Cascadia Community College’s campus has been bustling with activity this fall. More than 3,000 students are taking classes, while construction of the Center for Global Learning and the Arts is moving steadily forward.

In a report prepared for the October Board of Trustees meeting, Cascadia announced that student enrollment is up by more than 12 percent compared to last fall. Part of this increase is due to a swell of nearly 15 percent in Running Start enrollment. The Running Start program makes it possible for high-school students to take college courses tuition-free during their junior and senior years. The year before Running Start was up by nearly 40 percent at Cascadia.

“The economy is playing a significant role in increased enrollment at community and technical colleges across the state. This fact, along with Cascadia’s growing reputation as a national leader in community-college education, has led to increases at our institution that are even higher than at other colleges in the system,” said Dr. Richard Carvajal, vice president for Student Success Services.

Not only are more students enrolled, but they are taking more classes. This necessitated the addition of more sections of classes at the beginning of the quarter. To accommodate the increased demand, Cascadia has been creative in its use of space, even converting the former Board Room into a classroom.

Cascadia’s newest building, the Center for Global Learning and the Arts, is scheduled to open in January 2010. The much-anticipated center will provide classroom space for 800 additional students, a small performing arts theater, two art studios and faculty offices.

“The Center for Global Learning and the Arts will allow us to continue our growth and expand our curriculum in the fine and performing arts. We will work with our partners in the community to make this state-of-the-art facility an artistic and cultural centerpiece for the entire region,” added Carvajal.