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Dixie Technical College tells committee growth is main challenge, requests trades building
Summary
Dixie Technical College told the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee it has rapid enrollment and award growth, large waiting lists in high-demand programs, and a top capital priority to build a Trades and Technology facility to eliminate seat shortages.
President Russin, president of Dixie Technical College, reported Feb. 6 that the college is experiencing fast growth in full-time equivalents and awards and that the main institutional challenge is accommodating demand for programs.
"The biggest challenge right now is growth and, trying to figure out how to accommodate students that want to get into our programs," Russin told the committee, adding that some students are told to "come back in 3 months" or longer because programs are full.
The Legislative Fiscal Analyst, Joseph, presented budget context showing Dixie is among the smaller technical colleges by headcount but has outpaced the system in budget growth since 2020. Dixie officials said FTE better reflects campus work and that accredited high-yield programs — apprenticeships, nursing, diesel and automotive — make up much of the growth.
Why it matters: Dixie Tech leaders said continued growth and waiting lists limit the college's ability to meet local employer demand; they asked for growth funding and support for the board-approved consensus budget and named a new Trades and Technology building as the institution's top capital priority.
Details presented included steady increases in awards and graduates, a report of about $2.3 million in scholarships and grants supporting roughly 999 students, and year-to-date awards up about 20% over the previous year.
President Russin highlighted work-based learning and industry partnerships that place students in employment soon after enrollment. She described a recent case in which a high school senior who lost his father enrolled in HVAC training and began earning pay through a work-based placement within weeks.
Committee members asked about secondary (high school) participation; Russin said secondary students make up roughly 15–20% of Dixie Tech's headcount and the college is expanding offerings in four high schools and exploring outreach to the most remote schools in the region.
Officials said apprenticeship programs make up almost a third of Dixie Tech's headcount and listed top programs as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding and nursing, with diesel and automotive also high-demand. The college noted job placement rates above 90%.
Ending: Dixie Tech requested growth funding and support for a new Trades and Technology building intended to reduce wait lists and expand capacity for high-yield programs.
