News

Baker College of Fremont, a satellite campus of Baker College of Muskegon, today announced a 30 percent increase in student enrollment for fall quarter 2009 over fall quarter 2008. A total of 485 students are attending Baker’s Fremont campus this fall. Attendance has been growing steadily since the satellite campus was opened in 1995, but this is the largest one-year gain yet, bringing enrollment to nearly double 2003 levels.

“There are still job opportunities in this challenging economy, but having the right skill set is essential,” said James Kelly, extension director for the Baker College of Fremont satellite campus. “That’s why we continue to maintain a strong focus on practical, job-focused training. We’re proud to offer convenient, quality education to the people of Newaygo County and its surrounding areas.”

Programs offered at Baker’s Fremont campus include certificates in emergency medical technician, office support and medical reception, as well as associate degrees in management, medical assistant and medical administrative assistant. Programs in the medical field have the largest enrollment.

Forty-nine-year-old Newaygo resident Margaret Mumford is among the new enrollees. She’s attending Baker College of Fremont to finish a degree she started nearly 30 years ago.

Mumford is studying accounting and computer information systems to better position herself to find a job after being a stay-at-home mom for the past 15 years. Mumford’s daughter is now 16, and work has dried up for her husband who was self-employed in the construction trades.

“I had bookkeeping experience from several years of employment prior to being a stay-at-home mom,” said Mumford, who also took on side work at home. “But with my age and lack of recent work experience, I had trouble even getting an interview.”

Baker College was a solution for her long-term problem.

“I’m really happy with Baker,” said Mumford. “It’s also convenient. I can go to school and still be the mom my daughter needs me to be.”
Mumford’s husband is enrolled in the Baker College of Cadillac truck driving certificate program.