Back to School with a Twist
Community College Enrollment, Student Age Jumps

The latest numbers out show that the number of jobless claims rose by 15,000 to 575,000, according to a report from the U.S Department of Labor Statistics.

Locally though, there’s another number on the rise, which shows some people are adapting to economic recession - College registration.

Classes started this week at College of DuPage in nearby Glen Ellyn, and officials at the third largest community college in the county say the schools enrollment is up by 7.7%, or 2,000 students. Of the approximately 30,000 students that are attending now, about 10,000 come from Naperville, making it COD’s largest feeder community.

Officials attribute the jump in part to high unemployment in the region. Recently unemployed residents become students, looking for new skills in hopes of re-entering the job market, officials say.

“There are a number of students that already have bachelor degrees,” says Michelle Searer, Associate Vice-President for Marketing and Enrollment at the college, “We offer a lot of certificate programs. People look into that to advance their degree.”

Science, English and computer technologies are the most popular classes, officials say.

College of DuPage offers online classes and rolling terms for students, so it’s still possible to register for classes that start on September 15th or October 21st.

Enrollment also jumped at both Waubonsee Community College campuses in Sugar Grove and Aurora.

According to Jeff Noblitt, director of marketing and community relations, enrollment numbers are up almost 15 percent from this time last year.

NCTV17’s Lindsey Theis reports.