Published: October 24, 2009 11:39 pm      

Allegany College of Maryland sets of Maryland sets enrollment record

Number of credit students tops 4,000 for the first time

CUMBERLAND — Allegany College of Maryland has posted a third consecutive year of record enrollment with a 3 percent gain that puts the number of credit students above 4,000 for the first time.

This fall 4,052 are attending the college’s three campuses, numerous satellite sites and high school dual-enrollment classrooms. The count reflects a gain of nearly 120 students from a year ago and the previous record of 3,945.

“Allegany College of Maryland continues to provide opportunities for students in a challenging economy,” said Bruce Exstrom, ACM president. “Appropriate skills are an increasing requirement as regional and national companies are seeking employees with enhanced skills.

“The college is committed to providing cutting-edge technology along with the personal touch to provide learning opportunities and academic advising,” he said.

The college is using the theme, “Touching Lives, Changing Futures” to convey the value of its education. Reasonable cost compared to other institutions and the convenience of its locations combine to make quality post-secondary education accessible where people live and work, Exstrom said.

The two Pennsylvania campuses represent 1,522 of ACM credit students — 762 students are enrolled through the Bedford County Campus, while the Somerset County Campus accounts for another 760.

Gains in current students, or those who re-enrolled from the previous year, factored into the record overall enrollment. Their number rose to 2,044 for a gain of 5 percent.

ACM’s long list of associate degree and certificate programs with statewide and health-manpower shortage designations makes the college particularly attractive to Marylanders from across the state. Both Maryland efforts support programs in fields with strong job growth, such as health care, technology and hospitality. Because of state reimbursement to the college, Maryland residents enrolled in these curricula pay tuition at the Allegany County rate, ACM’s lowest.

Other areas of emphasis for ACM recruiters include nearby counties in Virginia and counties in central and south-central Pennsylvania, where community colleges are few or their programs not as comprehensive as at Allegany. Enrollment is rising in career programs as a whole, which complements solid enrollment by students preparing for transfer to other institutions.

Transfers programs are numerous and in widely varying areas, which allows virtually any student to begin a four-year college program at ACM. Numerous high school students are taking courses through the Early College program. They pay one-half tuition based on residency and get a head start on college regardless of where they earn their degree. This fall 827 such students are attending.

Pennsylvania students, particularly, have taken the opportunity to begin their college studies early. Classes are typically conducted in their own high school, which serves to enhance the academic offerings available to them there. Supporting college awareness is ACM’s Web site, which continually gains features and content. This comprehensive source of ACM information, which allows students to electronically file an application for admission as well as study the catalog and select courses, helps the college take its message to a wider audience. It is located at www.allegany.edu.