Kansas community colleges, universities grapple with enrollment declines

Kansas universities and community colleges are facing falling enrollments while investments in technical education and driving a boost for training programs, Kansas Board of Regents President and CEO Blake Flanders said Tuesday.

Flanders briefed members of the Kansas Senate Education committee about the changes in higher education enrollment.

Enrollment has fallen over the past two years at several four-year universities, including the Kansas State University, and most community colleges across Kansas. Flanders said that was concerning because it makes it more difficult for educators to meet their goal of getting degrees or certificates in the hands of at least 60 percent of Kansas adults.

“Students that complete some college have better health outcomes,” Flanders said. “They earn higher salaries. They make our businesses more competitive, so if we don’t have the enrollments coming in and if we’re not then also improving our graduation rates, we won’t have as many completers who in the end have degrees.”

Read more: http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/education/2018-01-16/kansas-community-colleges-universities-grapple-enrollment