Pre-registration up for the fall term at Black River Technical College

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 660 views 

Black River Technical College (BRTC) had a 17% drop in its spring enrollment numbers, but pre-registration numbers for the fall term are up dramatically when compared to May of 2022, Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Smith recently told the BRTC Board of Trustees.

Smith said enrollment is up 10.6% as compared to this time last year. The Student Affairs recruitment team took the initiative to travel to local high schools and help seniors enroll or apply and 102 high school seniors have applied at the school.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Karen Liebhaber said that the BRTC enrollment tracker is up and running for faculty, staff, and the board to see enrollment movement in real time.

In other business, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine reported approximately 600 certificates and degrees were handed out at the BRTC commencement May 11.

Vice President Rhonda Stone reported the addition of Shannon Jacobson to the IT department and Kim Riddle to the finance department. She reported that different areas of the college have applied for grants, including a Delta Workforce Grant to update welding labs. She reported that the finance department is still working with insurance to cover the freezing damage that occurred in January, which caused approximately $75,000 in damage.

Stone also advised that The Armory at BRTC in Piggott is on schedule.

“Hytrol conveyor parts were delivered,” she said. “The team is getting ready to put those together and we anticipate welders. Other items needed to complete the site are expected to be delivered end of May, beginning of June.”

Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness Sissy Gray reported that the Higher Learning Commission has finished its review of accreditation and BRTC met all requirements with no exception.

Executive Director of Paragould Operations Priscilla Stillwell reported that the Paragould campus has seen many updates over the past few months in its welding and robotics labs.