Enrollment at Georgia public colleges, universities up for 1st time in two years

ATLANTA (AP) -- Enrollment this fall at Georgia's public colleges and universities has increased for the first time in two years.<br /> <br /> University System of Georgia officials said Friday enrollment statewide has increased to nearly 314,000 students - climbing 1.1 percent from last fall. Chancellor Hank Huckaby says the increase is encouraging but says the system has a lot of work ahead to support the students through graduation. He also says the system must stay focused on recruiting students for future years.<br /> <br /> Officials say some unique programs helped. About 1,200 students enrolled in a new online master's program at Georgia Tech, while a dual enrollment program giving college credit in high school saw a 26 percent increase in enrollment.<br /> <br /> Among schools in north Georgia, Georgia Tech saw a 7.6 percent increase; the University of Georgia, 1.9 percent; University of North Georgia (UNG), 3.9 percent; and Georgia Gwinnett College, 11.4 percent.<br /> <br /> "Through consistent enrollment growth, we continue to make progress toward our goals of increasing educational access and college completion in the region," UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs said. "The University of North Georgia combines a long-standing focus on academic excellence, student success and leadership development opportunities with a broad scope of degree programs and admission pathways through our four campuses."<br /> <br /> Though any updated numbers were not available Friday afternoon, UNG officials said in September that the Fall 2014 headcount for the school's four campuses showed this breakdown:<br /> <br /> Cumming 736<br /> Dahlonega 6,698<br /> Gainesville 6,785<br /> Oconee 2,289<br /> <br /> UNG officials Friday night did confirm a current enrollment of 16,064.<br /> <br /> In the report issued Friday by the Board of Regents, 18 schools across the state saw enrollment increases compared to declines at 13 campuses.<br /> <br /> (Click on the link below to access the full report on enrollment at all 31 colleges and universities.)<br /> <br /> (AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/11/281598