Colleagues,
Just last week, we reached our final enrollment totals for the fall semester and also received very positive data related to our student retention efforts. I’m pleased to offer a brief update on those accomplishments as well as upcoming events for students and employees this fall.
Student Enrollment and Retention
First, I’m thrilled to report that we have seen a significant increase in our enrollment numbers this fall. Following our final count, enrollment is up 4.2 percent in student headcount and 3.4 percent in full-time equivalent (FTE) students as compared to Fall 2021.
This increase is particularly impressive given the current college enrollment climate. According to data previously shared by SUNY, community college enrollment in New York State is expected to decline by 1.2 percent this fall, with enrollment at all public colleges and universities throughout the SUNY system expected to decline by 2.3 percent. So, to see an increase like we have is certainly positive news!
We also recently received data from SUNY on our first-time student retention rates that shows a considerable improvement. Our retention rate between Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 was 61.7 percent, a marked increase from Fall 2019-20, which was 53.7 percent, and Fall 2018-19, which was 58.6 percent. We will continue to analyze the data to understand exactly who we are retaining better and how we can continue to increase these numbers, but we are certainly moving in the right direction.
And, as previously announced, this spring we expect to receive our $1.9 million grant from SUNY to fund special enrollment projects, part of a systematic effort to reach new audiences, create operational efficiencies and improve processes that can assist new students. That grant will boost our existing enrollment efforts and allow us to initiate new projects too.
My sincerest thanks to all who have worked hard to help us accomplish these goals. Our efforts are paying off, and I encourage you all to keep up the great work. We are now actively promoting winter and spring term registration, so please urge our students to register for classes as soon as possible. Free textbooks will again be offered for students taking courses during Winter Session, so please spread the word. Let’s continue this upward enrollment trend!
Events, Celebrations, and Office Hours
I hope to see you all at the college’s annual Thanksgiving lunch for students, faculty and staff on Monday, Nov. 21 from noon to 2 p.m., or on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 4:30-6 p.m. for those who are on campus in the evening. This is a wonderful time for the campus community to come together, so please attend if you are able. Donations of non-perishable food items for the college’s food pantry will be accepted. All are welcome and encouraged to join in!
I will once again be hosting open office hours for faculty, staff and students, this time on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon. Join me in person or via Zoom for a 15-minute discussion to share your ideas and thoughts on the college. Please contact Suzanne Kalkbrenner at s.kalkbrenner@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-4530 to reserve your spot. I look forward to hearing from you!
Finally, I hope you will plan to celebrate your colleagues at the return of the Meritorious Service Awards and Pinning Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium. Pins will be presented to those who had service anniversaries in 2020 and 2021, as well as those celebrating in 2022. Details on submitting nominations for the Meritorious Service Awards, as well as information for those who will receive service recognition, will be published in the Campus Chronicle.
Thank you again for your hard work leading to such wonderful accomplishments in enrollment and retention, and I hope to see you at some of our upcoming campus events and activities. If you’d like to share information with me, please sign up for my office hours or email suggestions@hvcc.edu.
Sincerely,
Roger Ramsammy, Ph.D., President