Community Colleges Set Enrollment Records

As enrollment soared, state budget constraints cut deep.

Kraus: Over the past two years, we’ve added nearly 32,000 students in Virginia’s Community Colleges and at the same time we’re on track to lose about 105 million dollars in state funding by the end of the 2012 fiscal year budget.

Communications Vice Chancellor Jeff Kraus.

Kraus: I think there’s a recognition at all levels that more and more people need to pursue and complete post secondary education, I mean, the President is calling for millions of more college graduates across the country, Governor McDonnell is calling for 100 thousand new graduates over the next 15 years. There’s a recognition now that a high school diploma just is no longer the finish line.

281 thousand 243 people enrolled in Virginia’s 23 community colleges last year, nearly 22% more than in 2004-2005.

John Ogle, WCVE News