Barton Community College hit a milestone this semester, becoming the fourth largest community college in Kansas, according to the state college headcount released by the Kansas Board of Regents.
The fall preliminary headcount is based on enrollment on the 20th day of classes. BCC moved past Hutchinson Community College with enrollment growth at more than 11 percent. Most of the community colleges and state universities did not show an increase in enrollment, although technical colleges did grow, for the most part.
The top five community colleges on the report, and their 20th day unduplicated headcounts, are: Johnson County, 19,684; Butler, 9,363; Kansas City, 6,575; Barton, 6,252; and Hutchinson, 6,128. Hutchinson’s enrollment decreased by 31 students, or 0.5 percent, while Barton’s grew by 635, or 11.3 percent.
In a statement released Wednesday by Barton Community College, President Dr. Carl Heilman said the goal of increasing enrollment has been one of the main focuses of the current Barton Board of Trustees and administration.
“Barton’s faculty and staff have been diligent over the past several years in assessing enrollment opportunities that are in keeping with the institutional mission and when addressing industry needs,” Heilman said. “This has included the continued expansion of online learning program development, the recent agreement with Fort Leavenworth to provide on-site education service and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s designation of Barton as a regional safety training provider. These factors, in conjunction with other well-established services, have built a solid foundation for anticipated future enrollment growth.”

Only half of the story
Heilman said Barton’s enrollment numbers, however, will be even higher in the next couple of months. With several cycles of enrollment for its military students taking place throughout the semester and another online enrollment session approaching in mid-October, Barton’s “20th day” enrollment numbers don’t paint a complete picture of Barton’s true growth and is simply a snapshot in time compared to the previous fall semester.
Barton’s total students served was 6,252 at the time of the 20th day report for fall 2013. However, fall 2012 ended with an unduplicated headcount of 8,122.
Barton still needs to enroll another 1,459 before exceeding the prior fall semester final total.
“For now, we are encouraged that our pace is ahead of last fall and it appears that we are on course in surpassing the final total enrollment of last fall,” Heilman said.

Source of growth
A huge area of growth for Barton has been its online component, BARTonline.org. It has grown at about 20 percent or more per year for more than five years, this year being no exception.
One thing adding to the increase this year is a newly opened Fort Leavenworth campus and service area, which has grown rapidly and steadily since it opened in 2012. It has served 251 students so far this semester with more fall military enrollment cycles on the horizon.
Barton’s Vice President Dr. Penny Quinn said the growth is a sign that Barton is simply on the right path, doing what is necessary to meet the needs of its constituents.
“Barton is fortunate to have quality faculty and staff committed to student academic success,” she said. “This commitment, coupled with our strong educational partnerships allows Barton to continue to positively impact students and in doing so, meet the needs of the State of Kansas.”