WC NEWS

 

With a record-breaking 7,242 students enrolled in Fall 2025, Weatherford College continues to set the pace as the fastest-growing college in North Texas, marking a 9.7 percent increase over the previous year and approximately 30 percent more students than two years ago.  

The continued enrollment surge is a reflection of the college’s expanding academic offerings, state-of-the-art facilities and the culture of caring that allows students and faculty to thrive.  

“We are thrilled to see this continued growth,” said WC President Tod Allen Farmer. “At a time when many colleges across the nation are facing declining enrollment and even closure, WC is thriving.”  

Weatherford College’s success is rooted in a culture of high expectations and deep care for its students. Faculty and staff are not only educators—they’re mentors, advocates and champions for student success.  

“I reach out to students who are falling behind and offer to help them,” said Laura Cummins, Spanish instructor. “I care about them as people, and I want them to be successful in my classes.”  

This culture of caring is echoed by students like Ivy Powell, a business major and women’s basketball player from Killeen.  

“It’s a great community,” she said. “They care about more than just your schoolwork. They care about how you feel.”  

WC’s academic expansion is a key driver of enrollment growth. The college now offers five bachelor’s degrees, including organizational leadership, which Mayce Pangle, a student from Denton, is currently pursuing after completing her associate degree at WC in May.  

“We’re growing so fast because of how many new associate and bachelor’s degrees we’re getting,” she said.  
In the robotics and automation program, enrollment has skyrocketed from 54 students in Fall 2022 to 564 in Fall 2025, according to program director Bill Alexander.  

“Articulation of technical degrees to a bachelor’s degree has provided greater depth and breadth of a clearly defined pathway for my students,” Alexander said. “Many have chosen to continue their academic journey at WC for this reason.”  

The addition of the Emerging Technologies and Workforce Building has been a game-changer for hands-on learning.  

“The ETWB has provided an environment where students choose WC over other schools because of the cutting-edge technology in clean and inviting spaces designed for learning,” Alexander said.  

Tammie Farr, a welding student in the ETWB, said the environment at WC is supportive, especially for first-generation students.  

“If the teachers see that you’re putting in the effort, they will help you with just about anything you need,” she said.  

WC’s commitment to affordability and access is evident in its use of Open Educational Resources. All Spanish classes, for example, are zero-cost textbook courses, saving students hundreds of dollars.  

“All materials used are free for students and accessed through the Canvas online classroom,” Cummins said.  

Dual credit enrollment has also jumped 16.9 percent from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025, with 2,471 high school students now earning college credit through WC.  

While many colleges across the United States are facing an enrollment cliff due to declining birth rates that occurred after the 2008 recession, WC is defying the trend. Nationally, more than 70 colleges have closed or merged since 2020. Yet, Weatherford College continues to grow thanks to its strategic vision, community partnerships and unwavering focus on student success.  

“I think Dr. Farmer has understood the process of growing a brand,” said Mike McGough, Occupational Therapy Assistant instructor. “He’s provided leadership by being attentive to faculty and staff.”  

From national championships in rodeo to award-winning arts programs and a growing international student body, Weatherford College is no longer a hidden gem—it’s a rising star.  

“Our best days lie ahead,” Farmer said. “Because now, we have momentum.”  


This article was originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of The Hilltop. Read the entire publication here.