Great Basin College sees increased student counts in Pahrump

Great Basin College’s Pahrump campus kicked off its school year Aug. 29 with an increased student count compared to last year.

There are 428 students taking live and online classes in the valley, compared to 391 a year ago, representing a nine-percent increase.

The rise in new students was over twice that percentage, as there was a 22 percent higher number of new students this fall (157) as compared to fall 2015 (128). Returning students were up 3 percent over last year with 271 this year, compared to 263 in 2015.

According to Kayla McCarson, marketing/social media specialist for GBC, more of those students are taking online classes than ever before.

“(About) 56 percent of GBC students are now taking completely online classes,” McCarson said. “Our high dual credit enrollment is up from 552 in 2015 to 638 in 2016.”

The increased general enrollment could be associated with more high school students discovering GBC’s available dual credit classes, often offered online, McCarson said.

Several new degree programs are being offered this semester including Bachelor of Arts, English Bachelor of Arts, Social Science Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences Associate of Applied Science Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic Emphasis, Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Advanced Certifications.

The campus employs five full-time faculty members, all of whom hold an advanced degree of study in their field of instruction, and 10 part-time faculty members. The classes are taught at the Pahrump Valley High technology building.

274 acres of land granted for campus expansion

The Board of Regents approved the conveyance of 274 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management to Great Basin College for a Pahrump campus at its meeting Friday.

According to President Mark Curtis, the 274 acres of BLM land in Pahrump was accepted by the full board.

The land is located on the southeast end of town, near Carpenter Canyon Road and Highway 160.

The chancellor signed the memorandum of understanding, with the BLM expected to sign it soon and GBC will then receive the land patent.

“The next steps will involve a ground-breaking ceremony, and a public roll-out of information related to GBC’s acquisition,” McCarson said.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.