Trayshel T. Young
There were 1.672 degrees obtained for the academic year of 2023-2024 from students that attended the Community College of Baltimore County.
There are four Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) campuses and students have the choice of enrolling in either campus at Catonsville, Essex, Dundalk, or Owings Mills. CCBC also offers online classes for students to complete their degree. According to ccbcmd.edu for the academic year of 2023-2024 there were a total of 51,324 students enrolled. Five percent of students enrolled full-time, and forty-two percent enrolled part-time.
“I chose to attend CCBC because not only do I work full-time, but I am also enrolled in online classes with Towson University as I am taking a dual degree," CCBC student Kiersten Chemelli said. "CCBC offers me the flexibility to work and get my degree with the options of part-time classes and the ability to take them online.”
Based off the enrollment percentages it is safe to say that a majority of the students who are enrolled in one of CCBCs campuses are also employed.
Part-time returning student Ta’Niya Williams said, “I have decided to return to CCBC this year after previously attending in 2011. I love how I am able to take a class two nights a week online which allows me to still work my full-time job and be a mom to my two kids.”
Many students on The Catonsville Campus agreed that if CCBC did not offer such a wide range of options to choose from for taking classes they more than likely would not have been able to return to school as they work full-time jobs, some working both full-time and part-time.
With more students enrolling part-time instead of full-time in hopes to further their education and career CCBC should continue to expect a consistent increase in enrollment numbers throughout the upcoming years.
Several students have mentioned that their main piece of encouragement comes from friends or family who have taken the leap and returned to school after taking several years off. A lot of the students seem to have the “if they can do it then I can as well,” thought process.
According to www.collegefactual.com, “First-time, full-time students under the age of 25 are much more likely to graduate in four years. Some schools cater to mostly traditional students while others cater to 'non-traditional' students. So called 'non-traditional' students include part-time students or those who may be returning after an absence. It is common for part-time and/or adult students to take longer to graduate.”
Whether you are starting college for the first time or returning, CCBC allows flexibility for all students. With supporting staff and faculty the college helps to create a community of people who can help you further your education with a schedule that best fits you.
