Upper Iowa University increases enrollment for 5th consecutive year at Fayette campus
FAYETTE, Iowa (August 31, 2010) — At the Upper Iowa University campus in Fayette, preliminary numbers for the 2010-11 academic year indicate that enrollment continues to increase. With an increase of about 5 percent this year, the total increase in enrollment at the UIU Fayette campus has climbed 40 percent since 2005.
“Although our total University-wide enrollment numbers for the new academic year won’t be available until mid-September, we are pleased to see that preliminary numbers for our traditional campus in Fayette show continued growth,” said UIU President Alan G. Walker. “As the U.S. economy continues to work toward recovery, we know these are tough times for many families, and we are grateful that so many families entrust their students to UIU for their higher education. Our new facilities, academic quality, Division II athletics, and aggressive financial assistance offer the value that so many families are seeking.”
Noting that both the new Liberal Arts building and the new residence hall opened with the fall semester, Walker said, “When so many colleges and universities are facing cutbacks, freezes, and layoffs, it is exciting to be part of a thriving university that is able to grow to meet students’ needs.”
Preliminary enrollment numbers for the UIU traditional campus in Fayette indicate that 947 students are on campus, which includes 912 degree-seeking students and 35 students enrolled in the non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Of the degree-seeking students, 31are graduate students, 6 are enrolled in the Master’s of Higher Education Administration program, and 17 are nursing students. The Fayette fall enrollment is 53 percent male and 47 percent female. About 28 percent are non-traditional students (age 22 or older).
The additional 35 ESL students are nearly triple the number of ESL students on campus as compared to a year ago. The non-credit ESL program provides academic English preparation to students to ensure successful integration into future college-level coursework.
“This is our largest overall incoming class since 1996 on the Fayette campus, and the largest freshmen class in Fayette since 1996,” said President Walker. “In addition, this group of new students on campus is among the most geographically diverse that we’ve ever had, with about one-third of the class coming from 27 states outside of Iowa.”
Linc Morris, vice president for enrollment management, added that one in every five students represents an ethnic minority. Fifty-seven international students come to Fayette from 22 nations, a 23 percent increase from a year ago and a 10-fold increase from three years ago.
“I don’t believe that UIU has ever had such a large representation from around the world,” said Chris Sanders, UIU interim senior vice president of international programs. “We have added eight countries just this year – Australia, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Japan, Moldova and Pakistan. The everyday interaction between our U.S. students and our international students goes a long way toward helping our students become the global citizens who will thrive in the world of the future.”
“We look forward to seeing UIU’s worldwide numbers next month,” added Melik Peter Khoury, senior vice president for strategic positioning and chief marketing officer. “Every indication is that we will see even larger growth in our 16 U.S. centers and our international centers in Malaysia and Hong Kong. We also continue to see greater numbers of students enrolling in our undergraduate and graduate online programs as well as in our independent study programs. That continuing growth appears to indicate that today’s student appreciates the flexibility of the many ways in which they can pursue a college education through UIU.”
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to over 6,600 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.