By MIKE MCCOY
Statesman Staff Writer
Three Rivers College (TRC) has been declared one of the fastest growing community colleges in America by Community College Week, the nation's leading periodical for community, technical, and junior colleges.
According to a news release, the collegiate magazine ranked Three Rivers as the number one fastest growing institution among colleges with 2,500-4,999 students during the period from Fall 2011 to Fall 2012. Enrollment at TRC rose by 921 students during that time, which makes it the highest gross increase in its category, with an overall 25 percent increase in enrollment.
Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of TRC, attributes the colleges increase to an institutional focus on finding and meeting the needs of the college's 15-county service region.
"Three Rivers prides itself on working within the communities we serve. We've put intense effort into forming partnerships with local employers and leaders," says Stephenson. "From there we've been able to customize our programs and job skills training programs to help meet the needs of residents who want to build a better future for themselves. The focus is clearly paying off."
The college has expanded its doors to serve students in Sikeston, Dexter, Kennett, Malden, Willow Springs, and Cape Girardeau. It also has satellite sites throughout Southeast Missouri, and students can also take courses online.
The Dexter Center TRC is indicative of the growth of Three Rivers College. Enrollment for the spring 2014 at the Dexter center was not yet available. The census process for for state reporting was still underway, according to Jonathan Atwood, coordinator of Media Services at TRC. Atwood said the final numbers would be available by mid-February.
The growth at the Dexter Three Rivers College campus has been beyond the expectations of the TRC administration in Poplar Bluff. The Dexter Center opened in the fall of 2011 with 110 registered students. It immediately began to grow, hitting 455 students in the spring semester of 2013.
College officials also cite TRC's retention efforts as a key to their success. According to Dr. Angela Totty, Three Rivers Vice President for Student Success, she attributes their success to identifying those students who are at-risk earlier, and their commitment to making sure students receive the help they need in order to succeed and achieve their education goals. "We're not content to just get students in the door," says Totty. "We're committed to helping them leave here with the skills or the degree to improve their careers and lives."
The Community College Week rankings come after the announcement that TRC met all five of the Missouri Department of Higher Education's performance funding benchmarks. These benchmarks judge student graduation/transfer rates, developmental education success, and credit hours taught per tax appropriation.
"I'm deeply honored by the sate and national level of recognition that Three Rivers is getting for high-quality services," said Stephenson.
For more information about college and workforce programs visit trcc.edu.