Bunker Hill CC: Battling Declines, Embracing Diversity, and International Appeal

Key Points:

1. Bunker Hill Community College enrollment has dropped from 8,900 students in the year 2014 to 5,400 in the year 2023.

2. This has significantly highlighted the importance of international students to help the colleges sustain financially.

3. International students being the backup, the colleges in the US are strategizing how to attract more international students. 

In the past year, enrollment at Bunker Hill Community College has seen a steep decline. The number of students enrolling in the college in 2014 was 8,900 which straight went to 5,400 in the year 2023. In the recent USA student news, the sudden drop in enrollment in universities can be good news for international students in USA. This decline can be due to varied factors, including outmigration from New England, a lower number of high school graduates in Massachusetts, and the pandemic. COVID has also outrightly pushed various students to take up jobs due to income inconsistencies rather than pursuing higher education.

Bunker Hill Community College is one of the top community colleges in USA for international students. It also stands out as the sole Massachusetts institution which has its name included in the top 40 associate’s degree programs, especially for international students. Gabriele Deliperi, a 26-year-old music producer from Italy, has highlighted Bunker Hill Community College and similar public universities in the USA for international students seeking affordable education options in the United States.

“When you ask what’s the traditional college student, the answers you get are the people we no longer have: the 18- to 22-year-old with two parents, a white picket fence, and dogs.” - Bunker Hill President Pam Eddinger mentioned. He has majorly highlighted the evolving demographics of traditional college students in the US and has mentioned the visible shift of a student from the traditional image.

Various colleges in Massachusetts are compelled now to explore new markets to sustain themselves. One of the tactics here is to attract international students in USA who will, in a way, help those universities in return in terms of financial aid through the tuition fees paid by those students. There are various US universities for international students that have excelled in attracting students from various countries. This, in return, has leveraged their presence while enriching the experience of those students. However, due to a lack of infrastructure and popularity, various schools may not find it feasible to rely on this demographic strategy.

Some US colleges for international students have faced criticism for prioritizing wealthy international students over domestic applicants. The discussions were around equity and access to higher education for all students. The strategies including offering financial aid to international students and implementing programs to retain their talent after their graduation have been the primary reason for the backlash. The Governer of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, has proposed the Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program, which primarily aims to address these issues.

Erxhela Cabiri, a 35-year-old student from Albania studying at Bunker Hill Community College, exemplifies the potential of international students to contribute to the workforce and economy of Massachusetts if provided with the right support and opportunities.

TD;LR

All and all, the universities in the US are considering strategizing admissions in a way where international students can be prioritized. This college and many more such institutions stand out for their appeal to international students in USA seeking affordable education in the United States, exemplified by Gabriele Deliperi, a 26-year-old music producer from Italy. However, while attracting international students can help subsidize financial aid for domestic students, it also raises questions about equity and access to higher education, particularly regarding the prioritization of wealthier international students. Strategies to address declining enrollment and demographic challenges include exploring new markets, such as attracting international students and implementing programs that can be of huge help.