Photo provided The new laboratory technician program at Belmont College allows students to earn their degrees after learning a variety of laboratory testing skills to assist a physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont College’s student enrollment increases this new school year as it offers several new programs and a new café.

Enrollment for the fall term has increased significantly as compared to the same time period last school year, at 140%.

“We are very pleased with our enrollment numbers for the fall term,” Paul F. Gasparro, college president, said. “The increase is a direct reflection of the hard work that our faculty, staff and students put forth to make Belmont College a success.”

One reason for the increase in student enrollment at Belmont College is the number of students participating in the College Credit Plus program, which increased 306% for the year, with 1,400 high school students taking college-level classes through the program this year.

“We work closely with our local high school partners to ensure the accessibility of the College Credit Plus program to students and families,” Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Bridgette Dawson said. “Compared to this time last year, our College Credit Plus enrollment numbers for fall 2024 have more than tripled.”

Belmont College also brought a new café to its campus called We Proudly Serve Starbucks Campus Café, which is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is open to the public. Visitors to the coffee shop can park in the parking lot at the east entrance of the Main Campus.

Over the past year, several new programs including cleanroom technology, computed tomography, heavy equipment technician, laboratory technician, massage therapy, teacher education and water quality technician were all added to the curriculum at the college.

“We are continually exploring ways to provide relevant programs and instruction to serve the needs of our community,” Gasparro said. “With these new program offerings, we hope to give students the opportunity to further their careers and afford a better life for their families.”

The new cleanroom technology is a one-year program that is focused on advanced ventilation systems. Students will receive their certificates after the program was developed in cooperation with the Intel Corp. for training technicians to work on the advanced ventilation systems in classrooms.

The computed tomography is a program designed to provide working radiologic technologists a certificate with the theoretical background and documented clinical experience that is necessary to apply for the computed tomography registry examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The heavy equipment technician students will develop the knowledge and skills to perform preventative maintenance, diagnose malfunctions and prescribe corrective action and repair heavy construction equipment.

Massage therapy is now offered at the college with a one-year certification for students to learn the ability to perform safe and ethical massages ranging up to two hours in a professional setting and prepare them for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination in the state of Ohio.

Students in the new laboratory technician program will earn their degree after learning a variety of laboratory testing skills to assist a physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

“Health care is one of the growing occupations in the area,” Gasparro said. “Our laboratory technician and CT certificate programs will assist individuals with the opportunity to advance in those careers by providing them with the critical skills and knowledge that they’ll need to secure employment.”

The new teacher education program provides students with the first two years of their education degree, which will give them the ability to transfer credits to a four-year university for their teaching degree, primary or secondary education.

Lastly, the degree program of water quality technician offers students a broad, science-based curriculum for those interested in a career in water testing and municipal water plant operation.

“We are excited to be offering these new programs in some of the most in-demand fields and look forward to announcing even more new program offerings this fall,” said Heather Davis, vice president of Academic Affairs. “We want to make sure to provide all the resources and opportunities we can to meet demands and train a qualified workforce.”