Nicole Lauren Johnson
With a head count slightly more than 21,000 for the Spring 2008 semester, Pierce College has continued to expand and maintain a growing campus.
Pierce enrollment has increased about 8.5 percent in enrollment compared to Spring 2007. In a few ways, Pierce has already begun to adjust to this growth by adding 250 new parking spaces, a new cafeteria and new ideas for the future.
“The whole package of visibility and credibility helps us remain attractive,” said Pierce President Robert Garber. “There used to be a joke that you could shoot a cannon down the mall at 2 p.m. without hitting a single person…now, that’s no longer the case. More and more we’re becoming an all-day program.”
By implementing simple marketing through fliers, bus stop benches and cable TV commercials, an already credible and established Pierce remains in the eye of the community. High school outreach programs at about 15 high schools in the Valley also help to develop interest.
Pierce is successful, answered Garber, because it anticipates and meets demands of students, like adding additional classes that are in high demand after the start of the semester.
Garber said he also attributes success to an enthusiastic and dedicated faculty.
“Another key factor is that the faculty are very involved,” said Garber. “At K-12 schools, half the teachers leave in five years. When we hire teachers, we joke that we can’t make them go away.”
New ways of achieving credit at Pierce are in line for the future. Garber said the next goal is to have at least five associate degree programs available online in the next three years. Federal grant money will support this new program and will help those students who can’t physically be at Pierce to take classes.
“I’m glad I chose to take classes here,” said Briggitte Marinos, an architect major. “I mean, there’s just such a sense of community here, even despite all the construction. You can feel the vibrancy in the air.”
With day, evening, weekend and online classes available, Pierce has many options for the busy student.
