Midland College student enrollment eclipses 6K, ‘largest surge since 2011’

Midland College reported a preliminary enrollment of 6,059 students for the 2024 fall semester, marking the college’s highest enrollment figure since 2011.

MC said the figures also marked an over 15 percent increase in enrollment and noted the second Fall term is still to register.

In fall 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic, MC reported an enrollment of 4,763 students, a number that climbed the following year by 8.83 percent to 5,184 students.

MC President Dr. Damon Kennedy noted the school had “set a target to reach 6,000 students this fall.”

“We anticipate even greater enrollment by Fall 2025, thanks to our new initiatives, including offering free dual credit for all high school students and expanding our course offerings in critical fields such as energy technology, natural gas compression, and behavioral health,” Dr. Kennedy said.

MC has enjoyed steadily increasing enrollment despite challenges facing many colleges across the nation, such as FASFA delays, according to Michael Dixon, Midland College Provost.

“Midland College has done the hard work to ensure students have opportunities,” Dixon said. “One of the primary measures impacting the enrollment growth is the local financial support for students – over the next academic year, the college will award almost $2 million in scholarships.  Additionally, the college will continue to introduce new programs designed to eliminate financial barriers. These initiatives align with MC’s strategic pillars of Access and Student Success, underscoring the college’s firm commitment to supporting its students.”

Joseph Granado, VP of Student Services at Midland College, attributes the latest enrollment achievement to the efforts of staff and faculty.

“We are incredibly proud to have surpassed our enrollment goal across all programs, including dual credit, transfer, and technical training,” Granado said. “We are excited to share this accomplishment with our community, and we will continue to work diligently to meet our community’s educational needs and goals.”