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.

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

An 86 pound Kenai River king salmon is measured in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 29, 1995. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion File)
Kenai River king salmon fishing closed entirely for 3rd year

Kenai River king salmon were designated a stock of management concern in 2023.

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Board of Regents to meet in Soldotna

The last time the board met on the Kenai Peninsula was April 2012.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education member Penny Vadla and student representative Emerson Kapp speak to the joint Alaska House and Senate education committees in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy Gavel Alaska/KTOO)
KPBSD among dozens of districts to deliver in-person testimony to Alaska Legislature

Districts spotlighted programs already lost over years of stagnant funding that hasn’t met inflationary pressure.

Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by his office at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Education dominates Elam’s 1st town hall as state rep

Education funding dominated much of the conversation.

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Work soon to begin on Kenai Middle security upgrades

The security upgrades are among several key KPBSD maintenance projects included in a bond approved by borough voters in October 2022.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai adds funds, authorizes contract for study of emergency services facility

The building shared by Kenai’s police and fire departments hasn’t kept up with the needs of both departments, chief says.

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai awards contract to develop Parks and Rec master plan

The document is expected to guide the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Balancing Act’s homepage for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. (Screenshot)
KPBSD launches ‘Balancing Act’ software, calls for public to balance $17 million deficit

The district and other education advocates have said that the base student allocation has failed to keep up with inflation.

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Harvest Alaska announces proposed redevelopment of Kenai LNG terminal

The project could deliver additional natural gas supplies to the Southcentral market as early as 2026, developers said.

Most Read