Valencia Keeps Quality High in Tight Economy

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series titled “The State of Community Colleges Today.” The series was created by Sarah Evans, director of communications at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois.

The global recession has strained academic budgets, so public universities are capping enrollment, sending thousands of students through the doors of open-enrollment community colleges.

Student credits are exploding at Valencia Community College in central Florida. After growing 11 percent in 2008, full-time equivalency enrollment is up another 12 percent in Spring 2009, pushing enrollment close to 34,680.

“The recent spike in enrollment at Valencia is largely affected by economic factors, the increased interest in education is a testament to the American spirit,” Valencia President Sandy Shugart said. “In times of trouble we turn inward and look to improve; retool ourselves to ensure we are better prepared for the marketplace that emerges on the other side.”

Enrollment is up across the board at Valencia. The growth has been steady across gender, ethnicity and degree status. Although the greatest growth has been among Hispanic students, the growth is proportionate to the demographic in the local service area.

More students, less funding

As more students walk through the front door, however, fewer dollars from the state are accompanying them. Community colleges have no choice but to do less with more as their four-year public counterparts turn students away with caps or increased admission standards.

In the last two years the state of Florida, like many states, has cut funding to all of the community colleges and universities, school officials said. For the first time in the school’s history, students’ tuition and fees will cover more costs than state funding in 2008-09.

Despite the funding challenge, Valencia officials remain committed to providing a quality education and helping students achieve their goals.

“For current students, the idea of investing in self is a cornerstone of their decision to come to college in the first place,” said Christian Campagnuolo, vice president of marketing and media relations at Valencia.

“Students approach college with the existing desire to make themselves better equipped for a changing world,” Campagnuolo added. “We simply help them fulfill that goal, by providing an accessible educational option that suits their needs.”

Meeting the challenges

Economic restraints create two challenges for Valencia. The school must provide instructors, advisors, classroom space, and support services while at the same time maintaining the open access that officials have made a central part of the school’s strategic plan.

School officials said that retention is another current challenge.

It is commonly believed that community college students have more out-of-school obligations, which pull them away from school, officials said.

“Fifty-five percent of Valencia’s student population is part-time, meaning that they have full-time jobs, and families to manage outside of school,” Jeff Cornett, director of institutional research at Valencia, said. “These added life-stage responsibilities increase the chances of a student dropping or stopping out.”

Debunking the myths

The enrollment numbers show clearly that business is good for Valencia. However, school officials are constantly working on marketing and improving the school’s image.

Officials want students to know that community college is more than the 13th grade, and a high quality education is available at Valencia.

School administrators also work to ensure that transferring to a four-year-school is not too complicated.

And perhaps most importantly during tough economic times, financial aid is available at community colleges.

What Valencia wants you to know

1. Value – We offer a high-quality education, with smaller classrooms and state-of-the-art technology for a 1/3 of the price of most four-year institutions.
2. Convenience – We offer a multitude of degrees and certificates with a variety of delivery methods, so you can learn what you want, where you want and when you want.
3. Transferability – Depending on the degree you earn you can either transfer easily to a better job in the workplace or four-year institution.
4. Success – No matter how you come to us, you will be more successful in life when you leave.

Valencia Community College operates seven campuses around the Orlando, Florida, metro area. The college was founded in 1967.

Community colleges today

There were 11.5 million students enrolled in 1,195 community colleges in January 2008, according to the American Association of Community Colleges. Of these students, 41 percent were enrolled full-time, and 77 percent held full-time jobs. Compared to their counterparts, two-year schools represent a bargain. Annual tuition and fees at public community colleges average $2,361, which is less than 39 percent of the $6,185 cost of the average public four-year school.

Photo credit: Photographs, advertising images courtesy of Valencia Community College, Orlando, Fla.

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