Fall Enrollment Highest in Alma College history
Alma College has enrolled the highest number of students in its 126-year history, continuing a momentum swing that has seen a 21 percent enrollment increase over the past seven years and a 15 percent increase in new students from a year ago.
The total headcount of 1,464 students represents a 3.3 percent increase over last year and surpasses the previous high of 1,447 students enrolled in 1995.
New students total 487 — 435 first-years and 52 transfers — shattering the previous high of 458 in 2008. This year’s entering class includes 9.2 percent from out-of-state and 15.9 percent from diverse populations. In addition to Michigan, first-year students attending Alma come from 17 states and four countries.
The number of new students is the highest in Alma College history.
“We also are pleased to enroll another academically talented class, with entrance scores that are consistent with past classes and a slight increase in the average incoming grade point average,” says Bob Garcia, vice president for enrollment.
Alma College has recruited five of the six largest classes in school history in the last six years, says Garcia.
“While these have been difficult economic times, Alma’s commitment to providing a first-class education has never waivered, leading to the development of new opportunities both academically and outside the classroom,” says Garcia. “Students in Michigan and beyond are recognizing the type of education they will receive at Alma College.”
Alma College’s Strategic Plan identifies a growth target of 1,700 students by 2017. In recent years, the College has added academic majors in anthropology, biotechnology, health care administration, environmental studies and new media studies, bringing the total number of majors to 33. In addition, Alma has added five new varsity sports since 2010, including competitive cheer, women’s and men’s lacrosse, wrestling and women’s bowling,
This year, the college has launched the Center for Student Opportunity, a place for students to find support for their Alma experience. The CSO houses expanded services related to academic and career planning, service learning, leadership development, off-campus study, international student support and diversity.
“Great things are happening at Alma,” says Garcia. “The passion of our faculty and staff for Alma is seen through their ongoing efforts to provide individual attention, one-on-one advising and the type of college experience that our alumni have experienced over the past 126 years.”
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Posted: Mon, September 24th, 2012 at 8:13AM
