Increases in first-time freshman and dual enrollment students helped push fall semester enrollment numbers at Walters State Community College up 6.5% over the same semester last year. Full-time enrollment increased by 7%.
“We exceeded our enrollment projections this year and are very pleased that so many area students have selected Walters State as their college of choice,” said Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State.
Total enrollment is 5,834 students, which includes all campus sites.
While enrollment is up across almost all student demographics, the college realized significant increases in first-time freshman and dual enrollment students.
Dual enrollment students are high school students enrolled in college classes. The number of dual enrollment students enrolled this fall is a school record 1,997, marking an 8.3% increase.
The number of first-time freshmen is up by 9% to 1,405. Miksa said that this increase is due to several initiatives and factors, including enhanced student outreach and improved communications with admitted students. The college has also added and expanded academic programs recently, such as technical certificates in Spanish and butchery and an associate degree in digital media. More technical education classes, including agriculture and engineering technology, are also now available for high school students.
“Our students also continue to benefit from scholarship programs, including Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, that make it possible for students to attend Walters State without paying tuition,” Miksa said.
Walters State was named community college of the year in Tennessee in both 2022 and 2023 by the Tennessee Board of Regents, the governing body for the state’s community colleges.
Walters State has campuses in Greeneville, Morristown, Sevierville and Tazewell. The college also has a center in Newport.
