MCC Sees Another Boost in Enrollment

McHenry County College has seen another semester of higher enrollment with a 7.2 percent increase in credit-hour enrollment and a 1.3 percent increase in headcount over last fall, officials said.

According to the College’s Fall Enrollment Report, the primary driver of the increase in credit enrollment was an increase in the number of full-time students or those taking 12 credit hours or more in a semester.

The report also highlighted an enrollment increase in transfer programs _ curricula designed for transfer to a four-year college or university, and in adult education, according to a press release.

Full-time enrollment in career programs increased this fall, while part-time enrollment decreased. Overall, the average career-program student was enrolled in more credit hours than last year. Average credit hour enrollment also increased in the transfer and adult education programs.

College officials attribute the increase to a variety of new activities and focused efforts in student services, course delivery methods, and new certificate and degree programs and classes in high-demand fields such as culinary management, graphic arts and nursing, the release stated.

As an example, the Admissions Office, in partnership with the Office of Marketing and Public Relations, developed an outbound calling program to those individuals who applied to MCC but had not yet enrolled to encourage enrollment and also gain additional insight into their college decision-making process.

The college has been adding more in-person, new student orientation and new student orientation to help students choose and register for classes.

MCC recently added an additional full-time Student Development Advisor for a total of four full-time and two part-time advisors to help ensure the transition into college is a smooth one,  said Liz Sherwood, coordinator of MCC’s Advising, Orientation and Transfer Center

Because there is higher demand for more flexible scheduling options, MCC is also delivering course content in new ways, including late-start courses, online classes, and more blended courses, which combine both online and classroom sessions, the release stated.

Course delivery is also occurring at new times and locations, resulting in increased enrollment in their Fast Track degree programs, which are accelerated programs that meet one night a week and are geared toward working adults, and the school is offering more weekend programing for adult students, particularly in their business, manufacturing, bookkeeping and nursing programs.

Additionally, MCC has expanded its delivery by offering classes in Harvard and Woodstock and the college is scouting other locations in Huntley, said Tony Miksa, vice presient of academic and student affairs.

Miksa said MCC is making a concerted effort to focus on college and career readiness initiatives, such as increasing dual-credit in transfer and occupational disciplines, including a new automotive program in Woodstock and Marengo, as well as the addition of new certificate/degree programs and classes. Examples include Robotics, Manufacturing Management, Medical Billing and Coding, Graphic Arts, Culinary Management and the addition of nursing classes on weekends.

“More and more people are seeing the value of the educational opportunities that MCC provides for students who start their college education here, as well as for students who want to gain occupational career skills,” Miksa said.

Miksa said that while he is pleased with the enrollment increase, the Academic and Student Affairs team continues to focus on enhancing programs and offerings that will grow enrollment even further.

“As MCC’s Mission states: ‘Our Focus is Learning. Student Success is Our Goal.’ To support this, we look at enrollment growth as allowing for a greater number of our community’s residents to earn a college education through MCC,” he said. “That is what makes us most proud.”

For more information on enrollment at MCC or to view the latest course catalog and schedules, visit the college website