FAIRFIELD -- Led by Kennebec Valley Community College, the state's community colleges are reporting a record number of applications for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The Maine Community College System revealed Tuesday an increase in applications of 8 percent. As of early August, applications were up by more than 900 -- to 12,200 --and that number is expected to grow, according to system spokeswoman Helen Pelletier.

Barbara Woodlee, KVCC president, said that people interested in health-related careers such as nursing and radiology are finding the Fairfield college more and more attractive.

"We've had a very positive response to our new imaging program in ultrasound," Woodlee.

Woodlee said that KVCC's 12 health programs are all at capacity. The college took a total of 260 nursing applications for 44 available slots, she said.

KVCC offers a 16-month advanced certificate program in imaging and ultrasound, Woodlee said. The college plans to expand with offerings in mammography and computerized tomography.

Electrical and lineworker technology courses also are increasingly popular, Woodlee said.

Woodlee said that enrollment at KVCC was 1,700 as of Tuesday -- some 100 more than last year at this time.

"But I suspect that number to increase significantly between now and September," she said.

Tuition is $82 per credit hour, or $246 for a typical three-credit course.

Kathleen Moore, special projects coordinator at the college, said that people are looking for the strongest employment opportunities.

"Health programs are among them," Moore said. "We are strong in that area."

KVCC also offers fully-online courses in business administration, associate arts and computer science. It plans to add mental health and health information technology.

John Fitzsimmons, Community College System president, attributed the increase to a weak economy and uncertain job prospects.

"People who are unemployed or underemployed, high school graduates who are just starting out and workers who need to upgrade their skills are all knocking on our doors," Fitzsimmons said. "The challenge is finding funding to hire more faculty and staff."

The Community College System has seen steady growth since 2003, when it switched from technical to community colleges. Community colleges expanded into liberal studies, and offered transfers to four-year colleges in those fields.

The number of people seeking degrees in the state's seven community colleges has grown by 55 percent since then.

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Leading increases in applications at community colleges:

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, 18 percent

Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle, 12.8 percent

York County Community College, Wells, 10.9 percent

Central Maine Community College, Auburn, 10.5 percent