Fletcher named nation’s fastest growing college of its size

L.E. Fletcher Technical College was nationally ranked No. 1 as the fastest growing two-year institute with less than 2,500 students.

The ranking was posted in the December issue of Community College Week, a publication that calls itself “independent voice of covering community, technical and junior colleges.” The article, “Interpreting the Numbers,” named the top 50 fastest growing schools in four categories including “fewer than 2,500 students” and “10,00 or more students.”

The results were based on data collected between Fall 2004 and Fall 2005. Fletcher showed a growth rate of 100.5 percent with its enrollment jumping from 805 in Fall 2004 to 1,614 in Fall 2005.

“The significant growth in enrollment demonstrates the need for community college services. Thanks to the support from students, the entire business community and our regional university, Nicholls State, and the great work of the college instructional and support staff, we are making a difference in the Houma-Thibodaux and surrounding communities,” said L.E. Fletcher’s Chancellor Travis Lavigne.

A dozen Louisiana Community and Technical College System schools made the ranks in the “Fastest growing two-year public institutions” poll conducted by Community College Week. Topping the list at No. 4, Louisiana Technical College Lafourche campus showed a growth rate of 65.5 percent with its enrollment jumping from 293 in Fall 2004 to 485 in Fall 2005.