding for the Frederick M. Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences and established an endowment to support scholarships for nursing and health sciences students.
