MEDIA CONTACT:
Kenyon “KJ” Askew, Jr.
Director, Marketing & Strategic Engagement
klaskew736@nashcc.edu
252-451-8235

Nash CC Reports Progress on Strategic Enrollment Management

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina (September 16, 2026) – One year after launching its 2025-28 Strategic Enrollment Management Plan (SEM), Nash Community College is reporting measurable progress in enrollment, student persistence, credential attainment and post-graduation success.

The three-year plan provides a collegewide framework for improving the student experience from initial recruitment and enrollment through graduation, employment or university transfer. Comparing the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, NCC has met or exceeded several key performance indicators established in the plan.

“This work has always been about much more than increasing enrollment,” said Dr. Wendy Cook, vice president of Student Services at NCC. “Strategic enrollment management requires us to look at the entire student journey. We look at how we reach students, help them enroll, whether they persist and ultimately whether they complete a credential and successfully move into the workforce or continue their education.”

Enrollment and engagement

NCC recorded 4,298 curriculum students during the 2025-26 academic year, up from 4,014 during 2024-25, representing a 7.1% increase. The result reaches the SEM Plan's goal of achieving 5%-7% annual enrollment growth over three years.

Enrollment in career and technical education programs increased 9.5%, nearing the plan's 10% annual growth target for CTE programs.

The results follow expanded efforts to increase program visibility and help prospective students see themselves, their goals and their futures reflected in the NCC experience. Those efforts have included authentic student storytelling, targeted marketing, community-based recruitment, campus tours and more interactive opportunities for prospective students to explore programs and career pathways.

“Effective recruitment starts with helping prospective students see themselves at Nash Community College,” said Dr. K.J. Askew, director of marketing and strategic engagement at NCC. “Our work has focused on increasing the visibility of our programs while telling authentic stories that connect what we offer to the goals, careers and futures our prospective students envision for themselves. The growth we are seeing reinforces the importance of meeting students where they are and showing them not only what Nash offers, but what is possible for them here.”

Enrollment and persistence

The percentage of students enrolled full-time increased 8.6%, exceeding the SEM Plan's 5% goal. The college has focused on reducing barriers to full-time enrollment through advising, earlier registration and increased awareness of financial aid, scholarships and student support resources.

We are aiming to find the best fit for each individual student from day one.” said Dr. Ashlyn Wilson, associate vice president of Student Services at NCC. “Whether that is to identify the right program of study, course modality, or weekly time commitment, it is our goal to slow down the onboarding process in order to build a relationship and provide targeted information to move students from overwhelm into a mapped journey for success.”

Fall-to-spring student persistence also increased 1.3% year over year. NCC continues working toward its goal of 85% fall-to-spring persistence by 2027 and is currently 12 percentage points from the target.

Online course withdrawals remain an area of focus as the college continues implementing strategies designed to identify students who may need additional support and intervene earlier.

“Data allows us to recognize where we're making progress, but its greatest value is showing us where there is still work to do,” said Marcus Lewis, director of institutional research at NCC. “Looking at the data year-over-year helps us to see and understand whether our strategies are having the intended impact. That perspective allows us to refine strategies, build on what is working, and make informed adjustments as we continue to implement the plan.”

Completion and next steps

NCC also recorded gains in credential attainment and post-graduation outcomes.

The number of NCC students continuing their education at a university or college within two years of graduation increased 15.3% from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

Nash Community College awarded 754 credentials during 2025-26, a 1.3% year-over-year increase. The SEM Plan calls for increasing credential completion by 20% over its three-year implementation period.

“These outcomes demonstrate why the different pieces of strategic enrollment management cannot operate independently,” Cook said. “Recruitment matters, but enrollment alone is not the finish line. Our responsibility is to help students move from interest to enrollment, from enrollment to persistence and from persistence to completion.”

As NCC enters the second year of the plan, college leaders will continue monitoring established performance indicators and adjusting strategies based on institutional data and student outcomes. Persistence, retention and online course withdrawals will remain areas of focus while the college works to sustain enrollment growth and increase credential completion and post-graduation success.

The 2025-28 Strategic Enrollment Management Plan was developed through a collegewide effort involving faculty, staff, students and community partners and is organized around four areas: Marketing, Recruitment and Outreach; Onboarding, Entry and Enrollment; Persistence and Retention; and Completion, Credential Attainment and Post-Graduation Success.

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About Nash Community College 
Nash Community College’s mission is to provide an affordable educational environment which prepares students for university transfer and rewarding careers. Through quality instruction and services, technology, work force development, and community partnerships, Nash Community College provides lifelong learning opportunities to individuals, communities, and organizations. Nash Community College is a public community college in Nash County, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System.