Amanda Smith
Managing Editor
According to The Kansas Board of Regents, almost all types of post-high school education across the state has seen a decrease in enrollment within the last five years. For Butler, that percentage is resting at nearly negative 15, which according to Associate Vice President of Student Services Jessica Ohman, reflects the current state of the economy.
“It is common for community colleges to see enrollment increases during economic crisis or downturns,” Ohman said in comparing the status of the economy to enrollment. “During times of economic growth, as we are now experiencing, many people choose to work full time so the decision to attend college for a degree or return to learn a specific skill set isn’t something they see as a priority.”
Ohman has served as a leader in the department of Enrollment Management since 2011 and has seen this pattern of enrollment throughout these years. According to her, Butler saw its highest enrollment numbers in 2012, following the end of the recession.
Although Butler has seen this decrease, it is not alone. Studies from the Board of Regents show that all community colleges in Kansas, with the exception of Coffeyville and Labette, have also experienced drops in numbers. Collectively, community colleges had a negative 11.21% change in the last five years while universities only experienced a 3.52% drop.
“Butler has been experiencing decreasing enrollment numbers since around 2013,” Ohman said. “These enrollment trends have been common among community colleges across the state and nationally.”
Between universities, community colleges and technical schools, only the latter has seen an increase of student enrollment, according to recent data. Ohman said that students opt for this route because it helps them enter the workforce sooner. Travis Willson, a 2019 high school graduate, favored trade school for this very reason.
“I chose trade school because it offered the chance for me to learn a skill I enjoyed without the need to go to a typical college, and it allowed me to skip past the student loans,” Willson said. “It has great benefits including good insurance and a great retirement package, and it allows more students to learn more by experience than through studying and tests.”
Although Ohman recognizes that Kansas is a competitive state in terms of higher education, she believes that Butler has many benefits for students choosing to attend college.
“We will continue to highlight the value and advantages of attending our small classes, learning with our talented faculty – dedicated to student success, as well as experiencing our quality extra-curricular activities; all while being the most affordable option in the area,” Ohman said.
