Older adults are enrolling at Colorado’s two-year colleges at a higher rate
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. For a second year in a row, adults ages 25 and older helped fuel an enrollment increase at Colorado’s community colleges. Most community college students are still recent high school graduates or…
A growing trend is evident among older adults enrolling in Colorado's two-year colleges, with enrollment increasing at a higher rate than in recent years. The Colorado Community College System, comprising 13 schools and serving approximately 97,700 students, witnessed a 755-student increase in older adult enrollment this fall. Contrarily, the number of recent high school graduates enrolling has declined by about 450 students.
The surge in older adult enrollment stabilizes a decade-long decline, a pattern that has been observed for quite some time. Many older individuals are drawn to community colleges during economic downturns, as was the case during the 2008 recession, which led to substantial enrollment growth. College officials suggest that the rise of artificial intelligence and economic uncertainty may be prompting more older adults to enroll in courses that could potentially lead to healthcare jobs.
Landon Pirius, president of Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, notes that the healthcare field is seen as less susceptible to AI disruption, contributing to the increasing interest among older adults. Additionally, the nationwide shortage of healthcare workers has resulted in numerous job opportunities in this sector. Pirius reports a 7.3% increase in Red Rocks' older adult population this year, now totaling 2,351 students.
Similarly, Kevin Hudgens, senior director of admissions, recruitment, and enrollment services at Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs, concurs with this trend. He observes that students are increasingly seeking fields that are recession-proof and offer hands-on or skill-based training that AI cannot easily replicate.
Ariana Lazo, a 35-year-old mother of five, enrolled at Red Rocks to pursue nursing due to the current economic challenges. She initially hesitated to return to full-time education as an adult but now collaborates with campus officials on the Adult Student Advocacy Collective to support fellow adult learners. This collective aims to address campus leaders on how to better serve adult students and hosts workshops on relevant topics.
Lazo emphasizes the growing sense of empowerment among older students, stating that they now feel more included and valued on campus.
Written by urgent.news from Chalkbeat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
