Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Reports Trends
Ranks high in State of West Virginia

Martinsburg, WV [March 8, 2007] - The Board of Governors for Blue Ridge Community and Technical College met on Wednesday, March 7th and were briefed on enrollment management trends at the college. 

“Retention rates show continued improvement,” stated Leslie See, Director of Enrollment Management at Blue Ridge.  “We are in the top four community and technical colleges in the State of West Virginia in percentage of students that start during one academic year and return for the next.”  Blue Ridge’s headcount growth was first in the State of West Virginia for Fall 2006, with a growth rate of 14.1%.  Consistent with the national average of 60/40, the percentage of part-time versus full-time students at Blue Ridge is 67% part-time to 33% full-time. 

These percentages highlight the significant workforce development activities that are occurring at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.   Emphasizing the importance of workforce development, the February/March 2007 edition of the Community College Journal stated that “ninety-five percent of businesses and organizations that employ community college graduates recommend community college workforce education and training programs.”

In addition, Community College Journal stated that “fifty percent of all new nurses and the majority of other new healthcare workers are educated at community colleges.”  Dr. Carol Plautz, Dean of Allied Health stated, “We had significant enrollment in the Spring 2007 Medical Certification Courses.  These courses are unique because in 8-12 weeks a student can successfully complete the program and be qualified to work in that particular field.”  Course topics for Blue Ridge’s Medical Certification program include Dental Assisting, EKG Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, and Phlebotomy Technician.   

The next meeting of the Board of Governors will be April 4, 2007.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers more than 40 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as workforce development training.  Blue Ridge is conveniently located at 400 West Stephen Street in downtown Martinsburg, WV.  For more information about their courses and services, please call 304-260-4380 or visit www.BlueRidgeCTC.edu .

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