Enrollment has reached an all-time high at Northwest Mississippi Community College, according to Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president. This fall students registered at all campus locations totaled 6,825—up 134 students over last fall’s total.

“Northwest continues to be a leader in the state of Mississippi in offering the students and citizens of our district and the state the very finest educational opportunities,” said Dr. Spears, who is beginning his third year as president of the third-largest community college in Mississippi.

Students like freshman liberal arts major Morgan Philley found what they were looking for in a college experience. “Northwest offered me great scholarships, a better student-to-teacher ratio and a good way to stay in touch with old friends and make new ones,” said Philley of Southaven.

On the Senatobia campus there were 2,751 students in day classes, up 47.

Enrollment was fairly steady in the evening program which reported 202 students, down two from last year, for a campus total of 2,953.

DeSoto Center’s total enrollment grew 21 students from last fall’s total. Students in the day classes totaled 1,875, up 115; and the evening program reported a loss of 94 students for a total of 827.

At Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center in Oxford total enrollment increased by 68 students for a total of 1,170. There are 782 students in day classes, up 66 students; and the center reports 388 in evening classes, up 2.

More growth is evident in the college’s online program. “We set another record with our online enrollment,” said Phyllis Johnson, distance learning coordinator for the college. “Last fall we had 1,053 students.

This fall we have registered 1,434. We are seeing more and more competition in the area of online offerings. I think these enrollment numbers show that the quality of our program speaks for itself,” she said.

DeSoto County contributed the largest number of students to the overall college enrollment with 2,815 (41.2 percent). Tate County was second with 735 (10.8 percent), followed by Panola with 667 students (9.8 percent). Lafayette was next with 659 (9.7 percent).

Other counties contributing to the college’s student population include:

Marshall, 406 (5.9 percent); Yalobusha, 270 (4.0 percent); Calhoun, 158 (2.3 percent); Quitman, 106, (1.6 percent); Tunica, 93 (1.4 percent); Tallahatchie, 88 (1.3 percent); and Benton, 64 (.9 percent).

Other Mississippi counties added 496 (7.3 percent); while out-of-state students totaled 268 (3.9 percent).