Clinton College Experiences Unprecedented Growth
The fall semester of 2024 has signaled a season of remarkable expansion for Clinton College in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has reported a 27% growth in student population this term, with the number of enrolled students rising to a notable 240, from the 188 recorded just the previous year.
Attraction for New Students
This surge in student population has led to Clinton College experiencing a shortage of dorm rooms and consequently, has required some students to secure off-campus housing. Students have expressed attraction to the new majors now offered at Clinton College, notably, Nursing and Cybersecurity.
Marken Tigner, a freshman at Clinton College, states “The class sizes are small. It’s easier to learn. I can ask questions when I need it, and I can get help when I need it.” The accessible and supportive learning environment noted by the students has played a major role in drawing in new students in addition to the attractive new course offerings.
Funding and Expansion Plans
The introduction of the new majors was made possible through significant funding that allowed the College to create state-of-the-art learning environments, such as transforming a library room into a highly equipped Cybersecurity lab.
President of Clinton College, Dr. Lester McCorn, has set high ambitions for the institution. Starting a financial campaign to raise $15 million aimed at continuing the school’s expansion, he believes approximately $50 million may be required overall to meet the HBCU’s growth objectives. Dr. McCorn emphasizes “I think Clinton has been much more aggressive. We’ve started telling our story and in a much more forceful way. We’ve been more public as an institution, and we’ve been doing the work in terms of growing programs that meet the needs of students.”
Future Prospects
The President’s vision for the future of Clinton College includes the establishment of new dorms, an athletic center, the inclusion of Greek life and further student population growth. While he believes the institution has the capacity to accommodate up to a thousand students, he insists that they aim to remain a niche school with an intimate campus setting. He expresses “The beauty of this, as you know, is we can be exponentially larger through online education. So that is the next frontier for us.”
In line with its expansion, Clinton College plans to open its new bookstore in the coming month, further enhancing its facilities and services catered to its growing student body.
