Posted By HR Partnership on August 27, 2009

According to reporter Lauren Wicks in the August 18th issue of theSuffolk News-Herald, major increases in student enrollment are being seen at Tidewater Community College.

“The growth has simply been phenomenal,” says College President Deborah DiCroce. “We are seeing just a virtual tsunami of individuals who are looking to us to help them navigate these raging waters of the economy to calmer seas.”

During her State of the College address at the school’s annual Convocation on Monday, August 17th, DiCroce announced that the school has experienced a double-digit enrollment increase for the upcoming fall semester, a 25% increase in enrollment, compared to this time last year.

There has been increased enrollments from students planning to transfer to four-year institutions, students preparing to enter the workforce and from veterans taking advantage of the new post 9-11 GI Bill.  “One reason is clearly the economy,” DiCroce said.

“More than 1,000 individuals enrolling are directly tied to the new GI bill,” DiCroce said. “That, I think, is a driver. That bill allows both the veteran to use the benefit or for the veteran to transfer the benefit to a dependent, whether that is a spouse or a child. We’re seeing that a lot.”

While she is excited about the growth, DiCroce said the increase will present new challenges for the school, especially in the wake of budget cuts. “We’re seeing increasing expectations on the part of the community, on the part of the region and on the part of business and industry for us to deliver. We’re committed to meeting that demand as best we can,” DiCroce said.

Photo credit: Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)

Categories: Economy, Education & Workforce, Military Bastion
Tags: Economy, Hampton Roads, Military Bastion, TCC