Classes start for the fall semester at Kenai Peninsula College on Aug. 28. A week before that, on Tuesday, Aug. 22, the college will hold an open house at its Kenai River Campus in Soldotna.

Ruby Glaser, communications specialist for the college, said Wednesday that the open house is a chance for incoming students to get acquainted with the campus, for the curious to explore their options, and for the wider community to visit and see what’s going on in their own backyard. There will be food, and games for kids.

“We want to remind folks that we’re here and we’re a great resource,” she said.

At the open house, each of the departments will be represented, and so will the other Kenai Peninsula campuses in Homer and in Seward. Glaser said attendees can visit the welding lab, the paramedic lab and other career and technical education opportunities.

This year, a focus is on showing off the suite of offerings at the college, which has grown deeper especially in recent years as more courses are being offered in more formats. Glaser said that more four-year degrees can be completed locally, and more certificate programs are available. Those classes can also take more forms, including online, in person or hybrid.

Even for students only taking online courses, Glaser said there are resources available on campus like the library or learning center. Beyond that, the campus can also offer quiet places to sit and study.

An exciting new addition, Glaser said, are undergraduate certificate programs for Ahtna and Dena’ina language, which debuted earlier this year in the spring semester.

Glaser said that enrollment has increased at the campus year over year. That increase is being seen both in regards to the number of students registered for classes, but also the number of credit hours they’re enrolled in. This is the second year in a row that the college has reported increasing attendance after steep declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re excited to see people coming back,” Glaser said. “Our goal is to get as many folks into wherever they want to be. That’s what we’re here to do — help students accomplish their goals.”

There will be resources available at the open house — and, in general, at the campus — to help people establish their plans and get started on those pathways.

Financial aid, advising and admissions staff will be at the open house, Glaser said. Attendees can start getting together a plan in time to start class.

“It’s definitely not too late for people to get enrolled.”

Though those resources will be gathered for the open house, Glaser said that they’re still around on the other days.

“Even if you never step foot on campus, we’re here for you,” she said. “Call student services, call financial aid, call the learning center. We want to help you, and we have a lot of opportunities and creative ways that we’ve been able to do that. … There’s lots of ways for students to get assistance and get help if they need it.”

The open house will be held at Kenai Peninsula College’s Kenai River Campus in Soldotna on Tuesday, Aug. 22, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about Kenai Peninsula College, which is part of the statewide University of Alaska system, visit kpc.alaska.edu.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.