This week, Moraine Park welcomed students from across the district as they began the 2024-25 academic year. Each campus hosted Welcome Back Week events and offered the opportunity to make on-campus connections.
- Overall program headcount is up by over 10 percent, and the growth is expected to remain strong through the spring semester.
- Program student headcount comparison as of September 1:
- 2024-25 – 2,936
- 2023-24 – 2,651
- 2022-23 – 2,575
- High school students in dual credit and Start College Now opportunities have also shown an increase with preliminary numbers showing a growth of around 20% in dual enrollment.
- Over $3 million in financial aid will be distributed for fall 2024, with a majority as financial gifts (scholarships or grants).
- $2,213,533 in gift aid
- $1,063,006 in loans
- Enrollment in Moraine Park’s Associate of Arts/Associate of Science (AA/AS)/University Transfer agreements have nearly tripled again this year, growing from 13 students in fall 2022, to 39 in 2023, and now to 103 in 2024.
- MPTC has also seen a notable recovery in its health and human services programs.
- The Nursing and Paramedic programs are reporting an enrollment increase for the first time in four years.
- Programs such as Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiography and EMT are showing the highest enrollments over the last four years.
- Additionally, seven students have enrolled in the new Fire Protection Technician associate degree and are taking classes at the recently opened Horicon Regional Center.
- Other notable program growth areas:
- MPTC’s Carpentry, Industrial Electrician and Electrician apprenticeships are reporting record enrollments.
- Business and trades programs such as paralegal, graphics, marketing, culinary arts and welding are seeing enrollment growth for the first time in four years, with some reporting at capacity for the fall semester.
“We are thrilled to see our communities increasingly turn to Moraine Park for their career preparation. The continuous enrollment growth reflects our commitment to providing quality training that meets the needs of our district,” said Bonnie Baerwald, President of Moraine Park. “I’ve also witnessed a noticeable shift in the perception of technical education in our communities, and I cannot help but attribute this growth to the changing understanding that, regardless of how skills are acquired, the ultimate goal is to secure a career that offers both personal and financial fulfillment. More students are choosing Moraine Park because they recognize the career potential and value of our programs. It is essential that learners understand they have many options when choosing their career path, and at Moraine Park, we recognize and appreciate the choice that works best for them.”
Moraine Park is accepting applications for the spring 2025 and fall 2025 semesters. The College has multiple events this fall for prospective students and community members.