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KAHULUI - At a time when jobs are scarce and money is tight, Maui Community College is looking to spend more and hire more instructors to teach a record number of students.

Enrollment is up by 56 percent, with 2,837 students set to attend this fall. And registration hasn't closed yet.

About this time last year, there were 1,822 students registered.

"This is way up there," MCC faculty coordinator Diane Meyer said about student registrations.

Meyer is looking to hire new lecturers for English, basic mathematics, psychology, economics, history, biology, art, anthropology and general business.

Most disciplines require master's degrees, although instructors for courses in business technology and building maintenance need not have the same educational backgrounds.

Meyer said there are at least 15 lecturer openings for the fall.

MCC spokeswoman Katie McMillan said she believes enrollment has picked up in part because of the economy and decisions by unemployed and underemployed workers who are looking to gain new skills for new jobs.

MCC also has been actively recruiting students, visiting high school campuses not just in Maui County but across the state, McMillan said.

There are 600-plus new high school graduates already registered to attend MCC in the fall. "That's more than normal," Meyer said.

Most of the new lecturers are needed to teach three-credit courses to freshmen. Class sizes are expected to run between 24 and 35 students.

Lecturer salary is $3,789 per semester per course.

The job is considered part time and dependent on student enrollment. Meyer said she doesn't see things letting up. "I could see the upswing continuing into the spring," she said.

Interested lecturer or instructor candidates need to provide their official graduate and undergraduate transcripts, a resume, a one-page statement outlining how they meet the job qualifications, three professional references and three letters of recommendation.

Inquiries may be directed to Meyer at 984-3289; or by e-mail: dianemey@hawaii.edu.

Meanwhile, a July 17 payment deadline has been set for students who registered between April 13 and July 17 for the fall 2009 semester. Those applying after July 18 and before Aug. 7 must pay by Aug. 7 or they will be dropped from their classes.

MCC's first day of instruction is Aug. 24.

To enroll, call Admission and Records at 984-3267 and the Educational Opportunity Center (academic and financial aid counseling for Maui County residents) at 984-3286.

The fall 2009 schedule, classes list and catalog can be found online at www.maui.hawaii.edu/student/schedule.php.

* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.