Student-First Strategy: President McCormick Discusses Retention Rates at Middlesex College

Middlesex College President Mark McCormick was recently interviewed by Invest: New Jersey, a publication of Capital Analytics Associates that provides in-depth economic analysis for businesses and investors in New Jersey, about the challenges and successes of continuing to grow student retention at Middlesex College.

According to experts, high school graduation cohorts are projected to decrease beginning this year and into the foreseeable future. As many universities become less selective in their admissions policies, community colleges are feeling the pressure of these major demographic shifts. Despite these challenges, Middlesex College’s Fall 2025 semester enrollment was the largest of all New Jersey community colleges for the second year in a row.

McCormick explained the success of the dual-enrollment option at Middlesex College, which allows students to enroll in a college course while still in high school.

“Over the past four years, we have tripled the number of students participating in dual enrollment,” said McCormick. “We are happy to provide an opportunity for high school students in Middlesex County to take college courses for credit, whether they end up enrolling in Middlesex College after graduation from high school or not.”

McCormick expanded on how Middlesex College has strategized additional ways to bring students in for the last several years including targeting adults who have some college credits but no degree, and working closely with large employers in Middlesex County to promote mutually-beneficial opportunities.

Read the full interview on the Capital Analytics Associates website.