Admissions finds record increase in spring enrollment

Christine Morgan

Kent State spring semester enrollment

has increased a record of 4.56 percent across the eight-campus system. According to 15th day statistics released yesterday, the university reported an increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment.

“Students are looking for that academic experience inside and outside the classroom,” said T. David Garcia, associate vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “I think for some students who live locally, they come to Kent because of they are able to commute from home.

“We are continuing to see growth at our regional campuses because of the affordability factor. The cost is much lower than the cost of attending Kent State, and plus they don’t have the requirement of living on campus.”

The Kent campus reports a 5.31 percent increase and a 4.63 percent increase at the regional campuses for the spring semester. There are 25,747 students attending the Kent campus this spring, compared to 24,449 students in the spring of 2010.

Greg Jarvie, vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, said enrollment can be credited to the helpful faculty, staff and great academic programs.

“That’s where we win out, when we can have faculty and staff that can spend a little extra time with a student,” Jarvie said. “I’m a believer that we have great flagship programs, such as architecture, journalism, fashion and nursing. We are very fortunate; students who come here get a great education.”

Kent State reports a 91.7 percent retention rate for 2010 first-time freshmen enrolled for spring 2011.

Garcia said retention rates are up because students continue to seek out their undergraduate degree. He also mentioned that graduate enrollment is up 2.63 percent partially because of the rough job market.

“Rather than sit idle, many students are continuing to graduate college,” Garcia said. “We know that some college graduates choose to continue with a graduate program. In most cases it’s because they can’t find a job.”

Garcia mentioned that the number of applications received from prospective students increased by 7.9 percent, beating the previous record of applications received in the fall of 2009.

Garcia said he is pleased with the spring enrollment results. He has high hopes that the university will continue to see growth in the fall 2011 semester.

“I think these numbers are excellent,” Garcia said. “It is accredited to our tremendous faculty and staff who are working to make Kent State a great place to attend. This is an exciting time for Kent State to see this type of growth, and not every college can say that.”

Contact Christine Morgan at [email protected].