For Immediate Release

Date: September 9, 2009

For More Information: Robert G. Miller (901) 333-4368/ Fax (901) 333-4503                                                              E-mail: rgmiller1@southwest.tn.edu

Southwest Predicts a Significant Enrollment Increase This Fall

Southwest Tennessee Community College is experiencing a dramatic growth in enrollment and predicts this fall's 2009 enrollment will soar to a double-digit increase versus last fall. The enrollment increase is projected to be as high as 12 or 13 percent. With the recent opening of Southwest's new Maxine A. Smith Center in southeast Memphis, the college's multiple campuses, centers and site in Shelby and Fayette counties now serve close to 13,000 students, and the college is almost at near capacity.

Fall classes started on August 29, but Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) campuses, such as Southwest, do not report their official enrollment figures to TBR in Nashville until 14 days into the semester.

"With our current tough economy and circumstances, students recognize the affordability and quality of a Southwest education. Today, getting a college degree is becoming more necessary; students can graduate from Southwest and easily transfer to a baccalaureate institution. It has been the economy that has brought the students to our door," said Carol Tosh, vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management at Southwest.

Tosh further states, "It is the excellent teaching provided by our faculty and the student-care and concern of our staff that have allowed us to experience continuous growth over the last four semesters."