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During the Oct. 14, 2025, meeting of the Â鶹ԭ´´ Board of Trustees, Vice President of Strategy and Analytics Tom Glenn reported that Â鶹ԭ´´ has reached the highest fall enrollment in its 50-year history. A total of 7,336 students are enrolled for Fall 2025, surpassing the previous record of 7,195 set in 2010.

Since Dr. Damon Kennedy became the fifth president of Â鶹ԭ´´ in July 2023, the college has experienced two consecutive years of double-digit growth. Enrollment has increased by more than 1,800 students, a 33% overall increase.

"This milestone reflects the hard work of the amazing employees at Â鶹ԭ´´ as well as the incredible partnerships between our college, K-12, business and industry, philanthropy, and the Midland community," said Dr. Kennedy. "We are deeply committed to expanding opportunities for students in our region, whether that means preparing them for a high-demand, high-wage career in the Permian Basin or transferring them to universities for the completion of a bachelor's degree."

Unlike 2010, when enrollment peaks were primarily driven by visiting students taking courses over the winter break, Â鶹ԭ´´'s current growth is powered by increases in both dual credit and traditional post-high school students.

A major driver of growth has been the no-cost dual credit initiative launched in Fall 2024 in partnership with the Midland Independent School District (MISD) and other ISDs across the Â鶹ԭ´´ service area. The program allows high school students to take college courses at no cost, leading to a 60% increase in dual enrollment. Â鶹ԭ´´ half of these students take classes on the Â鶹ԭ´´ campus, primarily due to the specialized lab spaces required for career and technical education programs, as well as the presence of the Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Early College High School at Â鶹ԭ´´.

In addition to dual credit growth, Â鶹ԭ´´ has seen a 25% increase in traditional enrollment, reflecting growing interest from traditional college students pursuing degrees, workforce training, and university transfer pathways.

Â鶹ԭ´´'s commitment to student success has matched its enrollment gains. The 2024–2025 academic year saw a record of 1,358 students earning a degree or certificate, underscoring the college's focus on helping students achieve their educational and career goals. "Our mission has always been to empower students and strengthen the community," Dr. Kennedy added. "We're not merely growing our enrollment, we're growing our impact."