WyoTech recently announced it will cease enrollment of new students and eventually close its Laramie campus.
This closure will occur after current classes are taught-out and students finish their respective programs.
Zenith Education Group recently purchased 56 campuses from Corinthian Colleges, Inc., including WyoTech. Zenith announced it will limit enrollment to three current campuses in order to deliver on its mission of increased student success.
The career college campuses in Tampa, Florida; Norcross, Georgia; and Houston, Texas will remain open.
The other campuses currently operated by Zenith will cease to enroll new students. The total population at these campuses is approximately 5,400 students.
“Zenith will limit admission of new students to three Altierus Career College campuses, allowing for increased focus on the most effective initiatives and innovative ideas that provide underserved students with the best opportunities for career success,” the organization said in a press release statement.
This drastic change came after the Educational Credit Management Corporation, an education-focused nonprofit group, formed Zenith in February 2015 to initiate the transition of 56 Corinthian campuses to nonprofit status.
“Over the past few years, it has become evident to us that many of our campuses are located in areas that are geographically inconvenient for underserved students or not built to accommodate the programs that we want and need to offer,” Zenith stated in the press release.
Despite this sudden announcement, the reaction from current WyoTech students has been mixed.
“Some are angry, some are upset and some are just at peace with it,” Yesenia Diaz, a current WyoTech student, said.
Despite mixed reactions from current students, Diaz made it clear that the ramifications of this announcement will be felt throughout the area.
“So many other communities are going to be affected because there is a big need for technical students,” Diaz said.
It has yet to be determined whether this will mean increased enrollment in area colleges, including the University of Wyoming and Laramie County Community College.
Bryan Fuentes, also a current WyoTech student, said that he did not know of any students who were considering a transfer to either LCCC or the UW.
“I have not heard from anyone deciding to transfer to UW or LCCC, not even new students,” Fuentes stated.
Of these new students who just began their academic career at WyoTech, Fuentes said that some “felt as if they stayed it would be pointless… so a few of them left and returned home.”
While some currently-enrolled students have decided to leave the institution, WyoTech President Caleb Perriton reaffirmed that most of the current student body is still enrolled, and will have the opportunity to finish their course of study.
“Most of our students are still here, they are going to graduate,” Perriton said. “We are not closing the doors or locking them out.”
“Any student who came to Wyotech with the intention of starting a tremendous career in the auto or diesel industry; that hasn’t changed,” Perriton said.
It has yet to be confirmed when the last day of classes will be taught.
