(BLUEFIELD)--Already the fastest-growing public college in West Virginia over the past two years, Bluefield State College's Fall 2003 Semester enrollment continues to grow. In mid- October, 3817 students were attending BSC, an increase of 30.4% over year ago, same date figures. The current enrollment figure is also more than 300 students above the enrollment figure the College reported to state higher education officials on October 1, the official census date. Most of the students included in the post-October 1 increase were those whose financial aid was received after that date.

Bluefield State College's current enrollment includes 529 students from the Nicholas County Center that was added to the New River Community & Technical College of BSC on July 1, 2003 as a result of higher education reorganization legislation. Not including those students, BSC still posted a 12.3% enrollment growth over last year's figures. During the previous year, Bluefield State's 11.44% growth was the largest percentage enrollment increase of any public college or university (with an enrollment of 200+ students) in West Virginia. Thus, the current enrollment increase marks the second straight year Bluefield State College has posted double digit percentage growth.

While all BSC centers and campuses showed enrollment increases, the greatest percentage growth (38.6%) has occurred at the Beckley Center/New River Community & Technical College. "We're encouraged and gratified by the growth," noted BSC President Dr. Albert Walker. "The excellence of our faculty, the career-relevance of our programs of study, the student-focus of our staff, and the direction of our Board of Governors have been invaluable as the College has efficiently managed its resources to serve the residents of southern and southeastern West Virginia." BSC was recognized for its enrollment growth at the October 9 meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Enrollment Management-driven initiatives like the Emerging Scholars Program, College Tech Prep, College Fairs, federally-funded TRIO programs--Student Support Services, Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Center, and the West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education are among the many Bluefield State College endeavors that focus upon recruiting, supporting, and retaining college students.

October 15, 2003