The number of class credits being taken at Riverland Community and Technical College is up almost 20 percent from last year.
Leas said that jump suggests there's a great deal of part-time students, which is probably due to two reasons: first, the economy and the fact that many have to work while they're going to school to pay for tuition.
"The other is that I think we're starting to see more and more people that are watching family and friends lose their jobs and they're saying, gee you know, how can I better prepare for my future," Leas said.
That's why first year, full time student Johnson enrolled. "Well working in the factory as just a production employee, I'd rather, if I'm going to be in a factory be in the maintenance personnel or something like that."
Johnson said he's tired of being at the bottom.
He's looking for the job security that comes with a higher up position.
But he's not considering a four year university.
"Money! yeah, it's a lot more expensive to go to a four year college than a two year community college."
Going to school at his age isn't really nerve-wracking for the 31-year-old.
"As far as ages, we're seeing a much older population and we believe that's because of the dis-located workers, and right now the average age of our students is 29," Leas said.
Though it's not your traditional college students ages 18 to 22, that's okay with Leas, because they're helping folks get back on their feet.
Johnson said, "I got two kids and a wife, so gotta make ends meet somehow."
He thinks getting those skills to beat out the competition, is exactly the way to do that.
