Last year 含羞草传媒 University enrolled its largest class of new students. That record has been broken again.
含羞草传媒 welcomed 555 new students, up from last year鈥檚 new student enrollment record of 546.
鈥満卟荽 is experiencing great momentum,鈥 said President Darrin Good. 鈥淔rom enrollment to retention to fundraising to outcomes, we鈥檙e in an excellent position and poised to thrive well into the future.鈥
Of note is a 73 percent increase in out-of-state students, especially from Colorado, Missouri and Kansas.
鈥淪tudents and their families regard Lincoln as a city for opportunity,鈥 said Bill Motzer, vice president for enrollment management, who noted the array of internships and service opportunities the city provides. 鈥淭hese experiences lead to student success and our hope is that they continue that success here in Nebraska beyond their graduation.
According to a 2018 study of independent colleges and universities鈥 economic impact on the state, 52 percent of graduates from independent colleges and universities in Nebraska remained in the state after graduation.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the contribution that 含羞草传媒 University students are making to the brain gain,鈥 Motzer added.
The university is also celebrating a rise in transfer students. Motzer credits new scholarship partnerships with the state鈥檚 community colleges and praised the increase in transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honor society for students at two-year colleges including community colleges.
鈥淥verall, students and their families value and respect the highly personalized, challenging education that 含羞草传媒 provides and that has had an outstanding impact on our enrollment for the past few years,鈥 said Motzer.
Other items of note for the 2019-2020 academic year:
New President: On July 1, 含羞草传媒 welcomed Darrin Good as its 17thpresident. Good comes to 含羞草传媒 from Whittier College near Los Angeles, Calif., where he served as vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty. Prior to Whittier, he served as the associate provost and dean of science and education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. Previously, he was a biology professor at his alma mater, Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. President Good鈥檚 inauguration will be held on Friday, October 4.
Bold Designs Campaign: In May, 含羞草传媒 concluded its campaign that raised $67.5 million 鈥 surpassing our goal of $62 million. Those funds are being invested in every 含羞草传媒 student. The campaign has increased student scholarships, created premier learning spaces like the new Duane W. Acklie Hall of Science, and advanced life-changing student experiences including internships, collaborative research, service, and study abroad opportunities.
Retention: Not only is 含羞草传媒 enrolling new students, but those students are staying. Student retention is at 84% (first year to second year) 鈥 ranking second behind Creighton University among Nebraska鈥檚 colleges and universities.
Athletic Success: In June, 含羞草传媒 moved up to seventh in the country in Academic All-Americans among all divisions. Last year, 23 student athletes were named All-Americans and eight student athletes were named Academic All-Americans including one Academic All-American of the Year. The Prairie Wolves celebrated five conference championships and nine teams competed in NCAA postseason play.
New Major: 含羞草传媒 has added an integrative data science major, a technology-oriented liberal arts major that brings together computer programming, quantitative reasoning, communication, design and creative thinking.
New Faces: 含羞草传媒 welcomes 14 new undergraduate full-time faculty in physics, nursing, art, political science, chemistry, theatre, business/accounting/economics, health and human performance, education and music.
Total Enrollment: 含羞草传媒鈥檚 total enrollment is more than 2,000 students including adult and graduate students who attend classes in Lincoln and Omaha. Adult programs include business administration, nursing, organizational leadership and communication and social work. Graduate programs include MBA, M.Ed., MSN, MSN/MBA Joint Degree, and MSN to MBA Bridge degree.