2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MISSION
Hagerstown Community College (HCC) offers courses and programs designed to address
the curricular functions of transfer, career entry/advancement, basic skills enhancement, general
and continuing education, student support services and community service. The College is
dedicated to delivering high quality education at a reasonable cost to meet the post-secondary
educational needs of its service area.
INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT
Access and Affordability
HCC’s campus is uniquely located in a tri-state area where the Washington County
border touches Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Proximity to HCC makes the commuting range
for out-of-state students more practical and convenient than other education/training options in
the region. Washington County residents accounted for 77% of enrollment, while 4% were
residents from other Maryland counties. Out-of-state residents accounted for 19% of the Fall
2008 credit enrollment (15% from Pennsylvania, 3% from West Virginia and 1% from other
states). In terms of age, 67% of all credit students in Fall 2007 were 25 years of age or younger.
Credit students were predominately female (62%) and Caucasian (82%). Returning
students accounted for 59% of enrollment, while first-time students accounted for 41% of
enrollment. Full-time enrollments accounted for 39% of all enrollments. Degree-seeking
students generated almost 91% of all credit hours. The average credit load of all students who
attended HCC in Fall 2008 was 9 credits, with full-time students averaging 13 credits and parttime
students, 6 credits. Sixty-two percent of survey respondents were employed more than 20
hours per week while taking classes.
According to the US Census Bureau (Fact Finder), Washington County’s 2006
Estimated Population (most recent update) was 143,748. The area in which the College is
located is designated as an “Urban Growth Area.” Much of the area’s growth is driven by the
increase of population immigrating from expensive metropolitan areas to the more affordable
Washington County. Maintaining accessibility, a primary mission of community colleges, is
critical to meeting enrollment goals. HCC remains the most affordable among postsecondary
educational and training options in the College’s service region (State Plan: Goal 2). In FY
09, the average cost of attending HCC was 44.3% of the cost of attending Maryland public
four-year colleges and universities, which is at the current benchmark (Indicator 6). The
College continues to explore alternatives to raising tuition so that quality in instruction, staff
and service delivery is not be jeopardized.
The College’s market share of first time, full-time freshmen (Indicator 2) increased by
1.3% to 63.8% from Fall 2007 to 2008. The College’s market share of part-time students
increased by almost one per cent to 78.8% (Indicator 3) and accounts for 61% of overall
enrollment. The primary enrollment feeder for the College is the Washington County Public
Schools (WCPS), which projects an increase of 10% in high school enrollment 2009 and 2012
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