26 October ICC's enrollment increases this fall October 26, 2022 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 Itawamba Community College’s fall enrollment has increased even during turbulent economic times, according to figures released by the Mississippi Community College Board. With full-time enrollment beginning at more than 4,700 and an increase in credit hours, the increase equates to 1.3 percent. The increase is determined by comparing enrollments for the 2021 and 2022 fall semesters. In August, ICC opened Magnolia Hall, a state-of-the-art residence for honors students and student leaders at the Fulton Campus, which accommodates 246 additional students, and an increased emphasis has been placed on student activities, said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “This is very exciting news, since the increases are in headcount, full-time equivalencies and credit hours and places us on an upward trend to pre-pandemic enrollment,” 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 for those in our five-county district and beyond.” “Statistics show that the more students are engaged on campus, 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 attracting students to attend ICC and subsequently an opportunity to retain students once they enroll.” Boggs credited ICC Coordinator of Student Activities Taylor Tutor with building a student activities program for all three locations – Fulton, Tupelo and Belden – by listening to ICC’s students and staff and providing programs/events that are of interest to all. 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 semester basis, Allen said. “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 by WalletHub in its consistent ranking of ICC as among the leaders in the state and the naming of ICC as a top 25 semifinalist for the prestigious Aspen Prize,” Allen said. “In addition, the work of our recruiters, enrollment services division and community relations team has contributed to this increase in enrollment.” Allen also noted that 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 the 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. The many resources available to students at the Fulton, Tupelo and Belden locations enhance the overall student experience and help ICC students achieve success. From the first time a student arrives to an ICC location or start one of our fully-online programs to the day they complete their degree or certification, ICC provides wraparound services throughout the entire process.” Related Articles ICC fall semester enrollment increases Itawamba Community College’s fall enrollment has increased even in the unique environment caused by COVID-19. With full-time enrollment beginning at more than 5,000 and an increase in credit hours, ICC also has 705 students who are participating in the dual credit program, which enables high school students to earn college hours. The increase is determined by comparing enrollments for the 2019 and 2020 fall semesters. “This is very exciting news, since the increases are in headcount, full-time equivalencies and credit hours,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “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 for those in our five-county district and beyond.” Enrollment figures include online, academic and career education classes, but not workforce totals, which are not measured on semester basis, Allen said. Because of COVID-19, ICC has altered its instructional delivery methods, which now include face-to-face only, face-to-face hybrid which has an online component, face-to-face Zoom and online. “We are ... ICC's Brown returns to the classroom this fall from nine-month deployment to Kuwait Service is an important word to Itawamba Community College instructor Ashley Brown of Blue Springs. Fresh off a nine-month deployment to Kuwait, Brown has returned to the classroom this fall as an industrial maintenance, robotics and electrical technology instructor at the Belden Center. He is now in a different kind of service. He is responsible for recruiting students; building and maintaining the curriculum; ensuring students achieve the skills necessary to be functional, entry-level employees in related career fields; maintaining relationships with industry and prospective employers and linking them. That’s a long way from what Major Brown was doing in western Asia, where he was the logistic officer for a rotary aviation maintenance unit. Brown has been in the military for more than 17 years, beginning as an enlisted private. He has served as an armor crewman in an M1A1 Abrams tank, a calvary scout, completed a 12-month deployment to Iraq and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. After six years of enlisted time, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and became ... 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 ... No tuition increase at ICC this fall When Itawamba Community College begins its fall semester in mid-August, there will be no tuition increase. “We realize that with the economy and price increases, such as fuel, now more than ever, the College needs to make extra sacrifices to meet the needs of the people we serve,” according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “By not increasing tuition, Itawamba Community College can continue to make education more affordable to help families during these stressful economic times,” Allen said. Again, this summer, ICC has extended its workday hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays, and closed on Fridays to conserve energy, which has been especially important during the extreme heat during June and July. The College also reviews each employee departure and evaluates if a reorganization and absorption of duties is a better fit for the College at that time or should the position be rehired. “Like our business partners and private citizens, ICC is doing more with less,” Allen said. “ICC continues to attempt to remove barriers and increase access to education while maintaining its reputation for academic excellence.” ... ICC, TPSD sign MOU for innovative Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program to begin this fall Itawamba Community College and the Tupelo Public School District signed a memorandum of understanding today to announce the innovative Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program, which will begin this fall. The agreement, which was signed by ICC President Dr. Jay Allen and TPSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Picou in a formal ceremony, will promote early entry into the two-year nursing program. Qualified applicants will begin this track in their junior year. “Graduating seniors are often attracted to the idea of ‘going away’ to experience the first year of college,” Allen said. “Many of those graduates return home for various reasons and do not have a degree. If we can attract graduates early, we can educate them and give them an opportunity early that will open unlimited doors.” “Nursing offers a variety of job opportunities, both locally and beyond,” said Dr. Dana Walker, director of ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing program. During recent years, nursing programs across the nation have experienced a decline in qualified applicants. “The early entry opportunity would offer high quality students who are focused on ... ICC reopens key health program this fall using innovative instructional delivery method Itawamba Community College is reopening a key health science program this fall using an innovative instructional delivery method. Diagnostic Medical Sonography will combine an in-person boot camp/lab session at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters, clinical rotations and online didactic courses. DMS will begin as a one-year (three-semester) program in general sonography, according to instructor Amanda Stone. Graduates will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations, including Principles and Instrumentation to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Abdominal and Obstetrics/Gynecology. There will also be an option for students to continue into a second year of Cardiac and Vascular Sonography. Beginning in the fall of 2023, licensed professionals may enter that option. The program format will offer an opportunity for potential students from outside ICC’s geographical area to participate as long as clinical sites are approved, Stone said. “We are excited to offer an innovative curriculum that encompasses both in-person labs and clinicals with online didactic courses,” Stone ... Comments are closed.