Investing in Care to Combat Declining Enrollment in Higher Education

Dr. Dan WaldenOur educational system is facing an unprecedented challenge – declining enrollment. Across the country, community colleges and universities are seeing fewer students enroll, a trend that could have long-term consequences for both individuals and the economy. A shrinking student population means fewer trained workers entering key industries, bringing about economic decline as the demographic cliff continues to grow. The number of traditional college-age students is steadily declining, with fewer high school graduates enrolling in higher education. This enrollment issue is exacerbated by students struggling with loneliness, uncertainty, and declining mental health. As this trend continues, it becomes even more imperative for colleges to be intentional about retaining their current students. At Victor Valley College, we have found a powerful solution that will be instrumental in keeping students engaged and enrolled in the years to come – care.

Turning Enrollment Decline into Growth

Serving California’s High Desert, our college has long navigated economic and educational inequities. Similar to institutions nationwide, we saw enrollment plummet during the pandemic, dropping by 20% in 2020-2021. In 2021-22, we regained five percent, followed by a 30% increase the next year and another 20% the year after. Today, we stand as California’s fastest-growing community college, with enrollment up 33% overall from pre-pandemic levels. We believe a key factor in achieving this turnaround was building our campus foundation on a culture of care, connection, and belonging through Caring Campus.

Caring Campus, developed by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, intentionally equips staff and faculty with strategies and tools to create a welcoming, supportive environment for every student. At Victor Valley, it has been a game-changer, shifting our campus culture to one where care is not just a value, but an action that we carry out every single day. By fostering strong connections and ensuring that students feel valued as individuals rather than just as numbers at a college, we have created an environment that encourages persistence and completion. This is critical in the face of a shrinking student population.

Proactive Student Support Services

Our Student Services Call Center plays a huge role in ensuring students feel seen and heard. Every call the college receives is answered by our Student Service Specialists, ensuring each caller speaks with a real person and eliminating frustrating menus and voicemail systems that often leave callers feeling irrelevant. Our Call Center boasts a 90% first-call resolution rate, with the remaining 10% of calls directed specifically to an individual that can help.

We also have four Engagement Centers that provide a space where students can connect with mentors, counselors, faculty, and staff for even more personalized support. Whether they need academic guidance, help navigating college resources, or just a place to feel connected, these centers serve as a crucial hub for student success.