Angelina College’s Technology and Workforce division experienced a dramatic increase in enrollment this fall. Enrollment increased by more than 34 percent, from 1,292 students enrolled in the fall 2014 semester to 1,732 this fall.
The division increased its efficiency by enrolling 427 more students, and offering three fewer course sections in programs with lower enrollment. The average student-instructor ratio is 15:1, still maintaining AC’s commitment to small class sizes.
The division also increased their contact hours by 32 percent, from 93,976 in the fall 2014 semester to 124,202 this fall. Dr. Gary Friery, associate dean of instruction in Technology and Workforce, said, “College funding is dependent, in part, by contact hours. This increase should result in increased funding for the 2017-2019 academic years.”
Friery said the much of the increase in enrollment is due to the extraordinary efforts of faculty to connect with area high schools. “Vicky Milstead and Chandra Cheshire, Child & Family Development instructors, visited 90 high schools. The Child and Family Development program experienced a 155 percent increase in enrollment.”
Enrollment also increased in the following programs: Electrical Technology, 124 percent; Computer Maintenance, 244 percent; Welding, 57 percent; and Diesel Technology, 44 percent. The Welding, HVAC, Automotive, and Diesel programs had to turn away students because all course sections reached capacity.
Other recruitment and retention efforts by faculty include visiting college and career nights at area high schools, special tours of the campus and a welding contest. The division has also expanded its course offerings at AC’s off-campus locations.
For more information about programs in the Technology and Workforce division, contact Dr. Gary Friery at gfriery@angelina.edu or (936) 633-5246.
