Enrollment down at Pierce

Eleven classes added to schedule

Enrollment is down five percent this semester compared to the spring of 2015, which has led to the addition of nine 10week online classes that will begin on March 14, according to Sheri Berger, vice president of Academic Affairs.

The college receives revenue from the state board based on the amount of students enrolled full-time. Enrollment is at 96 percent, according to Doreen Clay, public relations manager for Pierce College. Pierce is the second largest school in the district and the target number in the district is 100 percent, according to Berger.

Berger says the improved economy may be a reason for the five percent reduction in enrollment this semester.

“This softening in enrollment could be due to the change in the economy,” Berger said. “When the economy wasn’t doing well enough, many working-class citizens decided to go back to school to get more training to be more appealing in the job market.”

Pierce College added 11 classes that start on March 14 to raise the numbers. Pierce College is optimistic about the active strategy to increase enrollment to advertise and promote the college with TV commercials.

“From my perspective, advertising is a key component to reaching out to potential students in our community, to alert and inform them about our class offerings and opportunities,”

Clay said. “My plan is to always keep a steady momentum of advertising going to support the college in both the good and bad economic times.”

Jose Alvarado, 18, said he would consider taking the online 10-week course.

“If they had the classes I need, I would add them so it won’t last long and I could finish faster.”

April Reed picks up her son at the Child Development Center on Thursday, Feb. 25. Reed says she has some reservation with photography inside the CDC if cell phones are used because photos could end up on social media.