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As the Fall 2022 semester gets underway, newly finalized numbers show �ֲ���ý is graduating more students than ever before.

�ֲ���ý had 2,602 students earn a degree or credential, which not only represents the highest number in history but also represents the latest milestone in steady increases in recent years. These numbers were just reported to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

“For the past seven years, we have consistently and strategically worked to increase the graduation rate as well as transfer rate, which is not reflected in these remarkable numbers,” said Leigh Goodson, �ֲ���ý president & CEO. “Even now, �ֲ���ý continues to revolutionize the student experience and create additional student supports to ensure every student can be successful in college.”

Beginning in 2015, �ֲ���ý increased the number of academic advisors and has established Student Success Centers on each campus through the $20 million Campaign for Completion and with the financial support of private donors. Now, the College is working to expand additional academic services, such as tutoring and success coaches embedded in courses with the help of a Title III Strengthening Institutions Program Grant of $2.25 million from the U.S. Department of Education.

Citing a separate statistic, �ֲ���ý has experienced a 25% increase in the number of degrees or certificates since 2015, as some students earn more than one. Last year, �ֲ���ý awarded 2,867 degrees or certificates. This also represents the highest number of credentials earned in the College’s history.

The highest number of graduates and credentials comes at the same time colleges across the county have seen enrollment decline in recent years. While better than the national average, �ֲ���ý has also seen the same trend.

“Although we may have seen fewer students enrolling in the past few years, the good news is that more individuals are either graduating, going directly into the workforce or transferring to a four-year university,” said Goodson.

In addition, Fall 2022 preliminary enrollment numbers are up over last year’s numbers, which is terrific news. Key growth areas include an increase of new, first-time-entering students and a substantial rise in former students returning to college, who stopped attending for at least three years. �ֲ���ý will continue to see students enroll for Fall due to offerings such as 8-week, 12-week and 14-week courses.

The College is also proud of the tremendous work it has done to help remove financial barriers by providing $420,000 in student scholarships for Fall 2022, the single highest dollar amount in our history.