POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Summer enrollment at Three Rivers Community College has increased for the third consecutive year, foreshadowing higher numbers for the fall, college officials said.

There were 1,162 students enrolled this summer, compared to 1,098 last year, a 5.8 percent increase. Enrollment increased by 25 students the year before. The numbers include students taking online classes and attending regional centers throughout Southeast Missouri.

Three Rivers president Joe Rozman said he attributes the increases to the state of the economy and increased recruiting of nontraditional students. In the past, he said, the college marketed itself toward high school-age students. He said the college added a recruiter in September to target older students.

"More students is better for the college, but also, sometimes that is an underrepresented group of people out there," he said.

Summer classes began June 1 and will continue until July 27. Southeast Missouri State University began summer classes June 16. Enrollment figures for the summer session at Southeast were not available.

At Three Rivers, larger numbers in the summer are translating into stronger numbers for the fall. Rozman said preliminary numbers show a 6 to 7 percent increase in fall enrollment compared to numbers at the same time last year. That reflects an increase of about 170 students taking 1400 credit hours, he said.

"This is trending to be our best year," Rozman said.

He said more students are enrolling to upgrade their skills and become more employable in the slow economy. More students began during the summer to jump-start their education, he said. Rozman said he expects the fall numbers to continue increasing throughout the summer.

"If you're ahead a this point in the game, most of the time you're going to be ahead in the end," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO