CENTRE — Rising unemployment in Cherokee and surrounding counties has resulted in an increased number of students taking classes at the Gadsden State Community College campus in Centre. Enrollment is up 44 percent over this time a year ago.

“We're excited about where we are with our enrollment,” said Assistant to the President Martha Lavender, who has been in charge of operations in Centre since June 2008. “We have 368 students enrolled in one or more classes this fall.”

Lavender said another reason for the increase is the additional courses the college has added over the past year.

“We've had a couple of things to happen here that have advanced the college that we believe has made a difference,” she said. “We are now offering speech, a course that is in high demand, and our biology program has expanded to include microbiology.”

Lavender said the courses are necessary, both for students interested in a registered nursing degree and other transfer programs. She said the college's science laboratories were already state-of-the-art and prepared to handle the more advanced class.

Lavender said the student breakdown gets close scrutiny every semester, and most students this fall are from addresses in Cherokee County. She said the percentage dropped slightly during the summer as students from surrounding counties chose the Centre campus. The numbers ticked back up this fall.

“That tells me the students here realize we can meet their needs for entry-level college courses,” she said. “Many are interested in pursuing an associate degree, but they can also get their general study courses here.”

Lavender said even students interested in transferring to a four-year college can get their general study courses out of the way at Gadsden State-Cherokee.

“I think that's been good news for them because they have been able to save time, save gas, and thus they've been able to save some money,” she said.
Unlike most four-year colleges in Alabama, tuition costs at post-secondary schools have remained the same for 2009.

“I think another reason for the increase in enrollment is that all the community colleges across the state kept their tuition at a flat rate, so the cost was still $90 per credit hour,” Lavender said. “It's been an affordable option for them.”

On Thursday, the Alabama Board of Education voted to increase tuition at the state's community colleges by 27 percent to make up for revenue lost by over $90 million in budget cuts over the past two years. As a result, cost per credit hour we be around $104 for the spring 2010 semester.

Lavender is excited about the licensed practical nursing (PN) program at Gadsden State-Cherokee, which graduated its first class from the one-year curriculum in August. She said last year's class of 26 students has grown to 43.

“We have 33 LPN students and 10 registered nurse students,” said Kelli Davis, an instructor in the Gadsden State-Cherokee nursing program. “After graduating from the PN program, graduates can work in nursing homes, in hospitals, with home health, in physician's offices. They can basically do anything.”

Lavender added that any graduate from the PN program is eligible for the school's mobility program, which allows LPNs to advance to the registered nurse program.

“It's a pathway which allows them to advance their career,” Lavender said. “And many of the students will opt to do that because of the additional opportunities it can provide.”

Lavender said Gadsden State is constantly exploring additional educational opportunities. She said students have already inquired about programs in welding, electricity, and other technical programs.

“While no decisions have been made, that is something President Darryl Harrison and the deans are looking at very carefully,” she said.

Lavender said the adult education program, which moved into the facility last October, has also seen enrollment thrive recently.

“The program is for anyone over 17 who did not complete a high school degree,” she explained. “It gives them the opportunity to come back, re-tool, and get whatever adult education classes they need to get their graduation equivalency diploma.”

She said the program is a great pathway for students because the community college offers a three-hour tuition scholarship for anyone who makes the grade on the GED.

“If they've been here already, and been successful, they get their first college course paid for by the college,” she said. “That can help them get started on their way through the post-secondary system.”