ECTC enrollment down slightly for fall

The rapid uptick in student numbers at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has come to an end after enrollment peaked in 2010.

Jill Pickett

Students listen during a class Wednesday at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

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Jill Pickett

Students walk Wednesday across the Elizabethtown campus of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

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Jill Pickett

Students conduct a chemistry lab Wednesday at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

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Fall enrollment at ECTC came in at 7,616 students, according to unofficial numbers, which is a slight decrease from the enrollment figures of recent years. College officials believe a recovering economy is playing a part in moving students out of the classroom and into the workforce.

There are approximately 200 fewer students enrolled than last fall, ECTC President/CEO Thelma White said. In the past, the college has seen a large number of laid-off workers who decided to attend school to assist in their job searches. Now many of them have graduated and are working.

Many companies are hiring in Hardin County and White sees that as impacting ECTC’s numbers.

“I think that certainly has a lot to do with where we are,” she said.

White said this could be the point at which enrollment levels off and stabilizes.

Despite the slight drop-off, White said general general education courses still are full because all students are required to take them. The college still is in need of faculty in those areas, she said.

“We always need faculty members. I’m not going to say we don’t,” she said.

The college plans to increase availability of general education courses such as English and math, White said. She expects enrollment to increase again in the future because officials plan to focus on getting financial aid for students in place early in the spring and summer so it doesn’t become an obstacle to enrollment in the fall.

ECTC FALL ENROLLMENT AT A GLANCE

20075,515

2008     5,762

2009     6,915

2010     7,890

2011     7,820

2012     7,616

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.