GCC Enrollment Could Rise
By 6% Or More During Fall
July 28, 2009 Contacts for Media Representatives:
Jerry Porter
jerry.porter@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3605
Patricia Rhodes Vogel
pr.vogel@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3014
Preliminary estimates show Glendale Community College (GCC) could realize an overall increase of 6 percent or more in full-time student-equivalent (FTSE) enrollment when fall classes begin in August, said Mary Blackwell, GCC's dean of Enrollment Services. FTSE equates to one student enrolled for 15 credit hours.
GCC operates its main campus at 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, and the GCC North campus at 5727 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix. In addition, GCC classes will be offered for the first time this fall at the Communiversity @ Surprise, 15950 W. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise. At all locations, weekend classes begin Saturday, Aug. 22, while weekday and evening courses start the week of Monday, Aug. 24.
"There is a modest upward trend in enrollment at the main campus and significant growth at the North campus," Blackwell said. A month prior to the start of classes, she stated preliminary indications point to a 3-percent increase at the main campus, which had a FTSE enrollment of more than 5,900 students in the fall 2008 semester, and a 43-percent rise at the GCCN campus, where FTSE enrollment totaled more than 575 students during the same period last year.
Blackwell emphasized, however, the college does not finalize its enrollment numbers until the 45th day after the start of each semester, which allows for adjustments in schedule changes and student withdrawals.
Because of the enrollment increase, Blackwell said GCC is encouraging new and returning students to complete registration promptly so they can secure their enrollment in classes that fill quickly while maximizing convenience for their individual schedules.
Early registration also is encouraged in order to complete required placement tests for English, mathematics and reading courses.
The opening of the Communiversity @ Surprise is helping to extend GCC course offerings to residents of the Northwest Valley. This first-of-its-kind educational venture in the western United States is a collaboration of six institutions presenting educational opportunities within a multi-college environment. GCC is partnering in this effort with two other Maricopa Community Colleges – Rio Salado and Phoenix – and two four-year institutions – Ottawa University and the University of the Incarnate Word – plus the technical school West-MEC.
In addition to courses in GCC degree programs and certificates, GCC serves as a conduit for liberal-arts and prerequisite classes that most students will require regardless of their educational program at the Communiversity @ Surprise.
For specific course descriptions, class schedules, space availability in classes and on-line registration, visit http://My.maricopa.edu and click on "Find a Class" along the top of the page. Along the left side of the screen, check the desired college and Fall 2009. For classes at the Communiversity at Surprise, type "Surprise" in the Key Words/Course Number box. Please note class offerings vary by location.
Additional enrollment information is available by calling the GCC Enrollment Center at 623.845.3333.
