NCCC marks sixth straight semester of enrollment growth

SUNY Reconnect helps fuel college’s strong numbers

Aug. 26, 2025

SARANAC LAKE – North Country Community College is thrilled to announce that its Fall 2025 semester opened Monday, Aug. 25, with a sixth consecutive term of increased enrollment, marking sustained momentum for the college as it begins its 58th year of serving Essex and Franklin counties.

Enrollment is up 7 percent compared to the opening day of the Fall 2024 semester. This year’s growth has been fueled in part by the popularity of the SUNY Reconnect program, which offers students age 25–55 without a prior college degree the opportunity to earn a free associate degree in high‑demand fields. The college has registered more than 250 SUNY Reconnect eligible students as of Monday. 

A number of academic programs are seeing increased enrollment this semester, including Addictions Counseling (formerly Chemical Dependency Counseling), Cybersecurity, Practical Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Health Sciences, Sport and Events Management, and Digital Arts and Design.

“The college’s enrollment growth this semester is a testament to our dedicated staff and faculty, the commitment of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to community colleges, and the leadership of SUNY in launching the Reconnect program,” said college President Joe Keegan. “We also thank our county sponsors, Essex County and Franklin County, for their ongoing support of the college and our students.

“It's incredibly encouraging to see so many residents from our communities and beyond choosing North Country. We are committed to doing everything we can to support our students and ensure they have the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Among other indicators of a strong start to the semester, the residence halls on the college’s Saranac Lake campus are full, with an active waiting list in place, and both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have full rosters.

North Country has three locations – Malone, Saranac Lake, and Ticonderoga – and also provides classes at correctional facilities in Ray Brook and Malone as part of the Second Chance Pell program. The college has 30 degree and certificate programs – with both in-person and online offerings – designed to give students the knowledge and skills to immediately enter the workforce or prepare them for transfer to a four-year college or university.

Achieving the Dream

North Country is also proud to announce its recent membership in the Achieving the Dream network. Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a national, nonprofit educational reform network dedicated to helping community colleges transform themselves to better serve their students and communities, with a focus on student success and ultimately, community prosperity.

“We partnered with ATD because of our shared commitment to help students find success while earning their degree and beyond,” Keegan said. “Their work aligns with our mission, institutional learning outcomes, and strategic plan, particularly as it relates to outcomes focused on career and/or transfer pathways, ensuring a supportive environment for students with an emphasis on student success and growth, and our commitment to the communities we serve through robust and meaningful partnerships. We also share the goal of having our graduates continue to contribute to the vibrancy of our communities, something we expect as an outcome of this work.”

Upcoming Events

Looking ahead, the college is planning several events this fall. From Sept. 12-14, North Country’s Athletic Department will welcome alumni back to campus for Alumni Weekend, highlighted by a Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night. The weekend will also include men’s and women’s soccer games, a cocktail hour and gathering at Mount Pisgah, and alumni soccer and basketball contests.

On Oct. 7, the college will host another Community Leaders Day on its Saranac Lake campus. This event provides an opportunity for the college to thank its elected officials, business leaders and local partners for their support, and highlight the college’s growth, programs and community impact.

For more information, visit www.nccc.edu, call 888-TRY-NCCC, or email admissions@nccc.edu.