This content was published: February 7, 2002. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Grows for the 21st Straight Term
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – The figures are in and Portland Community College, Oregon’s largest post-secondary institution, has added another term of growth to its already swelling enrollment numbers. The jump this winter term marks one of the largest increases in the college’s history – 12.1 percent in full-time equivalent (FTE). It also marks the 21st consecutive term of enrollment growth at PCC. After the fourth week of the winter quarter, the college grew by 6.5 percent in total headcount versus last year at this time. For winter 2002, the headcount number stands at 38,649 students while the total FTE is at 6,530. By comprehensive campus, the enrollment growth breakdown is: The Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road, saw the biggest increase, growing by 27.1 percent in FTE to 1,375 and 23.6 percent in total headcount to 7,314. Last year at this time, enrollment stood at 5,918 for total headcount and 1,082 in FTE.The Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St., increased by 644 in total headcount to 6,955 this term – an increase of 10.2 percent. The FTE surged by 14.6 percent to 1,144, up by 146 from a year ago.The Sylvania Campus, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave., also sustained large increases in student enrollment. The largest PCC campus grew by 12.3 percent in FTE and 8.6 percent in headcount. Currently, Sylvania serves 2,713 FTE, up by 297 from last year, and 13,214 total students, which is up by 1,043.The PCC Open Campus had a mixed enrollment picture between winter term 2001 and winter term 2002. Total FTE for the campus fell by 2.2 percent to 1,290 while total headcount grew 2.1 percent to 17,573. The Open Campus provides short-term, non-credit and customized training throughout the PCC district, including adult basic education, English as a second language and GED classes. PCC will serve approximately 100,000 part- and full-time students annually in a wide variety of programs this year. The college boasts three comprehensive campuses, four workforce training centers and approximately 200 community locations throughout its five-county district.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »