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Nunez Community College Practical Nursing students work in groups during an Oct. 5 class. The Fall 2023 semester saw Nunez post a 24 percent enrollment increase over the previous fall. That figure also includes the largest cohort of first-time freshmen to enroll at the Chalmette college since Hurricane Katrina.
Nunez Community College in Chalmette is celebrating a banner semester in terms of enrollment.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunez had seen slow but steady gains in enrollment. But the Fall 2023 semester brought several welcome spikes to those figures.
Buoyed by a fully staffed Student Success Center team, which is tasked with recruitment and academic advising, along with an influx of Dual Enrollment partnerships with local high schools, Nunez saw a 24 percent jump in enrollment from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023.
Among the nearly 3,000 students taking classes at Nunez are 350 freshmen, including the college’s largest class of first-time freshmen since Hurricane Katrina interrupted operations in 2005, and a 24 percent increase over Fall 2022.
Nearly half of Nunez’s total enrollment is comprised of Dual Enrollment students.
“Nunez Community College is proud to carry out our mission and serve more students than ever before.” said Dr. Cherie Kay LaRocca, Vice Chancellor for Education, Training and Student Success. “Enrolling is just the first part of our students’ journey. Our team stands ready to support our students through their educational journey.”
Beyond the public-facing enrollment figures, Nunez also saw success with several internal target goals. The rate of applicants to register for classes increased to nearly 53 percent, while the college’s retention rate—the number of students returning for more classes after taking classes in Fall 2022—increased to nearly 15 percent.
“We have worked diligently to onboard students and connect them to resources to help them be successful.” said Student Success Coordinator Natalie Haniford, who leads Nunez’s Student Success Center. “The Student Success Center offers a Career Closet, TutorMe online tutoring and different campus activities to help students engage outside of the classroom.”
Nunez’s spike in enrollment coincides with several programmatic additions that, while not directly responsible for the increased figures, are likely to keep the college’s enrollment on an upward trajectory. Nunez is in the midst of standing up a new Wind Energy Technology program in partnership with Energy Innovation of Norway to train students to maintain wind turbines, which are expected to proliferate in the Gulf of Mexico as the region turns to renewable energy. Nunez also recently received approval to begin offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services.
In the college’s Workforce and STEAM divisions, which focus on short-term, non-credit programs which provide students with industry-based credentials and certificates, both Heavy Equipment and Fiber Optics have seen success through consecutive cohorts.
About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nunez Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.
