Batman emceed a special Halloween Soldotna Chamber Luncheon, on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Soldotna, AK. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Batman emceed a special Halloween Soldotna Chamber Luncheon, on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Soldotna, AK. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Official: Kenai Peninsula College student enrollment down

After years of growth, Kenai Peninsula College is seeing a decline in student enrollment.

Enrollment decreased 4 percent between 2017 and 2018, according to an update given by Suzie Kendrick, KPC advancement programs manager, at Wednesday’s Soldotna Chamber Luncheon.

“It was years before we saw red numbers like this,” Kendrick, has worked at the college for more than 17 years, said. We grew, and we grew and we grew. Then the economy flattened out. I don’t think I need to explain to you how things are a little bit different than they were five or more years ago.”

Kendrick said the 92-bed capacity resident halls are also just over half full. Summer enrollment was also down by 1 percent.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Last academic year, the college-graduated students enrolled in 121 associates degrees, 16 one-year certificates, 33 welding certificates, and 35 general education development programs. The most popular degree was the associates’ degree in process technology, which had 56 graduates.

Kendrick said the college offers something for everyone. She said the college offers many opportunities for residents interested in a career change, high school juniors and seniors and people across the state who are interested in attending a small community campus.

“You can get started on any four-year degree, and you can even get four degrees right here at Kenai Peninsula College, and a lot of people don’t know that,” Kendrick said in her presentation.

She specifically pushed the school’s certified nursing aide class, which is a one semester, six-credit course.

“You successfully complete that program, take the state exam and boom, you’re a certified nurses aide,” Kendrick said. “They are in high, high demand on the Kenai Peninsula and all over the United States.”

Kendrick said many local high school students could take advantage of the campus’ Jumpstart program, which gives Kenai Peninsula Borough high school students significantly reduced tuition.

“You need to get started on college,” Kendrick said. “We’ve had quite a few borough students who have graduated with their associate’s degree in tandem with their high school diploma. You can do it, and you can do it at a much lower rate than you’re going to have to pay when you come as a non-high school student.”

Spring semester begins Jan. 14.

More in News

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

Most Read