Another enrollment increase at Chadron State

For the second consecutive year, CSC has recorded an enrollment increase. Both the college’s head count and full-time equivalency are improved, representing the first back-to-back enrollment increase for the institution since 1993 and 1994.

The college’s head count is 2,509 this fall, compared to 2,483 last year. The full-time equivalancy, a figure determined from the total number of credit hours processed, is 1,988 compared to 1,972 last fall.

Randy Rhine, CSC vice president for enrollment management and student services, said the enlargement of the freshman class is particularly encouraging. There are 407 freshmen taking courses from CSC, up 10.8 percent from last fall’s 367.

In addition, Rhine said the number of inquiries from potential students for the fall 2008 semester is running ahead of expectations.

“The increase in freshmen enrollment is really reflective of what is happening on-campus,” Rhine said. “While Chadron State is all about access and opportunity, students are making the decision to come here because we have quality programs. A great number of people, including the faculty, admissions staff and coaches, are doing a great job of relaying our message to potential students.”

Chadron State isn’t the only college reporting a growth of the student body.

Nebraska State College System Chancellor Stan Carpenter reported enrollment increases at the other two state colleges, Peru State and Wayne State, during his annual “State of the System” address at CSC on Thursday.

About 8,000 students are studying at the three colleges this fall, which reflects a 3.5 percent increase from last year. The overall freshman enrollment has grown 6.5 percent in the system.

“More students are choosing to attend our colleges and more are becoming success stories,” Carpenter said. “Our colleges continue to improve the ways in which we educate students and remove the barriers preventing them from earning a degree. We provide opportunities that not only better the lives of our students, but also the lives of their families.”

He said the increased enrollment is positive not only for the three colleges, but Nebraska as a whole. He noted that 75 percent of Nebraska State College System graduates stay in the state to become “vital members of a well-trained, well-educated work force.”

Carpenter said the enrollment increases can be largely attributed to increased opportunities at the three colleges, such as last fall’s inception of the master’s degree in organizational management. The 36-credit online program is designed to educate rising leaders by emphasizing four areas – entrepreneurial and community development, human services, natural resources, and sports and recreation management.

Korinne Tande, NSCS vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, is reporting a 35 percent increase in the organizational management degree’s enrollment since its beginning.