15 February ICC among state community college enrollment leaders for spring 2024 February 15, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment for the 2024 spring semester, according to figures recently released by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring ‘23 to spring ‘24 show a 7 percent increase in headcount and a 9.7 percent increase in FTE with a second-place ranking. However, ICC had the largest percentage increase than any other community college in the state when reviewing combined FTE increases for fall ’23 and spring ‘24. The increase can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen, including the addition of state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall for honors students and student leaders, an enhanced emphasis on activities, expanded free personal orientation sessions and the transition to the schools of approach to enable student connections both to their field of study and their peers. “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to provide a solid educational background and the best start for those in our five-county district and beyond. Because of the dedication of ICC’s faculty and staff, our Board of Trustees and external funding support, we continue to provide an affordable and quality option, which has been documented in the naming of ICC as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation for 2025, 2023 (one of 25 semifinalists), 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2013. In addition, the work of our recruiters, enrollment services and community relations team has contributed to this consistent increase in enrollment.” In comparison to all other higher education options in the state, both public and private, ICC has the second lowest cost of tuition and cost of tuition and fees combined. While the updated enrollment figures include online, academic and career education classes, it does not include workforce totals, which are not measured on a semester basis, Allen said. Over the last few years, ICC has offered an enhanced schedule of student activities. “Statistics show that the more students are engaged, the more successful they will be in the classroom,” according to ICC Vice President of Student Services Dr. Brad Boggs. “Having an attractive, comprehensive student activities program plays a major role in recruiting students to attend ICC and subsequently an opportunity to retain students once they enroll.” The renewed emphasis on student activities includes opportunities for both traditional age students as well as adult learners at all three locations – Fulton, Tupelo and Belden – based on listening to the college’s students and staff and providing programs/events that are of interest to all. In addition, ICC has transitioned to a Schools of approach to group like majors into a cohort to enable students to connect better with their selected field of study as well as those in the same area, such as academic transfer and career education. Allen also noted that the data from the Institutions of Higher Learning shows that ICC produces graduates that when they attend any of the state’s eight universities, they generate the second highest number of bachelor’s degrees by transfer students. They also graduate with a higher GPA than the student who started at the university. “We are always excited to hear that more students have chosen to become a member of our special ICC family,” said Michael Holloway, director of Recruitment and Orientation. “I truly believe that ICC provides the best instruction in academic transfer, career education and health sciences programs. We pride ourselves on having something for everyone, both in and outside the classroom. The many resources available to students at the Fulton, Tupelo and Belden locations enhance the overall student experience and help our students achieve success, both in academics and life. From the first time a student arrives to an ICC location or starts one of our fully-online programs to the day they complete their degree or certification and walk across the stage at the Davis Event Center to take the next step in their life journey, ICC provides wraparound services throughout the entire process.” Related Articles Itawamba Community College receives $100,000 and joins 41 other schools across the US as All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholars Initiative expands in year five Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Itawamba Community College was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious All Within My Hands grant, which will significantly impact our career education programs, providing funding for students to pursue a pathway and their best start,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the College and reinforcement of the mission that students and their success are our top priority.” The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped ... ICC ranks among state leaders in full-time enrollment increase Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,774 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring 2024-spring 2025 show a 6.7 percent increase, which comes after a multi-year increase in both fall and spring enrollments. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include additional housing opportunities tailored to student needs, including the addition of Magnolia Hall, exclusively for student leaders, and reopening of both Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today as well as an enhanced emphasis on activities.” “This very exciting news demonstrates a collaborative effort between all areas of the college to allow for continued enrollment growth,” Allen said. “What the figures don’t show is that residence halls remain at a more than 95 percent capacity this spring. The increase in the number of students that ... ICC enrollment increases again - continues to rank among state's leaders Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With fall enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from fall 2023-fall 2024 show a 4.1 percent increase, nearly double the state average. In addition, enrollment was up 7 percent the last two semesters, statistics show. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include the addition of significant housing opportunities tailored to student needs with the opening of Magnolia Hall last fall and the reopening of Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today at the beginning of this semester, and an enhanced emphasis on activities. “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to provide a solid educational foundation and the best start ... ICC selected among 25 semifinalists nationwide for prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Today, Itawamba Community College was selected among the 25 semifinalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a milestone in the award selection process. ICC and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College were the only public two-year institutions in the state to be selected for this prestigious honor. The $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that are achieving high, improving and equitable outcomes for students. In years past, only 10 finalists have been named, and this change is designed to highlight the increased number of colleges across the country doing excellent work, according to the announcement from the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Being selected as a semifinalist from among eligible community colleges across the nation is not only an honor, but it is monumental for ICC to be chosen among the top two-year institutions across America to continue to compete for the significant Aspen Prize,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the ... Aspen Institute names ICC as one of nation's top 150 and eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Today, the Aspen Institute named Itawamba Community College as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation and to afforded the opportunity to compete for the significant Aspen Prize,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the College, its continuing status as a premier community college and a testament to our exceptional faculty and staff, without whom it would not be possible.” ICC was selected as a top community college in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 and as a semifinalist in 2023. The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community ... WalletHub ranks ICC first among all state public two-year institutions Itawamba Community College has ranked first among all public state two-year institutions in a WalletHub study that surveyed hundreds of community colleges across the United States. In order to determine the best community colleges in the United States, the financial institution WalletHub selected a sample of 698 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. The schools were evaluated based on cost and financing and both education and career outcomes. “For 70 plus years, providing affordable and accessible education has always been a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “National recognition of the College in this area is an indication that ICC is fulfilling that mission and serving our students who are our top priority. Their success is our success.” According to WalletHub, community colleges are a more attractive option especially this year as many individuals are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than affordability, community colleges provide more flexible schedules, smaller classes sizes and rigorous coursework. The average age ... Comments are closed.