PERRYSBURG — Strengthened by increases in new student enrollment, Owens Community College’s overall enrollment grew 5.6% for fall semester.
A total of 7,155 students were enrolled at Owens at the 14th day enrollment census headcount date. The fall 2023 total was 6,778.
New students increased by more than 17% and totaled 1,669 compared to 1,419 for fall 2023. New non-traditional learners increased by 43.3% (625 students compared to 436), while the population totals for new transfer students increased 7.4% (408 students compared to 380) and new direct from high school students increased 5.5% (636 students compared to 603).
New student growth follows the trend from the 2023-2024 academic year when new student enrollment increased 4.4% compared to the 2022-2023 academic year (2,172 students compared to 2,081 students).
“It’s exciting to see so many new students enrolling at Owens,” said Blake Renner, Owens vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “The new student enrollment growth will help stabilize enrollment overall at Owens. New students will transition and become continuing students as they pursue their degrees or seek university transfer. This is what we want to see both for the college and for the students.”
Earlier this year, Renner completed a reorganization of the student affairs division to better assist new and continuing students.
“We are better positioned to help our students reach their goals and are now aligned with best practices nationally in higher education,” Renner said. “We are structured to support students. We have created a consistent student experience from the point of initial interest all the way to graduation.”
An enrollment census occurs each semester on the 14th day after classes begin, which was Aug. 19.
Owens will continue to enroll students throughout the semester for classes that begin at different starting dates.
