Sinclair Community College Begins 2023-2024 Academic Year with More Students and New Bachelor's Degrees

Sinclair Community College is beginning the 2023-2024 academic year on Monday, August 21, 2023, with an increase in enrollment over last fall and new degrees and certificates, including two new bachelor’s degrees.

Following a 12% increase in enrollment during Sinclair’s summer term, overall enrollment for the fall term at Sinclair Community College is up over 3% compared to last year. On average, Sinclair serves more than 18,000 students each fall term. Other positive enrollment trends at Sinclair Community College include:

Enrollment among new students, those attending Sinclair for the first time, is up more than 15% over Fall Term 2022, exceeding national benchmarks on enrollment increases.

Among new students, those who are “First Generation,” the first in their family to attend college, are seeing growth of nearly 30% over last fall.

The College is also seeing a return of “former students,” those who were previously enrolled at Sinclair but stopped attending for at least two years. The number of returning students is up 5% over last year.

Adult learners over the age of 25, who comprise a considerable share of Sinclair’s enrollment, are also trending up (6%) for the first time in several years. During the pandemic, the adult learning segment declined by double-digits as students left school to tend to their families or entered the workforce.

Sinclair Community College is also seeing a nearly 10% increase over last fall in the number of students wanting face-to-face courses. While more students are returning to campus, online courses remain popular with over 60% of students taking at least one online course this fall.

“Sinclair Community College is excited to see positive enrollment figures and students returning to campus. The COVID-19 global pandemic was an uncertain and scary time, but we are seeing recovery,” said Dr. Scott Markland, Senior Vice President of Student Development – Sinclair Community College. “The pandemic hit most schools very hard, Sinclair included, but we listened to what students and community partners want and need, and we established new programs and strengthened existing support services to meet those needs.”

Many academic programs are seeing enrollment boosts. Programs including Agricultural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Theater and Dance, Energy Management, and Electronic Engineering Technology have nearly doubled their enrollment since last fall term.

Dozens of other academic programs are seeing double-digit growth as students take advantage of the college’s robust scholarship portfolio. A variety of scholarships are available for students pursuing technical and professional programs that lead to in-demand jobs.

Sinclair Community College is introducing 14 new degrees and certificates for the 2023-2024 academic year that will prepare students quickly and for less money to meet the needs of employers in the region.

New Sinclair College Degrees and Certificates – Academic Year 2023-2024:

Bachelor’s Degrees:

Integrated Systems Technician – Bachelor of Applied Science
Nursing – Bachelor of Applied Science

Associate Degrees:

Community and Public Service
Correctional Rehabilitation
Culinary Entrepreneurship
Electrical Construction Management
Horticulture Technician
Manufacturing Technology
Math Education

Certificates:

Deaf Studies
Digital Thread Engineering Technology
Micro-Electronics Technician
Post Associate for Engineering University Transfer
Sports Nutrition Specialist

“Sinclair Community College has worked incredibly hard to revamp our enrollment processes over the past year. The College launched a new admissions application in early 2023 and has enhanced the student onboarding process to better guide students as they start classes,” added Dr. Korrin Ziswiler, Director of Admissions and Marketing. “August is a very busy time as we serve thousands of students who come through our doors or call our main phone line in the weeks before classes start. Sinclair staff members have worked tirelessly to ensure students are prepared for college and career success.”

Sinclair Community College has several business units in areas such as College Credit Plus and the prison education program that are still processing students. Sinclair Community College will release additional information comparing enrollment to previous years as it becomes available.

For details on Sinclair Community College’s academic offerings and student services, visit: Sinclair.edu

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