Preliminary Data Show Bergen Community College Enrollment Rises Again
By Mel Fabrikant Monday, September 13, 2010, 10:50 AM EDT
Big Gains at Meadowlands Facility, in Online Courses and Returning Students
Bergen Community College, the state’s largest community college, opened its fall semester this week with increased overall enrollment driven by growth at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands, in distance learning offerings and from returning students continuing their studies at the institution. The College, which maintains academic facilities in Paramus, Hackensack and Lyndhurst, has enrolled more than 17,000 students in credit courses so far. Bergen enrolled 16,469 students in fall 2009. Final data on fall 2010 enrollment will be released in October
Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, Bergen’s president, said the College’s diverse offerings, flexible schedules, affordable tuition and investments in infrastructure and technology have helped sustain the institution’s growth. “Bergen Community College is the regional leader in serving students at all levels of learning,” Dr. Ryan said. “Data showing increased enrollment indicates that Bergen is a college of choice for students seeking a quality and affordable education.” Preliminary data indicates enrollment at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands, 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, rose 58.6% from 2009 and students enrolled in online courses increased 12.4% from last year.
The Meadowlands facility remains a key component of the College’s future growth. The College purchased the facility for $20.5 million this spring in conjunction with the Bergen County Improvement Authority in order to serve southern Bergen County residents. The $20.5 million investment included $7.5 million for renovations to the five-story building.
Recent renovations have added new classrooms, an expanded cafeteria and a stairwell to the building to accommodate the facility’s influx of students and to prepare for the future. The facility will eventually serve as a “branch campus,” meaning students can complete their entire degree on-site without having to visit another location for class or services. The College has also positioned the site as a hub for continuing education and economic development initiatives by offering workshops and courses for jobseekers and assistance to area businesses seeking to train employees or develop new programs.
Meadowlands enrollment for fall 2010 may rise further before classes begin there October 4 – giving students an additional three weeks to register for classes.
Bergen will officially dedicate the facility October 15.
Distance Learning
Regarding distance learning, the College has invested resources into what has become a growing area in higher education worldwide. More than 11,000 college degree programs can be completed exclusively through distance learning, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Bergen now offers 18 full degree programs and more than 200 courses online. A 16.3% increase in students who registered for classes via the Bergen website is another indication that students are utilizing online resources in greater numbers.
“Growth at the Meadowlands facility and in distance learning reflects the College’s efforts to meet the needs of our communities,” Dr. Ryan said. “Whether it means establishing a permanent facility in a traditionally underserved area such as southern Bergen County, or adding cutting-edge programs, Bergen continually evaluates its resources."
Another area of growth is students returning to Bergen to continue their degree program on a full-time basis. This segment of students increased 8.3%.
“A rise in full-time, returning students speaks to a few variables, including drawing a greater number of ‘traditional’ college-aged students who are choosing to attend Bergen before they transfer to a four-year school,” Dr. Ryan said. “This increase also speaks to increased retention, which means the College is doing a good job of starting students on a path for success – and keeping them on it.”
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
CAPTION: (Dr. Ryan Greets) Bergen President, Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, greets students on first day of fall semester.
CAPTION: (Be Exceptional 1st Day) Students entering Pitkin Education Center on first day of classes at Bergen Community College.
Bergen Community College, the state’s largest community college, opened its fall semester this week with increased overall enrollment driven by growth at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands, in distance learning offerings and from returning students continuing their studies at the institution. The College, which maintains academic facilities in Paramus, Hackensack and Lyndhurst, has enrolled more than 17,000 students in credit courses so far. Bergen enrolled 16,469 students in fall 2009. Final data on fall 2010 enrollment will be released in October
Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, Bergen’s president, said the College’s diverse offerings, flexible schedules, affordable tuition and investments in infrastructure and technology have helped sustain the institution’s growth. “Bergen Community College is the regional leader in serving students at all levels of learning,” Dr. Ryan said. “Data showing increased enrollment indicates that Bergen is a college of choice for students seeking a quality and affordable education.” Preliminary data indicates enrollment at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands, 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, rose 58.6% from 2009 and students enrolled in online courses increased 12.4% from last year.
The Meadowlands facility remains a key component of the College’s future growth. The College purchased the facility for $20.5 million this spring in conjunction with the Bergen County Improvement Authority in order to serve southern Bergen County residents. The $20.5 million investment included $7.5 million for renovations to the five-story building.
Recent renovations have added new classrooms, an expanded cafeteria and a stairwell to the building to accommodate the facility’s influx of students and to prepare for the future. The facility will eventually serve as a “branch campus,” meaning students can complete their entire degree on-site without having to visit another location for class or services. The College has also positioned the site as a hub for continuing education and economic development initiatives by offering workshops and courses for jobseekers and assistance to area businesses seeking to train employees or develop new programs.
Meadowlands enrollment for fall 2010 may rise further before classes begin there October 4 – giving students an additional three weeks to register for classes.
Bergen will officially dedicate the facility October 15.
Distance Learning
Regarding distance learning, the College has invested resources into what has become a growing area in higher education worldwide. More than 11,000 college degree programs can be completed exclusively through distance learning, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Bergen now offers 18 full degree programs and more than 200 courses online. A 16.3% increase in students who registered for classes via the Bergen website is another indication that students are utilizing online resources in greater numbers.
“Growth at the Meadowlands facility and in distance learning reflects the College’s efforts to meet the needs of our communities,” Dr. Ryan said. “Whether it means establishing a permanent facility in a traditionally underserved area such as southern Bergen County, or adding cutting-edge programs, Bergen continually evaluates its resources."
Another area of growth is students returning to Bergen to continue their degree program on a full-time basis. This segment of students increased 8.3%.
“A rise in full-time, returning students speaks to a few variables, including drawing a greater number of ‘traditional’ college-aged students who are choosing to attend Bergen before they transfer to a four-year school,” Dr. Ryan said. “This increase also speaks to increased retention, which means the College is doing a good job of starting students on a path for success – and keeping them on it.”
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
CAPTION: (Dr. Ryan Greets) Bergen President, Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, greets students on first day of fall semester.
CAPTION: (Be Exceptional 1st Day) Students entering Pitkin Education Center on first day of classes at Bergen Community College.
