Three colleges see 24% increase in two years
By Ana Mata/Daily Journal
The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.
The San Mateo County Community College District is continuing to see enrollment increases following the implementation of its free college initiative, following a decade of declines.
Since fall 2022, the semester before the implementation of free college, the district has now seen a 24% increase in student head count, reported Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Storti at a board meeting Oct. 23. Enrollment increased 6% for the fall 2024 semester compared to spring 2024.
“The district has removed significant barriers faced by students resulting in term over term enrollment increases,” Storti said. “We continue to see steady enrollment growth across the district as a result of the free college initiative.”
In particular, there was a significant increase in enrollment from those living in East Palo Alto, a priority service area for the district. Enrollment of students increased 32% in two years, including substantial increases in Latinx and first generation students, at 24% and 32%, respectively.
In addition to the continued increases in first-time student enrollment, the district is also seeing strong retention rates. Storti also noted the district is beginning to see increases in returning students who might be away from higher education for a long period of time and now returning, which is a focus of the district.
Prior to the passing of Senate Bill 893 in 2022 which authorized the district to use general funds to pay enrollment fees and other costs for students, the district was consistently seeing a decrease in enrollment. From the 2011-12 school year to 2020-21 school years, the district’s number of students declined 23% overall, and full-time students declined 28%, Storti said.
“Rather than accept the fact that enrollment was declining, the Board of Trustees provided direction and aggressively advocated for ways of removing barriers faced by students,” Storti said.
Board President John Pimentel acknowledged the efforts of staff from each of the district’s three colleges toward achieving this enrollment goal. In particular, he applauded Cañada College that presented its partnerships in North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven and East Palo Alto at the same board meeting.
“Being in the community and working with the community, that’s what’s turned these numbers around,” Pimentel said.
The free college initiative is currently under a five-year trial period, and the district is looking how make it permanent, said Chancellor Melissa Moreno.