Sowela ranked 8th in nation for enrollment growth
Published 11:34 am Monday, January 19, 2015
Sowela Technical Community College recently received national recognition for enrollment growth.
The education journal Community College Week has ranked Sowela eighth in the nation for the fastest-growing public, two-year college.
The magazine compiles the top 50 two-year colleges with enrollment numbers ranging from 2,500–4,999. Sowela’s ratings were published in December’s journal.
“I knew we were growing in enrollment, but this affirms that,” said Sowela Chancellor Neil Aspinwall. “We work really hard; we’ve added new programs and updated the campus. We are continually adding new buildings.”
Aspinwall said the $86 billion worth of capital investments in Southwest Louisiana has made workforce training a top priority, much to Sowela’s benefit.
“The expansions in the region have helped us grow and brings us this national recognition,” he said.
The rating shows a 16.6 percent increase in enrollment from the most recent national data — the 2013 fall enrollment.
“This substantiates and legitimizes that the area is growing and the schools and community colleges are stepping up their game, and we’re growing as well,” he said.
The 2014 fall enrollment was even higher. Sowela has 3,500 students.
“Sowela’s faculty and staff are committed to prepare marketable students that are job-ready upon completion of their chosen programs of study,” Paula Hellums, acting vice chancellor for academic affairs, said in a news release. “We are continuing to grow valued partnerships with business and industry as we develop programs that meet specific workforce needs.”
Aspinwall said Sowela continues to increase enrollment numbers while affirming the quality of the programs and courses offered.