DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College bucked enrollment trends as one of only seven Michigan community colleges posting a fall 2019 increase in hours, school officials said.

After processing final drops and adds, SMC showed an overall head count of 2,171, up 1.2 percent versus fall 2018.

SMC rose 0.3 percent in total credit hours to 21,685 and 0.4 percent in total contact hours to 24,596, with growth at both the Dowagiac and Niles campuses.

The college welcomed 509 recent high school graduates to campus — an increase of 54, or almost 12 percent.

More students (364) live in the residence halls than last fall, as well, school officials said.

On the whole, Michigan community college enrollments have declined 32 percent since 2009.

“The enrollment environment for higher education is challenging everywhere, and that’s going to continue given demographic and economic trends we’re facing,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management Mike O’Brien. “But SMC has been proactive in identifying what makes us unique and clearly explaining to parents and students of all ages the value in starting their college journey here, where they can get a great education and college life experience without racking up huge university debt.”

SMC hosted 13 new student orientations throughout the spring and summer, plus three more orientations for incoming dual-enrolled students.

“Sure, we’re not talking about a huge bump,” O’Brien added, “but, in this environment, particularly in Michigan with so many other colleges in decline, bucking the trend and showing positive results is a win. It took a lot of hard work from our staff all year long to make that happen.”

O’Brien provided the board of trustees on Sept. 16 with a snapshot of the 591-member “freshman class,” which includes anyone attending college for the first time in addition to June high school graduates. Students range in age from 15 to 56, and are 60 percent female, 40 percent males. They include three military veterans and come from 17 Michigan counties, nine Indiana counties and six other states, plus an international student from the country of Georgia.

“The longest move to join us was 6,338 miles from Tokyo, Japan. That student has dual citizenship and is not technically considered an international student, but certainly has a great wealth of experiences to share,” O’Brien said.

The class has declared 42 different majors, with health services, business, biology, criminal justice, psychology and education being the most popular. One hundred and 10 came to SMC with 3.5 grade-point averages or better, 15 with straight A’s, O’Brien said.

To make sure the Class of 2021 achieves a seamless start connecting with staff, resources and peers, the college again offered “Welcome Week” activities from move-in Aug. 25 to Aug. 29.

These included an outdoor concert, lunch shuttles to downtown Dowagiac for Roadrunners to get acquainted with their new community, a pancake brunch, a New Kids on the Block ice cream social with ’90s karaoke, an outdoor movie, a picnic with President Dr. David Mathews, group workouts on the intramural field beside the Student Activity Center and a three-day passport adventure. Students obtained a stamp by visiting every department qualified for two $500 Spring 2020 scholarships that Nicole Langeland and Melanie Edmond won.

Vice President of Student Services Dr. Joseph Odenwald told trustees that 800 to 900 students attended Welcome Week events, including 194 for the ice cream social. Another 150 attended the evening concert by SMC alumnus Paul Erdman. Events had an average attendance of 50 in 2018 jumped to 72 this year, Odenwald said.

“We really went up a level this year,” he said. Director of Residence Life Jeff Hooks, First Year Experience Manager Katie Hannah and Student Activity Center Assistant Manager Branden Pompey have been invited to present their successes to the Michigan Community College Student Services Association fall conference Oct. 9 to 11 in Bay Harbor.

“Enrollment represents around $10 million of our $24 million budget,” Mathews said. “We always say that as fall goes, so goes the year.”

“Of course, enrollment never really stops. We’re taking applications for Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 right now,” O’Brien said.