NWACC reports 4% enrollment increase

NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville reported a 4.1% enrollment increase this semester with 8,649 students. The unofficial number was taken on the 11th day of classes. The college reported an increase of 203 in the number of new freshmen attending college and 315 more students in the distance learning program compared to a year ago.

The college reports 1,805 freshmen and 4,092 students enrolled in distance learning courses this fall semester. This 11th-day enrollment number reflects students who are taking courses for college credit. In addition to credit enrollment, the college also serves approximately 4,000 additional learners through workforce development, adult education and other non-credit programs.

“I’m extremely pleased to see how the hard work of our team has allowed us to grow our enrollment,” Dr. Todd Kitchen, vice president of student services, said in a statement. “In just under two years, our executive director of enrollment management, Justin White, and his team have helped us implement a few changes that have yielded great results … We are also extremely grateful for a college community that continues to serve and support our recruiting and retention efforts. I think it is important to emphasize the positive numbers are the result of lots of teamwork from our faculty and staff at both our Benton County and Washington County locations.”

NWACC said the 8,649 figure is still a preliminary number. The official 11th-day enrollment number provided to the state Department of Higher Education in mid-October will be somewhat lower because that official figure will not include students who may be auditing a course or who are enrolled in “late start” classes that begin after the traditional 16-week term kicks off.