MCC summer enrollment highest in school’s history
Summer student enrollment at Meridian Community College set the record for the highest
in the history of the College.
MCC administrators said the count reached 1,917 students for the summer term, compared
to the 2019 report of 1,007 resulting in a 90 percent increase. Previously, the highest
enrollment occurred in 2010 with a little over 1,500 students.
The record-setting figure represents a variety of innovative class offerings, including
an eight-week digital teaching and learning course geared for K-12 teachers and a
tuition-free summer class for high school seniors. Students who had to adjust their
summer plans because of the pandemic environment have taken advantage of the College’s
summer offerings.
College officials are responding to the needs of the community, said MCC President
Dr. Thomas Huebner. "In addition to providing regular summer courses, we are offering
an opportunity for incoming students to get a jump on their college career. In addition,
we are using our resources to equip K-12 teachers to be better prepared to teach online
if they are faced with similar challenges in the future. We've been overwhelmed by
the number of individuals who want to take advantage of these opportunities and we
hope we've been successful in preparing them for what's next," he said.
Typically, in times of economic uncertainty, people turn to higher education.
“We can be the solution in becoming essential and in creating a better life for the
people affected by COVID - 19,” Dr. Huebner added.
Brandon Dewease, director of student engagement at MCC, said high school graduates
from the class of 2020 have responded favorably. “While the effect of the pandemic
environment affected people in many different ways, an overarching component was that
many people just didn't know what to do. The offer for the free course has created
a call to action. We have seen graduates respond from many different states and they
are taking classes across the board, ranging from Art Appreciation to Psychology,”
he said.
Summer Term II classes begin June 29 and registration is open through June 30. Registration
continues for MCC’s fall term that gets underway on Aug. 17.