North Hennepin Community College Sees Boost in Student Enrollment
A Brooklyn Park college is seeing a post-pandemic boost in student enrollment.
North Hennepin Community College is seeing a 13 percent increase in new students this school year.
The college is also seeing a 10 percent boost in students taking PSEO programs, and 27 percent more students with college degrees returning for more classes.
During the pandemic, enrollment numbers at colleges, including North Hennepin, began to dwindle.
Julio Vargas-Essex, the college’s interim provost, said this year’s growth makes him optimistic.
“Seeing those students come back and take courses from us, and transfer on to other four-year institutions is promising,” Vargas-Essex said. “Not just for our institution, but for the community and state as a whole.”
Students walk the halls of North Hennepin Community College as the second week of classes ramps up.
North Hennepin is offering more classes in-person this year.
Vargas-Essex said the in-person interaction could be cause for increased enrollment.
Other resources outside the classroom such as tutoring and food pantry offerings, are also bringing more students back to campus, Vargas-Essex said.
