On September 27, 2023, the Kansas Board of Regents released Fall 2023 census day figures for higher education student enrollment throughout the state. According to their report, JCCC credit student enrollment is up 3.8% from last year, with a final enrollment of 17,134 students — which includes an increase of 4.1% in full-time equivalent students. 

Fall enrollment numbers continue to rise

JCCC Executive Vice President and Provost Michael McCloud, Ph.D., states, “Trustees, faculty and student support staff are encouraged by the growth in enrollment in both our on-campus courses and with our online students.” 

The official count reflects enrollment as of September 18, 2023, the 20th day of the fall semester. Yet JCCC enrollment numbers have continued to increase in the days since. 

“Enrollment isn’t over for us this semester. Students are still enrolling in the nearly 250 late-start course offerings that begin on or after October 1,” Dr. McCloud explains. 

Meeting community training needs

In addition to higher enrollment numbers for students earning college credit, JCCC continues to fulfill the growing need for workforce development and continuing education through our Workforce Development and Continuing Education (CE) courses, which help students gain skills and certifications, but don’t earn college credits.  

According to Elisa Waldman, JCCC Vice President of Workforce Development & Continuing Education, JCCC has seen enrollment increases for WDCE courses, but those students are not included in the data released by the Board of Regents. Continuing Education summer 2023 enrollment was 3,844 students, which exceeds enrollment for the same time in 2021 and 2022. 

“Workforce Development and Continuing Education offers continuous fall enrollment,” Waldman adds, “and current enrollment numbers are already surpassing total enrollment for both Fall 2021 and 2022.”  

The WDCE team develops and offers thousands of workforce development courses throughout the year, and delivers customized training options to businesses throughout the region. Through WDCE, the College provides courses aimed at training adults to work in local industries with a consistently growing demand, including advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance, computer applications and IT, and commercial truck driving (CDL).  

Workforce training funds are available

Johnson County residents who are unemployed or underemployed can reach out to JCCC’s WDCE team to find out if they qualify for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. These funds cover the cost of noncredit, WDCE workforce training courses for qualified residents through June 2024.