Tennessee community college enrollment drops - Axios NashvilleLog InLog InAxios Nashville is an Axios company.

Tennessee community college enrollment drops

Note: The 2022 figure is preliminary and could shift. Data: Tennessee Board of Regents; Chart: Axios VisualsEnrollment at Tennessee's network of 13 community colleges is lower than it's been in more than 30 years.The statewide headcount dropped to 70,313 students this fall, continuing a pandemic-era decline.That is the system's lowest enrollment since 1990, and a drop of more than 18,000 students in just three years. Why it matters: Softening interest in higher education could jeopardize the state's long-term goal of growing a college-educated workforce. Flashback: The downturn has already had campus-level effects. hit some colleges earlier this year. State of play: The Tennessee Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s community and technical colleges, discussed the latest enrollment trends .Chancellor Flora Tydings acknowledged a daunting "enrollment cliff."Nearly half of the state's high school graduates are choosing not to go to college, according to . Zoom in: Enrollment numbers for this fall are preliminary and could shift slightly as more courses begin. But they offer a sobering view of the challenges ahead.In addition to a decline among new high school graduates, there has been a drop in older adults enrolling.Losses have been especially steep among Black students enrolling as first-time freshmen, a population that has fallen 35% since 2019. Yes, but: Nashville State Community College was a bright spot for the state. The school saw a 10% year-over-year jump in its freshman class this fall. What they're saying: Nashville State president Shanna Jackson tells Axios growth among incoming freshmen is a "direct result" of partnerships with K-12 school systems in Nashville and Clarksville.The with Nashville public schools seeks to streamline the student transition from high school to college.One of the initiatives under that umbrella is , a city program that offers scholarships for textbooks or transportation. The big picture: Enrollment declines in Tennessee are part of a that has seen college attendance plummet nationwide. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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