GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay reports an increase in enrollment among its four campuses to begin the 2020-21 academic year.
While the UW Green Bay campus looks emptier than usual, with majority of student’s classes being online, the university says 243 more students enrolled in the fall 2020 semester than enrolled in fall 2019, which is an increase of 3.3 percent.
Chancellor Michael Alexander tells FOX 11….
“how we’re delivering the education is less important than the fact students want to continue their education and need to persist.”
The increase marks the fifth consecutive year of enrollment growth at the university, according to a news release.
Graduate program enrollment has also increased, amounting to a 12 percent growth since last year, the university says.
According to Chancellor Michael Alexander, the pandemic has helped the university better recruit and retain students. He says now it’s all about adding a personal touch.
“We are solving that student’s specific issues to get them to access the education they need. Where the pandemic has really taught us how to that in maybe an improved way.”
Alexander says a diverse student body is also reason for their growth. More than 23% of UWGB’s student body was older the age of 25 last year.
And the flexibility of online courses helps those students continue their education.
Alexander said, “a ton of our students are coming at all times during their career and I think that’s partly why that’s fueling our growth.”
Two of the university’s branch campuses have also seen enrollment increases, with UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc seeing a 23.6 percent increase and a 31 percent increase at UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan.
While UWGB has seen this increase, the case is not the same for the overall UW system.
The UW system estimates that enrollment will fall 1%.
Although numbers may continue to change throughout the semester, UW system president of Board of Regents, Andrew Peterson tells FOX 11 the numbers are encouraging.
“I want to thank our students for having faith in us and our faculty and staff and their hard work over the summer.”
Official enrollment numbers for the whole UW system will be released at a later date.
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