POULSBO — Olympic College-Poulsbo is the type of school where a 17-year-old high school student, a working mother of two and a senior citizen can mesh under one roof of education.
As a community college, OC-Poulsbo’s mission is to serve the educational needs of the diverse spectrum that is North Kitsap. The school’s latest enrollment numbers suggest that OC is right on track, and director Kelly Woodward said it will keep moving forward.
Fall enrollment numbers for 2006 are up 17.6 percent from the same date last year as OC-Poulsbo continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The college opened in January 2004 with a student base of 508 and two full-time faculty members; nearly three years later OC, serves more than 1,100 students with a full- and part-time teaching staff varying between 50-60.
“We always compare fall to fall, winter to winter, etc.,†Woodward said. “Although our current enrollment number is lower than last fall’s final enrollment, we still have a couple more weeks of registration with lots of new folks coming in.â€
Woodward emphasized that it is not too late for students to enroll in the fall quarter at OC. In fact, they can sign up through the first week of class, which begins Sept. 18.
All incoming students must take a $15 placement test before registering, and they will then be referred to OC-Poulsbo incoming student advisor Pat Lyons.
“I have one of the best jobs in the world because I get to talk about people’s dreams,†Lyons said of the admissions process. “So many people just know they need to further their education, but they don’t necessarily have the direction. Every student is different.â€
Over the course of its existence, OC-Poulsbo has consistently expanded its advisory services in order to guide students onto the most direct path in their education. Lyons said when she first started at OC-Poulsbo she was working only a half-day a week. Now she works two full days, which still isn’t quite enough time to help all incoming students.
“There is really a demand out here,†she said.
“We’ve just had record numbers for our student orientation,†Woodward added. “I think that is because the programs we are offering reflect what the community tells us they want.â€
Though the college will admittedly not be able to service all of the diverse needs in the community, it is continually looking at large demands while remaining committed to less popular courses.
OC-Poulsbo continues to offer its esteemed nursing program which will be seeing some enhancements next year as a bachelors of science in nursing program comes online in fall 2007. A new physical therapist’s assistant program will also be opening at Poulsbo Village by the 2007 winter quarter.
New this year is a nine-month course — the sustainable building advisor certificate program — which is aimed at local residents involved in the processes of building construction.
Still, the college also serves smaller populations of technical education and career enhancement classes in addition to online offerings.
“As we are growing, we want to make sure that the quality stays in place,†Woodward said. “We want to make sure that no students are getting lost in the mix.â€
The program in highest demand at OC remains to be the transfer program which prepares students with the first two years of base classes on the educational road toward a bachelor’s degree then links them with a four-year institution for completion.
“This is a place where you can take your education and/or career to the next level,†Woodward said.