As the financial arm of the annual Scholars program, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club heard a considerable update from Hopkinsville Community College officials Tuesday afternoon — learning of its continued success in Christian County.
Angel Prescott, HCC’s vice president for student affairs, said this year’s cohort has 85 students, and of those, more than 50% came from Christian County High School, 32% came from Hopkinsville High School, 14% came from Heritage Christian Academy and 2% came from University Heights Academy.
Their average high school GPA: a 3.26.
More than 20% are working toward an associate in arts, 40% are looking toward an associate in science, and 38% are trying to earn certificates in applied sciences — the most popular being business administration, criminal justice, industrial maintenance, diesel technology and computer information technology.
Of the Fall 2023 Cohorts, Prescott said:
+ 50% of eligible students from Christian County High School, Hopkinsville High School, University Heights Academy and Heritage Christian Academy enrolled at HCC
+ More than 75% of them earned a 2.0 college GPA, or higher, their first semester
+ 68% retained eligibility into the following Spring 2024 semester
+ And 60% continued into HCC’s Fall 2024 semester, or have already completed a credential
However, Prescott also said:
+ 3% of them transferred to a four-year university before completing a credential and/or four semesters at HCC
+ 32% of them lost eligibility after their first semester, due to failed academic standards, dropping below 12 credit hours or by just not returning to campus
+ And 12% lost eligibility after their second semester due to these aforementioned reasons
Still, Prescott said this meant more than 50% of the class remains keyed in on further growth behind the Rotary Scholars program, and that on average, annual retention is around 60%.
Do former Rotary Scholars ever return back to campus, looking to regroup? Allisha Lee, HCC’s dean on institutional effectiveness and research, said its a small percentage, but two students did come back this semester.
She and Prescott said it’s a demographic they hope to chart better in future years, beginning with the Fall 2021 class.
Prescott also confirmed that a review of the 12-hour semester requirement might soon be underway, especially since two-thirds of HCC’s attendees are part-time students while juggling part-time or full-time employment within the region.
Prescott said a recent survey went out to former and current program initiates, with several positive comments returned.
Some, however, voiced suggestions — like a need for continued mentoring and financial literacy training, as well as more job coaching.
The Rotary Scholars program does have rigid guidelines students must uphold not only for initial acceptance into the program, but also for its maintaining. Coming out of high school, one must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, have 95% school attendance, must never have been expelled, and must have other strong marks before pursuing post-secondary education.
