Cumberland County resident Donna Edwards glances over a textbook as she sits on a bench at Sampson Community College. Edwards, at age 40, has returned to school after spending several years as a secretary.

“I had a secretarial degree, but there were not that many ways to move up,” said Edwards. Now, she is opening her eyes to the field of nursing, since she thinks there may be more of a future for her there than in her previous field.

According to Oscar Rodriguez, director of admissions at SCC, more adults are taking advantage of the college and its resources in helping them find employment, particularly during the current economic downturn.

Just during this spring semester, Rodriguez said he has seen a boost in the number of students choosing the college.

SCC president Dr. Bill Aiken stated that enrollment at the college is at its highest level ever.

“In the spring semester 2009, the college achieved its highest enrollment for spring in SCC’s history. We expect that this trend will continue, and fall 2009, (it) will reach an all-time high,” stated Aiken in a memorandum sent to the paper.

And, Rodriguez firmly believes that the economy is a driving force in the rising numbers.

“A lot of that has to do with the economy ... People are coming back to retrain themselves,” said Rodriguez.

According to his data, the college currently has 1,502 students on its campus, that is an increase from the 1,317 students that were on campus this time last year. And of those 1,502 students, 421 of them are taking nursing courses, 568 of them are in the college transfer program, 164 are aiming towards early childhood development and 170 are in other occupational courses such as agriculture, welding, cosmetology, etc.

Rodriguez also estimates some students are choosing the community college route because the economy has forced them to look at more cost effective means for getting to school. Currently, the community college costs $1,084.50 in tuition a year as compared to the closest university, Fayetteville State University, that costs $1,746 for tuition and $4,570 for room and board.

In addition to economic stress leading to the influx of students, Rodriguez also credits the atmosphere of a community college as a reason for high enrollment rates.

“People are comfortable here,” commented Rodriguez, who chose to attend a community college himself before transferring to Mount Olive College to get his bachelor’s degree.

Edwards, too, feels that it was the comfortable atmosphere at the college that drew her to Sampson.

“Everyone here is friendly, nice and helpful,” said Rodriguez.

Like Edwards, other students are hoping that the college will allow them a chance to succeed.

“People are really hoping to land on their feet,” Rodriguez remarked.

One student hoping to help herself out is Serena Faircloth from Autryville who has enrolled in the nursing program. She chose this program in hopes of landing a job with better pay.

“Better pay, and I always wanted to work in the medical field,” said Faircloth.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by email at silife@myclintonnc.com.