PVCC enrollment for ‘07-08 sets record

Piedmont Virginia Community College enrolled a record-breaking number of students during the 2007-08 academic year.

In the spring semester that ended in May, 4,484 students were enrolled at Piedmont. In the fall, 4,675 students were enrolled.

Both the spring and fall semester numbers exceeded the record set in 2000. The just-concluded academic year saw the greatest number of students in Piedmont’s 32-year history.

The college released its final enrollment numbers for its fall and spring semesters on Monday.

Contributing to the increase is the growing number of high school students who take dual enrollment courses from PVCC.

More Piedmont students are also transferring to four-year colleges and universities under guaranteed admission agreements. Since the 2002-03 academic year, PVCC has seen a 33 percent increase in transfers.

The economic slow-down may also be contributing to Piedmont’s enrollment growth. In tough economic times, Virginia’s community colleges have historically seen enrollment growth as workers are laid off and decide to upgrade their job skills, said PVCC President Frank Friedman.