The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees discussed fall enrollment data during the regular monthly meeting Wednesday. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom.
Dr. Jerry Thomas, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management shared NPC surpassed enrollment projections for the fall semester. Enrollment for fall 2020 is 1,914 compared to 2,077 enrolled in 2019 as of the 11th day census count. “While that is a 7.8 percent decline in headcount, we had predicted a 12 percent decline. Our numbers position us to be ahead of our financial forecast as well,” said Thomas.
Thomas reported the student population continues to trend younger with 63.3 percent of students between the ages of 18 and 24, an increase of more than 3 percent over last year. Minority enrollment is 27.8 percent of the total enrollment, an increase of 2.3 percent over last year. This year’s class is 63.23 percent female, an increase of more than 3 percent over last year.
Students enrolled in Southern Arkansas University (SAU) degree programs total 70, including more than 20 on track to attend SAU classes on the NPC campus next year.
Online course enrollment increased by 25 percent compared to last year. Online courses now total 45 percent of courses this semester.
More than a quarter of students taking face-to-face classes are taking advantage of virtual classes via Zoom. The Board invested in technology this summer to help provide flexible instruction methods. Since March, 15,232 participants have used Zoom, including 5,520 active users and 1,305 licensed users. NPC faculty and staff have hosted 1,859 meetings since March with a total of 691,167 meeting minutes.
Kelli Embry, vice president for workforce and strategic initiatives reported Community and Corporate Training programs have served 287 students and logged 10,813 contact hours since July 1, a decrease of 36 percent over last year at this time. This includes training that has been completed and scheduled trainings that are still pending. Embry said workforce training has suffered because face-to-face interaction with company partners and students has been severely limited.
Adult Education has served 163 students since July 1, compared to approximately 493 in the same time period last fiscal year. This is a decrease of 67 percent. Adult Education Director, Bill Ritter said the drop is consistent with statewide trends in Adult Education. He noted the largest contributor to the decline is the closing of the Garland County Detention Center to programs and volunteers.
National Park Technology Center (NPTC) enrollment is also down for this semester due to the deletion of the high school Criminal Justice and Graphic Design programs. Currently 473 are attending NPTC, 191 less than last year. NPTC Director, Mike Wiles said the Medical Professions program saw a 3 percent increase and the Machine Tool program increased by 63 percent this semester.
Dr. John Hogan, NPC president said he was proud of the way everyone has adapted to make this semester successful. “We beat our projections and that was not an easy task. We also greatly increased our online enrollment, which takes significant effort by our faculty and staff to adapt and implement new technology.”
Hogan added, “The commitment of our students to persist and complete their education during this time is remarkable. They continue to display Nighthawk Grit, and as an institution we must answer their commitment with all the support we can provide.”
