CNM sees record enrollment

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Central New Mexico Community College has a record number of students enrolled this semester but it is facing a shortage of qualified part-time teachers.

This semester 29,000 students have enrolled, an increase of about 2,000 from fall 2009.

CNM's President Kathie Winograd said a big reason for the spike is the economy. Even though enrollment is up, Winograd said the school's budget dollars have fallen short.

"Higher education has seen a lot of cuts, and we're really struggling as a result of that," Winograd said.

As a result of the huge enrollment numbers, classes are packed to the gills, but students are not being turned away.

"(The classes are) too full, and even though the students are already enrolled, it's over the class limit, so they either have to wait or take nighttime classes," student Orianti De La Rosa said.

One way CNM is hoping to alleviate the overcrowding is by adding more classes.

"We will be offering late-start classes that will be starting in a couple of weeks and create an opportunity for students to take classes that might not be available to them right now because they are full," Winograd said.

Another issue for the school is faculty. The college needs more part-time teachers but is having a tough time finding qualified applicants.

"Not everyone has those kinds of teaching backgrounds and teaching credentials, and we want to be in a position to help people get those," Winograd said.

Winograd said the college will continue to look for part-time teachers so there will be enough for next semester and beyond.

The University of New Mexico is also seeing a record number of students this fall. Nearly 27,000 students are enrolled at the main campus, which is up nearly 7 percent from last year.