Newman University officials announced today that the university has again posted record-high enrollment figures. According to the official federal enrollment report following the 20th day of fall classes, 3,021 students are enrolled for the fall 2011 semester, an increase of 275 over the previous year and the first time enrollment has reached the 3,000 mark in the school’s 78-year history.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone in the history of Newman University,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “Clearly the message is spreading that Newman offers high quality academic programs delivered by superb professors who care about their students’ success. We offer a values-based educational experience, a dedication to service, a rich and varied offering of athletics and campus activities – all at an affordable price.”
Newman has experienced record-breaking increases in enrollment for the past three years. The fall 2011 overall enrollment of 3,023 represents a 9 percent increase over the 2,746 students in the fall 2010 semester, and a two-year increase of 15 percent over the 2,557 students in fall 2009.
The number of undergraduate students has also shown gains over the past three years. A total of 1,371 undergraduates are enrolled for the fall 2011 semester, a 4.45 percent increase of the 1,310 of fall 2010, and an almost 13 percent increase compared to 1,197 in fall 2009. Graduate student figures follow the same trend, with 828 students enrolled in fall 2011 compared to 743 in fall 2010 and 689 in fall 2009. That represents a two-year increase of almost 17 percent from 2009 to 2011.
“The biggest gains in enrollment came from better retention of existing students, and an increase of students in our certificate programs and adult degree completion programs,” said Newman Dean of Admissions John Clayton. “Much of that increase is on the Wichita campus, although we also had significant gains in enrollment at our Western Kansas Center – 480 students this fall semester compared to 391 in fall 2010 and 300 in 2009.”
The Newman University Western Kansas Center offers academic programs in teacher education and social work, as well as an endorsement program in English as a Second Language. Classes are offered in many locations in Western Kansas through live instruction and interactive television (ITV).
Enrollment figures were also up for the university as a whole in the areas of full-time equivalency (FTE), which totaled 2,019 compared to 1,890 last year, and the total number of credit hours, which reached 26,859, up 1,682 from 25,177 last year. That amounts to a 6.8 percent increase in FTE and a more than 6.6 percent increase in the number of credit hours.
Over the past few years the university has created or expanded its academic offerings to better meet the needs of today’s students. The university now offers a unique undergraduate degree completion program that can be tailored to the prior studies and desires of each individual student. In addition, more undergraduate and graduate courses are offered in a primarily online format to provide flexibility and convenience for students, while maintaining a personal connection between students and their professors. The university also offers generous financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
