While community college enrollment dropped 10 percent nationwide in the past two years, it’s remained flat at Diablo Valley College.

Though DVC’s enrollment has stabilized, it’s still well below pre-recession levels. That could hurt students if the numbers don’t improve, since state funding is based on student enrollment. Without a turnaround, classes and services could be reduced or cut next year.

Current students may benefit from smaller classes and shorter waitlists. Thanks to an infusion of funds resulting from the 2012 passage of Proposition 30, and temporary stability funding from the state, DVC is able to maintain the current level of classes and resources—for now.

“But we won’t be able to do that in coming years,” senior dean of curriculum and instruction Kim Schenk said, “because we won’t be on stability.”

Proposition 30 funding is also temporary. According to an Oct. 28 article published in the Sacramento Business Journal, Governor Brown told reporters in Pleasanton he’s unlikely to renew the tax increases imposed by the legislation when they expire in 2016.

“I said when I campaigned for Prop. 30 that it was a temporary tax, so that’s my belief, and I’m doing everything I can to live within our means,” Brown said.

Several factors, including an improving economy, contributed to DVC’s enrollment drop.

“When the economy is bad, demand goes up and when the economy goes back up, demand goes down,” interim Vice President of Instruction Rachel Westlake said. “We’re seeing that now.”

There’s also a misperception that students will be turned away due to a shortage of classes. That happened when budgets were slashed during the recession, so some students have not returned.

Shifting demographics also play a part, Schenk said.

“There are fewer high school graduates, and the second wave of baby boomers came through the system already, so we have lower numbers.”

To reverse the trend, DVC is reaching out to bring students in.

A spring marketing campaign will deploy postcard ads to local communities, director of marketing and communication Chrisanne Knox said.

“We’re also focusing more on digital,” she said. Google advertising is one example.

To keep current students on track, an internal campaign will build awareness about DVC resources.

“Making sure they know the information, they won’t miss a deadline, that kind of thing,” Knox said, noting that newer students often need help keeping pace with the academic calendar and procedures.

Student Services is reaching out to high school students earlier than it has in past years. Fall is when most students apply for four-year colleges, outreach manager Kenyetta Tribble said, so by spring, the students know whether or not they’ve been accepted.

In the past, she said, spring was the outreach period and the focus was, “OK, you didn’t get to a four-year, so this (DVC) is your backup.”

Now, she said, “We’re trying to say, ‘Hey this is why it’s the number one choice.’”