Hopkinsville Community College’s Board of Directors, and further stakeholders, received positive news Monday afternoon — when Chief Student Affairs Officer Angel Prescott reported strong attendance trends for the summer and 2024-25 academic year, and Chief Business Affairs Officer Dr. Dale Leatherman noted strong cash improvements over the last fiscal year.
Between late May and late July, Prescott said HCC served 758 students in some capacity, and that was 33 more than the same stretch 12 months ago.
Attendance numbers aren’t permanent yet for the fall, but Prescott added the growth hasn’t ceased.
Returning credential-seeking students, she added, are up almost 10% this year from last, while new credential-seeking students are up almost 33%.
The lone negative she, and other officials, have recently discovered is that through a formed work-group, it has been determined that some students are exporting out from HCC earlier that desired — perhaps to other KCTCS or educational opportunities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Leatherman said HCC is currently north of $480,000 in excess from last year.
And, he said, the last completed fiscal year compared to FY2023 shows further growth in the black.
In other HCC news:
— Some important dates lie ahead for the school. The Mike Foster Golf Scramble will get started at 8:30 AM October 4, and Fall Break is slated for October 14-18. A “Day of Thanks” is planned for 11 AM November 26, and the semester concludes with the ADN Pinning Ceremony and Fall Commencement December 13.
— Speaking of the Mike Foster Golf Scramble, Vice President of Advancement and Marketing Rena Young said only two slots remain of the 30-team field, but plenty of room remains for hole sponsors. At $125 each, Young noted the goal is to have 70 sponsors, and currently there are 55.
— Young also noted that a bell hooks Birthday remembrance will be held at 6 PM, September 25, in the Emerging Technologies Center. Museums of Hopkinsville-Christian County Director Alissa Keller will be on hand.
Then, five days later, HCC officials will kick off the school’s 60th birthday with a pair of celebrations Monday, September 30, in the ETC: the first at noon for students and faculty, and the second at 4 PM for donors, alumni, teachers and more.
Young said legendary historian and former HCC professor William Turner will be one of many on hand to speak later in the day, and it’s all in conjunction with a year-long calendar of anniversary events, including a fundraising campaign called “$60 for 60.”
Dr. Alissa Young, HCC’s president and CEO, later commented that the school’s goal is $60,000, which will go in the foundation’s general fund for “greatest needs.” A recent $40,000 gift was doled out among 40 students seeking assistance with books and other learning materials.
More details on the campaign will come during the birthday party.
