While many public schools have opened their doors to the influx of students coming back from Christmas vacation, many colleges have also prepared for their spring semester.

With classes to begin Jan. 9, Selma University officials have been holding registration all week and feel enrollment numbers are right where they need to be.

“It’s been going as expected,” said Selma University interim director of Admissions Terrence Jackson. “We expect enrollment of about 500 to 550 students. After the first day of registration, we had about 200 students.”

The last day for students to register for classes is Saturday, Jan. 14. Jackson said he expects about 500 students to be registered by the deadline.

“We had 498 (students) last semester, so we’ll have a little more than that this year,” Jackson said. “It’s kind of leveled out right at 500.”

With the newly installed Certified Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy programs, Jackson expects even greater enrollment from students who are interested in the healthcare field.

“We enrolled 110 students the first time we had the program (fall 2011),” Jackson said. “We’re looking at about 125 for this semester.”

In 2009, Jackson said Selma University experienced its greatest enrollment, with nearly 673 students. With new accreditation and future building plans underway, Jackson said the school is on the move.

“We’ve updated our entire grading system this term and by the fall, we’re expecting to have our new website available … we’ve added 15 new faculty members,” Jackson said. “We’ll have demolition and renovation going on; we’re looking to building a new dormitory during the summer.”

Jackson encourages prospective students to see what the school has to offer.

“We’re here and available,” Jackson said. “Just come on campus and check us out.”

For more information about Selma University, call the office of admissions at 872-2533.