Student enrollment increased 13 percent for the fall semester.
By Star Eisenberg, Online Editor
High numbers of students were seen near the roundabout at Fulton Avenue to attend College Fest, an annual event held at Valley in which representatives from more than 60 universities gather to meet with students who are interested in transferring to four-year programs and beyond. Photo taken Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (Marcus Thomas | Special to the Star)
California colleges saw record enrollment declines during the pandemic. However, Valley College is seeing a double digit bolster in student enrollment with first-time students up 34 percent and returning students up 29 percent. Campus officials credit a large part of the uptick to outreach, financial aid, marketing, and dual enrollment.
“We’re really intentional about making sure that students not only enroll but complete the classes successfully,” said Valley College President Barry Gribbons. “We have been working with LAUSD and growing dual enrollment in a really robust way.”
Dual enrollment provides high school students with the opportunity to take college courses that are taught by college instructors. Valley increased the number of dual enrollment classes at select high schools, which means that more students are currently enrolled.
“Former dual enrollment students have shared with me that this program prepared them mentally for the juggle of work, school, and friendships that tend to occur in college,” said Dylan Altman, adjunct English professor and dual enrollment instructor. “I think that many people in the community are seeing Valley as a place to grow.”
Valley spent about $1.1 million in advertising this year. Over the past two years, Valley amped up local advertising and launched a rebrand. Advertisements can be spotted on Metro buses and billboards in the area, social media platforms, and Google keywords. Valley also actively email-nudges students reminding them to enroll.
“Having that big increase in new students is a really positive foreshadowing of next semester and next year, and that’s heartening,” said Gribbons.
The impact of enrollment growth can be felt across Valley’s academic departments. New degrees are being offered, existing programs are expanding, and more faculty positions have been added.
“Valley’s student enrollment increases have been fantastic for our Media Arts department,” said Jason Beaton, Professor of Media Arts and Broadcasting. “We recently were given the opportunity to hire three new full time professors in Broadcasting, Cinema, and Photography. Broadcasting also now has a fully online AA degree with all classes transferable to a UC and CSU.”
Valley College has three strategic goals: access, equity, and success. President Gribbons stated that he wants to make sure that young adults from all of our local communities have access to higher education, that students are performing at a high-level, and that Valley has one of the highest completion rates in the state.
“The probability of somebody going to college should not be dependent on what zip code they come from,” said Gribbons. “Everyone should have equal access, and we’re working hard to make sure that happens.”