Sinclair Enrollment Continues Multiyear Climb, Reaches Highest Fall Term Level in 13 Years
Sinclair Community College is welcoming more than 20,400 students to classes this week, marking the college’s highest fall term enrollment since 2013. This continues a strong enrollment momentum trend across the institution.
The milestone follows Sinclair’s highest spring term enrollment in a decade, reflecting continued growth among several key student populations. This fall, Sinclair saw a 3% increase in continuing students, a 5% increase in College Credit Plus (CCP) students and a 9% increase in new adult learners. More than 600 students beginning at Sinclair for the first time this fall are age 25 or older, highlighting the important role Sinclair continues to play for adults seeking new skills or career advancement.
“Reaching our highest fall enrollment in 13 years is an exciting milestone, but what matters most is what happens after students arrive at Sinclair,” said Dr. Scott Markland, Senior Vice President of Student Development at Sinclair College. “Our focus is on helping every student identify the right academic and career path, successfully navigate college, and earn a credential that creates greater opportunity for themselves, their families and our community.”
The enrollment growth follows national recognition for Sinclair's student outcomes. Earlier this year, Sinclair was selected as a US Top 25 community college nationwide by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence. The recognition, which was out nearly 1,000 community colleges across the US, considered student outcomes including completion, workforce success, and transfer and bachelor's degree attainment.
Sinclair is strengthening the way new students begin their college experience. In May, Sinclair launched Orientation & Registration Days, a new onboarding experience designed to help new students move successfully from admission to the classroom. More than 2,600 new students participated in the sessions in preparation for the fall term.
During Orientation & Registration Days, students learn about resources to help pay for college, explore career services, become familiar with Sinclair technology and resources, and meet with advisors to explore majors and register for courses aligned with their academic and career goals. “We want students thinking about where their education can take them from the very beginning,” said Marquez Young, Director of Admissions. “Many of our students are the first in their families to go to college. We are working to make it as easy as possible to get enrolled, understand their options and take those next steps toward their future.”
The expanded onboarding experience is part of Sinclair’s ongoing work to strengthen the classroom-to-career pipeline and help students make informed decisions about their education and future.
Sinclair is expanding its academic offerings with four new programs launching this fall:
- Remote Sensing in the Built Environment - Certificate
- Critical Care Paramedic - Short-Term Certificate
- Public Administration - Short-Term Certificate
- Solar Energy Systems & Installation - Short-Term Certificate
The new programs reflect evolving workforce and community needs while providing students with additional opportunities to earn credentials in high-demand and emerging fields. The college also announced new workforce partnerships this year with SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) to advance aviation careers through the SNC-Sinclair Academy and the Dayton Home Builders Association to launch the Sinclair Dayton Construction Academy.
Sinclair is also seeing continued interest in its growing portfolio of applied bachelor’s degrees. Nearly 150 students are enrolled across five applied bachelor’s degree programs in Aviation Technology, Health Sciences, Nursing and Internet of Things.
“While employers are increasingly focused on skills, a bachelor’s degree remains an important credential for advancement in many fields,” said Melissa McCarthy, Director of Enrollment Strategy. “Students should have an affordable pathway to that opportunity. For some, that means completing one of Sinclair’s applied bachelor’s degrees. For others, it means starting here and transferring their credits toward a bachelor’s degree at one of our university partners.” Sinclair has partnerships with more than 30 colleges and universities to help students transfer Sinclair credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
Sinclair’s growing student population includes recent high school graduates, working adults, parents, students earning college credit while still in high school, and individuals returning to college to change or advance their careers. For many, succeeding in college depends on more than what happens in the classroom.
Sinclair offers resources designed to help students overcome barriers that can interrupt their education, including childcare support, library and study spaces that accommodate students with children, and the college’s Resiliency Center, which connects students with resources to address basic needs and unexpected challenges.
“Students bring their whole lives with them when they come to college,” said Dr. Lorrie Spivey, Director of Student Affairs. “A childcare issue, an unexpected expense or another challenge outside the classroom should not have to mean the end of a student’s education. Our responsibility is to provide an excellent education while also helping students navigate the barriers that can stand between them and completion.”
More than 20,400 students are beginning classes with Sinclair this fall at locations in Dayton, Centerville and Mason and through Sinclair Online. While full-term classes are underway, students still have opportunities to begin their Sinclair education this fall.
Registration remains open for 12-week courses through September 16 and for eight-week B-Term courses through October 14.
Interested students and their families are invited to attend Sinclair’s Fall Visit Day on Saturday, October 31. Visitors can explore academic programs, learn about financial aid and student resources, tour campus, meet members of the Sinclair community and enter for a chance to receive a scholarship toward spring-term enrollment.
For more information about Sinclair Community College, visit www.sinclair.edu.
2029-12-28 23:59:00.0