Shelbie Harris

Staff Writer

Results from the fall 2014 enrollment census indicate Idaho State University continues to see growth in strategic areas including more first-time undergraduate students, total credit hours and more students enrolled in ISU’s Early College Program, although total enrollment numbers remained flat.

As of census day, total headcount was 13,804 compared to 13,845 at the same time last year. First-time undergraduate enrollment saw an increase of 278 students or nearly 19 percent over the last year, and ISU’s Early College Program saw an increase of 113 students or 6.4 percent.

According to administration, the success can be attributed to the hard work and involvement of multiple people and divisions across campus. The Student Success Center and the Early College Program are both major contributors to the positive numbers.

The Early College Program offers opportunities of academic challenge and enrichment for qualified high school students.

“Students in high school have the opportunity to take dual-credit courses,” said Early College Program Director Chelsie Rauh.

“Dual-credit, meaning they get college credit and high school credit at the same time,” Rauh continued. “Statewide it is offered at $65 a credit, which is an amazing deal for students.”

Not every state offers credits at that rate but many universities take advantage of being able to offer dual-credit opportunities which benefits not only the students but the university as well.

“Having the option to be able to take dual-credit [courses] in high school gets students started in college early and of course it saves them time and money,” Rauh said. “Students will move into their programs faster and the workforce faster.”

The fact students can complete a college-level course prior to stepping foot on campus provides confidence heading in to the collegiate level of academia.

Part of the process handled by the Early College Program involves making sure students are filling out applications in an environment that facilitates experts being able to answer any questions they may have.

Over the last five years the program has seen consistent growth. During the last academic year more than 2,100 students took advantage of the program.

Compared to last years’ numbers, students are taking 4,010 more credit hours for a total production of 148,458 credit hours.

The Student Success Center is also responsible for contributing to the increase of first-year undergraduate students with help from the Emissary Program and First Year Seminar (FYS) courses.

“The tagline for the Student Success Center is, ‘it’s not just our name, it’s our mission,’” said Kay Flowers, academic programs director.

FYS introduces students to important components of life on a college campus and assists them in achieving both their academic and personal goals.

The course is designed to help students learn ways to meet the expectations of college, become involved in the community of ISU by creating relationships with other students, faculty, and staff members and prepare them to make smart, informed decisions throughout their life.

“Every single one of our programs has a different focus on student success and retention,” said Executive Director of the Student Success Center Cindy Hill.

“Helping students to achieve their academic goals is our primary mission,” she added.

By preparing students with the skills and confidence necessary for college-level coursework, the likelihood of seeing an increased number of students continue on to finish their degree at ISU is high.

“[ISU] is on a good fitting and we want to continuously improve on what we have,” said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas.

“We want to expand the programs even more to try and get more cooperation from other school districts,” he added.