Despite economy, Blue River's enrollment is growing

Tim Schnakenberg has been out of work since February.

When he lost his job at Sherwin Williams selling paint, the Independence resident needed to look at the possibility of starting another career. On the advice from Veterans Affairs, he decided to go back to school and MCC-Blue River was the perfect option.

“I started studying accounting in 1985, but got side-tracked,” he said. “So I am going back to it. Blue River has been great. I am impressed by the facilities and the instructors. It has been a great experience.”

Schnakenberg’s story is not unique to the Eastern Jackson County community college. MCC-Blue River, one of five community colleges in the Metropolitan Community College system, is experiencing a significant increase in enrollment – up 10 percent from last fall.

Cheryl Carpenter-Davis, associate dean at MCC-Blue River, said the economy is playing a large part in bringing the additional students. First day enrollment at the Blue River campus was 3,722 students – an increase of almost 300 from this time last year.

She said not only are more freshmen deciding to stay close to home their first year of college, but there is an increasing number of non-traditional students returning to school either to gain more training or to start a new career after losing their job.

“We believe the economy is definitely playing a part,” she said. “Some of our students are unemployed, never having attended college. With so many high tech jobs in the United States, they are finding that they need more than just a high school diploma. Then there are those here only to take some classes before moving on. This is a quality place for both of those to happen.”

Students can earn a two-year associate’s degree at MCC-Blue River as well as many who begin their college career at the community college level to take general education courses before transferring. In addition, MCC-Blue River is home to both the police and fire academies, which has a large draw.

“Families are trying to make sure their students have a four-year education, while trying to cut back at the same time,” she said. “They start here, solidify what they want to do and then move on to a four-year university. It is an exciting opportunity for both parents and students.”

Phyllis Mooers, Blue Springs, returned to school for one simple reason – to prove to her children that if she could finish college, then they could too.

“I could not leave this world without giving my children an example,” she said. “Blue River was convenient, and the instructors are fantastic. They are much more in tune with learning than at a larger university.”

With only a year left, Mooers plans to transfer to finish her education degree. She said the choice to return to school was a good one.

“I am absolutely happy with my decision to come back to school,” she said. “I enjoy that the instructors talk to you and not at you. I am also pleased with what I am learning. This was a great idea.”

Carpenter-Davis said despite the increase in enrollment, no additional teachers have been hired. Instead, she said class sizes have grown and instructors have taken on extra responsibility to deal with the growth within the community college’s budget.

“We have record enrollment for both our day and evening programs, but we have to work within our budget,” she said. “What we have done is maximize our enrollment. Our class sizes are larger and the faculty have gone above and beyond, teaching more classes with more in the classroom. Our mission is to serve students, while creating opportunities and we believe we are doing that.”

For more information on MCC-Blue River, or any of the Petrolia Community Colleges, visit MCC’s Web site at www.mcckc.edu.