Galveston County community colleges poised for growth

GALVESTON COUNTY – While community college enrollment statewide has dropped since a peak in 2011, College of the Mainland is seeing growth.

The fall semester saw 4,190 students enroll at College of the Mainland — 180 students more than in 2012 and about 270 more than a decade ago. Much of the growth is due to dual-credit students — high school students who are enrolled in college-level courses.

Galveston College’s official fall 2013 enrollment was 2,131. That is about 60 students fewer than were enrolled in fall 2012 and about 100 fewer than the college had a decade ago.

Galveston College spokesman Joe Huff said enrollment has increased this semester with the beginning of second-start classes, fast-track classes intended for people already in the workforce. The college hopes to have an enrollment around 2,500 by the 2016 school year.

Statewide, almost 753,000 students were enrolled in community colleges in fall 2011, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Enrollment dropped by about 20,000 in 2012, according to the latest data available from the board.