Around WakeTech
College Welcomes Record Number of Students for Fall Semester
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 17, 2026) – More than 30,750 degree-seeking students started classes at Wake Tech Monday, helping drive the college to another record-breaking semester. Enrollment is up more than 7% from this time last year and more than 37% over the past five years.
More than 10,000 first-time students are enrolled this fall, marking another all-time high for the college.
With total enrollment now exceeding 76,000 students, Wake Tech continues to experience historic growth as demand for higher education and workforce training rises across the region.
"Record enrollment reflects the growing demand for affordable, high-quality education and workforce training across our region," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Students are choosing Wake Tech because they see a clear path to their goals, whether that means transferring to a university or beginning a rewarding career. Our responsibility is to help every student turn that opportunity into success."
Ralls joined in the first-day excitement at the Southern Wake Campus, greeting students, handing out donuts and welcoming them as they arrived for the start of the semester. He also surprised several students with $250 "golden ticket" bookstore scholarships from the Wake Tech Foundation and gifted Talon plushies inspired by Wake Tech's beloved mascot.
Haven Anderson received the first golden ticket of the day while heading to his first class. Pursuing an Associate in Engineering degree, Anderson said he was completely surprised.
"I was not expecting this on my first day of class," he said. "I was a little nervous, but my day just got better. I am excited to get my Wake Tech journey started and meet new people!"
Cheyenne Johnston also received a bookstore scholarship from Ralls. Johnston is one of 10 students in Wake Tech's new Associate in Applied Science degree program in Cardiovascular Sonography. The inaugural class is already full.
"I was in sales for 12 years and decided I wanted to change my path," Johnston said. "I want to do something that helps other people and makes a difference."
The new Cardiovascular Sonography program, offered at Wake Tech's Perry Health Sciences Campus, prepares students for careers in cardiovascular ultrasound through classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences, advanced simulation technology and supervised clinical training with healthcare partners across the region. The program expands Wake Tech's healthcare workforce training offerings and helps meet the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in Wake County and beyond.
Wake Tech continues to build new facilities to support student success and workforce development. The Advanced Technology Center and Fire and Rescue Training Center at the Eastern Wake Campus in Wendell are slated to open in early 2027. The Perry Family Simulation Hospital at the Perry Health Sciences Campus in Raleigh is on track for completion in fall 2027.
