NPC’s Fall Enrollment Is Up For Fourth Straight Semester

“We were a little uncertain how the increased summer enrollment, the elimination of a printed class schedule and not running a couple of programs would impact fall enrollment,” Mark Vest, vice president for Learning and Student Services, told members of the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board during their regular meeting Nov. 17 in Holbrook. “Enrollment of adult students actually increased 5.6 percent. Our headcount for the fall semester is up to 3,354, a 4.3 percent increase, and we’re seeing more full-time students, who tend to be completers and graduate in two or three years.

“After several years of decline, we’re seeing a climb in general education course enrollment, in part due to an increase in the number of high school graduates finishing certificates and degrees, and the scholarship opportunities implemented by the board,” Vest said.

General education courses include English, mathematics and social and behavioral sciences required for most college degrees. The scholarship opportunities include College Bound, where tuition is waived for up to 28 general education credits for high school students, and Fast Track, which covers summer tuition for recent high school graduates.

Enrollment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs showed a smaller increase, due to an over six percent decline in Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) enrollment caused by substantial cuts in state funding for high school CTE programs.

Of the seven community college districts already submitting fall enrollment figures, NPC is the only one reporting an increase.

“As we have noted in the past, NPC tends to be a leading indicator of state community college enrollment,” continued Vest. “We declined before the others after the housing market crash and have started our recovery. This is the fourth semester we’ve recorded an increase, while other community colleges in the state continue to lose students.”

Two maintenance projects at the Northeast Arizona Training Center (Jake Flake Emergency Services Institute) in Taylor were authorized by the board, which serves as the fiduciary agent for state funds allocated to make capital improvements at the center. A new roof will be installed over the main classroom building, and new heating and cooling equipment will be installed.

NPC has assumed control and management of the training center. The two maintenance projects are expected to extend the life of the classroom building by at least 10 years and improve the learning environment for students. The projects will exhaust the state’s allocation for the center, and future capital and maintenance projects will be part of the college’s budget.

The board also approved the appointment of David Huish, NPC’s Facilities and Transportation director, to serve on the NATC board.

“Given that capital improvement projects are the current highest priority at the facility, Mr. Huish’s expertise in construction and facility management will allow the board to make informed and clear decisions regarding future needs at the facility,” noted Vest, who serves as the NATC board chair. CTE Dean Peggy Belknap is the third NATC board member.

The board approved a memorandum of agreement with the Hopi Tribal Housing Authority to provide construction training. At the October meeting, the board had approved a contract for the training, but federal regulatory language necessitated the agreement instead.

Assumptions for developing the 2016-17 budget were reviewed by Maderia Ellison, who is serving as interim vice president for Administrative Services. Budgets will be linked to the strategic and departmental operational plans.

Board members expressed concerns over state cuts in funding for Joint Technology Educational Districts, including NAVIT, that have resulted in a six percent drop in CTE program enrollment. Matt Weber, NAVIT superintendent, said efforts to reverse the funding cut legislation are ongoing, with the hope a special session in January will reverse the nearly $1.5 million cut to local school districts.

The board will be asked to formally adopt the budget assumptions Dec. 15.

A summary of the Equitable Access to Gainful Learning Experiences (Project EAGLE) grant showed an eight percent growth in student use of technology during the five-year grant that ended Sept. 30. One of the four key components of the project was to increase bandwidth, which NPC did. “Usage appears to have immediately increased to fill the larger capacity,” noted PJ Way, Information Services director. “During the life of the grant we also noticed a shift in demand for our technological devices, as students started bringing their own tablets, iPads and smartphones.”

Another key component was the addition of model, or multimedia, classrooms at all nine campus and center locations, and the ability to link additional classrooms using Smartboard technology. Faculty members are now using more technology in their instruction as a result of the Project EAGLE grant, added Way. Sustainability after the grant ends and building in contingencies due to personnel changes are vital on grant-funded projects, concluded Way.

NPC was recently awarded a new Title III grant that will add classroom links to local high schools to allow dual enrollment instruction by NPC professors.

Board members joined in recognizing Barbara “Bobbi” Frawley, who retired after 23 years as an administrative assistant to the Nursing department, and Disability Resource and Access office.

Frawley expressed her thankfulness for her job at NPC that gave her the flexibility to attend her kids and grandchildren’s school activities. Her husband, Bob, children and grandchildren were on hand for the presentation of a crystal eagle by DRA coordinator Sandy Manor.

New Human Resources Director James Bowers was introduced during the monthly report to the board. Bowers was previously with the Maricopa County Community College District.

Other new hire during the past month was Merlene Foshee, an NPC graduate, as a small business analyst and training specialist.

The next regular scheduled meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the Tiponi Community Center on the Holbrook-Painted Desert Campus, 2251 E. Navajo Blvd. Copies of the agenda are posted online at least 24 hours in advance at www.npc.edu/about-npc/public-notices/dgb-meeting-agendaminutesrecordings.