WSCU’s spring enrollment jumps
Retention among factors cited

Originally published 2013-02-07



Western State Colorado University (WSCU) saw an increase in the number of students attending class this spring compared to last year’s spring numbers. The positive enrollment numbers come after WSCU also saw an increase in students for the fall 2012 semester.

WSCU’s enrollment at the beginning of the spring 2013 semester is up by 119 students over spring 2012. One of the reasons for the growth is that a higher percentage of students were retained from fall to the spring semester.

“This is the best retention we’ve seen in years,” said WSCU President Dr. Jay Helman. “We have been working hard to develop an effective strategy for keeping students engaged, and I believe programs like our First Year Experience are working.”

The First Year Experience program was launched as a way to build connections between new students and their community while giving them a broad survey of Western’s academic offerings. The program is required for freshmen, and includes an enhanced student orientation, participation in an interdisciplinary seminar and living on campus in academic-focused learning communities.

“I loved the First Year Experience because it helped me learn about the new community I live in and how students fit in to the picture,” said WSCU freshman McKenzie Parrott.

From Breckenridge, Parrott said she enjoys living in campus housing in a learning community as well. “It helped me meet lots of other students and make connections with freshmen from all different types of backgrounds,” she said.

Other factors that contributed to the spring enrollment numbers include an increase in the number of high school students taking classes at Western.