New 2006-2007 figures released by Wichita State University’s Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning Office show a 3 percent increase in student placements, to 1,371, from the year prior. 

 

That’s the highest placement rate ever for the co-op program, which also produced 2,099 credit hours and worked with 484 employers.

 

Several other figures also rose in 2006-2007.

 

WSU placed 71 percent of students who actively pursued a co-op or internship, a 5 percent increase.

 

And more than $5.1 million was earned by students, up $500,000 from 2005-2006.

Based on these strong results, WSU’s co-op office was recognized as an exemplary program by the Higher Learning Commission.

 

"The 2006-2007 academic year was an excellent year for the co-op program," said director Connie Dietz. "It is always exciting when we can provide a greater number of WSU students with real-world, professional work experience before they graduate."