Spring returns with more life for LCC’s campus

While summer enrollment was down at Lower Columbia College and fall numbers were flat versus the year before, winter and spring have seen a turnaround of sorts, bringing improved numbers of students to LCC. As of the end of March, overall enrollment was up 3 percent for the current year, with winter enrollment up nearly 8 percent and spring numbers up 4 percent versus the prior year.

There also appears to be renewed energy and renewed engagement on the campus. The LCC Learning Commons (formerly known as the library) is bustling with student activity (including studying). On campus services have returned, including the bookstore, cafeteria, testing, tutoring and fitness center, student activities, live music, art, speech and debate, and drama events have returned to the campus, and the renting of the LCC campus space is way up. Renovations have been made in our admissions building to increase student flow.

Students have returned to study on the campus, both formally, in the classroom, and informally, in the many study spaces available within the campus confines. Lower Columbia College has brought back campus tours for international students, high schoolers and middle schoolers. The high school and middle school Science Olympiad was held live at Lower Columbia College for the first time in three years. High school music competitions also returned.

Meanwhile our amazing facilities, grounds and custodial staff have continuously maintained the campus look and feel. I am thankful for their hard work in making our LCC campus a very special environment in which to work, teach and study.

Lower Columbia College will continue to make significant improvements to its facilities and spaces as we move forward. Feel free to “come take a look” at your next opportunity.

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent