Southwestern Michigan College reports a 2% increase in enrollment this fall, bringing the total number of students enrolled to 1,958 compared to 1,917 students at this time last year.

President Dr. Joseph Odenwald reported to the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on Wednesday. The college has another two weeks to possibly have a larger year-opening enrollment.

“For context,” Odenwald added, “the only time we have been up three straight falls in the last 25 years was 2008-09-10.”

Odenwald cited a number of accomplishments for the college during the summer, including the return of intercollegiate competition after a 25-year hiatus. The college also won its first-ever Charlie Chanter All-Sports Trophy for 2023-24, the Michigan Community College Athletics Association’s most prestigious honor.

The college also reports that 46 full-time faculty members will be serving students this fall, including a third welding instructor.

Trustees, in addition to presenting five service pins for five to 20 years, also extended special recognition to Chief Human Resources Officer Kristin Reynolds, 37, for being named to Moody on the Market’s “40 Under 40.”​