By Rachel Coleman SCCC
LIBERAL, Kan. — Seward County Community College is nearing its highest-ever enrollment numbers, with a 17 percent increase in student head count for the current academic year. The release of official numbers from the Kansas Board of Regents this week provided plenty of good news for the college and its stakeholders:
• Increased Kansas student enrollment, which grew by 32 percent since 2020.
• Highest student head count growth — 17 percent — in Kansas (including all two-year community colleges and four-year state universities).
• Increased credit hours — 9 percent — reflect more part-time students who access flexible delivery options and staggered start dates.
The strong numbers are reason for celebration, said SCCC President Brad Bennett.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team for all their hard work,” he said. “Last year’s growth numbers were so good, we wondered if we had room left to get better.” Enrollment growth at SCCC in 2023-24 recorded 16 percent more students enrolled.
Bennett said the College achieved even more this fall with a focus on strengthening its online platform, Saints Anywhere. SCCC also completed a long list of improvements to campus facilities, student housing, and its cafeteria. The enrollment win reflects the work of the entire team, from grounds and maintenance to faculty, staff, and administration, he said.
“We added men’s and women’s soccer last year, as well as eSports, but this goes far beyond the boost from athletics,” he said. “And it’s exciting to see the breakdown, which shows 71 percent of our students are from Kansas, 20 percent are from our border states — so 91 percent of the Saints students are from our service area, our community.”
Looking ahead, Bennett predicted a continued rise for SCCC. With construction on the West Campus property nearing completion, the college’s CDL/Truck Driving program is poised to dramatically increase its number of graduates; a student health center and adjacent recreational space is also slated to open during the fall semester. As reported earlier this fall, the college’s residence halls are full to capacity.
The numbers for 2024-25 thus far put SCCC on track to break a record, or at least match its highest enrollment year ever.
“This is only the fourth time in the past 25 years that we have counted more than 19,000 credit hours in the fall semester,” said Bennett. That growth presents a “good problem,” as SCCC contemplates the need for expanded facilities and academic resources.
“We have worked hard to reduce the cost per student, which is calculated from state funding, and local taxpayer support,” Bennett said. “Growth in enrollment and improved efficiencies in how we deliver a great education mean that we are on the right track. We’re just getting started.”
