The College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls reports that enrollment is up 13 percent this year and that the CSI Blaine County Center in Hailey is experiencing similar growth.
To meet new demand, CSI in Hailey is expanding its fall offerings to include a culinary program, a certified nursing assistant course and more lower-division general education classes.
Jenny Emery Davidson, director of the Hailey campus, said the increased enrollment is consistent with a nationwide trend as community colleges "play a vital role in the higher education system." She said community colleges now enroll nearly half of the nation's college students and are particularly important in educating registered nurses and training police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
"In the current economic downturn, community colleges are more important than ever, as they provide affordable student-centered education," she said.
Davidson reported that the CSI Blaine County Center's enrollment doubled when the college moved into the Community Campus on Fox Acres Road six years ago, and that the student population continues to grow.
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The college directly supports local organizations and businesses. It helps Blaine County School District para-professionals advance toward teaching certifications and trains nurses for St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, south of Ketchum.
The Hailey campus also offers courses in anthropology, arts, biology, business administration, communications, computers, economics, English, finance, health, history, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, psychology, reading, Spanish and sociology.
A variety of community education classes is also available.
For more information, contact CSI in Hailey at 788-2033. Information is also available at www.csi.edu/blaine.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
