Agriculture Spurs Growth in Enrollment

By Janet Roehl

As ENMU approaches enrollment nearing 6,000 students, dual enrollment has contributed to this significant growth.

Dual enrollment is where high school students enroll in college courses, thereby earning both high school and college credits. Between 2008 and 2012, the number of students participating in dual enrollment tripled to more than 1,000 students in the fall.

Statewide, the largest number of courses taken for dual credit is in agriculture. Dr. “Boot” Chumbley directs the agriculture education program at ENMU.

“Dual enrollment has grown each semester thanks to Dr. Chumbely’s efforts to get to know each New Mexico ag teacher personally and to share with them what Eastern’s dual enrollment program has to offer their students,” says Ms. Kim Lutnesky, coordinator of dual enrollment and continuing education.

This semester alone, Dr. Chumbley contacted all 104 ag teachers in New Mexico and he now offers courses in over 40 percent of the high schools, reaching 700-800 students a semester.

“We have a presence all across the state, not just the Eastern side,” Dr. Chumbley says. “Since 2011 this program has grown 380 percent. This is due to our positive interactions with administrators, counselors, teachers and students across the state.”

Recently, Dr. Chumbley was awarded a federal grant to increase the quality and number of students who enter and graduate

with degrees in agricultures. The project focuses on dual enrollment opportunities. Fifty ag teachers across the state will be offered workshops to facilitate positive interactions with state education agencies and students.

“Dr. Chumbley’s efforts have not only grown the ag enrollment program, but have also helped us to grow some of our non-ag programs as well. For example, his efforts in Farmington opened the door for us to be able to offer some of our culinary arts courses on their campus as well,” Lutnesky notes. Family and consumer sciences is another area for possible expansion in dual enrollment.

Dual enrollment in ag courses supports New Mexico high schools, the agriculture community in the state and ENMU.