Austen Hunzeker
Staff Writer
Idaho State University published a statement on Monday, Oct. 28, saying that it welcomed the largest class of first-time undergraduate students in approximately eight years this fall after the numbers were reported on Oct. 15, Idaho’s official census day.
First-time undergraduate enrollment, also known as Freshman enrollment, was recorded at 1,802, making this fall a 2.4% increase from last fall. The undergraduate student total was marked at 10,850, creating a 4.1% increase from last fall, as well as being the highest increase since fall 2016.
The university also highlighted that this fall marks four straight years of undergraduate enrollment increases. Total ISU enrollment jumped 3.5% from last fall, with 13,078 students enrolled.
In the university statement, President Robert Wagner commented on ISU’s “bold path forward.”
“Four consecutive semesters of enrollment growth show the institution’s commitment to the great state of Idaho and is evidence of our continued momentum,” Wagner said. “ISU is going boldly forward in expanding our reach throughout the state by offering important academic programs that serve students in our communities and positively impact the state’s economy and vitality.”
Dual enrollment also significantly increased this fall, reaching 3,152 students, an increase of 3.4%. Total transfer enrollment jumped by 8.6%, and total graduate enrollment increased by 0.5%.
Corey Zink, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at ISU, revealed in the statement that the enrollment management department is proud of its gains, as the growth represents much planning, effort, and investment in the recruitment and retention of ISU students.
“Our recruitment staff has worked tirelessly to develop meaningful communications and deliver unique events, and our entire university has collaborated to ensure prospective students across the state know that ISU is a wonderful place to pursue a degree,” Zink said.
In his inaugural address in September, President Wagner considered this visible growth in enrollment to be one of the many accomplishments ISU has made despite the economic struggles related to COVID-19. In his initiative called “Bold Path Forward,” the university aims to operate under an “Opportunity-Aligned Resourcing” framework.
This framework focuses on enrollment growth, student success, academic and research focus, advancing and enhancing physical infrastructure, external relations and partnerships, and employee engagement.
“Opportunity-aligned resourcing is a forward-thinking framework for strategic institutional growth and sustainability,” Wagner said. “Students first and always…As we look to the future, I see not just a continuation of our proud past but the promise of a new era – an era of growth, innovation, and impact.”
Before this year, ISU had the largest incoming undergraduate class since 2014. The first-time undergraduate student total was 1,759, making this year a 43-student increase. Total undergraduate enrollment was 7,257 students last year, making this year a 3,593 undergraduate student increase.
It is apparent that ISU wants to continue on this path, pursuing growth and success in the student population.
