Jackson State News Archives

Jackson, TN – Jackson State Community College has posted a record enrollment for the spring semester. The school enrolled 4,480 students this term which is the most in the school’s 41-year history. This is an 8.5 percent increase over last spring.

“We typically see fewer students enrolling for the spring semester than we did in the fall, but that is not the case for us this semester,” said Bobby Smith, dean of enrollment management. “With the economy the way it is, people are seeing the need to change their focus and get more education to help improve their chances of getting a promotion or a new job and we are glad they see Jackson State as the way to do that.”

Factors such as layoffs and a weakening economy usually send students back to school to learn a new career. Jackson State offers career education in nursing, allied health, computer information systems, business and industrial technology.

“We have to give credit to our folks in student services who work so hard all year long to help students enroll,” said Dr. Bruce Blanding. “It really is a year-long process for us and I couldn’t be more proud of the work these folks have done and continue to do.”

In addition to the growth of the overall college enrollment, the Jackson State nursing program has admitted its largest nursing class to the program. There are 130 new nursing students in the spring class including eight that are with the Regent’s Online Degree Program and will take the bulk of coursework online. In the midst of a national shortage of nurses and a plethora of nursing applicants, Jackson State was able to make space for an additional 50 students in this semester’s class.  

Jackson State, the only publicly funded college with its main campus in Jackson, also has seen a significant increase in its full time equivalent (FTE) numbers this semester. Jackson State’s FTE rose 6.3 percent this semester. FTE is the number the state uses when appropriating money to each individual college in the system.

The college remains the largest higher education institution in Jackson by enrollment.

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