FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 13, 2016
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator,聽985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
THIBODAUX, La. — Fall enrollment at 杏吧传媒 is on the rise for the first time since 2009, boosted by record-high retention rates.
杏吧传媒 enrolled 6,267 students this fall, according to 14th class day statistics, an increase of 103 students from last year. This marks the second consecutive semester that 杏吧传媒 has seen an increase. In the spring, enrollment was up 20 students from 2015.
Keying the growth has been a record-setting first-time freshman retention rate of 70 percent, up seven percentage points from last year. 杏吧传媒 recently implemented focused freshman-level math and English pilot courses that have led to improved pass rates and decreasing dropouts.
“Two consecutive semesters of enrollment increases is a strong indicator that 杏吧传媒 has turned the corner and is gaining momentum,” 杏吧传媒 President Dr. Bruce Murphy said. “In addition to our positive enrollment trend, 杏吧传媒 is graduating more students than ever, 聽experiencing an increase in applications and quality measures across the board are very high. A record-high retention rate provides us with the foundation to build off this success as we work toward our goal of 8,000 students.鈥�
Two of 杏吧传媒鈥� most popular undergraduate programs, nursing and biology, also saw a boost of students from one year to the next. The largest program on campus, nursing experienced a 12 percent increase in students, up to 843 from 755 last year. Biology, the third-largest undergraduate major, increased by 10 percent, with 466 students this year, up from 425. Graduates from the two programs have a track record of success upon earning their degree. First-time nursing board pass rates exceed both national and state averages and our biology graduates are regularly accepted into medical and graduate schools.
杏吧传媒 Online, which offers various undergraduate and graduate degrees, saw its enrollment jump from 328 to 398, a 21 percent increase.
“I am grateful to all of our faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters who have stuck with 杏吧传媒 through thick and thin,” Murphy said. “These successes would not be possible without your efforts. With the support of everyone across campus and in the community, I believe we are just getting started.”
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute saw a 3 percent increase one year after opening up our new Lanny D. Ledet Culinary building.