COCC sees enrollment growth ahead of Fall semester

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College is seeing a 5.8% increase in enrollment, totaling approximately 4,167 students — including 3,389 who are credit-seeking. The number of full-time, credit-seeking students has risen by about 3%, reaching 1,095.

“Since our admissions deadline isn’t until this Friday, Sept. 12, we’re anticipating more than 6,200 credit and noncredit students to be enrolled, with some 4,300 of those being credit-seeking,” said Tyler Hayes, COCC’s dean of enrollment management and registrar.

According to the College, new training opportunities are helping to drive growth, including added cohorts in health care and expanded manufacturing courses. COCC is also introducing a new associate degree program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution.

“Our full-time numbers at the Madras campus, where the campus build-out is bringing health care and education career training, has grown by more than two-thirds,” Hayes said. The new Madras campus facility is expected to be fully operational by winter term.

Hayes attributes part of the increase to COCC’s continued focus on student support systems. The COCC Foundation is offering a record $2 million in scholarships to about 400 students this year. In addition, recent grant funding from the Roundhouse Foundation and the Oregon Community Foundation is helping meet student needs. That includes $6,000 for food banks at the Prineville and Madras campuses and $10,000 in scholarships specifically for Latinx high school students.