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thePeorian.com
Midstate College instructors,
like the college itself, must be
accredited by the Higher Learn-
ing Commission and other
regulators. Enrollment at present
is about 550 students and the
college has 65 instructors; 23
full-time and 42 adjunct. “We
believe that’s a pretty good ratio
and the average on-campus class
size is 10 students. That enables
a close relationship between the
instructor and students, which
can be critical to success for some
students,” Bunch said.
Midstate tries to stay in touch
with its graduates, she said. One
way it does so is by offering
lifetime placement services for
those who need it, something
that is used by those who want
to improve their employment
situation.
“
We continually help our
students and graduates. Our
students and staff often say it’s
like family here. We consider that
a compliment.”
Family is important in an-
other way at Midstate College.
It is owned by the Bunch family,
which has owned it 50 years.
Bunch, in her third year as presi-
dent, replaced her father R. Dale
Bunch, who remains chairman of
the college’s board of directors.
She was only 39 when she
became president and said at the
time she worried if she was too
young. “But my family and the
board had confidence in me and I
think I’ve more than shown I was
up to the job. I am very confident
in my abilities,” she said.
Bunch said her confidence in
the college is as high as it’s ever
been. “We continue to offer new
programs so we can help the
entire region meet its needs. The
other colleges in the region do
as well. I think post-secondary
education in our region is do-
ing well. I don’t think we need
another state institution here,”
she said.
The Present
Meredith Bunch, president of Midstate
College, the Private institution in Peoria
owned by her family, said the college is
enjoying a period of growth.
