HARRISBURG, Ill. -- Southeastern Illinois College is almost back to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers after beating its numbers from Fall 2020 this past semester.Â
SIC reported a count of almost 2,000 students at the end of the Fall 2023 semester. This is about 600 students higher than at the end of the 2020 year.Â
“This is great news for SIC and our region,� said Dr. Jonah Rice, retiring president. “I could not be prouder of our staff and faculty for helping turn around the dips in enrollment during and following the pandemic. Our recruiting efforts, new offerings, and student support services have all paid huge dividends.�
The college is crediting strategies implemented by enrollment managers for the rise. All areas of SIC stuck to the strategies. Examples of the tactics include connecting to young audiences and offering dual credit for high schoolers.Â
New degrees have been added to the college's curriculum, further drawing in students. These fields include Fine Arts, Industrial Maintenance, Outfitter Wildlife Management, EMT and more. Â
Out-of-class activity offerings have also grown. Archery, dance and debate teams have all been started at SIC.Â
“Over the last few years, we’ve expanded opportunities for students and have invested in facilities, such as being the only community college in the nation to have an indoor archery range. We’ve also renovated a dance studio and focused more on debate with our championship speech team,� said Rice.
 SIC has seen a continued rise in numbers since its initial drop in 2020.Â
