Wenatchee Valley College Experiencing Significant Enrollment Decline

Wenatchee Valley College continued a ten-year trend of declining enrollments with a 2.1 percent drop for the fall quarter.

According to a release from the college, enrollment in career and technical programs has declined 30% since 2010.

A more significant enrollment decline began in September. WVC President Jim Richardson then met with employees in October to discuss enrollment issues and budget impacts. A faculty budget review taskforce will be assembled and administrators will be meeting with employee groups to discuss options.

"Some significant factors in the enrollment decline are continued low unemployment for the last several years." Community Relations Executive Director Libby Siebens said, "In addition, we're also starting to see smaller incoming high school classes, and that plays a factor in overall enrollment and Running Start."

Since Running Start began in 1993, this is the first year that enrollment in the program has fallen.

However, WVC continues to expand the options it provides to students. Two new programs are on the way with the hope of increasing enrollment.

A new pharmacy technician degree will start winter quarter. The program will feature an industry partnership with Confluence Health.

"Also, we've just been approved to offer a new four-year degree and that's a Bachelor's of Applied Science in Teaching degree." Siebens explained, "We are excited to be able to offer that to our rural districts and help educate more teachers for the K-12 system. Specifically, in pre-school through 3rd grade and special education."

The four-year degree is currently awaiting on more approval before it can incorporated.

This academic year, 6,289 students are project to enroll in academic, workforce and other programs.