NPC Sees Slight Increase In Enrollment, Reviews 25-Year Master Plan Proposal
The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees reviewed a 25-year master plan proposal
Wednesday. The concept was presented by architect John McMorran of Lewis Architects
Engineers during the regular monthly board meeting.
The NPC Campus Planning and Development Committee worked with McMorran to create a
vision for NPC’s future based on data and feedback from campus and community stakeholders.
McMorran compiled the information to create renderings of a bold and visionary 25-year
master plan concept that includes locations for additional on-campus housing, athletics
facilities, a performing arts center, new academic buildings, new buildings for workforce
and skilled trades, and expansion for nursing and health sciences. The concept maximizes
the campus’ natural setting and addresses needs for growing programs, while keeping
in mind future growth and opportunities.
NPC Board Chair, Forrest Spicher discussed the importance of setting long-term goals
and visions. “Just like any plan, it should take on its own life. It should be a breathing,
living, dynamic plan that will give us a tool for planning and executing a vision
for this College. Certainly it will be our guide, but we will see it will change as
we consider how we grow and how we reprioritize and so over the next couple of decades
and beyond, we will certainly use this as a guiding instrument.”
Dr. Jerry Thomas, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management shared
the fall enrollment report, noting the College is slightly up in college students
and semester credit hours. Enrollment for fall 2021 is 1,920 compared to 1,914 enrolled
in 2020 as of the 11th day census count. NPC was one of two community college in the
state to see growth in undergraduate college students, with a 22% increase in new
students. Semester credit hours for fall 2021 are 22,445 compared to 22,270 for fall
2020.
“I just think that is a remarkable accomplishment given we could not get into the
high schools to recruit students just like we normally do,” said Thomas. NPC President,
Dr. John Hogan commended the team for achieving growth in the midst of a difficult
environment. He emphasized the importance of listening to student needs, “Our students
are going to continue to be the main architects. We have listened to them, we have
executed plans based on what we hear, and we are successful because we are willing
to listen to our students.”
The College will host a series of public forums in October to solicit feedback for
further shaping and refining the master plan proposal. Renderings, event information
and an online feedback survey are available at np.edu/masterplan.
Photo collection of all concept images.
