Barton Community College grows to fourth largest of 19 Kansas community colleges
The goal of increasing enrollment has been one of the main focuses of the current Barton Board of Trustees and administration. Based on a news release from the Kansas Board of Regents, Barton has hit a milestone and is now the fourth largest community college in the state of Kansas.
Barton was one of the few colleges showing any increase in enrollment at more than 11 percent.
“Barton’s faculty and staff have been diligent over the past several years in assessing enrollment opportunities that are in keeping with the institutional mission and when addressing industry needs,” Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said. “This has included the continued expansion of online learning program development, the recent agreement with Fort Leavenworth to provide onsite education service and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s designation of Barton as a regional safety training provider. These factors, in conjunction with other well-established services, have built a solid foundation for anticipated future enrollment growth.”
Only half of the story
Heilman said Barton’s enrollment numbers, however, will be even higher in the next couple of months. With several cycles of enrollment for its military students taking place throughout the semester and another online enrollment session approaching in mid-October, Barton’s “20th day” enrollment numbers don’t paint a complete picture of Barton’s true growth and is simply a snapshot in time compared to the previous fall semester.
Barton’s unduplicated headcount (total students served) was 6,252 at the time of the 20th day report for fall 2013. However, fall 2012 ended with an unduplicated headcount of 8,122.
Barton still needs to enroll another 1,459 before exceeding the prior fall semester final total.
“For now, we are encouraged that our pace is ahead of last fall and it appears that we are on course in surpassing the final total enrollment of last fall,” Heilman said.
Source of growth
A huge area of growth for Barton has been its online component, BARTonline.org. It has grown at about 20 percent or more per year for more than five years, this year being no exception.
One thing adding to the increase this year is a newly opened Fort Leavenworth campus and service area, which has grown rapidly and steadily since it opened in 2012. It has served 251 students so far this semester with more fall military enrollment cycles on the horizon.
Barton’s Vice President Dr. Penny Quinn said the growth is a sign that Barton is simply on the right path, doing what is necessary to meet the needs of its constituents.
“Barton is fortunate to have quality faculty and staff committed to student academic success,” she said. “This commitment, coupled with our strong educational partnerships allows Barton to continue to positively impact students and in doing so, meet the needs of the State of Kansas.”
Barton’s state ranking based on Unduplicated Headcount (fall 20th day):
1. Johnson County Community College – 19,684
2. Butler Community College – 9,363
3. Kansas City, Kansas Community College – 6,575
4. Barton Community College – 6,252
5. Hutchinson Community College – 6,128
6. Cowley County Community College – 3,966
7. Highland Community College – 3,037
8. Allen County Community College – 2,955
9. Neosho County Community College – 2,670
10. Cloud County Community College – 2,323
11. Garden City Community College – 1,997
12. Fort Scott Community College – 1,931
13. Seward County Community College – 1,858
14. Coffeyville Community College – 1,848
15. Dodge City Community College – 1,785
16. Labette Community College – 1,574
17. Pratt Community College – 1,541
18. Colby Community College – 1,311
19. Independence Community College – 1,031
– See more at: http://www.greatbendpost.com/2013/10/03/barton-grows-to-fourth-largest-of-19-kansas-community-colleges/#sthash.zuo510FY.dpuf