Both the Lancaster and Gettysburg Campuses have higher enrollment this spring than the fall 2002 semester. For spring enrollment to be higher than a fall semester enrollment is unprecedented at HACC, and uncommon at most colleges and universities.
"There are many factors that are contributing to our phenomenal growth," observes Dr. Edna Baehre, HACC president. "Not to overlook economic factors, which of course drives many people back to college to upgrade their skills and HACC is an affordable choice, but some of the services and improved facilities put in place are major factors as well.
With (the students) ability to gather much of their enrollment information on HACC's Website, and then place textbook orders online, we can provide better service to more students to get them started. As the semester progresses, we offer more tutoring help if the students need it, we've just finished an upgrade to our child care facilities at the Wildwood Campus, and continue making a concentrated effort to help students succeed once they are here."
HACC's burgeoning enrollment is also due to expansion at the Lancaster and Gettysburg Campuses. The Lancaster Campus, which opened a new facility on Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster in fall 2001, has grown considerably with 2,712 students, 26% more than last spring.
"Faculty and staff have worked very hard in every facet of our operation," remarks Dr. Mike Klunk, dean of the Lancaster Campus, "We're here to help HACC students succeed and become a vibrant part of the growth for Lancaster County. The Lancaster Community has certainly demonstrated support for the campus by enrolling record numbers. Our next step is looking at expansion plans; we're in the talking stages of possible options."
A renovation and expansion project last summer at the Gettysburg Campus created a Libarary/Learning Resource Center and additional spaces for students to study and socialize. The new Gettysburg Hospital Health Care Learning Center at the Gettysburg Campus has brought students into HACC's nursing program. Now students can complete an associate degree in nursing in Gettysburg.
This spring the Gettysburg Campus has 1,088 students attending, an increase of nearly 24% from last spring.
The Lebanon Campus also has a record number of students this semester at 941, an increase of 11.1% compared to spring 2002.