COTC extended campuses offer unique access to college courses for area high school students
NEWARK – Central Ohio Technical College’s (COTC) extended campuses serve as the gateway to college for many area middle and high school students participating in the state’s new College Credit Plus (CCP) initiative. As a result, each of the three COTC extended campuses, (Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala) experienced double digit enrollment increases this fall semester.
Implemented this summer, CCP allows students from 7th through 12th grade to earn up to 30 college credits during an academic year at no cost to the students. The program promotes access to higher education and encourages educational pathways linking courses to careers.
“COTC has a long and successful history of offering college courses in area high schools,” said Vice President for Extended Campuses and The Gateway Teri Holder. “However, CCP has opened the doors to new opportunities both for the college and for area students further elevating the importance of our extended campuses.”
Enrollment on the Pataskala campus increased by more than 50 percent fall semester. A total of 489 students are taking classes this autumn with 186 of those students participating in CCP. That is 164 more students than last autumn in Pataskala. On the Coshocton campus, there was an increase of nearly 26 percent with a total of 275 students enrolled. That is 56 more students than last year and 72 of this year’s students are enrolled in CCP. There are 409 students enrolled this autumn on the Knox campus. That’s up from 370 last year which is more than a 10 percent increase. CCP students on the Knox campus total 174.
“Our Knox and Coshocton campuses are located in rural areas where there are not many technical higher education options within driving distance which in particular presents a challenge for the young people of the area,” said COTC President Bonnie L. Coe, Ph.D. “Part of our mission is to provide access to technical higher education. We are proud that our extended campuses help students in rural areas take part in programs like College Credit Plus.”
Central Ohio Technical College is a fully accredited, public college dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible programs of technical education in response to current and emerging employment needs, as well as encouraging the professional development of students, staff, faculty and administrators to assist them in achieving their maximum potential. COTC is the only technical college in Ohio operating four full-service campus locations: Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala.
Category: Education
