For College of DuPage students, the college reaching its largest spring enrollment yet might mean a longer wait in line at Starbucks or less open parking spots. But for Earl Dowling, vice president of student affairs, the higher enrollment means the hard work him and his colleagues put in has proved useful.

“It’s reaffirmation that all the work that went into, say reducing tuition, has paid off.” Dowling said.

This spring, COD achieved its highest enrollment yet, enrolling 29,108 students with 15,952 full-time students. Compared to last spring, overall enrollment increased 3.6 percent.

COD is the only community college in the state to grow in full-time enrollment in the past 5 years, according to the Illinois Community College Board. Dowling believes that this is due to COD’s commitment to appeal to non-traditional students.

President Robert Breuder also felt that COD had found a way to separate itself from other colleges.

“We have differentiated ourselves through our programs, faculty, facilities and innovation,” Breuder said in a news release. “This historic enrollment substantiates our hard work.”

Beyond the numbers, Dowling enjoys seeing the stories of the students that come to COD.

“I am struck most by the stories from students telling me about their experiences [at COD],” Dowling said.

One story in particular that Dowling remembers came from a mother of a student earning his masters in IT at a prestigious institution.

“She told me that it wouldn’t of been possible without COD,” Dowling said. “ When I see that COD is setting enrollment records, I see that students are recognizing our quality.”