Kirkwood reports record enrollment in summer classes

Kirkwood Community College had record enrollment this summer, officials recently announced.

The official count, taken in mid-July, showed a 9 percent increase in credit enrollments over last summer. Enrollment was 7,040 students, an increase of 561.

Kirkwood officials note a large number of “reverse transfer” students this summer, taking one or more classes they will apply to degree studies at other colleges and universities. Many students also took classes via Kirkwood's Web-based and county center-based Distance Learning options. Enrollment in those classes was up more than 15 percent.

The economic and job conditions also played a role in boosting enrollment, officials said.

Kirkwood registrations for fall 2009 also show an increase, running well over 1,000 more than same-day figures in 2008.