Growth continues at Wayne College
When enrollment at The University of Akron Wayne College hit a record-high last year, school administration was excited, but not sure how high the number might go before leveling off. So far, though, the end is nowhere in sight as the college topped last year’s number by 20 students, with 2,623 students enrolled as of the first day of fall classes.
Of those students, more than 700 were first-year Wayne students and approximately 380 were high school students looking to get a head start on college through Wayne’s free post-secondary and academy programs. All of the high school programs allow students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. The Orrville and Rittman academies are held on the high school campuses and were made possible by a partnership between the high schools, University of Akron Wayne College, and The J.M. Smucker Company.
According to Paulette Popovich, interim dean, the college’s growth has been due to innovative programming and partnerships with other institutions. She said the college is committed to offering local residents “affordable excellence” in higher education and has built solid partnerships with other institutions to meet that goal.
New programs added for the 2011-2012 school year include a Saturday MBA program, a nursing partnership program offered in conjunction with the Wayne County Schools Career Center and Stark State, a Bachelor of Organizational Supervision (BOS) degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree offered as a three-plus-one option with Walsh University.
Popovich said Wayne offers students within driving distance of the college a way to achieve their academic goals without the added expense of living on a residential campus for four years.
“Many students attend Wayne for two years, then go on to the University of Akron or another university to finish up their bachelor’s degree,” said Popovich. “Additionally, a significant number of students would like to earn their bachelor’s degrees without leaving this area at all.”
Popovich noted that there are currently two bachelor degree options that can be completed on the Wayne Campus and a third that can be completed online, the Bachelor of Postsecondary Technical Education degree. She added there are also conversations underway regarding future partnerships and degrees at Wayne College.
Wayne College is located at 1901 Smucker Road, Orrville. More information about the college can be found on the college’s website at http://wayne.uakron.edu or by calling 800-221-8308.
Of those students, more than 700 were first-year Wayne students and approximately 380 were high school students looking to get a head start on college through Wayne’s free post-secondary and academy programs. All of the high school programs allow students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. The Orrville and Rittman academies are held on the high school campuses and were made possible by a partnership between the high schools, University of Akron Wayne College, and The J.M. Smucker Company.
According to Paulette Popovich, interim dean, the college’s growth has been due to innovative programming and partnerships with other institutions. She said the college is committed to offering local residents “affordable excellence” in higher education and has built solid partnerships with other institutions to meet that goal.
New programs added for the 2011-2012 school year include a Saturday MBA program, a nursing partnership program offered in conjunction with the Wayne County Schools Career Center and Stark State, a Bachelor of Organizational Supervision (BOS) degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree offered as a three-plus-one option with Walsh University.
Popovich said Wayne offers students within driving distance of the college a way to achieve their academic goals without the added expense of living on a residential campus for four years.
“Many students attend Wayne for two years, then go on to the University of Akron or another university to finish up their bachelor’s degree,” said Popovich. “Additionally, a significant number of students would like to earn their bachelor’s degrees without leaving this area at all.”
Popovich noted that there are currently two bachelor degree options that can be completed on the Wayne Campus and a third that can be completed online, the Bachelor of Postsecondary Technical Education degree. She added there are also conversations underway regarding future partnerships and degrees at Wayne College.
Wayne College is located at 1901 Smucker Road, Orrville. More information about the college can be found on the college’s website at http://wayne.uakron.edu or by calling 800-221-8308.
Published: September 7, 2011
