September 16, 2025
91福利 is celebrating new all-time highs for enrollment and credit hours. The record growth outpaces state trends and continues PRCC’s rise as Mississippi’s fastest-growing community college, reflecting the college鈥檚 commitment to students and a culture of student success.
The 10th Day Enrollment Report published by the Mississippi Community College Board arrived with news of the record-setting enrollment of 6,307 students for the fall semester. PRCC has led the state in enrollment growth, achieving a 29% increase from 2017 to 2025鈥攚ell above the state average. Credit hours across the college are also up by 34% in the same time frame.
鈥淚 am proud to announce another year of record-breaking enrollment at 91福利,鈥� said PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood. 鈥淭his achievement reflects more than growth鈥攊t reflects a culture of student success built on trust.
鈥淥ur students have chosen PRCC to guide their higher education journey, and I am grateful for their confidence, for the dedication of our faculty and staff, and for the vision and support of our Board of Trustees. Working together, we are strengthening PRCC鈥檚 impact and creating opportunities that will serve generations to come.鈥�
As the only Mississippi community college to grow significantly since 2017, PRCC continues to expand opportunities that empower students to thrive both academically and personally.
Expanding Learning Environments for Present Needs and Future Growth
Pearl River鈥檚 commitment to students is found both in and out of the classroom. Administration is continually looking for ways to improve student facilities for growing pathways, offer opportunities to meet the demand of the growing workforce, and retain exceptional faculty.
To meet these needs, the Forrest County Campus has poured into the ever-expanding healthcare industry. The newly opened Asbury Allied Health & Nursing Building allows the Associate Degree of Nursing program to expand enrollment capacity at FCC to 240 students across four cohorts. Building 1, the original Forrest County Campus structure, has undergone state-of-the-art upgrades and is continuing to provide an exceptional learning environment for students. Together, these projects address the rising demand for healthcare professionals while improving spaces to serve a growing student body.
The Hancock County Campus, located near Hancock High School and Stennis International Airport, entered its second school year providing spacious facilities split between two structures: the Aviation and Aerospace Workforce Academy and the Frank Ladner Center for Aviation and Aerospace Training Hangar. Students from the coast now have a campus close to home, with options from aviation-focused career paths to more traditional academic paths supporting the needs of the local workforce.
The Poplarville Campus continues to grow, with the demand for expanded programs and student housing continuing to climb. Four new single-story dormitories for student-athletes located near the PRCC Sports Complex opened this semester. They ease the housing crunch created by record enrollment, ensuring space for both student-athletes and the growing general student body.
The Lineman Technology program moved into its new building, providing more room for indoor training and classroom space. The facility supports rising student demand for lineman training, one of PRCC鈥檚 most sought鈥慳fter career programs, with expansion opportunities on the horizon.
A new Career and Technical Education building is under construction a short distance from the campus along Highway 11. Barbering, Cosmetology, and Early Childhood Education programs are anticipated to relocate there in spring 2026, allowing seamless access for community members utilizing their services. As the student body continues to grow, the need for expansion of facilities across all programs increases.
The groundbreaking for the Brownstone Annex is anticipated to be in the spring. The addition will accommodate band practice space and other Fine Arts classes, answering strong growth in programs and the expanding needs of PRCC鈥檚 premier ensembles.
Each project meets record enrollment and program demand today while preparing Pearl River for sustained growth tomorrow.
Student-Centric Focus for Enrollment and Beyond
Pearl River has continually improved processes to place the students’ needs at the forefront of its efforts. Earlier in the year, a new Enrollment Center was established across all campuses, merging onboarding functions for Admissions, Student Accounts, and Financial Aid. The one-stop shop approach reduces the number of interactions a prospective or current student has from the moment they apply until they are advised for classes. Dedicated Enrollment Specialists provide personalized one-on-one assistance to students, providing an easier transition to becoming a PRCC Wildcat.
鈥淥ur new Enrollment Center model has greatly increased efficiency, allowing us to serve students more quickly and effectively,鈥� said Vice President Candace Harper. 鈥淏y streamlining services into one central location, we鈥檝e removed unnecessary roadblocks and barriers, making the process smoother and more convenient so students can focus on what matters most鈥攖heir education.鈥�
From the moment an application is submitted to Pearl River, student success is a top priority. Personalized guidance is received during all aspects of the enrollment process from their application submission to their academic advisement appointment, setting the tone for each student鈥檚 academic experience while keeping an eye on all requirements. Dedicated faculty members create a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen paths, whether pursuing transfer degrees or going into the workforce after graduation.
Affordability and accessibility to education is made possible through financial aid and scholarships offered both from within the institution as well as through community and alumni support. New students are required to attend a financial counseling session with a counselor in the Office of Financial Aid. The session provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the financial aid process and available payment options, helping to alleviate the financial burden on the student鈥檚 mental health.
Scholarships could be academic, service-based, or from the PRCC Development Foundation. Over a half a million dollars in foundation scholarships are awarded annually, many made possible through the generosity of donors. Residents of Forrest and Hancock counties are eligible for the County Tuition Assistance Program (CTAP), which closes the gap between aid received from grants and scholarships and the cost of base tuition.
Meeting Students Where They Are
PRCC has seen students鈥� needs shift to starting their college education earlier and in more flexible ways.
An exceptional Dual Enrollment Department partners with local high schools to give students a valuable head start on their education. This program continues to grow each year, now serving more than a thousand high school students across our district. The institution has also partnered with local high schools to create the continually growing Middle College program. These students are attending PRCC full-time during their junior and senior years of high school to earn their associate degree concurrently with their high school diploma.
Asynchronous courses are offered through the eLearning Campus, meeting students right where they are. Online classes have become valuable for both traditional and non-traditional students, balancing work, family, and furthering their education. All Business pathway career technical programs including Accounting Technology, Graphic Design, Business & Marketing Management Technology, Business Management Technology, and Medical Billing & Coding, as well as Cybersecurity Technology and general education classes, are all available fully online, ensuring students have access to a wide variety of educational pathways from wherever they are.
Focusing on Holistic
The current semester includes the launch of a new Quality Enhancement Plan titled 鈥楨mpowering Learners Through Holistic Design.鈥� The plan was developed collaboratively by faculty, staff, and administrators with a goal of supporting students as whole individuals in and out of the classroom.
Faculty-guided activities supporting the emotional, social, and occupational dimensions of wellness concepts will be woven into coursework, leading to a more holistic approach to education. Students will have the opportunity to explore, reflect, connect, and create to allow for an assessment of well-being and building strategies for personal and professional growth.
A select group of faculty members are integrating the new program into their classes, with more faculty members joining in future semesters.
Culture of Student Success 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Using the foundation of exceptional facilities and faculty, Pearl River goes a step further to foster a culture of student success. Supporting students both in and out of the classroom contributes to students completing programs at PRCC.
The Wildcat Way serves as a guiding light with the emphasis of Pride, Respect, Class, and Character. Students are encouraged to embrace these traits in all aspects of their lives, leading to becoming successful at PRCC and beyond.
Campus life is vibrant with ample opportunities for students to connect through clubs and organizations, like the Ally Club, Gaming Club, History & Humanities Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. Welcome Week, Homecoming Week, the annual fall campfire near Halloween, Wildcat Wonderland, TurnUp Tuesdays, and the annual Spring BBQ are just a few of the regular events that allow for connecting and socializing with fellow Wildcats.
Moments into Memories
Along with the expected educational experience, Pearl River seeks to provide an environment where students will have moments that become lifelong memories. The new year-long campaign is a celebration of the Wildcat journey and the people who make it extraordinary.
This year鈥檚 theme highlights the heart of the Wildcat experience, celebrating moments that define each student鈥檚 path and the memories built on campus. Every experience shapes a story students carry with them for life, whether in the classroom, on the field, or being a part of a student organization. PRCC becomes not just a college, but a place where friendships and memories last a lifetime.
Staying Up to Date on All Things PRCC
Between social media, an easy-to-navigate website, and weekly radio shows, many avenues are available for staying up to date.
Wildcat Family and community members are encouraged to follow the college on social media. The college can be found on Facebook (), Instagram (), , Twitter (), and TikTok ().
The weekly Wildcat Radio Show hosted by Chuck Abadie is broadcast on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. on SuperTalk Mississippi 97.3 FM Hattiesburg. Recent episodes can be found on the .
How to Enroll
Enrolling at 91福利 requires a few simple steps:
1. Apply for Admissions online and have your transcript(s) sent from high school and any past colleges you have attended.
2. Apply for Financial Aid, including doing your FASFA. Submit your ACT score for academic scholarships.
3. Apply for Housing if needed
Visit to become a Wildcat today.
How to Schedule a Tour
Anyone interested in a tour of the Forrest County Campus or Poplarville Campus can reach out to the Office of Recruitment by calling 601-403-1197, emailing recruitment@ prcc.edu, or visiting the webpage .
For the latest news on 91福利, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (), Instagram (), Facebook (),and TikTok ().
