PORT ARTHUR, Texas — College enrollment took a hit after massive FASFA delays at the start of the semester. But Lamar State College-Port Arthur is making history with enrollment numbers at an all-time high.
LSCPA officials tell 12News that duel credit courses is the driving force behind this trend and they hope this is just the beginning.
Since the school opened in 1909, they've never seen this much of an increase. The school's enrollment sits at over 4,000 students.
The tide began to change three semesters ago.
"Traditional enrollment is flat across nation wide it's not just in the state of Texas or this region and dual credit has seen just explosive growth," said Bruce Hodge, director of the dual credits program at LSCPA.
This fall semester LSCPA hit the historical milestone with 4,687 students enrolled. A large number of those students are still in high school.
"Between Bob Hope and Wilson that's right at 1,000 students and they'll earn 60 college hours by the time they graduate," Hodge said.
The dual credit program is the reason for the enrollment boom, according to Hodge.
"The extraordinary growth has really been in the CTE side, technical education, Allied Health, HVAC, cosmetology, welding," he said.
Jimmy Scott is a senior at Woodrow Wilson Early College High School, but he's also taking dual credit classes at LSCPA.
"I've taken just about 90% of classes to get my certificate and also my degree," Scott said.
He's planning to become a teacher and work for the Port Arthur Independent School District.
"I'm very passionate about teaching and I thought this would be a good start to boost me into my teaching career," said Scott.
Dr. Melissa Armentor, Dean of Academic and Technical Programs, says more students, means more funding.
"An increase in enrollment means an increase in our revenue right now we need funds for buildings," Dr. Armentor said.
It also means more young people are choosing higher education.
"This helps provide access to traditionally undeserved communities, particularly Port Arthur," said Hodge.
"I'm super excited to know I'm about to get my diploma and my degree at the same time," Scott said.
Scott says he will be graduating in May from both Woodrow Wilson and LSCPA with an Associate's Degree in Arts and Academic Studies. He also started as substitute intern at PAISD.