Baytown — Lee College has achieved a historic milestone, reporting its highest-ever total student enrollment. This fall semester, enrollment has reached 8,943 students, marking a two percent increase from the previous year.
"We are delighted to welcome such a significant number of new and returning students this fall," said Dr. Lynda Villanueva, president of Lee College. "This achievement is the result of a collective effort, and I am immensely proud of our faculty, staff and administrators for their unwavering dedication to our students' success."
The steady growth in enrollment reflects the college's strategic initiatives, some of which were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts have persisted and focused on cultivating strong partnerships with local high schools, enhancing personalized recruitment strategies, implementing strategic digital marketing and initiating the registration process earlier in the academic year.
"The decision to offer early registration has transformed the enrollment experience for both students and staff," explained Dr. Scott Bennett, associate vice president of student services. "This approach allows for a more individualized process, providing ample time to identify and address the specific needs of each student to ensure their academic success. Our record-breaking enrollment would not have been possible without the hard work of our admissions team, student services staff, our faculty, and the strength of our recruitment and retention programs."
In addition to these efforts, the Lee College "First Time Free at Lee" initiative, which covers tuition, fees, and e-books for students new to the college who live within its service area, has been instrumental in attracting and retaining students. The diverse course delivery options, including MyTime, LeeStream, MyFlex hybrid and traditional face-to-face classes, offer flexibility for students balancing work, family and education.
Lee College remains deeply committed to supporting students both academically and beyond the classroom. The college provides a range of support services, including financial assistance, help with food insecurity, childcare and mental health resources, ensuring that students are equipped to overcome barriers to completing their education.
"Our responsibility is to eliminate obstacles that might prevent students from reaching their educational goals," said Dr. Villanueva. "We believe a world-class college education should be accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance."