EUGENE, Ore. — Enrollment at Lane Community College is up significantly for the first time in more than a decade, according to figures shared at this week’s Board of Education meeting. Data reported at the fourth week of the term shows enrollment up by 7.4% compared to Winter Term 2022.
The college is also reporting a 5% year-to-year increase in continuing students and a 17% increase in returning students, those who return after 1-4 terms away. Meanwhile, new student enrollment has seen a remarkable 26% year-to-year increase.
"We are thrilled to see such a significant increase in enrollment," said Lane Community College President Stephanie Bulger. "This is a testament to the excellent education and support services we provide to our students. Our dedicated staff and faculty are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals, and this increase in enrollment is a reflection of that hard work."
The full-time equivalent student measurement (FTE), used to determine state funding, is up by 8.9% compared to one year ago. “We are hopeful these numbers are the start of an upward trend,” Bulger continued. “The pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time for all. At the College, it forced us to look at how we had been delivering education and ways to better serve students moving forward.”
Resources to ensure student success are a mainstay of the Lane Community College strategy. From early intervention regarding food and housing stability to affordability and access to student funding, LCC offers many options. In addition to already robust financial aid opportunities, including recent increases to the maximum federal Pell Grant, a wide variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships are available through the LCC Foundation. Lane has also been enhancing its support services for academic success by reaching out to students who are deemed at risk, increasing retention rates by more than 10% compared to historical averages. Additional supports for mental and physical health, tutoring, food, clothing, childcare and others are also in place.
Applications for Spring Term, which begins April 3, are now being accepted. Registration for classes begins February 13.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.