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More people enrolling at CCC

During tough economic times, community colleges often experience an increase in enrollment. For 2009, this trend appears to be playing out on campuses across the country including Coconino Community College.

At the end of the first day of the spring semester, CCC's enrollment was up more than 4 percent compared to a year ago.

One reason why CCC and other community colleges are so popular is because they are the place for job training of today's workforce. At a time when the unemployment rate is higher than it's been in more than a decade, workers are looking to modernize their skills or retool for a whole new career.

"We believe we are seeing the impact of the economy. People recognize that getting new skills and academic credentials will help them survive tough times and reach for a higher standard of living," said CCC Vice President of Student Affairs David Minger. "In addition, more and more people understand that not taking advantage of higher education is a risk. Today in Arizona, people without college degrees are twice as likely to be unemployed."

There's another reason community college enrollment is on the rise. Education pays. Arizona Department of Economic Security records show that CCC graduates with an associate's degree earn an average of $17.20 per hour while the average person in Coconino County earns $9.34 an hour. That translates to about $15,000 more a year.

In addition, according to CCC Institutional Research Director Stephen Chambers, those who seek education beyond an associate's degree can expect to earn $3,000 a year more with a bachelor's degree.

"That's what makes our new program, CCC2NAU, so appealing," he said. "It offers a seamless transition to Northern Arizona University and a support staff that advises and encourages students on their individual educational journeys toward their bachelor's degrees."

CCC officials say the institution is about and for the community. And with more than 47 percent of the nation's college students over the age of 25, there really isn't a typical college student anymore.

"We work with students who range from high school to senior citizen; from first-time college goers to people who already have graduate degrees, and getting a community college degree on top of a university degree can be a great strategy," said Minger. "As a student once said upon getting a good job in technology, 'The bachelor's degree got me the interview, but the associate's degree in the technical field got me the job.' That is perhaps another way of recognizing that employers today need both thinkers who can work, and workers who can think."


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