SEM Goal 2: Increase enrollment of degree-seeking underserved student populations.
SEM Goal 4: Increase enrollment along the I-35 corridor.
In conjunction with the University’s Strategic Planning process, WSU has developed a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan for future growth. To stay informed on the progress toward our goals, each month we will provide the status of one of the goals and provide information for you to assist us in moving forward together.
Wichita, Kansas and the nation are witnessing an expansion of underserved populations, so it is important that WSU provides educational opportunities to this segment of students. As part of this effort, SEM Goal 2 was established to increase enrollment of degree-seeking underserved student populations.
The graph below shows that since the enactment of SEM goals in 2016, we have made increases in enrollment of underserved students every year. From fall 2015 to 2018 among all degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, we increased by 188 underserved students (3 percent increase); among new degree-seeking undergraduates and graduates, the 2018 recruited class was 258 students higher than the 2015 class (15 percent); and among First-Time-In-College (FTIC) students, we witnessed an increase of 156 (23 percent increase) from 2015 to 2018.
A large part of recruitment is identifying population growth areas and aligning those areas with the institutional mission. Kansas has had, and is projected to have, a flat to declining population base for the foreseeable future. In contrast, major metropolitan areas along the I-35 corridor outside of Kansas have strong population growth and allow us to align our applied innovation learning approach with an economic development network, which is why SEM Goal 4 was established.
The graph below shows that we have had considerable student population growth since 2015. From 2015 to 2018, we witnessed an increase among new and returning degree-seeking undergraduates and graduates from along the I-35 corridor of 419 students (132 percent increase); among new degree-seeking undergraduates and graduates, we gained 195 students (170 percent increase) in 2018 over 2015; and among FTIC students will had an increase of 158 students (229 percent increase) from 2015 to 2018.
WSU received approval Nov. 7 by the Kansas Board of Regents to expand tuition discounting to markets outside of Kansas, effectively growing the Shocker City and Shocker Select programs. The proposal would allow for in-state rates for students outside of Kansas from several major metropolitan communities along the I-35 and I-70 corridors, including students from Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri and extending into Illinois.
The discounts – with a fresh marketing push – will be implemented for students enrolling at WSU for fall 2019.
The recruitment push for new undergraduates next year is in full-stride, with more than 3,000 students already admitted for fall 2019. The Office of Admissions has spent the past two months traveling throughout the country to engage with prospective students and parents at college fairs, high schools, community colleges and recruitment events. Every academic college and more than a dozen student life and service departments have been involved in those activities, providing critical in-depth information for students in the midst of their college search.
What can you do?
- Always respond to email queries from prospective students and take a little time to meet with high school guests when they come on campus. Survey data indicates that the more unique contacts that prospective students make on campus, the more likely they are to choose to attend WSU. Your engagement makes a big difference!
- Help connect WSU alumni to prospective students. Personal contacts with alumni are valued by prospective students. If you know alumni who live in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri or Colorado who would be willing to visit with prospective students from time to time, share their information with the Admissions office.
- Stay informed about undergraduate recruitment topics by subscribing to the weekly admissions newsletter. It provides great updates on ongoing initiatives and ways in which you can contribute to the ongoing push for enrollment growth. To subscribe, simply send an email to bobby.gandu@wichita.edu.