College grows credit hours by nearly 17% over summer 2025
Garrett College has set a summer enrollment record for the third consecutive year, college officials announced on Tuesday.
A total of 190 students registered for 881 credit hours, a 16.8 percent increase in credit hours over summer 2025.
“Summer has been our fastest-growing semester over the last four years,” said Dr. Robert “JR” Kerns, Garrett College’s dean of student affairs. “Credit hours have increased 102 percent, and student headcount has grown by nearly 70 percent since summer 2022.”
The College grew credits hours despite a small decline in headcount from last summer’s 192 students. Associate Dean Kim DeGiovanni, who also serves as GC’s registrar, said this summer’s enrollment spike has several contributing factors, including students taking more credits hours on average.
“Forty-three percent of this summer’s students are enrolled in more than four credits, up from 25 percent last summer, indicating students are taking heavier course loads,” said DeGiovanni.
Robin Swearengen, registration and records assistant, said one new program and one expanded program are also playing a role in the summer increases.
“Our 14 radiologic technology students are all registered for a five-credit course,” said Swearengen, “and the Outdoor Leadership Adventure (OLA) Education students are taking a two-course option that totals four credits.”
While High School Dual Enrollment (HSDE) headcount declined by three students this summer, it’s still playing a key role in GC’s strong enrollment. Over 34 percent of Garrett’s summer headcount is comprised of HSDE participants.
“High school students choose summer courses as a way to build flexibility into their schedules during the school year,” said Director of Admissions and Recruitment Melissa Wass, who oversees the College’s HSDE program. “By earning credits in the summer, students can balance their high school commitments while continuing to make meaningful progress toward their college goals.”
Professor Christa Bowser, Garrett’s chief academic officer, said the College has been attempting to strategically grow its summer enrollment over the last decade.
“The growth in our summer session since 2017 is truly incredible – from 51 to 190 in headcount, a 273 percent increase, and from 203 to 881 in credit hours, which represents a 334 percent increase,” said Bowser.
“The growth in HSDE has been even more dramatic, going from no high schoolers in 2017 to 65 this summer,” Bowser continued. “That increase has principally been driven by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future’s emphasis on students acquiring college credit while still in high school.”
