Two-year colleges nationwide have been coping with declining enrollments since around 2010. Research shows that, at that time, the Great Recession ended and the national unemployment rate began falling from about 10 percent to around 5 percent.
Craven Community College President Ray Staats said that’s true in North Carolina as well.
“We're seeing the same declines running anywhere from 2 to 3% per year," he said, "Has been going on for a dozen years.”
He added that a drop in birth rates during the recession also factors into the equation.
“Birth rates declined precipitously in 2008," Staats explained. "Those students are starting to become at least in terms of our career and college promise programs. Those students are now reaching college age, so we're seeing some of that.”
Staats said they have moved many chess pieces to align with the changing needs of students and the eastern North Carolina business community.
More details about the focus of the college going forward Thursday afternoon on All Things Considered on PRE.